Survival

With the recent covering of snow and drop in temperatures, some have been finding it difficult. This Snipe, a ground feeding wader would have found it's cryptic colouring of no use on a white background, coupled with the extra stress of foraging in the frozen soil could have led it more open to predation.

Several Woodcock, a close relative of the Snipe have been seen in the garden and adjacent fields mainly skulking at the base of Blackthorn hedges. It is a familiar bird of late autumn and often associated with hard weather movements, numbers increasing when there is a freeze on the continent. Although they are encountered frequently i have not been able to photograph one on the ground yet !

 

Other species of bird, notably the small passerines such as Long-tailed Tit have a higher metabolic rate and need to feed more often in colder weather, providing us with a constant stream of visitors to the feeders. Unusually some have taken to feeding under the feeders, taking small particles of peanuts that are dislodged by the others. 

Not all are finding it so difficult, this Fox has been several times, casually trotting along, even stopping to take in some of the sun's rays on occasion, no doubt benefiting from the misfortune of others !