It was a cold, grey day but the birds didn’t seem to mind and whilst I didn’t manage to get out for much of a walk, I was at least able to sit a while and watch them through the window.

Piebald(the leucistic Blackbird), of course, was there. the garden wouldn’t be quite the same without him.

Then there were the two magpies who appear to have set up home in my neighbours large leylandii trees. I used to get frustrated by the way they block the sunlight toward the end of summer. At this time of year the sun is lower in the sky, so it is less of a problem. But this year, the promise of the Magpies nesting, and also the recent arrival of a couple of crows has endeared them to me and I am glad they are still there.

They also offer space for the pigeons, Even though many people aren’t too keen on them, I find even they have their charm. The Collard Doves are elegant, whilst the Wood piegeons amble around in a strange combination of strutting and bumbling, which can make them rather endearing.

The Greenfinches dropped by frequently to take advantage of the feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, whilst the Chaffinches waited below for tidbits that drop down. The ever present sparrow chattered noisily from the hedgerow, flitting across regularly to both the feeders and the fat balls.

The blue tits are currently feeding on bugs which seem to be plaguing the the willow buds. Whilst the great tits seem to prefer the easier meal from the fat balls, which they share with the sparrows.