I went to he Alphin Brook today, it  is still too high to get in to the hide but I arranged some good perches nearby.  As soon as I am able to get in it will need a lot of sorting out. The brook is bleak and nasty looking at the moment with no sign of the Kingfisher either.  But I would be surprised if she was not somewhere about.  I did watch the usual Grey Wagtail and I am sure that an Otter has been sliding down the bank near tot he hide as well.

Back at home in the garden, the female Blackcap looked good, and I photographed her through the kitchen  window but the photos needed a bit of "fixing-up" before they were any good. I also had visits from Goldfinches and Blue Tits.  We also had a single, possible pair of Song Thrush in the garden which is unusual as we don't have them that often but as the weather has been icy, I guess that would explain  (their) presence.  It seems that whenever I have a thrush in the garden, the weather is invariably cold. Chaffinches totalled around 7 but no Bramblings again. 

I really like this photo even though it is a bit "noisy" due to the use of a high ISO, then when it was lightened because it was under -exposed the noise became more noticeable as it often is.  Anyway, the picture has a bit of personality.  I particularly like the Union Jack Logo on the apple's label and the fact that the Blackcap was hatched in Germany. The apple came from the German food store, Lidls makes it humorous, (to me at least)!