Song thrushes in the Holly

 OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ALONG THE RIVERSIDE

Our December Meet

This was held last Sunday 20th.   Following Tier 2 protocol, work was light today as weather, new security fencing and preparations for Christmas had reduced the amounts of rubbish encountered along the muddy route. Conditions for wildlife were good however.  The weather was not cold but there were some heavy showers, with no shelter for humans now that most of the trees are bare. The river was running high and fast,  with several robins singing. Song thrushes have been singing too in recent days with some loud bursts of short song today. They are not choosing prominent perches but prefer to stay hidden amongst evergreens in the hedges. Hollies are perfect and still retain some less accessible berries.

Holly and a blue sky.

These berries were on a single long branch more difficult to reach for thrushes but will be taken by small 

birds later. Fieldfare and redwing are present but not in large numbers.

November ends with a winter migrant from the south

OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ALONG THE RIVERSIDE

 Our meet on 29th November 2020 took place with activities reduced according to Lockdown 2 rules  - not really a meet or a gathering but each person working on their own task.

The weather was cloudy and cool with no wind, dry but very damp and muddy underfoot. The river was running well with levels back to normal after high levels two weeks before when there was water out of bank in places on 15th November.

The winter migrant was a Little Egret which did not have far to fly, coming from the south coast. There are usually two or three which make their way north when the weather turns cold and frosty on the wetlands near the south coast. Foraging is easier along the warm inland stretches of the river with mature trees and high banks providing protection. (see summary for November on Hills Farm Wildlife Conservation ).

Earlier in the month the bright pink of the fruits of the Spindle tree began to brighten the banks.

The robins have already established their territories - usually one robin to one spindle tree or perhaps a pair. The trees are closely guarded until no fruits remain.