Strange Winter Bird Population

The weather conditions have been very abnormal with relatively mild but extremely wet conditions. I have not seen a goldfinch on the garden feeders for the last two months, when in previous winters, a small flock have always been around.
Have hardly seen signs of fielfares or redwings in recent weeks, the odd small flock seen at a distance.
Large numbers of jackdaws (along with carrion crows) are displaying over the nearby wood each evening prior to settling to roost for the night. Not dissimilar to the evening murmurations of starlings.

Migrants

A large mixed flock of swallows and sand martins were flying low over the fields and trees today. No doubt they were on their way south and feeding up before their main flight to the winter quarters.

My dog dived into the base of a hedge today and came out shaking to death a large rat.

Swallows

Despite the autumnal weather we still have a number of migrants with us. I have seen several warblers recently, and swallows are still flying over the stubble fields.
In addition, when the sun emerges, butterflies are still very evident.

Merlin

Driving down towards Llanthony from Hay Bluff, a male merlin flew ahead of us, low to the ground, sparrow hawk fashion. I slowed and was rewarded by the sight of the bird perched on top of the roadside hedge. Differentiated from the sparrow hawk by its size. this small bird was probably hoping to flush out a chaffinch or some similar prey.A lovely and sighting and unexpected at this time of year. This bird had clearly decided to over winter amongst the mountains but down in the valley rather than on the tops where it will spend the summer.

Drumming Woodpecker

Yesterday I heard for the first time this year, the territorial drumming of the greater spotted woodpecker.
The partridges had been missing from their usual location for the last few days, and with a lot of shooting happening on the estate, I feared the worst. However, this morning a flock of about thirty exploded from a local cottage garden.
I walked all the way around the field to try and see the flock of yellow hammers, only to return home and find them in front of the house such that I could see them from the front window. What did surprise me on another frosty day was that beside them in the field was a similarly sized flock of skylarks, the first I had seen here for a few weeks.

Pigeon Damage

A flock of approximately two hundred wood pigeon takes flight most morning as I pass by. They have to date, eaten their way through about one fifth of a field of rape. They stick close to the edges of the field where they can quickly gain some sort of sanctuary in nearby trees. The economic cost of these birds which can be seen everywhere must, nationwide, be quite colossal.