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The last
month of 2011 began with freezing cold weather, a little snow on the hills
around us and masses of birds feeding in the garden. Most were using
the feeders but some, especially the goldfinches and house sparrows, were
working their way through the lavender bed finding as many remaining seeds
as they could. The usefulness of this plant as a natural source of
winter seeds for goldfinches is the main reason I am creating another
small lavender area close to the house. Other natural berries
that disappeared fast were those of our hawthorn trees - mainly as a
result of some quite acrobatic blackbirds - and the rose hips in the
hedge, eaten in the space of one day by a very active grey squirrel!
Birds
roosting around the house were also a feature of this month, especially
wrens and dunnocks which made their way into the woodpile at the back of
the house. It is likely that the nestboxes were also being used in
this way but our only nest cam has been disabled by the afore mentioned
squirrel! Repairs are needed before the nesting season begins.
Late in the afternoon of the 28th, four wrens flew out of the swallow nest
cup in the front porch, so hopefully that is being used on a regular
basis.
Later in
the month we had a little snow in the garden which brought in the local
buzzard to the shelter of our small copse, but as the weather grew milder
with it came some very welcome rain which filled the Big Pond for the
first time in 18 months or more. A colder snap again meant that we
had both redwings and fieldfares around in some numbers. Our now
'local' red kite was seen on a regular basis.
The mostly
mild weather last month meant a complete lack of our usual winter visitors
- siskins and bramblings. Only one brambling was seen, and just for
one visit. The month ended with many signs of the approaching spring
as the days visibly lengthened and a pair of sparrowhawks displayed over
the garden.
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