Nature Notes December 2020

Date Published: 31-12-2020

A month of heavy rainfall and wind, ending with heavy frosts.

SIGHTINGS
Birds (seen or heard): Common Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Common Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Heron, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Tawny Owls, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Wrens, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Redwings, Robins, Stonechats, Siskins, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Insects: Bees, Midges, Wood Lice.
Fungi: Many-zoned polypore.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Foxes.
Plants (in flower or berry): Holly, Ivy, Rhododendron, Cotoneaster.

The Redwings remained in the area and were frequent visitors on site, seeking Holly berries. They were seen on the last day of the month.
A Firecrest was seen on several occasions along the Hazelwood boundary.

NATURE FACT
Redwings begin their migration in Scandinavia or further east in northern Siberia. They fly along the European coast of the North Sea until they reach the Netherlands. From here a proportion cross the sea to England setting off at dusk. If conditions are calm, those flying to Southern England arrive well before midnight. If there is a full moon, it is possible to see these birds and hear the ‘seep’ sound in mass, a give-a-way that it is the Redwings arriving.

Recorder: C. Wilcox 31.12.20