Last weeks wintery weather drove a few birds into our garden we rarely see.
These cheeky fellas arrived en masse and took residence in the less than glamorous bird table. I checked my Collins Bird Guide, in winter plumage there appears to be no distinction between male and female and I know we are not supposed to anthropomorphise but I cannot see them as anything other than a group of young males larking around (excuse the bird pun).
We had 5 or 6 of these very territorial Blackbirds digging through the snow when they weren't fighting one another - but that gave the Starlings plenty of opportunity to sneak in and take the food
The old regulars were not to be outdone - half of dozen of the local Robins took advantage of the confusion to stock up - even finding time for a rest of Gladys's shoulder
My favourite is the Thrush, very nervous but so beautiful they are a struggle to capture.
Really unusual and clearly driven in from the fields by the weather was a flock of Redstarts (well I think that is what they were) - only seen these 2 or 3 times in the 11 years we have been here
The Nuthatches and Tree Creepers all but eluded my focusing ability but they didn't go hungry as the final shot of the day proved