Goldfinches by the dozen...

We are blessed with the number of birds we see in our garden and never tire of looking at them. There are five feeders near the house and although bird seed has become quite expensive, the cost pales into insignificance when we are able to look out onto a flurry of goldfinches all squabbling and jostling for space on the niger seed feeder. They are such argumentative little souls, always sniping at each other. They fight with the siskins and the greenfinches as if to say 'Clear Off - this is ours!' Lucky for them that the woodpecker isn't interested in the niger seed. This is one of three woodpeckers we see at any one time but once they move on.....

.... it's time for the squirrel to have a go. Not my favourite animal but there is only one this year and once he's had his daily fill and knocked the fat ball feeder to the ground he scarpers off....

.... leaving the field open for the yellowhammers. Here is one camoflagued in the hedge.... whereas lots of others gather beneath the feeders and grab the seed that falls there. These lovely birds are a declining species but the farmer who works the fields surrounding us uses old methods and so they thrive.....

... as do the local rabbit population! Although, both yesterday and today we have seen Mr Fox patrolling the field next door sniffing around the entrance to their warren. Oh oh chaps, keep your heads down!