Female Merganser

Lots of lovely birds around today. I think the extra is a redwing - can anyone confirm from the rather poor photograph? There were long tailed tits aplenty and a sweet wren in the front garden. The merganser won the blip though for clarity, movement on the water and her excellent haircut. Good to think there are enough fish for her and the male which was swimming around with her.

The FM has just announced a return to f/t childcare and Ps 1-3 from 22nd February. What a relief that is for my family. All contingent on vaccinations happening at greater speed and people sticking to the restrictions of course. The South African strain of Covid is here now - all cases linked to travel. The sooner the quarantine requirements come in the better. Why this didn't happen long since I'll never know.

Candlemas today. For me it's not a religious festival but the day which marks the half way point between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. Hooray!