Chirp!

A busy day today - Alex and I braved the cold and went off to Hampton Reserve to do some more willow clearance. When we arrived, the temperature was hovering around freezing. Alex got out of the car and just stood there shivering violently! He's tall and very slim - and not adapted to the cold. Sometimes a layer of fat comes in handy as insulation!!

Fortunately we were working in a sheltered hollow, and for a while the sun made a feeble appearance. After we had chopped down the first few trees we were both hot and had to remove layers of clothing. Alex finished up in just a t-shirt (temperature approximately 1C) - though the leader said he had worked as hard as two men, so that may explain how he generated so much heat!

After an afternoon taking the boys bowling, Pete and I took the dogs out at dusk. There was yet another beautiful sunset, but I decided that three pictures of the rowing lake in short succession might be a bit boring. The air ambulance was down there when we arrived, and I got a few shots of it taking off, but the boys told me that they were boring and lifeless - nothing like complete honesty from your children!

So it had to be this cheeky chaffinch, on the feeder this morning. The chaffinches are still present in large numbers and still seem to be argumentative. Interesingly we had two large groups of starlings fly over the garden just before sunset, the first time we've seen them this winter, so I suspect there must be a local roost not too far away. I shall have to try and hunt it down!

And Chris - I hope you're having a very happy birthday up there in Sheffield!