Above: pair of Siskins on the niger feeder. The male is different from the one seen the other day. A good species for the garden. Below: A male Chaffinch, many of which are currently present at the feeding station. A Green woodpecker visited the garden for the first time in a while. Now the snow has gone it will be able to find insects on the lawn.

We are off to the Antarctic in a couple of days time so will be able to post some Albatrosses and Penguins on my return.

Not exciting for many, but we have had a male Siskin in the garden for the last two days. Quite unusual and great to see. Must get the camera out some time soon. I expect I will a we are off to the Antarctic next Thursday.I will bring back some pictures.

The garden feeding station is doing well. A pair of Great spotted Woodpeckers are constantly present, the Jay still buries all my peanuts and yesterday about 100 Fieldfares sat high up in my poplar tree all facing the same way. Into the biting northerly wind. Today about 300 Starlings did the same. Fieldfare is quite a rare bird in my garden and is only seen in fairly severe weather whilst Starlings have been non-existant all winter. Chaffinches are present in good numbers, up to tyhree Goldfinches at the same time and a few Greenfinches too. Long-tailed Tits made a visit today and Robin, Dunnock, Mistle Thrush, Blackbirds, Collared Doves and Woodpigeons are always around. I have not seen many Wrens. I hope they have not taken a knock in this cold weather.