The mild weather has caused some unusual sightings such as a Peacock Butterfly seen flying in the sunshine on 20 December. Also, there is still quite a lot of fungi showing, particularly Jews Ear on dead elder trees. If the mild weather persists into January, you may well see other unusual sightings such as flowers appearing earlier than usual, or even frog spawn.

Because of the natural food that was still available during the mild weather in December, there were fewer than usual birds at the Woodland Hide feeding station. There will probably not be large numbers until we get some colder weather (especially if it snows), which makes natural food harder to get at and hence the birds will have greater dependence on the supplied food. Even so, I recorded 18 species in half an hour just before Christmas, so it shows that there can be plenty to see if you choose the right day. For the record, the species I saw are listed below. You could easily see most, if not all, of these.

Blue tit, Great tit, Willow tit, Coal tit and Long-tailed tit

Blackbird, Robin, Wren and Dunnock

Great spotted woodpecker, Nuthatch and Tree creeper

Chaffinch, Bullfinch and Siskin

Wood pigeon, Magpie and Jay

I could have scored 20 (equalling the record) if I had also seen the goldfinch in the trees and the Sparrowhawk that flew through when I visited the following day. You don’t tend to get a good view of Sparrowhawk as usually some small birds see it coming and fill the woodland with alarm calls to warn the others. All you will see will be the small birds scattering as a larger bird flies through rapidly, disappearing as quickly as it appeared. It does however occasionally stop on a post (probably cursing its luck at missing out again) and is a stunning sight if it does. This is the male.

Because birds get used to the food put out by Rangers and to the number of visitors, the birds are not usually disturbed people being in the Hide if you are quiet. This makes them comparatively easy to photograph, and a great place to practice taking wildlife photographs if you have been lucky enough to receive a camera for Christmas. However, the birds are still vigilant against potential attack, for example  by the local Sparrowhawk, and will scatter if they are alarmed. All of the food at the Woodland Hide is sponsored by RIMAG at a cost of around £500 each year; there is a donation box in the Visitor Centre if you have enjoyed your visit and would like to make a contribution towards it.

 

Phil Rees