A Cold Winter - but signs of Spring

The survey for Sunday February 21st 2021

 In recent years we have become accustomed to signs of spring early in the new year but February this year 2021 has been cold - as it used to be in the previous century....but at least this weekend showed that spring weather was a possibility after all. 

There had been a shower overnight but it was becoming brighter and the wind had dropped. High cloud allowed the light through, at least for a few hours.The river was running lower and muddy with paths churned up by the leaden feet of weary joggers seeing only numbers of miles and minutes - well kms sounds more impressive. The green leaves of Wild Garlic were shooting up above last years dry grasses and flower stalks. Insects were now gathering around the soft crab apples and Hazel catkins marked out the presence of Hazel trees along the riverbanks - their stages dependent on the site location - shade or sun, north or south. Bird song provided a continuous background chorus. 

Dog rose hips continued to provide colour along the fencing, failing to tempt most birds, although eventually they will be eaten if food is scarce in early spring.

Larger birds with powerful beaks are always good survivors , such as the characterful Carrion Crows which are always seen in small numbers along the river. Today there were 11 seen and heard in various locations. Woodpigeons too are always present  with 30 seen either singly or in small groups, spread out. Seven magpies, three rooks, two jackdaws, six herring gulls and one black-headed gull were also seen. Starlings have their own rules and are rarely seen here in large flocks although large number can hide away in dense Ivy roosts where one can only guess their numbers by their calls. Today there were about twenty seen, mostly around a green with a dense bramble margin. Two jays, probably a pair were seen flying into a small copse where they remained out of sight.

House sparrows were numerous as usual and very audible, in several colonies about 85 in all whilst more than ten goldfinches had gathered in a tangled thicket of dense bare twigs and branches, flying off and returning now and again. Others were seen flying across the river in small groups.A chaffinch was heard calling but no greenfinches were detected and only one calling bullfinch was heard in bare willows.

Frog spawn in one of the ponds. The erratic  and often very cold weather has not been ideal this spring, but this patch survived, with lively adult frogs very visible. Grey herons have been patrolling the river and ponds recently, searching out food to take to their young some distance upstream.

A smart single male pied wagtail was busy on the shorter grass at the river bank, perhaps one of a pair that has been seen recently on another meander of the river. Blackbirds (35) were seen just about everywhere, with song thrushes (16) usually in the same damp areas when foraging, They do seem to be more numerous now than a few years ago - perhaps more winter migrants make the journey and perhaps more migrants decide to stay all year.  A single migrant - a redwing was seen amongst ivy and berries - this bird definitely returns to breed mostly in  north and east Europe  - they are only here for the winter berries! Dunnock were visible today (6) two chasing in the undergrowth  with others on the margin of the pond where a common toad was heard.

Wrens were singing loudly  in many mossy places, warming up after the freezing days (21) . There is no sign that the number of small birds has been reduced by the winter weather in this particular location. Its diversity means that there is always shelter, unfrozen flowing water and undergrowth cover for all.  Robins have certainly prospered with 28 mostly singing and preparing to nest. Blue ts (over 50) too seemed to be preparing to nest as were long-tailed ts (3), whilst great ts were very vocal (32) and active, searching for spiders and prospecting for possible nest sites. One of the smallest birds, the goldcrest is usually resident  - three were visible and very active in the conifers.

It gradually became warmer and brighter for a while and Buff-tailed Bumblebees appeared, ranging slowly over the banks.

Two nuthatch were seen in the old oaks - one quietly tapping, probably refurbishing a nest,  then calling with the other calling from a more distant tree. In a different location a great-spotted woodpecker called and flew across to an Ash whilst some distance above a common buzzard was gliding, followed by two carrion-crows. Another gliding buzzard looked down at me.(2).

Finally there was a very good view of a mistle thrush singing loudly from the top of a tree.

Mid January - A Short look

 Before proceeding to February 2021- just a few observations on 21st January- a fine evening for birds.

The 'evening' started at 14,15 (remember those short winter days when the sun was fast setting below the tree line before 3pm). A mistle thrush was was singing loudly from a tree top although each song was short. The tall conifer provided a fine song post with a good outlook. Small movements amongst the branches revealed several goldcrests foraging and a family of magpies flew away across to nearby woods to roost.

Further along the river a great-spotted woodpecker called from an old oak and two song thrushes sang in a copse overlooking one of the meanders. Two local carrion crows, a known pair, flew down to the field where two herring gulls were patrolling on the grass. They were disturbed by a single black-headed gull which flew over them, getting lower with each aggressive swoop, attempting to persuade them to leave this traditional meeting place for a flock of Black-headed gulls. (It succeeded eventually,  as several days later the winter flock moved in as usual, ignoring the crow pair). 

Two more song thrushes were seen, foraging on the grass further north and a redwing flew across, its red underwing flashing in the evening light. Several blackbirds, probably a mix of winter visitors and resident birds were gathered around a crab apple tree where the fruits were now ripening at last. Robins,were singing on each corner and great ts, blue ts, a coal t, several Dunnock and a colony of house sparrows  were all active.

Hazel catkins in profusion indicate  a good crop of nuts for birds and small mammals which will harvest them well before they ripen in early summer.

A 'charm' of goldfinches were active under shrubs and dried Dock grasses, their constant soft song giving their presence away. A small flock of starlings flew around their ivy roost - after all it was getting dark - then another mistle thrush started to sing whilst the first one was still audible in the distance.