And gosh, haven’t things changed since my last blog back in 2017. We’ve just been through the most gut-wrenching year with the Covid- 19 pandemic and the NHS is facing the worst situation in its history. Fingers crossed for a speedy rollout of vaccines and a good uptake throughout the population.

Now, to the window. The snow has gone and only the hard round ice blocks from the birds water tray are left, gradually melting as the temperature rises. Through the bare trees I can see a swan flying down the river and as the wind begins to swirl it unsettles the flock of pigeons in the poplar trees.

All day the feeders have been busy – first the blue and great tits, then a small flock of 8 goldfinches which commandeer an entire feeder and defend it against all comers. As the morning progresses the lesser redpolls and Siskins arrive, with greenfinches and nuthatches. Occasionally a robin will brave the melee, flying up to a feeder port and grabbing a sunflower heart or hovering for a second in front of the fat ball feeder – both are available on a tray feeder but seem less enticing than this central hub where all the other birds are feeding. Below, the dunnocks, sparrows, blackbirds and chaffinches clear up the untidy mess left by the penthouse visitors. This year we have had more blackbirds in the garden than I can ever remember, migrants from Scandinavia we presume – it is not unusual to have seven or eight in at the same time. Our rather bemused songthrush is very pleased with the abundance of ivy berries this year, which makes up for these strange visitors bossing him around. We’ve even had a single Redwing, attracted by the berries.

Today we have had the pair of Buzzards flying over the copse and landing in the big Italian poplar. During the gales at the end of October 2020 a large branch was broken off, unfortunately that branch was the usual spot for mating, which was an impressive sight. The female would sit in waiting while the male did some fancy flying high above her before diving down at speed to land on and mate with her. I think he must have shouted “Geronimo” or the Buzzard equivalent so she tightened her grip ready for his arrival! Hopefully one of the remaining branches is suitable and I’ll be able to watch the whole performance again this year.