Date: 28th December 2020
Time: from 9 a.m.
Weather: dry, sunny/cloudy, light
wind, 0°C to 2°C
This morning’s visit was similar
to that on Christmas Day in that it was sunny, cold and frosty although the
early sunshine again gave way to grey cloud.
Access to the site via the track
from Larkins Tyres continues to be very wet and muddy. The temperature of 0°C
had failed to freeze the area.
With regard to birds, I had an
excellent visit this morning and recorded 23 species, easily the highest number
since spring and early summer. There were several highlights.
Firstly, as I was watching the comings and goings
of the Redwings (see below), I saw 3 gulls flying over in a northerly
direction which were noticeably larger than the Herring Gulls and Lesser
Black-backed Gulls that I often see. A quick look through my binoculars
confirmed them to be Great Black-backed Gulls. This was my first record for the site and brought
my site total for bird species to 51.
Photo: record shot of Great Black-backed Gulls
Secondly, after seeing my first record
for the site of a fly-over Little Egret on 17th May 2020, this morning I recorded my second flying over in an easterly
direction.
Thirdly,
as I entered the eastern section of the cemetery from the woodland, I heard
what I thought I was a calling Pheasant although I was not 100% certain.
Much later during my visit, I saw a male Pheasant noisily flying across this
area. During my visit on 9th October 2020, I saw a female Pheasant and thought that this was my
50th bird species record for the site. After checking, this turned out not to
be the case but nonetheless I have now seen both a male and a female Pheasant
this year.
Whether
the cold weather was responsible I am not sure but this morning’s visit was
noteworthy for the large number of Redwings on site. During my visit,
they were continually evident flying around in small groups in and around the
cemetery and their soft, thin “seep” calls were an almost constant
soundtrack. Fortunately (at last), some birds were coming regularly to feed on
Holly and Hawthorn berries in the cemetery (along with Blackbirds and a very hungry Grey
Squirrel) which enabled me to get some photos. There must have been at
least 30 birds present this morning and possibly many more although it was
difficult to estimate given the continual activity.
As I
walked home past Laindon Park School, I heard and then saw a Goldcrest
in the adjacent woodland edge and I also saw c.10 House Sparrows in the
bushes by Larkins Tyres.
With regard to mammals, I saw a single Red
Fox from my usual watchpoint looking over the field, hedges, scrubland
and trees to the north of the site. For some weeks now, this has proved to be
the most reliable location for sightings. The Red Fox emerged from the
trees at the far side and then walked across the field to disappear in to the
hedge. It then reappeared twice as it obviously moved within the hedge in my
direction. Unfortunately, the only photos that I managed to get were distant
and as a result not particularly sharp. About 15 minutes later, what I assume
was the same Red Fox, ran across the far end of the field to again disappear
from view.
Photo: record shot of Red Fox
I saw 7 Grey Squirrels this
morning, the first running across the road by Larkins Tyres. This was followed
by further individuals along the track from Larkins Tyres, in the wooded area
bordering the church car park (where I got some photos), in the western area of
the cemetery in the Hawthorn bush which was attracting Redwings (where I
also got some photos), in the trees bordering the field to the north of the
site plus 2 in the trees around Laindon Park School.
Santa was also still hanging around
although I am guessing that he will not be around for much longer!
Species recorded during this visit were as follows
(heard only records in italics):
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Robin
Dunnock
Wren
Redwing
Blackbird
House Sparrow
Goldfinch
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Jay
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Pheasant
Little Egret
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Red Fox
Grey Squirrel
Santa 😀
Here are some photos from my visit:
Photo: Redwing
Site totals to date:
Birds = 51
Mammals = 6
Butterflies = 21
Dragonflies and damselflies = 7
Reptiles = 1
Amphibians = 0
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