Black birds and green moths - November wildlife in Old Weston

Birds

Highlights have been several sightings of a Kingfisher along the brook, one Woodcock on the 11th and two on the 18th a Grey Wagtail on the 14th and a small flock of Siskins on the 27th feeding in Alder trees.

Many bird species are actually moving about but frequently the new birds are replacing or reinforcing the bird species present. As mentioned last month flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare will move around the country side throughout the winter.

Less obvious movement is by what we think of as resident species such as Blackbird and Chaffinch. Large numbers of both species arrive in the UK during the autumn and winter. The size and duration of these bird movements is dependent upon the severity of the winter on the Continent.

The local influx of black birds and chaffinches from the Continent has been confirmed by the recovery of birds I have ringed and the capture in Old Weston of birds with Continental rings. Blackbirds ringed in Old Weston in the winter have been found in Wittenburg Germany 914 km away and Friesland Netherlands 449 km and a Chaffinch in Jyderup Denmark 853 km. A chaffinch ringed in Belgium was caught in Old Weston 310 km.

A frequent visitor to gardens especially in winter is the Sparrowhawk attracted by the small birds coming to feed at nut and seed feeders. The presence of a bird of prey will only temporarily disturb the smaller birds which quickly return once the predator has gone with or without a successful hunt. The numbers of predators in any area is determined by the population of possible prey items. So it’s the number of House Sparrows and similar sized birds which controls the population of Sparrowhawks. Birds of prey are a good indicator of a healthy environment.

The photograph is of a three year old male sparrowhawk. The aging of wild birds is helped by noting the different colours and or markings on certain feathers and, in the case of sparrowhawks, the colour of the eye.

Insects

Periods of warm weather will bring out many species that overwinter as adults. Provided the adults can find food this does little harm but frequent arousal when there is no food present depletes their food reserves below that which can see them through to the spring.

A single Small Tortoiseshell on the 14th was the only butterfly recorded. Despite the frequent relatively mild nights moths were scarce. One of my personal favourite moths did turn up, a single record of the autumn flying Merveille du Jour, an attractive green, black and white species.

Mammals