Woodpecker sighting

The first ever sighting of a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER took place well over a year ago.  Sadly, this special moment was not captured on camera.
Imagine my delight as I peered out the window this afternoon and saw this beautiful bird feeding away at one of the feeders.
Although not the greatest of pictures - I have managed to capture him this time......

Great Spotted Woodpecker (dendrocopos major)

I'm calling him a he because as he flew away - I was able to see a red colouring on his head.  Only male or juvenille woodpeckers have a red patch of feather on their head.

A few days ago I gave mention to Blacky the Blackbird and the fact that he had returned.  The Blackbird seems to have been a very elusive visitor to the garden this last few months.  Yesterday afternoon, as Blacky stood proudly on a neighbour's shed - another blackbird hopped around the borders in search of food.  It was difficult to tell whether it was a a female or a juvenille as both are very similar in colouring.  So the question is - was he watching his prospective mate or keeping an eye on one of his brood?

Blackbird (turdus merula)

Disguised in amoungst the SPARROWS was a young rather tubby ROBIN hopping it's way around the base of the bird feeder.  Yet to have matured enough to show off it's red breast, it was a bit harder to spot in a sea of brown feathers.

There has been a couple of fleeting visits from a female bullfinch this week - she didn't stay long though. Being rather secretive birds - it's not often I see them around the garden picking for food amongst the other birds.

I must say that I am rather pleased that my new bird feeder - which allows me to put out a bigger variety of goodies for the birds - is enticing in these 'strangers'.

Apologies again for the quality of the pictures - the best I could do being indoors as I did not want to take a risk in chasing them away before I was able to record.