h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Spent a few hours in the garden this afternoon, tidying-up some of the winter detritus.
It was mild - and really very pleasant, considering we're in the middle of winter here in south-east Englandshire.

The wee moment occurred when I became aware that there were around fifteen Long Tailed Tits in the apple tree. At one point there were at least a dozen of them on the fat feeder and I was caught, crouching in the border, scared to move in case I frightened them away.
They're my favourite wee birds - like tiny fluffy pompoms with tails twice the length of their bodies. I don't see them every day - and they're very shy so it was particularly special to be so close to them.

I don't think I've ever seen a longtailed

I don't think they're found in the more northern parts of Europe.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/l/longtailedtit/index.asp

What a delightful way to spend time outside! We have cardinals, sparrows, snowbirds and finches on our feeders. There are two pairs of doves that feed on the ground under them. A woodpecker comes and visits the suet feeder occasionally and we have five or six squirrels playing in the back yard. It's nice and warm here today as well as sunny. Makes life better.

I had almost exactly the same experience a few months ago - I had never seen long-tailed tits, and suddenly one day I was invaded by a flock of them. They stayed long enough for me to grab my binocs. It's a real shot in the arm.

I'm just relieved to find out this isn't one of GreyDesk's journals

We had a couple of them on the feeder last year - not seen any since though. They are very cute aren't they?

I spent today groaning and trying to stop the top of my head from coming off...