Local patch

I had a wander round my local patch this afternoon.

The flock of redwings that were a feature last week was notable by its absence but there were still plenty of blackbirds about — sixteen, mostly adult and first-Winter males — and three mistle thrushes could be found on the playing field. A song thrush had a go at starting a song but got disturbed in mid flow.

There were two fair-sized flocks of blue and great tits, each with long-tailed tits tagging on behind. A movement behind a tree trunk in the park didn't look squirrel-like so I took a second look. Eventually a male great spotted woodpecker worked its way round the trunk. Great spotted woodpecker's a fairly irregular visitor to the park, I only ever see one at a time and usually from a distance.

Nine robins sang their ownership of Winter territories, a decent haul in so small a patch.

I've been thinking it's been a mild Winter so far and finding a common hogweed in full flower by the path confirmed it.