I have been on a few walks over the fields in the past week, all have been similar. The grey overcast skies cast a grim mood upon the fields, still bare and empty. The wind is extremely bitter, driving in from Scandinavia. Despite the chill, the Redwings and other Thrushes have started their return journey back north, only a few Redwings are now dotted around the fields.
The meadow Pipits remain happy on the Water Treatment Plant, scavaging what they can along with the Pied Wagtails and occasional Grey Wagtail. We are now in the last week of February, soon these fields will be thriving with life and vigour. Spring is approaching, for now the fields seem dull but i know that in the coming weeks the wildlife will return. I am extremely excited.
Today was a quick walk, the only species of note was 2 Siskins feeding upside down in some hedgerow trees, just east of the Water Treatment Plant. Its been a while since i saw Siskins, they were very common at Pennington Flash Reserve a few miles away in Leigh. The males are a brilliantly beautiful bird, bright yellow with a black cap and chin. A very agile feeder, they usually feed high in the tree tops.
I was unable to get a picture myself but i feel it would be wrong not to include an image of such a stunning little bird:
