Woodland wonders
Most garden birds are, of course, essentially woodland birds which have chosen the ‘open glades’ of our garden as an extension of their ‘natural’ habitat. Our woodlands are also arguably at their easiest to work as a birdwatcher in the depth of winter. With fewer (or no) leaves on the trees, viewing birds in the branches and twigs becomes much, much easier. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers (which are only the size of a sparrow), suddenly become ‘visible’ again. Finches and tits also become easier to pick out. And there is a chance of flushing a Woodcock from a damp forest floor. If you visit a wood with birches and/or Alders, you have a great chance of Siskins as well as the redpoll species, including Lesser, Mealy and even Arctic.