A few of the birds we see during the winter months.

 It is ages since I posted on my bird blog, but here are a few recent photos from the garden during December and the start of January.  I still have October and November to go through!!!!

European robin (Erithacus rubecula).

House sparrow (Passer domesticus), female.

Common blackbird (Turdus merula) one of the young birds...

As above.

Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) on the windowsill.

As above.

As above.

Great tit (Parus major).

Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus).

European robin (Erithacus rubecula)...

As above...

As above.

Eurasian Nuthatch or Wood Nuthatch (Sitta europaea).

Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)...

As above.

Great excitement here yesterday morning, I glanced out of the window and commented that the bird on the step did not look familiar, I grabbed the camera and took 4 quick photos through the window and it was gone. Did a bit of research and came up with Cirl Bunting, a first so far as we know in the garden, and certainly a first for both of us.

Cirl bunting (Emberiza cirlus)...

As above...

As above...

As above.

I had a fall at the end of November and damaged my Tamron lens. I am still waiting for the spare part (staff shortage so I am told) so all these photos were taken with my old camera the Nikon D3200 with the

55 -300mm telephoto lens. This old lens just will not work on my new D3500 camera!

See also my Photodairy with lots of flowers and insects.

Joining up with

 Wild Bird Wednesday

I'd Rather B Birdin'

and

My Corner of the World

A predator in the garden.......

 I opened the shutters the other morning and there it was sitting in our cherry tree watching over the feeders and just waiting.  It was not in the slightest bit disturbed by my presence!

There appears to be a background problem 1/2 way down which I cannot correct - Google having its own way.....

Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)...

As above...

As above.

As above.

European greenfinch (Chloris chloris).

Watch out guys the sparrowhawk is looking for its breakfast.

European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) and a Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).

Greenfinches and Goldfinches.

As above.

Greenfinch.

With thanks to Richard for ID, these appear to be Emperor Geese (Anser canagicus) in someone's smallholding. They have a few exotic birds there so I see, but I need to try to get better photos with the bigger camera. All I was walking with here was the small Nikon Coolpix.

See also my Photodiary

Joining up with

Wild Bird Wednesday

I'd Rather B Birdin

and

My Corner of the World

A few of the January birds seen here in the Garden in the Charente.

I will return to going through the South African bird photos very soon, but I have not felt brilliant this week and have got far behind - again!  Feeling better now thanks to a prescription so will try to catch up ASAP.

European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). The only one I have seen this year and the only photo I managed to get.

Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus).  The other morning there was not a bird in sight.  Looking closely I found the culprit, a sparrowhawk hiding in the fruit trees!!

Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).

House sparrow (Passer domesticus) female...

As above ...

and a male.

Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). We have discovered that they like hazelnuts.  We have masses from our tree so we have been busy breaking and bagging them for the little guys.

Queuing waiting to get to the nuts...

as above...

As above...

Turning its back on me.

House sparrow (Passer domesticus) in silhouette.

Wild Bird Wednesday

and

I'd Rather B Birdin