But now the days are slowly getting longer, there are slightly more opportunities to get out in-between the ever frequent rain showers
What makes the river so drab is the lack of foliage:
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But in-between the drabness, there are few flashes of colour, down by the river the distinct markings of the UK's smallest bird - a goldcrest:
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It's hard to believe such a small bird migrates, but some of the UK's winter population are migrants and this small creature (only weighing 5 grams) may have travelled all the way from Poland to seek out insects along the Ock.
Also lurking in the undergrowth (and somewhat difficult to photograph in the fading light) is the unmistakable plumage of a bullfinch (actually a pair):
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These splendid looking birds have had a difficult time recently, their preferred choice of food, - tree buds has bought them into conflict with fruit growers and the destruction and heavy cutting of many hedgerows has resulted in a 50% drop in their population since the early 1980's.
Maybe the unmanaged trees and hedges along the river and the nearby old canal can help provide suitable habitat and is an area where this charming bird can thrive.
