Wednesday 28 February 2018

Last night was the lowest temperature we've ever seen here - minus 19.5oC.

Wednesday 14 February 2018

If you read the wikipedia entry for Pine Marten, it says "European pine martens are territorial animals that mark their range by depositing feces (called 'scats') in prominent locations. These scats are black and twisted and can be confused with those of the fox, except that they reputedly have a floral odor".

Even so, we didn't expect this deposit on top of our bird table! We resisted the opportunity to check out the floral odour.

Pine marten scat, Christophstal February 2018

Pine marten scat, Christophstal February 2018

Tuesday 13 February 2018
Pine marten, Christophstal February 2018

Pine marten, Christophstal February 2018

Pine marten, Christophstal February 2018

Pine marten, Christophstal February 2018

Pine marten, Christophstal February 2018

Pine marten, Christophstal February 2018

We were shocked to see this enormous pine marten climbing across our shed today. He was clearly trying to catch birds - but he'd probably have had a go at the red squirrels too if they'd been around.

It was strange to watch the behaviour of the birds. They clearly didn't like him being around, but rather than staying away from him even the small blue tits and great tits were buzzing him and landing close by as if to try to provoke him.

Monday 12 February 2018

Some more photos of the spotted nutcracker from today.

Spotted Nutcracker, Christophstal February 2018

Spotted Nutcracker, Christophstal February 2018

Spotted Nutcracker, Christophstal February 2018

Spotted Nutcracker, Christophstal February 2018

Sunday 4 February 2018
Spotted Nutcracker, Christophstal February 2018

Spotted Nutcracker, Christophstal February 2018

The spotted nutcracker is now a regular visitor and is spending more and more time in the garden. Here he is on the bird table.

Saturday 3 February 2018

As is usual at this time of year, the garden has been full of siskins and bramblings.

The middle spotted and great spotted woodpeckers are still regular visitors too.

For the last couple of days, a spotted nutcracker has been visiting our peanut table. He appears to fill his crop with peanuts and then flies to the hawthorn to eat them. In the past, I've found this species quite hard to photograph, but this individual seems reasonably relaxed with us about.

A buzzard made a brief appearance too. I managed to capture the moment he took off from the conifer.

Spotted nutcracker, Christophstal February 2018

Spotted nutcracker, Christophstal February 2018

Spotted nutcracker, Christophstal February 2018

Spotted nutcracker, Christophstal February 2018

Buzzard, Christophstal February 2018

Buzzard, Christophstal February 2018