Parus major

Despite the weather we did a watch which we may use as our Big Garden Birdwatch.  I wasn't terribly for a good result.  Not only do the birds seem to go on holiday the weekend the watch takes place, but recently we have been missing a number of regular species.

Greenfinch - not seen one for weeks
Siskin - Not seen one for months.
Redpoll - like the Siskin
Brambling - not one all winter

I could add more but that gives the flavour of things.

The shot is a male Great Tit pausing in the Magnolia before visiting the feeders.  The right eye is showing the nictitating membrane (third eyelid) found in birds, reptiles and some mammals.  It can be drawn across protecting the eye from dust and keeping it damp.  In some species it is transparent as opposed to translucent.

A very noisy shot owing to the poor light.