-thumb-1.jpg "Common Field Grasshopper")
Winter notes from the Common 2009/2010
Snow, snow and more snow with several sharp frosts in between – such has been the pattern over the last three months (December-February). This has been a ‘proper’ winter and although at times the weather has been harsh there has been no noticeable hardship on the wildlife. Such small birds as Wrens and Long-tailed Tits have been active and encountered daily throughout the period. One aspect of the colder weather has been the presence of more Common Snipe and Woodcock. The cold snap just before Christmas saw unprecedented numbers of snipe along the many streams throughout the Commons. No Jack Snipe, which were regular visitors up to the 1980s, have been reported though. Towards the end of December, Water Rails were also present along the becks. Small parties of Redwings and Fieldfares were also noted with more regularity, with the largest flock numbering 35 Fieldfares west over the Commons on December 26th. At the end of the year and in the beginning of 2010, the Barn Owl was making frequent daylight visits over the central mire.
On January 6th the hard weather had even brought a couple of Lapwings on to the Common. These birds are very rare visitors nowadays although back in the 1940s they were counted as a breeding species for the SSSI. Towards the end of the month Siskins (22nd January) and Redpolls (24th January) were occasionally met with as highly energetic flocks in the tops of the birch and alder along the southern boundary.
Snow, snow and more snow with several sharp frosts in between – such has been the pattern over the last three months (December-February). This has been a ‘proper’ winter and although at times the weather has been harsh there has been no noticeable hardship on the wildlife. Such small birds as Wrens and Long-tailed Tits have been active and encountered daily throughout the period. One aspect of the colder weather has been the presence of more Common Snipe and Woodcock. The cold snap just before Christmas saw unprecedented numbers of snipe along the many streams throughout the Commons. No Jack Snipe, which were regular visitors up to the 1980s, have been reported though. Towards the end of December, Water Rails were also present along the becks. Small parties of Redwings and Fieldfares were also noted with more regularity, with the largest flock numbering 35 Fieldfares west over the Commons on December 26th. At the end of the year and in the beginning of 2010, the Barn Owl was making frequent daylight visits over the central mire.
On January 6th the hard weather had even brought a couple of Lapwings on to the Common. These birds are very rare visitors nowadays although back in the 1940s they were counted as a breeding species for the SSSI. Towards the end of the month Siskins (22nd January) and Redpolls (24th January) were occasionally met with as highly energetic flocks in the tops of the birch and alder along the southern boundary.
Frosted Ferns
Winter's grip
On 27th January a Bank Vole was seen moving around the secondary woodland area and a further surprise was the presence of a female Tufted Duck on the Newt Pond. Both were new records for the area. Another unusual visitor, a Kingfisher, was present at the pond on 29th January.
The Kingfisher became a more or less regular visitor to the pond, when it was not covered in ice, throughout February.
Although snow and ice continued off and on spring was trying to make its presence felt with an increase in bird song and with flowers such as snowdrops noted on 12th February. The 15th February, echoed briefly with the wonderful musical calls of wild swans as five Whooper Swans passed over towards the east. A Grey Wagtail was also present that morning. A small party of four Grey Lag Geese also flew over the Common to the east on 20th February. On 27th February these geese (or another family group) had increased to a party of five heading west, while shortly afterwards five Mallard headed south.
Last year frog’s spawn was noted 27th February in the small pond opposite Caxton Park, however, not surprisingly, no frogs have been seen in any of the ponds so far. Mike Padfield did, however, note a single frog crossing the road near the Dew Pond on the Top Common during heavy rain on the night of 27th February. So with the forecast still indicating overnight frosts for the first week of March it could be a late spawning this year and those early frogs venturing out may get caught out.
Francis Farrow – Hon Warden
The Kingfisher became a more or less regular visitor to the pond, when it was not covered in ice, throughout February.
Although snow and ice continued off and on spring was trying to make its presence felt with an increase in bird song and with flowers such as snowdrops noted on 12th February. The 15th February, echoed briefly with the wonderful musical calls of wild swans as five Whooper Swans passed over towards the east. A Grey Wagtail was also present that morning. A small party of four Grey Lag Geese also flew over the Common to the east on 20th February. On 27th February these geese (or another family group) had increased to a party of five heading west, while shortly afterwards five Mallard headed south.
Last year frog’s spawn was noted 27th February in the small pond opposite Caxton Park, however, not surprisingly, no frogs have been seen in any of the ponds so far. Mike Padfield did, however, note a single frog crossing the road near the Dew Pond on the Top Common during heavy rain on the night of 27th February. So with the forecast still indicating overnight frosts for the first week of March it could be a late spawning this year and those early frogs venturing out may get caught out.
Francis Farrow – Hon Warden
