An encore was not needed

By yesterday the last lot of snow drifts had shrunk to a few skulking heaps in out of the way places.

So we were not impressed by our waking sight today

with a reprise of the Easterly wind blasting the fine snow into heaps and piles

sticking to windows

and lodging on ledges

Recent attempts at Spring sprouting were smothered

The Cayugas seemed impervious

but the Meadow Ducks, unsheltered from the full blast, came to spend the day in the greenhouse

the birds turned their backs to the wind

and again there were queues for the feeders

a good chance to see the Redpolls

Fortunately we have invested in some expensive, spring loaded, expert-designed squirrel-proof feeders

The Blackbirds stick to the ground

and are joined by the first new addition to our species list in over a year – a blown in Reed Bunting

Only the Robin seems at ease