December 2007 Bird Report

It was proper December weather this year with the lakes frozen over for a period mid-month; although there was enough waterfowl to keep some areas ice free.

Little Egrets present on most days with 3 on the 1st and the usual gathering of 20+ Cormorants on Grove Island. The geese are more likely to be seen feeding on the nearby paddocks than on the lakes with the 30+ Barnacle Geese, 3 Snow Geese plus 2 Snow hybrids to watch out for. A Brent Goose was seen on Grove on the 15th.

The duck numbers vary as the move between sites, the freeze causing some to move to costal waters I expect. 300+ Wigeon present all month and an influx of 90 Pochard at the end of the December. Teal number reaching 50+, but they are difficult to count, hidden around the edges of the lakes. The 2 male Goldeneye were joined by a female from the middle of the month – which spent most of its time on the flooded diggings. Goosander numbers reached 43 in the Grove Lake roost on 21st, more than in the past few winters.

Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were seen regularly. Peregrine reported just once this month as far as I know.  The Little Owls could often bee seen sunning themselves when conditions are right; the trees on the new workings (Manor Farm) are the best place to look for them.  I am not aware of any sightings of the Barn Owls this month; they could have gone elsewhere to hunt.

The Water Rail has continued to be seen from Colebrook Hide, and others heard squealing elsewhere. The Lapwing flock exceeded 400 early in the month and were joined by at least 600 Golden Plovers; this is nearly ten times the previous site record! They all disappeared during the freeze up in the middle of the month, but were beginning to return by the end of the year.

A Green Sandpiper has been around all month, sometimes on Grove; two were present in the Christmas week. An unseasonable Dunlin was seen on the 11th.

Gulls, like Plovers, disappear when things freeze up. At the beginning of the month 125+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls were roosting on Horseshoe Lake with a few Yellow-legged Gulls, Herring Gulls and Common Gulls.

The Work Party on the 9th were treated to a Water / Rock Pipit flying over. A possible Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming mid month. Finch numbers are well below average this winter with small numbers of Siskin, Redpoll and Linnets. Reed Buntings and a Coal Tit have been seen on the feeders.

As always, please report your own sightings on the record sheets in Colebrook Hide or send them to Ian Brown, the Moor Green bird recorder.

Bruce Archer