As the berries disappeared from the hedgerows so the Fieldfares and Redwings moved on and by mid month there were few to be seen locally.
In fact the only abundant wintering birds are starlings and I feel sure that these provide prey for the local peregrine falcons. They are often taken to the top of one of the electricity pylons where the falcon can feed without being pestered by crows.
There are quite a few Stonechats on the moors, but Snipe numbers are down and there are no Siskins, Redpolls or Bramblings due I believe to there being plentiful seed supplies in Scandinavia and Scotland.
However, lots of ducks and waders have arrived on the Somerset Levels, with 100,000 birds on West Sedgemoor, comprising 50,000 Ducks, 30,000 Lapwings and 20,000 Golden Plover. There was also a record count of Wigeon at Shapwick Heath this month; 3,400 on one lake there last week.
A bit out of our area, a Dartford Warbler is wintering in a public park in Cheltenham. ‘Darties’ breed on gorse and heather moors so to find one in a park (and it has survived cold and snow) is astonishing. It is frequenting a wildflower meadow area – full marks to the local council for providing this.
Several of our resident species are now singing on sunny mornings and more birds will start to claim their territories as we go through February.
Trevor Riddle 01934 835208
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