Winter Wonderland
Cormorant
As usual, very few birds were noted through the month with 4 on the 13th being a veritable 'swarm' by our poor standards!
Canada Goose
Another quiet month with a peak count of 17 flying over on the 21st and a further 11 on the 24th.
Kestrel
A female was briefly seen in the trees along the extreme western edge of the site on the 25th - the only report for the month.
Black-headed Gull
Numbers of this common gull were up on last month with al least 100 birds patrolling the area or loafing on the goal posts and football pitches. Over 400 were present on the 21st.
Common Gull
The lowest count for this subtly distinctive bird was 10 on the 15th though over 30 were present on the 21st and 24th.
Herring Gull
A few more birds were seen this month, but again were not talking about huge flocks. Around 10 birds were sighted on the 13th. We are now scrutinising all 'Herring Gull' types because we are long overdue recording our first Yellow-legged or even Caspian Gulls. At first glance both of these species are devilishly similar to our ordinary Herring Gulls, but we are hopeful!
Lesser Black-back
The usual numbers drifted over or stood around on the pitches with the other gulls during the month. The peak count was of around 10 birds drifting around the snowy Scrubs landscape on the 24th.
Woodpigeon
Birds were still being heading overhead from the southwest. On the 14th over 400 headed through in small streaming flocks, while 300 were recorded flying over on the 21st.
Stock Dove
At least 3 birds flew through on the 21st.
Rose-ring Parakeet
Around 40 squawking birds were counted flying through on the 21st. Alarmingly on the 25th, 3 were watched seemingly prospecting for a nesting site in Scrubs Lane Wood in an old tree popular with Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Starlings.
Green Woodpecker
Our resident bird(s) were infrequently heard and seen usually along Scrubs Lane Wood.
Great Spotted Woodpecker
This black and white 'pecker was seen in flight occasionally through January. A pair was reported on the 24th.
Meadow Pipit
The small roaming flock of up to 15 birds were still present throughout January. One often wonders how these small birds survive the freezing nights in the grass, especially after snowfall.
Goldfinch
Our birds were beginning to return to their strongholds in Martin Bell's and Scrubs Lane Woods. Over 20 birds were counted on the 25th including one singing in Martin Bell's Woods.
Greenfinch
These birds were fairly commonly encountered in Central Copse, though they were also observed elsewhere.
Bullfinch
A pair of these attractive and shy finches was seen briefly on the edge on Scrubs Lane Wood on the 25th. They were first birds to be seen here since last November.
Although January seemed impoverished in terms of exciting birds, numerically, we actual recorded more species than in January 2006. Back then the main excitement was a flock of Lapwings and some Snipe. Well, it's early days yet.
Judging from previous years we will be in for a quiet time during February with the main activity being the search for suitable partners and nest prospecting. How romantic!! We will be there to record all that happens!
Finally, if you are interested in city birding and would like to learn more about it check out www.theurbanbirder.com and grab your binoculars!
Contributors: David Jefferies, David Lindo, Roy Nuttall et al.
If you have details of any sightings or observations of unusual behaviour please sent them on no matter how trivial they may seem to: david@theurbanbirder.com
Pied Wagtail
At least 7 birds were present on the athletics track within the Lynford Christie Stadium on the 21st. Away from there, a singleton flew low across the grassland on the same day.
Wren
At least 6 birds were counted on the 25th.
Dunnock
A few birds were noted singing and observed in their 'shuffle-wing' display. At least 10 birds were noticed on the 25th.
Robin
Quite a few birds were in full song with 12 counted on the 13th. It has to be remembered that both males and females sing during the winter to defend their territories.
Stonechat
Our usual pair were periodically spotted in the grassland. Typically, they allowed fairly close approach.
Song Thrush
It almost felt like spring this month if you allowed this songster to influence your thinking, as several were in full song. Birds were located singing along the embankment and from most of the woodland around the site.
Redwing
There seems to be a couple birds spending the winter deep within the wooded areas on the Scrubs, usually only being seen as they fly from one patch to another.
Fieldfare
This handsome winter thrush was in short supply with only a couple of sightings involving no more that 3 birds this month.
Blackbird
Up to 20 birds were counted on the 31st.
Great Tit
Over 10 birds were noted on the 25th.
Blue Tit
A grossly underestimated count of 8 birds was made on the 25th.
Long-tailed Tit
At least 10 birds were roving around on the 21st.
Jay
A pair was noted over the embankment on the 25th.
Magpie
This unmistakeable member of the crow family was ever present on the Scrubs with at least 10 birds chacking away during the month, though 30 were counted on the 25th. It is highly probable that these birds are always here anyway.
Carrion Crow
No change here in terms of population.
Jackdaw
The first birds of the year were a pair that flapped over heading east on the 31st.
Starling
Flocks of Starlings were seen on every visit with the peak count of at least 100 birds quietly feeding on the playing fields on the 21st.
House Sparrow
This cute bird has reverted to its 'much sought after' status and is now usually only distantly heard chirping from the gardens beyond Braybrook Street. The only birds actually sighted were a small party of 5 in the bushes by Braybrook Street on the 25th.
Chaffinch
Our tiny wintering population persisted during the month and were usually to be found in Martin Bell's Wood where at least 8 were encountered on the 21st.