my local patch and wildlife - Ian McDonald

[ian mcdonald]

We have only had three inches of snow but the change in the landscape is greater.











A happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year to all.

[ArnoldT]

Ian

Lovely images.

Just the right amount of snow for me.

Merry Christmas to all.

[ian mcdonald]

Fieldfares are Winter visitors from Scandinavia. They sometimes form large flocks which can also include Redwings.



 

A few Winter views of the local area.

[ian mcdonald]

More local views. The weather is a bit milder and some of the snow has melted causing run offs towards the river, which is already higher than normal.





A small stream which is swollen with snow melt.



The waterfall downstream is obscured by bushes.



The wildlife have their own Christmas tree.

[shelagh]

Super pictures Ian thanks for posting them.

[ian mcdonald]

Everywhere looks grey after a light snowfall this morning.

[ian mcdonald]

Two male Bullfinchs were in the garden yesterday. Pecking at raspberry buds. I don,t mind the birds getting food they need. The BSBI are having their New Year Plant Hunt between December 31st. and January 3rd. The aim is to record plants in flower at this time. I have said I will go to the local meeting on Tuesday. Will we find any plants in flower after the recent cold and wet weather? I will let you know. Maybe members would find it a useful exercise after the Holiday period? Wrap up well, although the weather forecast is for milder temperatures for a few days. For further details look at the BSBI website:https://bsbi.org/new-year-plant-hunt

[ian mcdonald]

I went to look for the Waxwings that have been seen for some days. No luck, so I went to look for the Green Winged Teal that is on the coast. No luck there either. I did see Dunlin and Redshank.



Curlew.



Red Breasted Merganser.



Godwit (possibly black tailed?)



Hundreds of Wigeon.

[ian mcdonald]

Yesterday I went down to the river to look for plants in flower. I could only find six, common daisy (Bellis perennis), dandelion, gorse, groundsel, common field speedwell (V. persica) and red deadnettle. All of which flower throughout the year. I found a fungus which I,m told is Velvet Shank.



I found what I thought was a slime mould, until I looked at the photo. on the computer. I could see it was Hair Ice, which I found for the first time last year.



About 100 Siskin were feeding on Alder cone seeds.



A Yellowhammer has just visited the garden.



The weather has turned to sleet after light snow last night.

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all.

[Maggi Young]

And a very Happy New Year to you and all the great wildlife you bring us, Ian!

[ian mcdonald]

With regard to reply 1161. I went on the new year plant hunt yesterday. 7 people turned up. I decided to search on my own to try and find different species in flower to the main group. Despite the weather forecast saying wet and windy it was a sunny morning but cold and breezy. The rain arrived in the early afternoon. The main party recorded 30 different plants in flower and I added a mere three to the list. Quite an achievement following weeks of frost and snow and given the Northern latitude.

[MarcR]

Ian,

Primulaceae, Iridaceae, Violaceae, Theaceae, Scrophulariaceae, and many other families have member genra and species which are winter flowering.

[ian mcdonald]

I had an interesting time at the bird feeders in the wood today. I was not quick enough to get a photo. of the Goldcrest though.



Jay.



A party of Long Tailed Tits were feeding with a Treecreeper.



Great Spotted Woodpecker was there along with a female.



Multi-coloured Red Squirrel.



A Wood Pigeon and a Chaffinch sharing the table.

[ian mcdonald]

Some of the birds seen recently were Turnstones and Redshank at the coast. 





I,ve been birdwatching from the house due to the cold and snow (2"). Poor quality photos. taken through the windows.Two Bramblings came yesterday.



Jackdaws are common around the village.



I read somewhere that Dunnocks do not feed from bird tables. Wildlife can,t read though.

[ian mcdonald]

There has been a female Black Redstart at the coast for some weeks. Everyone and his dog has seen it but despite three visits it remains hidden to me. I did see a Redwing on one visit.

 

On another visit I saw a Rock Pipit searching among the shingle, they are fairly common along the coast here.



On the last visit there were a small group of 10 Twite feeding in a field, they then flew to the shingle beech.



There is a Badgers sett not far away.



It is illegal to disturb Setts.