*Entry Into Diary 17/01/2012 Perhaps Great Spotted Woodpecker."

Ha..nice Tommy. I posted a spotted woodpecker a few hours ago.

Yes, that's definitely a Great Spotted. Oddly enough, I had a visit from my very first one last week, but it hasn't been back, sadly. I have been watching carefully, but no further sighting.
They are really stunning, aren't they?

Coincidence that 3 of us have just seen them. Are they migratory ? but how beautiful.

I WANT TO SEE A WOODPECKER !!!!!!! Great blog by the way :o))))))

Mine was a photo from 3 years ago!

we have one regularly on the nuts-- he has to tuck his tail under the tube for balance, the're very shy and a movement sends them into the neighbours orchard

Lovely pics Tommy, no woodpeckers here but my daughters garden backs onto a school playing fields with some very large old established trees, we have seen both squirrels and woodpeckers in and around her gardens amongst many other visitors, lovely to watch, although one can guarantee they usually appear when no camera at hand, lol.

Wow....Lovely photo's Tommy.....You have quite a variety visiting your garden...Lucky you...Dont think I have ever seen a Dunnock myself......

Gorgeous pictures, Tommy! I saw my first Italian wren yesterday! We were in the kitchen when I noticed something dark flit past the window, then it came back, perched on the sill and then flew up to swing from the toggle on the insect screen, then back down again to peer in through the glass. I sacrificed half my mixed seeds (used when making bread), and am still waiting for her to come back again. The cats were going loopy with excitement, but she didn't seem at all fazed. We have still to see any woodpeckers this winter, and we normally hear them rather than see them down in the valley when springtime and nesting arrive.

Some lovely bird pictures there. I am glad that your daughter's boiler is now sorted.

Lovely blog Tommy

Lovely pics Tommy .
We aren't "birders " but we are keen to see what is about . We do have a resident robin and wren , and blackbirds in the bay tree . Goldfinches and sundry tits visit the feeders , and there are umpteen pigeons in the giant fir tree . Nothing exotic visits , but we live in hope .
My friend thought that she might start feeding the birds and almost straight away hoards of wonderful red woodpeckers , amongst other fancy species turned up . Talk about eat you heart out !

I love your bird pics Tommy. I 'waste' so much time in the morning just watching the birds in my garden - feeding, bathing, fighting (starlings) and of course shooing off the dreaded parakeets. Fortunately Sophie doesn't really like to go walking until about 10.30am, so I have plenty of time to enjoy the birds.

I only seem to get magpies and obese pigeons these days!

Anyone got a recipe for magpie stew or pigeon hotpot?

They can be a bit of a pest , can't they . (All God's creatures !)
A friend of mine's mother used to make wood-pigeon pie , a bit " gamey " to say the least .

Lots of woodpigeon recipes on the go but have only seen one
parakeet fly over here though I know there are quite a few on the other side of the Thames in Berkshire.
Would love to see a starling as have only had one visit my garden in all of ten years..
There was a dish of woodpigeon and blackberry aired on last nights (18/01/2012) Master Chef but not quite for me it looked raw yet alone pink.

Talking about Frybo and her obese pigeons. As a child I can remember the farmers moaning about the pigeons devastating the pea crops, some eating so much that they were unable to take flight.

Parakeet pudding would be on my menu. Loads of starlings here Tommy, all fighting to get into a tiny bird bath. The most I've ever seen was when I lived in Brighton. They used to roost on the old pier and the sky was dark with hundreds of them at dusk.