Those garden goldfinch! They are so belligerent! They never overlook the opportunity for a good dust-up over the sunflower seeds. No serious damage ever seems to result. Bluff and bluster seems to be the name of the game. #birdersWales #Wales #ukwildlife #nature #photography #birds

Mute Swan in flight over Beaufort Ponds SE #Wales on a beautiful winters day this week. I’ve never been so close to an airborne swan. I nearly had to duck! #nature #wildlifephotography #birds #birdersWales

Goldfinch defend their possession of our #Abergavenny bird feeder with some enthusiasm. Coal and Blue Tits may try to sneak in but are often spotted before alighting and forced to retreat. Other Goldfinch are also seen off if not in the right gang it seems #nature #wildlife #birderswales #wales

I’ve seen more Coal Tits in our #Abergavenny garden over the last few weeks than I’ve ever seen before. In the past we’ve had two of three at time but recently it’s been five or six, perhaps more - it’s hard to keep count, they are so quick to and from the feeders #birdersWales #nature #wildlife

Plenty of comings and goings at our #Abergavenny garden bird feeders today. Here a Blue Tit comes in for a raid on the peanuts and then it’s off again with its prize to be consumed in a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle at the feeders. #birderswales #birds #wildlife #nature

Monday morning at an #Abergavenny pond - not a dragon of damsel in sight. My consolation was to watch this hunting heron as its moved stealthily along the margins. #birderswales #birds #wales #nature #wildlifeUK

Drumming in the wood behind the house says that the Great Spotted Woodpeckers thoughts have turned to breeding. And a very welcome sound it is. Fingers crossed they will bring their young ones to feed in our #Abergavenny garden again this year. #Wales #birdersWales #wildlife #nature

Last winter we had dozens of siskin coming to the feeders in our #Abergavenny garden. At times it felt as a if we were overrun with them. This winter we have seen very few. I’ve missed them as they are colourful and engaging birds. #Wales #birdersWales #wildlife

I’ve tried photographing crows in flight before but have found that in most lights all you end up with is a black silhouette. Unsurprising I suppose. I took these recently and they are the best I’ve managed for showing up the detail of the plumage #Wales #birds #birdersWales

The Red Kite. The national bird of #Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿. A number of feeding stations around the country provide wonderful opportunities to capture these magnificent birds in flight. And what a thrilling spectacle they are. #birds #birdersWales

And away. A robin takes flight in my #Abergavenny garden. Common wonders. #birds #birdersWales.

Sparrowhawks turn up pretty regularly throughout the year in our #Abergavenny garden. Even so the rush of excitement each time one does doesn’t diminish. It’s even better when one decides to hang around and pose for a photo! #birds #birdersWales #Wales