Notes from my Garden

A beautiful clear night produced a moderate frost which remained for much of the day.  Bright, sunny morning, but with cloud increasing during the afternoon.  Temperature extremes -1 degrees to +3 Celsius.
Today was the first day I have seen my garden in daylight for a number of days due to long hours at work.  Some regular visitors remained faithful to my garden taking food from feeders and apples provided on the lawn.

House Sparrow in the garden 9th December.

House Sparrows are all to often overlooked due to their abundance and familiarity.  Close inspection shows these birds as having beautiful plumages with quite intricate feathers, especially on the mantle area.  The species also has great comical value too.
Starlings were present throughout the day, their squabbles always raises a smile.
Good numbers of Collared Doves visited along with their larger cousins, Wood Pigeons.
Blackbirds as always, were regular visitors, and were attracted to the soil under my hedge as well as apples which I have provided.
A male Green Woodpecker visited the garden irregularly throughout the day, his last visit being after sunset when he had his last feed of the day upon apples on the lawn.
3+ Coal Tits came to the garden, usually as singletons and pairs, however, what is the true numbers of these dainty Tits visiting.  Blue Tits were also noted.
Brief visitors included Goldfinch and Pied Wagtail, but a single Robin remained all day, this bird was aggressive to all-comers, especially Sparrows and Tits which were vigorously chased away from his claimed patch.