Wyver Lane Bird Notes (December)


December produced fewer records than normal due to the severe weather
that was affecting much of the country. For much of the month both pools
were frozen and at times even access down the lane itself was near impossible
due to snow. The one stand out highlight of the month was also a first for
Wyver Lane. On the afternoon of the 15th, 17 Waxwings landed briefly in the
large ash tree north east of the main pool.

Maximum counts for the month include 4 Cormorants on 30th. Grey Heron on
14th and 15th, 2 Mute Swans on 17th, 5 Greylag Geese on 2nd, 26 Canada
Geese on 2nd, 16 Teal on 14th, 8 Mallard on 14th, 3 Shoveler on 17th, 4
Pochard (on river) on 2nd and 4 Tufted Duck (on river) on 2nd. On the 9th, 9
Goosander were seen flying down river and the following day 15 were on the
river.

No records of Kestrel all month but a Sparrowhawk was seen on 11th and 17th
and 2 were in the air together on 14th. Only a handful of single Buzzard sightings
were noted.

56 Lapwings were recorded on 2nd and a single Snipe on the same date.
c 300 Black-Headed Gulls on 15th, 5 Common Gulls on 14th, 9 Stock Doves
on 14th, 2 Collared Doves on 11th, a Little Owl on 15th, 8 Blackbird on 14th,
26 Fieldfare on 15th, c20 Redwing on 11th, Goldcrest on 14th, 3 Long-Tailed
Tits on 15th, Treecreeper on 14th and 5 Siskin on 15th.