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Winter wildlifeBirdsThe coldest December for 30 years brought large numbers of birds into gardens, searching for food. Along with the commoner birds, one or two more unusual species came to feed, some more desirable than others.
The frozen ground towards the end of the month reduced available habitat for snipe to feed, resulting in several sightings along unfrozen wet ditches. A grey wagtail on the 30th was only the second sighting for the year. As usual red kite, buzzard and stonechat were regularly recorded. 2008 may have been a poor breeding year with fewer birds about but it produced my highest yearly species total for birds - 91. The highlight, undoubtedly, was the Cattle Egret, and other notable species include Green Sandpiper, Bewick's Swan and Common Tern.
InsectsNot surprisingly, there were few insect records; a brief warm period mid-month produced the only butterfly sighting, a small tortoiseshell presumably disturbed from its hibernation. There were no outstanding butterfly sightings during the year, marbled white and painted lady being the pick.
FungiFungi tend to rapidly disappear with severe frosts. Some of the more woody species may persist in sheltered positions such as the Candle-snuff Fungi found on rotting stumps.
Slime moulds, mentioned in the September article, can turn up at any time of the year given suitable weather conditions.
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