**A Snowy Day At Home Birding.**

I thought about wandering down to the river today to see what was about, but after waking up to a white wonderland, with deep snow all around, more than yesterday, I decided to do some birding from home to see what I could add to my December list. Below is a photo taken from my sitting room window.


 About a month ago I bought a pair of yaktraps which fit on the underneath of a pair of boots particularly for this sort of weather, I never dreampt I would be using them so soon after buying them.I had them on yesterday, and they work well, especially for some one in my position
I did have to go out the back garden this morning, even though it was still snowing to make sure our feathered friends was well catered for, as did many of my fellow Bloggers I imagine.
Anyway back to the birds, I saw many of the usual species, including a Reed Bunting which was one of the first species I spotted, then later in the day the Grey Wagtail showed up again.
I was hoping for a different passerine species  to drop in for some food, but it wasn't to be. What did arrive like a bullet fired from a gun was a male Sparrowhawk. It dived straight into the feeding birds scattering them everywhere. It did chase one small bird around the surrounding gardens, but it didn't get a meal this time, as it flew off across the park empty handed, or should that be empty clawed.
I did take a few photo's through the kitchen window of a few species, plus the snow was falling at times, and I will post them just to cheer up the blog.
The species seen in the garden  today was: Blue Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, H/Sparrow, C/Dove, Reed Bunting, Blackbird, Grey Wagtail, Sparrowhawk, W/Pigeon, Magpie,
Flying over: Herring Gull, B/H/Gull, C/Crow, 4 unidentifyable Geese.
Total species seen today = 18.
These are the best of my photo's.



 Well thats it for now. It looks like we are in for some more snow tonight, and tomorrow, 5-10cm or more.
I hope you have all got your snow shovels at the ready.