How have bullfinches fared this spring snowtime?Those who cultivate fruits for a living hate the bullfinch because this lovely looking bird feeds on the buds of fruit trees during the spring.

Once again we have countryside conflict between orchard owners and conservationists who look at the bullfinch, which has the scientific name pyrrhula pyrrhula, from very different standpoints.

There can be no doubt, however, that the bullfinch is one of our most beautiful birds and are very welcome on our bird tables.

There is a great difference between the sexes; the male is an attractive bird with his rosy red breast which contrasts sharply with a shiny black head, a bluish black chin and white rump which is easily seen in flight. The female is much duller but her whole rump is always distinctive.

The bullfinch is not just a problem for those who cultivate orchards as its diet is very varied, but they are vegetarians.

The only exception is that they do feed their young on insects which they need to build up their protein levels whilst they are growing.

On April 10 I watched a pair of bullfinches displaying ready for nestbuilding. It will be interesting to get the breeding figures for all our birds for 2013.

The poor winter will have caused problems for most birds but the amazing thing is to see just how resilient they are.

Pleasures of a park in spring

This is a fine example of how the men who made money in the heyday of the cotton industry tried to put something back.

Two who made money in Barrowford used some of their profits to build a Memorial Park which was opened in 1924. Dixon and Holden would be proud of this park which is still splendidly maintained and its 4.8 hectares include a riverside and a pond with a path running around it.

This is an ideal place, not just to begin the study of natural history but is a smashing place for a gentle stroll with plenty to see.

On the pond look out for mallard, pochard, tufted duck, coot and moorhen. Among the trees are jay, great spotted woodpecker and the treecreeper which can be difficult to spot.

What pleased me most, however, is that like all our town parks the place is family friendly and dogs love the area. I always visit this park at least twice a year. After the winter we have just had I am looking forward to some warm sunshine and a few green leaves.

Royal gift shows staying power

Now that winter has at last gone all the species of our wild geese have returned to their northern breeding grounds.

There is, however, one exception and that is the Canada goose. This is a really handsome bird being some 96cm (36 in) long. It has a brownish body and a black head with a patch of white on the chin. The legs and bill are black.

Some think that the Canada goose is a recent introduction to Britain but this is not true. The species is mentioned by a writer called Willoughby in 1678 when he counted Charles II’s wildfowl in St James’s Park in London.

Since that time there have been escapes from collections and increasing numbers of breeding flocks are now found all over Britain including in many of our local reservoirs.

The Canada goose, as its name implies, was brought to Britain from North America as a gift for the King and because he had some birds all the posh people wanted some!

These days Canada geese are becoming a bit of a nuisance in some areas but there is no doubt that they are very attractive birds.