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.