November has been a great month for autumn sightings. The flock of golden plover has continued to increase, while we now also have the first of the fieldfare and redwing on the lower slopes of Spring Hill and other areas. Just as last year, we also have a large flock of over fifty linnets hurtling around the old airfield. All these are now expected, but the sighting of a lapwing, and on another day a woodcock gave special pleasure.
Lower down, in the village, the unusual sightings have included a great white egret and a goosander on the river and three parakeets in a village garden! These will have been rose ringed parakeets, and they are a non-native species. Modern folklore says that all the parakeets in the UK escaped from Ealing Studios during the filming of The Africa Queen in 1951.
In the wildlife area behind the Fire Station, we have heard both chiffchaff and Cetti’s warbler, both species now overwintering in the UK. There has been a mistle thrush taking up winter residence near Harbrook, and ravens ‘cronking’ over the village more frequently than usual.
December can be a tough time for birds, and if we get any serious snow this month many ground feeding species, such as skylarks will migrate further west until the ground beneath them is green rather than white.
Comments