Nature Notes – December 2024

by Andy Johnston

The first 2 weeks of November were warm and dry with plenty of sunshine and no heavy frosts. Many flowers were still in bloom and on a couple of days my mahonia was covered in honeybees, wasps and peacock butterflies. A week later, after a series of heavy frosts, all the flowers were reduced to mush.

The blackbirds have returned and are now squabbling over territory and showing initial signs of displaying. Some of you have had fewer birds visiting their feeders. My initial reaction is that the autumn weather has been so benign that they have not been forced to migrate to find food. However, there also appear to be fewer winter thrushes here, even after the recent cold snap. What we do have is a significant increase of pink-footed geese feeding locally.

Tracy Snowdon recently had great views of an otter swimming in the recently formed cut-off on the Swale. This appears to be a favourite otter haunt. The Great White Egret has returned for its second winter and is the size of a grey heron. I heard a thud on the lounge window this morning and there was the outline of what appeared to be a sparrow hawk, no sign of the culprit, but I have my suspicions… female!!!

The first 2 weeks of November were warm and dry with plenty of sunshine and no heavy frosts. Many flowers were still in bloom and on a couple of days my mahonia was covered in honeybees, wasps and peacock butterflies. A week later, after a series of heavy frosts, all the flowers were reduced to mush.

The blackbirds have returned and are now squabbling over territory and showing initial signs of displaying. Some of you have had fewer birds visiting their feeders. My initial reaction is that the autumn weather has been so benign that they have not been forced to migrate to find food. However, there also appear to be fewer winter thrushes here, even after the recent cold snap. What we do have is a significant increase of pink-footed geese feeding locally.

Tracy Snowdon recently had great views of an otter swimming in the recently formed cut-off on the Swale. This appears to be a favourite otter haunt. The Great White Egret has returned for its second winter and is the size of a grey heron. I heard a thud on the lounge window this morning and there was the outline of what appeared to be a sparrow hawk, no sign of the culprit, but I have my suspicions… female!!!