Quick Update with Repaired Camera

 It's good to have my camera back again, even though the opportunities to use it have been limited by the poor light. It seems to be working as well as before though so....back to normal 😊

 

Down at the sea front we had a large influx of Sanderling of over 170 birds. I walked along the following morning and found 35 still there, roosting on the beach as the tide came in.

35 Sanderling, well camouflaged on the beach

Closer shot of the snoozing Sanderling

 Further along the promenade, the long-staying pair of Stonechats were feeding in the undergrowth.

Female Stonechat enjoying the sea view

Male Stonechat

Things have quiet at the Mere which is normal at this time of year, although we have had a Ring-necked Duck and over 10 Scaup hanging around for several days. Photos have been an issue due to distance but hopefully they will approach to within camera range at some point.

Redwing are seen every morning and Great Spotted Woodpeckers have started drumming, making them easier to find and photograph.

Redwing showing its red underwing

Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Mere

In the garden we are seeing Long-tailed Tits every day now as they visit the sunflower seed and fat ball feeders. One of the LTs showed behaviour I haven't seen before when it hung from one leg and held a seed to eat it in the other. It reminded me of a parrot which I think is the only other bird I've seen doing this?! 

Long-tailed Tit holding a seed to eat it while hanging by one leg

The green wire is a hanging basket that I use in the cotoneaster bush to keep Wood Pigeons off the feeders. 

Long-tailed Tit

Also in the garden was the first Greenfinch I have seen visiting our garden. We've been here 18 months now so a Greenfinch is well overdue.

Greenfinch on a garden feeder

Greenfinch