Date: 9th February 2021
Time: from 10:15 a.m.
Weather: light snow, grey and cloudy,
light wind, 0°C
Following yesterday’s very short visit to the site, I had a much
longer visit this morning.
Whilst it was still lightly snowing and with much lying and accumulating snow, it actually felt a little warmer given that the temperature had increased
to 0°C and it was less windy.
It also proved to be a much more
productive visit than yesterday with some notable highlights.
Firstly, I added 2 species to my year site list: a Common Buzzard
being persistently mobbed by 2 Carrion Crows and c.10 Fieldfares briefly
perched in treetops before moving on. I saw both species from my usual watchpoint whilst watching a Red Fox (see below).
Secondly, from the same location, I saw a
displaying Sparrowhawk. Whilst we are now reaching the time of year when
Sparrowhawk breeding displays become evident, these are usually seen on
warm and sunny spring days rather than on cold and snowy days!
Other than that, the number of birds seen
was very low although more than yesterday with a single calling Green
Woodpecker and c.5 Redwings being the most notable.
With regard to mammals, the lying snow
revealed Red Fox tracks everywhere throughout the site! I have written more
about Red Fox tracks here.
As I walked back through the central section of the cemetery, I had a very brief sighting of a Red Fox before it disappeared in to the undergrowth. I then took the short track through the woodland to the fencing that provides a watchpoint to scan the field and the trees, hedges and scrub bordering it. The approach track also revealed that a Red Fox had passed the same way and then under the fence and across the field. As I reached the fence, I immediately saw a Red Fox on the far side of the field which I was able to watch and photograph for several minutes as it walked closer before finally disappearing from view.
I also saw 2 Grey Squirrels during my visit: 1 in trees bordering the churchyard and 1 scampering along telegraph wires by Laindon Park School.
Species recorded during this visit were as follows
(heard only records in italics):
Long-tailed Tit
Grey Squirrel
Birds = 51 (27)
Mammals = 6 (3)
Butterflies = 21 (0)
Dragonflies and damselflies = 7 (0)
Reptiles = 1 (0)
Amphibians = 0 (0)
💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
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