There's not much to report this month. Apart from Moor Green and Yateley Common, I haven't been able to venture further afield due to the inclement weather which still persists. On the 14th, I went to Yateley Common, where on most days you can see DARTFORD WARBLER. The area is ideal for them, plenty of gorse and heather. I wasn't disappointed and saw a male and female after searching for about twenty minutes. They both appeared to be in good condition, so hopefully we won't have too cold a winter so that they have a chance of survival and later breeding. On the 16th, a male SMEW was seen at Moor Green, apparently hanging around with the roosting Goosanders. Unfortunately I couldn't get to the reserve that day so I missed it. I had seen a male SMEW before here, but that was way back in February 1996, a very long time ago.
On the 20th, I counted seventeen SNIPE sitting around in small groups out in the open at Plover Island, Moor Green. I was quite surprised at this, as SNIPE are normally hidden in cover. I suppose it was a case of safety in numbers. SISKIN numbers have been reasonable, with the largest flock size of about fifty. LESSER REDPOLL have been few and far between this winter, with the odd sighting of two or three. Another bird that has been conspicuous by it's absence is FIELDFARE. So far this year I have seen one, which was eating berries from my neighbours Rowan tree.
On the 20th, I counted seventeen SNIPE sitting around in small groups out in the open at Plover Island, Moor Green. I was quite surprised at this, as SNIPE are normally hidden in cover. I suppose it was a case of safety in numbers. SISKIN numbers have been reasonable, with the largest flock size of about fifty. LESSER REDPOLL have been few and far between this winter, with the odd sighting of two or three. Another bird that has been conspicuous by it's absence is FIELDFARE. So far this year I have seen one, which was eating berries from my neighbours Rowan tree.
RSS Feed
