A new year and a new start!
Robins, Wrens, Dunnock’s & Wood Pigeons are starting to sing more loudly now as rivals establish territories.
The first birds are breeding already with Egyptian Geese laying their first brood although sadly most will perish.
Foxes are mating and their unearthly screams can often be heard at night. There is also fighting at this time of year as territories are established.
Tawny Owls are also very vocal at this time of year as they get together with their familiar Twitt (female) Twoo (male) contact calls.
Migrant birds will be making the most of the last berries so look out for Redwings, Fieldfares, Thrushes and Blackbirds as well as waterfowl such as Greylag & Egyptian geese and ducks like the Pochard.
Look out for murmerating starlings over the marshy fields by the River Wey as they come in to roost at night.
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- A little local difficulty
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- Sunrise over the water meadows
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- Swan Lake
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- Red lines in the snow
Things to do
- Put out food (e.g. fat-balls, nuts, seeds and apples) and water for birds especially if the ground is frozen.
- Put up nest boxes. You can get yours from the PNF, see our website.
- Take part in the annual RSPB Gardenwatch survey. This is a great way to understand how the changes we are all making can improve the variety and number of birds in our gardens https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch
- Take afternoon walks along the River Wey to see Barn Owls hunting on its adjacent wetland areas.