Boatbirder.com: 📖 ❄Cold Snap 06/01/24

After the Ythan estuary outing on the 2nd the weather has deteriorated further with more heavy snow and temperatures as low as -8°C, not rising above -3°C during the daytime yesterday. Consequently my birding has remained local, along with plenty of comfort birding at home.

Northern Lights New Years Eve from the garden.

With the current conditions the night skies when clear have been spectacular with Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars all making an appearance. On New Years Eve we were treated once more to the Northern Lights and I actually welcomed in the new year from the garden watching this amazing display.

A very weak Northern Lights from the bedroom window.

Bob, my neighbor, and I, equipped with snow clamps managed a walk around Fetternear, our local woodland, on Friday the 3rd. We were hopeful of seeing the Hawfinches' that arrived back in mid December but despite seeing them several times since, we dipped today. Highlights included a couple of Dippers and a pair of Goosanders on the River Don, along with Mistle Thrush and around thirty or so Redwings.

Always a treat to see a Dipper along the River Don

Dazza and I took a local walk over the weekend, but the most activity was observing the garden feeders. In four years, I do not recall seeing as many Chaffinches, with thirty each day vigorously feeding. This was in addition to the numerous House Sparrows and smaller numbers of Greenfinch, Goldfinch, and Siskin. Strangely no Redpolls or Tree Sparrows thus far! Normally a regular during cold snaps.

Female Blackcap on my apples.

Today we were treated to only our second ever winter Blackcap, when suddenly a female appeared on the apples. Not a common bird up here in the winter months but its feeding happily as I post.

Female Brambling - Ringed

Shortly after another first for the year when a female Brambling, sporting a nice metal ring joined the frenzy. Unfortunately I was unable to get any definition on the ring numbers.