Goldfinches at last !!

Success with attracting Goldfinches has finally arrived following placing a feeder in the front garden, such a thrill to see them and they were actually quite bold. The Siskins are also very busy on all feeders, especially the black Niger Seed. I managed a few photos but only from inside the house and although the camera is at the ready I haven't seen them since.

Seasonal Change ?

After the warm, springlike weather of last week the weekend weather became quite wintery, with a couple of inches of snow on Sunday morning. Its started to fall following a clap of thunder and lightening flash at about 6 am on Sunday morning and by 8 am the Sun was shining on the crisp layer that now extended from the Mendips right across the Levels to Glastonbury and beyond. I walked at Deer Leap, typically, the wind was biting and the snow was crisp. The dogs always love snow, it makes them very playful, rolling and snuffling in it, catching snowballs and generally chasing each other around.

There was some talk in the news of this weather being yet another indicator of the seasonal changes brought about by global warming. However, Edith Holden's Diary of an Edwardian Country Lady written on 1906, records snow even later in April, accompanied by similar bitterly cold winds.

The Elusive Goldfinch

The birds coming into the feeders hanging on the patio have been a great source of pleasure throughout the winter, though the variety hasn't been great. Generally there are Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Sparrows, Starlings, Robins, the occasional Blackbird, and newcomers Siskin and Lesser Red Poll. The latter two have appeared since adding the black niger seed feeder. I had hoped that this would also attract Goldfinches but so far, after a week there is no sign of them, this is quite disappointing but I'm ever hopeful.

The results of the 2008 RSPB garden bird survey are here

Spring at Last

After a long and dismal winter it seemed like spring had come at last, yesterday was the warmest day of the year so far and a respite from the strong biting winds of late. The woods are full of the delicate little Wood Anenome and the first Bluebells are beginning to flower, Primroses have been in flower for weeks and violets too, but its been so cold and windy I've not had any inclination to take any photos. This is normally my favorite time of year but it actually feels like it has just passed me by.
I'm taking a trip to the Quantocks at the weekend, looking for inspiration but the forecast is for wintery weather again.