Winter Bird Watching, what have you seen today?

[Robert_Brenchley]

I remember seeing one out in broad daylight in the snow on Goss Moor in mid-Cornwall, years ago. There had been a pair roosting in an empty hut for a long time. It spotted me, and flew off with its head turned round 180 degrees, so it was looking straight at me over its shoulderblades. I neve saw them again, so they probably starved. Deep snow always causes massive owl mortality.

[Robert_Brenchley]

[thifasmom]

saw the local green woodpecker today while building snowmen with toddler, could have kicked myself the camera was inside and it was not very far away foraging in the snow.

[tonybloke]

A Sparrow Hawk, in hot pursuit of a pigeon, straight across the A47 nr Norwich, between two lorries!!

[timnsal]

Didn't see a thing all day during Monday's snow. This morning, youngest has been out to start a snowman and disturbed the snow. Now the blackbirds are busy rooting through the disturbed bits.

Sally

[thifasmom]

had a jay today :D

[Froglegs]

A  Redwing in my Crabapple, Blackbirds looking for dropped seed.

[Froglegs]

Sorry wrong ones :-[

[tonybloke]

A barn Owl, hunting over a pasture, about 10 o'clock this a.m. ! ;)

[saddad]

Can see the blackbirds Froglegs, where's the redwing hiding?
???

[Carol]

I had a flock of 24 Redwings this morning at the height of a blizzard.  I watched them come over the field and settle in my willow tree for 5 mins.  I have also acquired a couple of Red Legged Partridges again who seem to be brave enough to eat off the ground feeding tables, until they spot me and run off. 

[Froglegs]

Can see the blackbirds Froglegs, where's the redwing hiding?
???

It is there....... honest. :-[

[Gardengirl]

Saw a dear little Wren hopping about in the snow, haven't seen one for a long while.

[Carol]

I havent seen a wren for a few weeks, hope they are surviving this cold weather.  Read they huddle together at night to keep warm in extreme cold.

I saw a abrambling today and the return of 1 yellow hammer. 

[thifasmom]

i had two different sightings of wrens in the past week haven't seen them since Oct 08 :o. one was in my flower garden and the other was on the way to pick up my daughter from school both on Thursday.

[grannyjanny]

We were coming home from shopping yesterday & I looked to the side of the road & there was a beautiful Buzzard sad in a hawthorn bush. Closest we've ever seen one.
Janet.

[Carol]

On our way home from shopping at 5pm we came across a Barn Owl on the edge of the road.  This is the 2nd one I have seen this week, they are quite prolific in this area. 

When we got home a Heron was standing still at the side of our Pond.  Poor thing, apart from a hole the pond iced over. 

[flossy]

  Finaly identified this bird today,

  White's Thrush ---  10 & 3/4 ins.

  ' Rare vagrant, mainly in winter to Southern England, but also recorded in Scotland and
    Ireland ;  breeds in Siberia ;  black crescents on upper and under parts ; black and white
    band under wing is distinctive when it flies ; similar to Mistle thrush, but larger and more
    bodly patterned.

    He/she has been around for a few days now, the blackbirds arn't keen as they
    divebomb it - it doesn't seem at all put out and haunts the apple tree with the others.

    floss x

[thifasmom]

lucky you flossy i have never seen one of those, any chance of a piccy??

[flossy]

  Oh thifasmom, I think I've made a mistake   ......   this not like any thrush type bird
  I have ever seen.    Got a better look just now, thought it was a Field fare but have
  had a good look , so here goes;

  Large as before,  grey head with black band around kneck, under throat is very speckled
  and yellow running either side down of white chest that carries on to its underparts -   has white flash in wings, back and wings are an indistinct brown/ grey.   

  So sorry would love to take a pic but am waiting on my new camera -  blast !

  He's a bit aggressive but as he's alone suppose thats not surprising.

  Hope you can help please to ID this one,

  floss xxx

[flossy]

   Need help to ID the bird I've described in last post please -

   With thanks , flossxxx