December 2022 Bird Notes by Paul Swan

Nature! Having said that the golden plover had not arrived on Spring Hill, they turned up the next day. There were around a hundred to start with, but that number has doubled already and may well increase when the temperatures really drop further north.

The two patches of sunflowers that have been planted on the hill near the airfield have proved a magnet fo

r two species in particular. Over a hundred goldfinch have been based around there for weeks and a slightly smaller group of yellow hammers have been regular visitors, That is particularly pleasing as these birds are in national decline.

Working in the garden on a few mild and sunny days I was surprised and delighted by the variety of birds still visiting the bird feeders. These have included small groups of long tailed tits and sparrows, blue tits, goldfinch, goldcrest and a beautiful coal tit. 'Our' robin was very attentive when I was weeding and providing the occasional worm.

As always at this time of year, with the lack of leaves, it becomes so much easier to spot nests in the hedgerows. It always surprises me just how many of our summer birds nest so low down and yet manage to escape detection.