Thanx for the reply's,does anyone know if shropshire is a good area for bullfinches?.The bird which i have not seen for many years is the yellow hammer,i take it they must be on the decline

The magpie population is not helping much to our garden birds

,as well as intense farming.But at least im doing my bit to help them through winter,to keep a steady population of garden birds make through to nxt spring.Plus my little son like's watching them through the kitchen window.