Winter . . .

. . . has arrived. I can confidently say that as we had some flakes of snow today - not many flakes, but it was definitely snowing for a few minutes. 

And the Blackbirds have actually started eating the apples on the grass, mainly without fighting. This only happens when it is cold and they need to eat. Soon they will be there all the time and the numbers will rise. 

I was watching from the kitchen window and was amused to see some disgruntled sparrows because Gordon had gone out and not filled the fat balls container. There is usually a huge crowd of them and they soon demolish the balls - helped by the odd starling of course. 

Then I noticed a group of  four Tree Sparrows on the ground by the car. They were doing their best to get to the tyres and peck at them (see extra). I can only think that they were getting to salt . . . has anyone any other ideas?  It is good to see them as we don't have many, they are vastly outnumbered by House Sparrows, but I was curious as to what they were doing. 

It makes washing up interesting!!