BIRD NEWS FROM CARR VALE NATURE RESERVE AND SURROUNDING AREA.

DECEMBER
Things got worse on the 1st when another nine inches of snow fell and then commenced a prolonged cold spell with all the ponds covered by thick ice for the whole month. This had a detrimental effect on bird recording but despite the hardship, daily coverage, albeit limited was maintained throughout the month and once again we completed a full year of recording.

Five Tree Sparrows were seen on the 5th but the main ornithological event of the month was the arrival of Waxwings on New Station Road on the 8th when 46 were seen with birds being seen most days until the 20th when four were seen. 41 Waxwings were seen on the 10th, a Shoveler was seen on the 13th and remained to the 14th and the Waxwing flock increased to 84 on 13th when six Willow Tits were present. 167 Waxwings were counted on the 15th, two Goosander were present on the 16th and 100 Waxwings were still present on the 17th. 120 Waxwings were present on the 18th when 44 flew west over the reserve and a Shelduck was present on the 21st.

A Bittern showed well on the 26th when 80 Herring Gulls flew south and the Bittern was still present on the 27th. A Mistle Thrush was singing on the 29th. A Goosander flew north on the 31st when amazingly the only Coot of the month was seen. 50 Goldfinches were also seen on the last day of the year when 22 Reed Buntings were counted into roost.

Mark Beevers