December '22 in Bicknor Wood

The record high temperatures finally came to an end in December as it grew colder and the snow took hold. It fell on the 10th and stayed for a week. The weather then turned milder, but wetter.

Foliage on the trees stayed around for quite some time still and many still held some leaves through Christmas, but by the turn of the year though they had succumbed and fallen.

The Lesser Redpolls must have felt the cold snap coming and 6 of them made their first appearance on the morning of the 7th. They have been unobtrusive and difficult to spot, but are still around. They are easiest to find when they are feeding on the seed heads of the Silver Birches.

Some winter thrushes might have been expected but only one Song Thrush on the 14th and a Mistle Thrush on the 16th were noted. Blackbirds were still in evidence but not in the same numbers as last year. 

The Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard drumming and responding, but that stopped as soon as the snow came and they have been quiet ever since. Both male and female were seen and they were frequently in each other's company.

Smaller birds may also have felt the pressure dropping and were seen investigating holes that might provide shelter from the worst of the cold.

Many of the birds have been seen in waves as they pass through the wood in feeding parties. A flock may contain different species that flock together to take advantage of the safety that numbers bring.

They are not actively defending territory at this time of year so competition and antagonism is not an issue. 

A feeding flock seen on Christmas Eve contained Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Tree Creepers, Nuthatches a Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tits. 

On other occasions, they are frequently seen in twos, as if they have already selected partners and are just waiting for the spring to roll round.