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Latest Sightings January 2013

Click on the link to send in your sightings [email-masked]

For previous months sightings see Archive

The "Area Seen" refers to the 10
sections that the Brook has been split into for monitoring purposes (see
Wildlife page under Monitoring ). .

All sightings unless stated are from personal observations by Eddie Napper

Birds

Click on any picture to see a larger image

30/01/13

In the car park field at Lavells Lake off Sandford Lane (
Area 10) the following were seen by Linda Garner-Graham Kestrel,Goldcrest & Redwing .

28/01/13

This mornings walk to work produced a Moorhen paddling in a puddle near Meadow Road in
Area 4.

27/01/13 The forecast heavy rain never
really appeared and it was nice to see a bit of sunshine. In the Area 4
Balancing pond this superb male Bulfinch
seemed to be enjoying the sun. On the open space to the rear of
the Acorn Centre it was like a page from a bird ID book with 3 Thrushes
standing next to each other . From left to right Mistle Thrush, Redwing & Fieldfare .

26/01/13 Another first for me. I had seen
Mute Swan flying over the Emm but this was
the first time that I had seen them actually seen them on the Brook.
These were seen in Area 10 by the green bridge near its confluence with
the Loddon.

24/01/13

This mornings walk to work was a bit later, so I decided
to stroll along the brook. This paid dividends with a Little Egret flying of the Emm near Kingfisher
Bridge at 08:30 before heading towards the Balancing Pond. Near the
Acorn Centre approx 30 Fielfare were feeding
on the open space with several Redwing .

22/01/13 A solitary Fieldfare seems to have taken up residence in my
Area 5 garden and spends most of the day chasing the other Thrushes off
the Apples that I have put out for them. The other resident bird is the
male Blackcap which favours the Sunflower
hearts and is equally as aggressive in defending its food source.

20/01/13 The snow never stopped all
day.Garden visitors were much the same as the 18th. At the Balancing
pond in Area 4,Birds were feeding in the channel that runs through the
middle. Seen were Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush,
Grey Wagtail & Greenfinch the star bird however was a Meadow Pipit . On the river Mallard were on the Emm and Wren & Dunnock were picking their way along the
brookside vegetation.

19/01/13

A first for the year today with a Kingfisher seen along the Emm in Area 5 to the rear
of Morrisons by Moria Burden.

18/01/13

The snow came and with it came the birds to the my Area 5
garden feeders. On the ports of the Sunflower Heart feeders wereChaffinch,Goldfinch, Siskin & Greenfinch The
apples on the floor were visited by Blackbird, Song
Thrush and a solitary Fieldfare . On
the Bird table a Dunnock was picking over the
seed and was joined by a male Blackcap .

17/01/13

A very cold frosty day with leaden skies heavy with snow.
The birds were the same as the past few days with the usual Finch flock
of Chaffinch,Goldfinch, Siskin & Greenfinch
feeding from the Alder trees near to the Emm behind Morrisons.
The flock exploded fron the trees when a Red Kite
flew over. Thrushes including Blackbird &
Song Thrush were trying to find some of the softer areas of
frozen ground by the play area. Blue Tits &
Great Tits were hanging acrobatically on the bushes nearby. Not a
lot of varierty in species but still a joy to see. The year total
currently stands at 26 species.

05/01/13 With the weekend comes a bit more
time to walk along the Emm. This paid dividends with really good views
of Grey Wagtail at the outlet to the
Balancing pond in Area 4. Redwings were on
the open space near the Acorn Centre. A group of noisy Herring Gull flew over Area 5. A total of 20
species were seen.

03/01/13 The weather since New Years Day has
been a lot milder than the end of last year. Bird sightings have been
limited to before and after work. The dawn chorous has started withRobin,Blackbird & Song Thrush all singing in
the dark before dawn. Finches on the feeders have include Chaffinch,Goldfinch & Greenfinch .

Insects & Spiders

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Plants/Trees

20/01/13 The catkins of Hazel can now be seen near Kingfisher Bridge in
Area 4.

Why do leaves change colour in the Autumn?

Find out here Autumn
Leaves

2012 Sightings Review

Want to see what you have missed ?

For a review of 2012 sightings click here
2012
Sightings Review

Other Wildlife

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Fish

06/01/13 All these fish were caught along
the Emm during the last week by Paul Goulbourn.

The Roach weighed 1lb 7oz, and
the Bream was 2lb 12oz, both from Area 6.

The Chub was 1lb 4oz, caught in
Area 8 and the Dace was 6oz, this came from
area 7.

Molluscs

06/01/13 Probably because of all the recent
rain a Yellow Slug Limax flavus was
seen making its way slowly through Area 5.

Mammals

20/01/13 Todays question is do Squirells
feel the cold? This Grey Squirrel seems to be
hunched up against the elements.

05/01/13 Grey Squirrels
can be seen all along the Emm at the moment.

Fungi

Reptiles & Amphibians

.