Blackbird

The single person bird

Apparently, the coelebs part of the colourful chaffinch's Latin name - fringilla coelebs - means "single person". Allegedly, Carl von Linnaeus named the bird thus because in Sweden it is only the females and the young who migrate in winter. The males are left behind to contemplate their metaphorical feathery navels and not a lot else until their birds come back in the Spring.  

The elusive Jay

Jays - I have tried to get a decent photograph for months. Usually they know when they're 

being watched, even from a distance. All my previous efforts have resulted in a blurry 

white rump as they fly off. At last I got lucky.

The blue wing feathers are dramatic - although they're small, they're easy to spot 

on the ground because they're such an intense colour.

Wheatear

Finally there is a window of calm weather, it's good to get out with the camera. Everything has changed with the rain. Suddenly it's summer. 

A pair of Wheatears jump around on the anthills looking for insects in Bushy Park. The male looks like little highwayman in his black mask. The female is much lighter in colour. I have never seen them here before. They must be heading back to their summer feeding grounds in the North after a winter spent in Africa.

Wisteria

Wisteria flowers are coming out. Once they decide to start growing they change almost hourly. 

It's like watching a slow-motion floral firework display.

The joy of being outside again

After three days of being indoors at the London Book Fair I was 

desperate to get out and away from the press of too many people. 

The sky was black with shower clouds, but as the sun came out briefly the birds sang and the water droplets caught the light on the hawthorn bushes. Nothing could be more restorative. 

Jacdaws after nesting material

The deer put up with having the fur pulled from their backs - up to a point. I was surprised 

by the number of jackdaws who had worked out that this was a easy source of insulation.

The deer all look rather tatty as they're losing their winter coats.