Fieldfare, Jelly Ears and Long-tailed Tits.

 

Difficult to get a clear picture at the top of the trees, these pictures were about as good as it got from a flock of approximately 20 birds.

Jelly Ear (Edible) Fungus on Field Maple

Somehow looks angry!

Goldcrest showing why it got its name - Clearest image so far but high ISO and not quite in focus! 

Another Roe young male showing the velvet on its new year antlers.

Gang of about eight Long-Tailed T's working their way through the wood. Grainy image!

Close but no cigar...

Low light conditions in my little wood/copse but have been able to see two Goldcrests flitting from tree to tree in search of insects, spiders etc. Only managed this one grainy and out of focus image as birds were mostly hidden behind branches and twigs and never sat still for more than a second. 'Slightly better' pictures taken in 2023 are here on this blog Goldcrest

Better news from today however was that walking in search of Goldcrests, I put up a woodcock RSPB Woodcock Information on the boundary ditch next to the wood; it was sadly too fast for me to get a picture but its the first one I can confirm a sighting for at Longbeach farm and flew away showing that classic woodcock outline of wings, beak and ; it has been added to my species list of birds in the left sidebar.  That's one new species added to the list in January, so I can't complaint about that. 

Goldcrest - Regulus regulus and Goldfinch - Carduelis carduelis

Frosty but bright day... 

While feeding the chickens, ducks and geese this morning, I noticed a gang of longtail tits  at the edge of the coppice, so decided to head inside to grab my camera.  By the time I got back, the tits were nowhere to be seen. I decided to go 'walk about' on my little patch to see what else was about. I was rewarded with seeing the elusive goldcrest I had spotted out of the bathroom window earlier in the month.  This time I had my camera to hand... the photos are far from great and it was difficult to get close enough to get a clear shot. These quick snaps; act as a record of the sighting and confirmation that we have this pretty little bird at Long Beach farm. With more planning and a healthy dose of good luck, I hope I have the opportunity to get some better pictures.

This sky high Goldfinch was kind enough to drop in at the top of one of the oaks.  These images are heavily cropped and so lack sharpness, I feel I may need to save up to get a bigger lens for my Nikon!

The reedmace were also in good form and are now shedding their seeds, I suspect the Finches have been at these!