Hard Times for the Small People

A week of thick snow on the ground now, and some epic temperatures: minus 15 last night at RAF Marham, just down the road from here! Some epic bird feeding going on as well, with carpets of sunflower seed, winter mix and mealie worms spread each morning, and gargantuan supplies of peanuts and nyjer seed loaded into the feeders daily. All the usual chaps are here, although some not in the usual numbers, oddly - only a few house sparrows (up to 20 when it was milder) and fewer goldfinches than last year. Two great-spotted woodpeckers regularly coming, plus a pair of marsh tits., a lone pied wagtail, and several chaffinches. Also up to five blackbirds, including a male with albino splashes, and a group of winter-spangled starlings. Four dunnocks are usually picking about, plus the odd robin and a lone wren yesterday. Blue and great tits of course, and a welcome visit from a gang of long-tails a couple of days ago. Pheasants and red-legged partridges have been turning up too... But still no bramblings, siskins or redpolls!!! Where are they?