Today the snow came! We had hoped for a snow-free winter but the weather defied us. We woke at 7:00 expecting a covering but we were gladdened to see not an iota of white stuff. Half an hour later it started and by mid-morning we were under a 3 inch layer.
The birds arrived in force queueing up at each feeding post. A flock of Fieldfare and Redwing dropped in as did the first Siskins of the winter.
The garden was alive with Titmice, Blue, Great, Coal and Long Tailed and mixed flocks of finches, Green, Gold and Chaffinch. The Great Spotted Woodpeckers made regular forays from the old oak in the paddock onto our peanut feeders.
The picture below was the best of a bad bunch – I have decided that trying to take a photo of a Blue Tit within the fine filigree of Birch branches is not easy!
Blackbirds were far more amenable as they sat for longer and seemed to ignore this very amateur cameraman.
The only time the garden was quiet today was just after the flypast of a Sparrowhawk, but hunger soon overcame fear. Back they all came.
It is essential that we all feed the birds throughout the year but even more so in the winter and provide fresh water. The birds benefit but so do our gardens as we help maintain the balance of nature. Some of the birds who use our feeding stations are also part of our balanced organic pest control.
greenbenchramblings 
12 replies on “Garden Birds in the Snow”
I understand your wish for a snow-free winter, but it is beautiful in your photos. Lucky little birds to live near you! Your photos are great. We’re expecting an icy wintry mix of snow and sleet today–yuck! But it should warm up considerably in the next few days–yay!.
Snow is great to photograph and a challenge.
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Some of your birds may have not cooperated in your photo shoot but you did quite well for yourself. I haven’t seen that many birds in months. Thanks for sharing. You’re doing a good deed for everyone.
Wandering around our garden is like being in an aviary sometimes, you even have to duck to avoid low-flying blackbirds. They seem to have no spatial awareness.
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The members of the Tit family certainly are difficult to photograph with all that fliting around. Here in South Devon we’ve generally avoided the snow and various species (Fieldfares and Redwings) have moved in for a few days.
Lovely birds aren’t they – big fellas too. We have waxwings in the garden this week – amazing!
The pictures of your birds are wonderful. We also love wildlife and feed the birds year round. It’s so interesting to see what kinds of birds other gardeners have in their gardens. Love your blog and will be following it!
Thanks for deciding to follow my blog. I hope you enjoy it.
Wonderful shots of birds – I never manage anything like that!
I had quite a few failures I will admit.
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Marvellous article!
Many thanks.
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