
Robin (Erithacus rubecula) in the snow yesterday
We had serious snow here in Cardiff on Thursday and Friday – so bad that I was sent home from work at lunchtime on Thursday after a Red Warning was issued. Only a couple of us remembered it was St David’s Day (March 1), a day for daffodils.
Then on Friday I was really frustrated that I couldn’t get into work, after boasting that of course I would be there – I was sure the snow wouldn’t be as bad as they were forecasting. But it was and no buses were running in the city. If I had walked it would have taken me a couple of dangerous hours and I would have been sent straight back home again as soon as I arrived.
So instead I got some housework done, watched some TV and tried to capture the birds outside the kitchen window. We always put out fat blocks and pellets and sunflower seeds and every morning I throw out a couple of handfuls of raisins for the blackbirds, which are always there waiting. We have up to seven or eight of them on a good day.

Male blackbird (Turdus merula)

Female blackbird

Another robin (or the same one as at the top of this post)

Blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)…

…it looked me in the eye

Magpie (Pica pica) eating some cooked couscous
I don’t usually put out cooked couscous but we had a field mouse in the kitchen cupboard last week and it had nibbled the couscous packet – so rather than throw it out completely, I cooked it for the birds. It was well received, especially by the blackbirds, wood pigeons and magpies.

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) – we don’t see them in the garden as often as you might think

I was delighted to catch this one – very rare except in snowy weather – a thrush relative, the redwing (Turdus iliacus)

The long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) is common here now, but I have never been able to manage a good picture

This is a truly awful image, but it proves I have seen a tiny goldcrest (Regulus regulus) here over the last week or so
Now we have sunshine and rain, so the snow should have cleared a bit by tomorrow and the buses may be running again. I hope that you have all survived and enjoyed the brief excitement of the snow and that spring will be on its way soon…
The variety of birds visiting the garden during this winter weather has provided plenty of interest and photo opportunities. Wonderful to catch a picture of a goldcrest they move so quick.
Yes, that’s why I just couldn’t catch the goldcrest – I have seen it several times since, but it sits still only when I haven’t got my camera to hand!
Saw a goldfinch on the birdbath yesterday, too…
All the best 🙂
Stunning. You’re so thoughtful Pat.
Hope it’s cleared up! We had it quite bad here (amber) which is so rare. Typically the snow days with my school closed were my non-working days …
That was bad luck!
Here I hoped to go back today but the heating control room at County Hall was flooded so we were all told not to come back until tomorrow! Can’t wait now…
All the best 🙂
I have been running a ‘soup kitchen’ for birds and apart from the usual culprits I had Song Thrush and a Fieldfare, both beautiful surprises. The snow is taking too long to go!
Wow, the fieldfare was really something!
But we have a resident song thrush here, so that doesn’t impress me as much!
All the best – keep warm 🙂
Some beautiful (and grateful) birds there
Thanks – and all seems back to normal today.
Best wishes 🙂