Monday 30th December - Another Year Ends

Bringing the year to a close, the last 2 months have not seen me out in the field, due to starting a rather intensive period of working. For the most part it's been wet, windy and grey, so not particular conducive for long winter walks. There is also a distinct lack of winter birds, other than a handful of Redwings which seem to still be in the area following their berry-stripping antics of early winter, but no numbers of winter finches. A hardy flock of around 50 Goldfinch continue to grace the tops of the Alders, but only 2 or 3 Siskin with them and 2 Lesser Redpoll seen only 2 weeks ago. No Brambling and single figures of Chaffinch suggest this Winter will need a dramatic change in the weather to bring any influx. My highlight of the last month was 3 sightings of a Kingfisher on the garden pond in the very wet weather, it was catching newts, fishing from the reeds and flying up to the Magnolia tree to devour the catch. A male Bullfinch had been feeding on the remains of the Guelder Rose berries in the last few days (Viburnum Opulus).

Male Bullfinch feeding on Guelder Rose berries

Reflecting on the year as a whole, it has actually been pretty good for the birds with a total of 489 species seen in 5 countries, although this was nearly all in the first half of the year when I had more time. I will have to see what 2020 brings with the start of the year likely to be spent with a focus on working rather than birding.