Home Patch (9): Birds old and new

It was lovely to see this Thrush hopping about the garden again today. It was quite a shy bird, preferring the cover of the long grass around the area of decking. It is only the second time I have noticed it, and it seemed to be finding a feast of snails.

A Brown-lipped Snail (I believe) next to the leaf

The Goldfinches were back and the Great tits, but I also had a couple of new visitors in the guise of a pair of Collared Doves. Their distinctive cuc-koo koo sound caught my attention: I looked up from my keyboard to see one of the birds alighting on the aerial. I didn't have my camera to hand, but will try to take a photograph when they return.

I thought I saw a Grey Heron flying overhead, but it was a bit cloudy and I couldn't be sure. My updated 'bird tally' for our new home patch runs as follows:

• Blackbird

• Blue tit

• Carrion Crow

• Chaffinch  

• Collared Dove

• Dunnock

• Goldfinch

• Great tit

• Greenfinch 

• Herring Gull

• Jay

• Long-tailed tit

• Magpie

• Robin

• Song Thrush

• Wood Pigeon