A few Highlights from the rest of November 2022

The survey on the previous post was made during an interval in the rain, knowing that rain is good for wildlife in general but not in excess and generally not for a survey! 

The month began with heavy rain and thunder, with sightings of birds very scattered but on occasions good numbers of Robins, Dunnock, Starlings, House Sparrows, Blackbirds, Goldfinches, Carrion Crows, Woodpigeons and several Jays . 

The skies became darker with the river carrying mud from the fields but suddenly there was some sun on 9th November - with a Red Kite over the East bridge, several Jays and many small birds: Dunnock, Goldfinch, Blue ts, Great ts, Long-tailed ts,  Blackbirds, House Sparrows and a few scattered Redwing in a thicket, wrens,  on the bank and a Nuthatch in an Oak.

On 13th 30 Fieldfare were seen in formation low over the hedgerow  and Pied Wagtails on the ground, with a Grey Wagtail over the river.

After this the rain set in again, with the river overtopping banks for a while in the usual way. On 18th the rain ceased and Fieldfare were seen briefly flying across, not pausing to forage. The 18th was a rare fine day with the sighting of a brilliant fresh Red Admiral butterfly in a sunlit spot on the river bank and the day after, much colder but loud singing from a Songthrush and many other birds too, especially Robins and Dunnock with quiet Wren, Fieldfare and Redwing present too. Herring Gulls were seen and often heard. The high water levels have been a challenge for Grey Herons which continued to fly over, surveying the river and nearby landscape with ponds, the river overtopping it's banks again on 20th as is usual in such weather. After this the very wet weather continued but colder. House Sparrows and Starlings continued their singing in roosts. The full Survey was made on 25th followed by drizzle at intervals to the end of the month, with a Songthrush singing loudly times.

The sequel was a month of adverse weather conditions on all available Survey days for December 2022 with the Survey for December postponed a couple of days until 2nd January. See next post....!