Country diary: Everything is frozen, but still the finches come | Amanda Thomson

Abernethy Forest, Cairngorms: Thanks to a local collaborative effort, linnets, bramblings, green and goldfinches are coming to this field in joyful flocksIt's -6C and I'm off to what has been a regular haunt recently - a field planted by Speyside Fields for Wildlife. This is a small, community-run charity that works with local farmers, crofters and others to take over "spare" fields and land for wildlife-friendly crops.Some sites are planted with annuals such as cornflower, corncockle, marigold and poppy - important sources of pollen, nectar and flowers that used to grow among the grain crops before herbicides became commonplace. Others, such as this one on a hill farm, have been planted with seed crops that benefit birds and other wildlife during autumn and winter. Continue reading...