Firstly, for those who didn't work out what the bird was in Allan's superb photograph in last months newsletter was, the answer is of course a Golden Pheasant! As you can see from the picture, his attempt didn't quite do justice to the real thing...

Two new birds added to our Bird List this month. I remember Allan mentioning one morning that we hadn't had a new species for a while so he decided to pop over to the hide for an hour or three. The next day he then decided to tell me he had a pair of Shoveler ducks fly over the Nature Area when he was there! Unfortunately they didn't stop off to rest in our 6 foot wide pond, but another addition none-the-less. Then earlier this week, before Allan shot off back to the Gambia to get his sunglasses, a single goose caught me eye. It was soon joined by another and they both flew right over us allowing for good views. No photos unfortunately but no doubt they were Egyptian Geese, the distinctive call and large white wing patches gave them away.

As many of you I'm sure will know already, the bird in the newsletter header is a male Siskin. This colourful winter migrant is often found mixing in with flocks of Goldfinches and will visit Sunflower Heart, Peanut or Niger feeders. I wrote back in the November Newsletter that we had our first one pop in for a drink at the pond in the Nature Area, now the number visiting has grown to around 15. Also still showing well are a few Bramblings, up to 4 have been spotted together over there recently so although the numbers are slimming there's still a good chance of seeing them if you come soon (Wellies are still essential!). Most of our winter thrushes will be on their way back to their summering grounds now with the Brambling joining them during March, Siskins will however stay later on in to the year, with increasing numbers actually breeding in the South East each year. Birds going out also means birds coming in, with the first of our summer migrants arriving in March and a lot more during April and May. The Chiffchaffs, Wheatears and Sand Martins are normally first to arrive, with Swallows, House Martins, Swifts, Cuckoos, Nightingales and many other warblers following later. Allan photographed this Swallow on the 21st March last year, earlier than most, so keep your eyes peeled and let us know if anything turns up in your area this month. Thanks to the rather dismal weather this winter I think we're all eagerly anticipating Spring to arrive in full force this year!

I've finally got round to upgrading the Bird ID section of the website, something I've been meaning to do yet putting off for a long time. All that initially was featured was photos of each bird with no information on them, I'd always wanted to have something much more complex/ useful that could be packed with information. I have now completed the basis of it, with a small thumbnail page in alphabetical order of species, each one is clickable in to a full page about that bird with photographs of male/ female/ juvenile if applicable and information to follow. I'm hoping it will become a useful reference for customers to identify and find out more about the birds that visit their gardens. Please give me any feedback or ideas you might have to improve the Bird ID (or any other) section of the website!

National Nest Box Week was a big success so we're holding the Half Price deals on what stocks we have left of the Chapelwood Premium Nest Box and the CJ Bowland Nest Box. If you were thinking of putting a box up then now really is the time, the birds are already inspecting and it won't be long before nest building begins. Even if the boxes aren't used for nesting they will provide a perfect retreat from the cold winter months later on.

Unfortunately the mid month newsletter about the 'Watch With Feathers' event failed to send to any 'hotmail' email addresses but there are still plenty of places available (Find out more by clicking the above link). For all newsletter subscribers we're offering a '2 for 1' special price so make the most of what some people are reporting to be the "biggest bird watching event of the year".

Okay, I might have fibbed a little bit there...

Joe