Tawny Owl sitting half inside a hole in an Ash tree. Small birds discovered the Owl and began to mob it. It remained very still only slightly turning its head. Suddenly it jumped back down inside the hole which is presumably its nest? Thanks to a local birdwatcher for showing me the owl. I must have walked right past it many times. 

 

Another view

I was about to go to work when out of my lounge window I spotted these Fieldfares in a tree across the road. They remained sitting in the tree for a few minutes, possibly attracted to the food the neighbours put out in the  garden  . Their undersides were lit by the reflected light from the snow directly underneath. Consequently, by the time I had finished the sketch, I was half an hour late for work!

 

Fallow deer moving up to the feeding area in the snow where piles of beet have been put out for them

 

Blackcap in the backgarden - wonders will never cease! Briefly appeared with some bread in its beak before disappearing deeper into the hedge.

 

 

 

Blackbirds in the hedge making sure the coast is clear before dropping to the ground.

 

Tufted Drake swimming along the edge of the ice on Wollaton Lake.  

Shovellers asleep beneath snow covered branches of the island trees.

 

 

 

I heard a faint 'seep-seep' coming from a small group of trees and spotted this treecreeper foraging the underside of snow covered branches. Above it in the canopy of twigs a party of Long tailed Tits moved through.

 

 

Blackbird looking for food I put out yesterday hidden by a blanket of snow. It eventually found something under the garden table. At times it sunk up to its belly. Its mate watched from the hedge.

Shovellers on Wollaton Lake. A Coot hovered around the group and jabbed viciously at the birds for no apparent reason.

 

 

A Blackbird seen from kitchen window pecking at a crust of bread. Unmelted snow lay on its tail as more snow fell.

 

Waxwings at Mickleover. A flock of 30+ sitting at the top of an Ash tree and flying down to feed on berries of an ornamental tree right at the side of the pavement. They were quite tame and could be approached to within a few feet. Mostly birds of the year but one or two adults in the group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawfinch seen at Cromford yesterday. First saw 4-5 sitting at the top of a tall tree but they moved off quickly and were relocated feeding in Yews. Gave only the briefest of views. This one showed for a few minutes before heading off out of sight. Looked big and bulky next to the Greenfinches.