This year St Valentine blessed us with a RSPB birdsong clock, if you haven't seen one, I recommend checking them out! Each hour's arrival is announced by a different song-bird, from a fabulous cast of twelve: barn owl, black bird, robin, nightingale, song thrush, chaffinch, blue tit, great tit...
The power of birdsong to lift the human spirit is seriously underrated in the modern world where wi-fi and smart phones rule. A simple step outside the front door, on a frosty morning, is all it takes to let these talented choristers into your world. As the sun rises, they harmonise in unison to welcome the start of another day full of infinite promise...
This morning, we watched woodpeckers breakfasting at the bird table on seeds and nuts. We are thrilled to host both: the 'green woodpecker,' moss plumage topped with a cherry fascinator, as well as the 'great spotted woodpecker,' red flecked monochrome. They are frequent visitors, particularly when hard ground makes extracting insects a trial. Distinctive drumming announces their presence, reminding us to keep a close eye on the bee hives. These beautiful birds become drilling predators when conditions are tough; the opportunity to feed on warm, sweet honey fresh from the hive can prove just too tempting to resist!
