Well it only seems like just 12 months ago I was writing the December 2010 newsletter. This one might be a tad longer as I am in a talkative mood. As I mentioned last month I have spent a couple of weeks in a super little lodge in Senegal. This turned out to be one of the nicest holidays Fennella and I have had, loads of sun, a beautiful location and stacks of birds. The Keur Saloum Hotel sits in a fantastic position perched above the stunning rivers of the Sine Saloum Delta - just in the grounds the birding was pretty rewarding, Goliath Herons, five Raptors including super views of fantastic Ospreys, Bee-eaters, Weavers and Rollers to name just a few. Four of the Osprey were ringed and I managed good photos of two of them and we now believe that one was ringed in Germany and the other in Scotland. As Fennella and I are both veggies, experience told us that in Senegal meal times could be a bit of a problem, happily the owners of the hotel took time out with us and the food throughout our stay was superb. The Keur Saloum is a great place and I recommend it if you want a bit of winter sun, a super selection of birds and a wonderful place to chill. I always use The Gambia Experience for my breaks in West Africa. Here are pictures of an Osprey and an Abyssinian Roller, more of my photos HERE.

I have been checking my photos and over in the Nature area last year we had shed loads of Goldfinches, numerous Brambling, Siskins, Treecreepers, and a huge number of mixed Tits frantically feeding on anything they could land on. As the weather was particularly cold last year I guess we were a bit spoilt, at the time of writing, things seem to be much quieter, there are nowhere near as many birds around as they will be finding food naturally around the farm. As a bird lover I quite like the idea of our garden birds not relying on our feeders to survive, as a chap who sells bird food and feeders it can mean things in the shop are quieter (except the continuing warbling of Joe's voice as he apparently knows all the words to every song that comes on the radio). Hopefully if the expected icy spell comes after Christmas our birds will need our feeders, our feeders will need our food and our customers will pop into our shop to enable me and the Joe bloke to earn a few bob and get us off the old poverty ladder.

In January we are again doing a super deal on 13kg bags of Sunflower Hearts and Peanuts, take advantage of our festive spirit and pop over between Christmas and the new year to get the deal a bit earlier. Joe has the shops opening times below.

Lastly Joe and I would like to thank you for using Feathers over the last year, we really couldn't do it without you, the last twelve months have been an absolute pleasure. I wish you a joyous Christmas and hope 2012 brings you all you wish for.

Allan

Birds of a Feather

As many of you know, things tend to run swimmingly when Allan is away. Not to say it doesn't when he's here, but lets just say the till is never £20000 down when I'm on my own... Also, customers and birds alike tend to flock in while he's on his hols to enjoy the peace and quiet and this time was no exception. Bringing our total up to 82 this month was a Peregrine Falcon. I decided to have a go at cleaning the windows, which, to be fair, is something Allan normally does. As I stepped outside a bird of prey caught my eye and instantly I started ticking through and crossing off potential ID's. Not a Sparrowhawk, not a Kestrel, not a Buzzard... better go get my camera I thought! Normally by the time you're back out there and ready to take the shot there's no sign of the bloomin thing, this time I hit lucky and managed 2 shots, albeit just silhouettes. I then watched it briefly through by bins before it left, heading south. Having never seen a Peregrine before, there was always a small element of doubt in my mind but after a bit of research that doubt quickly passed.

December last year saw a flurry of activity on the bird front, the foot of snow and below freezing temperatures left the little birdies completely reliant on us. This year has been a completely different story, however, with above average temperatures and an abundance of natural food meaning the feeders have been quiet. Only recently have we seen a increase in activity, though only in the common garden birds. We are eagerly (and optimistically) awaiting the return of our Bramblings and Siskins plus with Allan off again at the end of January, I'm hoping I'll be able to add Waxwing to the list!

I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I will be enjoying a week or so off to spend with my family and look forward to seeing you all again in 2012!

Joe

Christmas Opening Times:

25th Dec: CLOSED
26th Dec: CLOSED
27th - 31st Dec: 9am - 5pm
1st Jan: CLOSED
2nd Jan: CLOSED
3rd Jan onwards: Open as usual!