Saturday 28th February 2015
Common Crossbills, Finkenberg, February 2015

Common Crossbills, Finkenberg, February 2015

Common Crossbill, Finkenberg, February 2015

Common Crossbill, Finkenberg, February 2015

I went for a run up the Finkenberg early this morning and was rewarded by seeing two common crossbills.

I expected them to fly away when I stopped to photograph them but instead they both came down to the road in front of me and allowed me to get quite close.

The first brambling and siskin of the winter are always exciting, but the excitement wears off quickly when you've seen them every day for two months. I don't think I'll ever be unexcited by seeing crossbills though.

It's been a nice sunny day today and the snow is rapidly melting. I took a look at an area in our garden where the snow had melted and the snowdrops are already flowering. They've already spread under the trees where we cleared a lot of undergrowth last year. I'll get a photograph when there's a bigger area clear of snow.

Thursday 26th February 2015

The mouse popped up today obviously interested in the peanuts which had fallen under the bird table. He was not brave enough to run across the snow in daylight though.

Monday 23rd February 2015

We were pleased to see two long-tailed tits at the fat balls today. They flew off when the woodpecker arrived but returned later.

Friday 20th February 2015

We saw two brimstones as we were travelling down the Murg valley on the train. 

Sunday 15th February 2015

We saw six herons at the fishponds down the valley today.

Saturday 14th February 2015
Male siskin, Christophstal February 2015

Male siskin, Christophstal February 2015

There were a male and female siskin at the bird table today as well as the growing flock of bramblings.

Friday 13th February 2015
5 Female and 2 Male Bramblings, Christophstal February 2015

5 Female and 2 Male Bramblings, Christophstal February 2015

We had a troupe of around 15 to 20 Bramblings at the table today. It was fun to watch them flying to and fro and they were very noisy. There are quite large flocks in the area at the moment.

Sunday 8th February 2015
Fallen tree, Christophstrassle, February 2015

Fallen tree, Christophstrassle, February 2015

Bird-cherry, Old rubbish-tip, February 2015

Bird-cherry, Old rubbish-tip, February 2015

This afternoon we went for a walk up the Christophstrassle. The path was blocked by several fallen trees - presumably the result of the high winds we had earlier in the week. It was interesting that the exposed roots of the trees were full of rubbish - maybe from the rubbish tip that used to be up there.

The other picture is of the poor Bird-cherry tree up on the old rubbish tip. This was the same tree that was completely defoliated by Bird-cherry Ermine caterpillars (Yponomeuta evonymella) in May 2014 (see Ghost Tree under search).

Saturday 7th February 2015
Female Great Spotted Woodpecker, Christophstal February 2015

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker, Christophstal February 2015

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker, Christophstal February 2015

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker, Christophstal February 2015

We've had a nice female Great Spotted Woodpecker visiting the garden for the last couple of days. The photo shows her hanging on our bird table eating a sunflower seed. She's also keen on the fatballs and peanuts.

Sunday 1st February 2015
Heron, Christophstal February 2015

Heron, Christophstal February 2015

Male Brambling, Christophstal February 2015

Male Brambling, Christophstal February 2015

Male Brambling, Christophstal February 2015

Male Brambling, Christophstal February 2015

Hawfinch, Christophstal February 2015

Hawfinch, Christophstal February 2015

After several days of cold weather and heavy snowfall, we're seeing large numbers of birds at our feeders.

Here are a few photos of some of the visitors.