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December
2008 Bird Report
December started and ended
with freezing temperatures sandwiching a mild spell with minimum
temperatures of 10 degrees.
The Cormorant roost
on Grove Island held a monthly peak of 30 birds on 20th. Up to 2 Little
Egrets regularly present on the lake margins. The Goose roosts seem to
an entirely nocturnal event in the mid winter, so no reliable counts. The
feral Barnacle flock seems to be down to 20; the October Egyptian
Geese hatching are now down to 7 young; one less than last month.
Duck numbers increased; 268
Wigeon and 94 Gadwall by 29th. Goosander numbers peaked
at 52 on 12th and 50 on 31st. 2 males and a female Goldeneye still
present from last month. A female Pintail was seen on Grove Lake on
the 20th.
Raptor of the year was a
juvenile Hen Harrier seen hunting the
new workings on the 29th and 30th; only the third site record since 1988.
The local Kestrels are seen regularly, Buzzard and
Sparrowhawk present; The Barn Owl is still present and can be
seen hunting in the area at dawn and dusk. At least 3 pairs of Little
Owls regularly heard if not seen.
The number of
Lapwings present during the day seems to depend on the weather, with 224
on the 19th when the temperature was at its highest. Only a handful present
when it was frozen. At least 3 Green Sandpipers present mid month. At
least 10 Common Snipe and a Jack Snipe around for most of the
month. Probably at least 3 Water Rails present by the end of the
year.
Gulls must roost elsewhere
when the lakes are frozen. Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Black-headed
Gulls, Common Gulls, Herring Gulls and Yellow-legged
Gull recorded in small numbers during the daytime.
There seem to be very few
Mistle Thrushes, Redwings and Fieldfairs appearing on the
paddocks so far.
Probably at
least 75 Siskins and 30 Lesser Redpolls have been
present on site, but dispersed in smaller flocks. The improved feeding
station is still attracting lots of Blue Tits, Great Tits,
Chaffinches and Greenfinches with a few Bramblings seen
occasionally – numbers seem to increase later in the winter. Bullfinches
present in reasonable numbers, but again dispersed.
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
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