So the year list of birds starts today....

So today's date is 01/01/11..... and a new year starts. I went over to Barnes; the sky was grey and it was drizzling. But the company was great and a number of familiar faces brought some sunshine into the morning.

I don't normally keep lists and this is not the complete list for this year; the day started with garden birds:

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

Robin

Ring necked Parakeet

Blue tits

Great Tits

Magpie

Feral Pigeon

Starling

Whilst at Barnes there were numbers of many different birds, I didn't note them - but I did see one of the Bitterns albeit very very briefly today.

Looking out from one of the hides, I saw a Green Woodpecker... who had its back to me.

Another window from the same hide, produced a Pintail - very nice - it also had its back to me as did the Coot that was keeping it company!!

The Pintail then ducked down in the water and - yes, you've sussed it - it had its back to me and its tail in the air. I think by now, I was beginning to get the message.

And in all this dullness, these wonderful red winter berries shone out to cheer the first day of the year :D

I have been told, that there is a sky that's blue! And, additionally, there's a strange globe, coloured orange, that's high in the sky and gives light and warmth.... Has anyone seen either of these as I'm beginning to think that someone's pulling a fast one here ;)