Birds and other
wildlife recorded in November & December 2019
It’s been pretty
quiet in the woods for the last couple of months, so here is a joint report for
both November and December. Most of the species occurred in both months.
Red Kites were seen
on many occasions, and are seen almost daily over the nearby estate.
Woodpigeons and the more subdued Stock Doves were also around. Both of the
common woodpeckers – Great-spotted and Green were heard, if not seen, on many
visits. All the common corvids were also active: Magpies, Jackdaws (9 pairs
were spotted investigating nests in the rookery area in early December) Rooks,
Jays (often screaming at each other), and Carrion Crows. At the opposite end of
the size scale, it was good to have records of Goldcrest, the smallest British
bird. All of the common tits were recorded: Blue Tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit,
and so were there distant cousins the Long-tailed Tits (usually still in small
parties, calling to each other). Nuthatches were seen or heard on most visits,
as were Wren, Blackbird and Robin. Listen out now for Mistle Thrush – they are
early breeders and you may well hear one singing from a high perch in January.
Finally three finches were recorded – Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Bullfinch. Look
out for winter finches – Siskins and Bramblings (or Ramblings as my
spell-checker suggested!)
The only mammal
recorded was Grey Squirrel but we have reason to believe that the Badgers may
be around.
Please send in your
records. Let’s start 2020 with a lot of observations! Happy new Nature Year.
