Bumbarrel

Although we've not seen any Long-tailed Tits in our garden this winter, I rarely go on a walk without encountering a foraging extended family group, keeping contact with each other through soft churring noises punctuated with metallic trills. 

There was a particularly confiding group at the start of my late afternoon walk at Ferry Meadows, working their way through low shrubs as well as the crowns of nearby trees. These tiny birds are always on the move, so its often hard to get a shot where the bird is in focus and looking in the right direction!

This evening we had a lovely chat with Chris and Lizzy, who are having a few days in Santiago, recovering from several weeks of wild camping and trekking in Chile, including a visit to Chiloe Island, where they were attacked by hordes of giant horse-flies, trekking in the Monkey-puzzle forests where 'Walking with Dinosaurs' was filmed and camping close to an active volcano. At the weekend they'e flying out to the Galapagos Islands - I'm feeling very envious!

Thanks to all for the hearts and stars showered on my weasel - the first time I've ever managed to photograph one!