Nature around Watlington
Cheeky Chafinch busy throwing seeds around. They are very picky but the doves are happy to clear up on the ground.
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Sparrow hawk watching bird feeder, watched by blue tit.
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Greater spotted woodpecker Robin everyones favourite bird
Nature Notes with Chris Dyson
At the time of writing, the end of January, our winter weather in Watlington has not been too bad. We have had some strong winds at times but not the damaging gales that other parts of the country have experienced. We have had frost on a number of days and there have been some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. There is still time for some more severe winter weather but we are getting nearer to spring as each day passes.
The frosts have led to more and more birds visiting our garden to feed. We have at least eight Blackbirds visiting regularly. Of these one hen bird is the boss and she will see off any other Blackbird, male or female, until she has had
her fill. We have almost a flock of very well fed Woodpigeons and the same goes for Collared Doves. Occasionally,
a Sparrow Hawk will pass through or over our garden and this results in all the other birds suddenly disappearing. Whilst House Sparrows are impossible to count as they are continuously on the move between the bird table, our small pond and the hedge.
On trips into Kings Lynn via St Peters Road I regularly observe a Buzzard and sometimes two perched on the
telegraph poles. Also Kestrels either perched on the poles or hovering above the roadside verge. On walks around the village it amazes me how many Robins there are, they can be heard singing everywhere.
Although we are obviously still in winter there are obvious signs that spring is on the way. I observed the first Hazel catkins on 13th January in the shrubbery surrounding the school playing field. Whilst in our garden the Snowdrops are almost in bloom. I expect that people who have more sheltered gardens will already have Snowdrops and Aconites in bloom. I have also observed Blue Tits inspecting nest boxes so they obviously think that spring is on the way. So by the time this edition of the ‘Gossip’ reaches you spring should certainly be on its way. Plants will be starting to grow and some will soon be in bloom. Depending on the weather birds will definitely be thinking about nesting and it will not be too long before the first of the summer migrant bird’s return.
At the time of writing, the end of January, our winter weather in Watlington has not been too bad. We have had some strong winds at times but not the damaging gales that other parts of the country have experienced. We have had frost on a number of days and there have been some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. There is still time for some more severe winter weather but we are getting nearer to spring as each day passes.
The frosts have led to more and more birds visiting our garden to feed. We have at least eight Blackbirds visiting regularly. Of these one hen bird is the boss and she will see off any other Blackbird, male or female, until she has had
her fill. We have almost a flock of very well fed Woodpigeons and the same goes for Collared Doves. Occasionally,
a Sparrow Hawk will pass through or over our garden and this results in all the other birds suddenly disappearing. Whilst House Sparrows are impossible to count as they are continuously on the move between the bird table, our small pond and the hedge.
On trips into Kings Lynn via St Peters Road I regularly observe a Buzzard and sometimes two perched on the
telegraph poles. Also Kestrels either perched on the poles or hovering above the roadside verge. On walks around the village it amazes me how many Robins there are, they can be heard singing everywhere.
Although we are obviously still in winter there are obvious signs that spring is on the way. I observed the first Hazel catkins on 13th January in the shrubbery surrounding the school playing field. Whilst in our garden the Snowdrops are almost in bloom. I expect that people who have more sheltered gardens will already have Snowdrops and Aconites in bloom. I have also observed Blue Tits inspecting nest boxes so they obviously think that spring is on the way. So by the time this edition of the ‘Gossip’ reaches you spring should certainly be on its way. Plants will be starting to grow and some will soon be in bloom. Depending on the weather birds will definitely be thinking about nesting and it will not be too long before the first of the summer migrant bird’s return.
