When the north wind doth blow…

As autumn gradually chills its way to winter our regular garden birds will be joined by new friends from far and wide.

One of the nice things about winter for regular bird feeders is the frequency the birds visit our feeders. Lots of opportunity to watch our favourites in close detail as they flit between feeder and perch. It’s also a great time to observe the different behaviour between the species. Confident greenfinches sitting resolutely on the feeding pegs, dominating the scene until satisfied. Chaffinches and goldfinches, descending in flocks and squabbling the whole while. Blue and great tits taking turns to grab a seed and flying off to hide and feed.

Winter is also the time when birds from as far as Iceland and Russia will be migrating to the UK to join the feast in our gardens and enjoy the comparatively mild British climate. So as well as watching the birds in the garden, keep an eye on the weather and wind direction. Strong northerly and easterly winds will be bringing large mixed flocks to our shores increasing the likelihood of seeing such treats as redpolls, siskins, fieldfares, redwings and if last year was anything to go by the fabulously exotic waxwing.