A walk around Kingsdown wood produced a firecrest and a goldcrest in a party of long-tailed tits. They have survived this long, and - as the thaw seems to have started -they will hopefully hang on.
There has been a noticeable arrival of redwings around the village, which is unusual as they are rarely seen here; even more unusual was a report of a fieldfare feeding on berries in a garden.
In my own garden, the male blackcap continues to rule the roost, although I've now spread the feeders around the garden so more birds can benefit from the food. Another unusual visitor was a green woodpecker, seeking out a rare patch of green grass.
The amount of snow was surprising for this corner of Kent, which rarely gets more than a dusting. The greatest threat to communications was, as usual, the wind which blew the snow from the fields into the roads, prompting BBC reports that residents in the Deal and Sandwich area were virtually cut off from the rest of the county. It's tough down south.
Fortunately the community spirit was strong, and we've had a social time - but before the ice melted from the roads, I took a spectacular tumble..... so I'm a bit thaw - boom boom!
6 comments:
Steve ,
Coming out of the pub no doubt !
The thaw has set in here too , so hopefully we'll be shot of the white stuff soon .
Shame on you Fred.
I'm always startled by the green woodpecker...so different from any of ours.
Hi Steve, I hope you are rescued from that frozen wasteland down there. I'm pleased to see my 'toad bothering' photo posted again, it brings back memories of a canny day out. Keep at it and all the best for 2010.
Stewart...
That last photo is gorgeous. I'd fave it immediately if it was on Flickr!
Mary, the green woodpecker (or yaffle) is indeed one of the few birds that's gaudier than the US equivalent!
Stewart, we're just not used to sharing your horrible weather.
Mark, thanks for that kind comment.
The scene was made by the local woodsman's smoke wafting across the lane.
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