Wednesday 8th / Thursday 9th February 2012.

Last two days been very cold, wind chill made it appear colder. Temp' on both days hovered on freezing.
Tonight at 8pm we experienced another snow shower so winter far from over yet.
Another two working in the workshop but did note that there is now a pair of Jays. Hopefully young will be in the garden again this year. The Gay Blackbirds have returned, thought it was just a 'one off' sighting last year but clearly they are an item!
Good to see the Siskins, next task is to photograph one.
Still a bit of Snow laying about the garden, more tonight after the Snow Shower!

Picture 1, 2 & 3 - Woody trapping a Monkey Nut in the Bark of the Robinia Tree ready for breaking open.
Picture 4 - Ice Block cut from the Pond.
      "    5 - Last bit of snow from last weekends snow storm.

Tuesday 7th February 2012

A good bright sunny day. Temp' reached a high of 6! Still a bit of snow about.
Rather a cluttered picture but liked the way the Starling was stretching to reach it's food! Note the Blue Tit.
Spotted a couple of Siskin today, not seen for a while.
Not much time spent watching today as spent most of the day in the workshop preparing for making a Chicken Run for Doug (Boyo) sometime next week.

Monday 6th February 2012

Dull, cold day. Temp' never went above 5. Not much of a thaw today, just a little snow left to clear.
Woody spent large part of the day on the Fat Block. Despite the cold the pair of Robins were doing their mating dance this afternoon. The pair of Wrens also played games today!
Crow back on the lawn nicking any Monkey Nuts that had been dropped, most unusual. Starlings taken a liking to the Woody Nest Box, can see this could be a problem?!

Picture 1 - Starling checking out the Woodpecker Box.
     "     2 - Starling on the lookout!
     "     3 - Crow having found a Monkey Nut on Snowy Lawn.
     "     4 - Woody & Goldfinches sharing Feeding Station.

Sunday 5th February 2012

Heavy Snowfall overnight, started as sleet at 8pm. Rapid thaw today, not much left tonight. Temp' never went above 3.2.
Noticable today the number of birds feeding from the Fat Balls & Blocks. Starlings actually took over the feeder most of the afternoon. Woody also changed his diet today favouring the Fat Block.
Followed Foxy Trail in the Snow, up the front drive, under side gate, across the lawn then walked behind shrubs all the way to his set. Paw Prints 25mm from the Trail Camera Tripod so missing a picture!

Picture 1 & 2 - Jay and Crow looking for fresh water, this one frozen.
     "      3          Back Garden in the Snow at midnight.
     "      4           Woody enjoying some fat!
     "      5          Starling take over!
     "      6          Heron as through the Silver Birch late afternoon. Pond Frozen so left empty mouthed!
     

Saturday 4th February 2012

Coldest day this winter, in fact perhaps the coldest I have known in the 40 years here. 9am this morning the outside Therm' was showing -10, warmest was 3pm when showing -5.
Exciting news to report on Birds spotted today in the garden. Managed a picture of the Long Tailed Tits. A Coal Tit, Great & Blue Tits were also recorded. Not seen the Coal Tit before, next goal is to secure a photograph.
The pair of Woodpeckers were back on form today, inseperable. Flying together between the Ash, Birch and Robinia Trees. Jay also back on form, catching up looking at the number of Monkey Nuts consumed!
                  Enjoyed a walk with Doug (Boyo, my eyes & ears!) early this morning to Southcote Lock. Very cold, frosty with a beautiful Sunrise. The Kennet was frozen at Fobney and Southcote, good picture of two sleeping Swans in the frozen Kennet.
Also saw two Muntjacs and a Fox in the Frozen Meadow along with a Pereguine and a Kestrel.

A good day all round.

Friday 3rd February 2012

A very cold, sunny, frosty day. Temp' outside 3.5 in the garden. Not a sign today of the Jays or Woodpeckers, not a single Monkey Nut eaten. Surprising this as all the small birds were out as normal. Was a job keeping the bird water bowls free from ice.
              Walked to St.Agnes Hall in afternoon to see an exhibition on the proposed developement at Worton Grange. Looking good with a mix of housing, flats, supermarket, bus station, surgery, community centre, family park etc. Look forward to see how all this proceeds.

Thursday 2nd February 2012

Very cold and bright day after overnight frost. Nothing to report today as day spent decorating.
We actioned the open fire tonight, the first time this winter.