Lesser Redpolls and violets

Whilst recording for the BTO Winter Thrushes Survey http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/winter-thrushes this morning I also saw several Lesser Redpolls feeding probably on insects attracted to the nectar and pollen from the pussy willow flowers of Goat Willows growing along the disused railway line.

I also spotted an addition to the wild flowers page of this blog http://endonwildlife.blogspot.co.uk/p/endon-flora.html. It is violets growing in the little plantation alongside the Caldon Canal opposite Greenway Hall Golf Club.

probably Early Dog Violet Viola reichenbachiana

I also saw my first Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) of this year in my garden today. I was struggling to fly in the unseasonably cold weather.

List of birds seen during Winter Thrush Survey below. 

	NOTES
Blackbirds and Song Thrushes	7 BB+2ST
Woodpigeon	inc. one in  juvenile plumage feeding alongside adult
Greenfinch	one pair in hedge on Post Lane plus another singing
Goldfinch
Chaffinch
Robin
Pheasant
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Starlings
Coal Tit
Mallard
Dunnock singing
Collared Dove
Chiffchaff
Jackdaw
Canada Geese	now in pairs
House Sparrows
c7 Lesser Redpolls
Wren
Magpie
Pied Wagtail
Grey Heron
Bullfinch	2 pairs
Long-tailed Tit	now in pairs
Great Tit
Rooks
Carrion Crows
Goldcrest	in abandoned garden by derelict house by GH Golf Club
Lesser Black-backed Gull	flying over