Hugh’s News – 22 December 2020
Some of you may be aware already, but the annual Big Garden Birdwatch will take place over the weekend of 29th – 31st January. So now is a perfect time to make sure your bird feeders and tables are stocked with a variety of food to encourage a good mix of species. Then we need to hope for a spell of colder weather for a few days leading up to the weekend to bring more birds into our gardens. Not too cold though! Many birds are still feeding out in the fields and woods with the continuing mild conditions.
Bill has sent in some lovely photos from his Wirral wanderings. At Parkgate, a Mistle Thrush was with Blackbirds and Fieldfares in a hawthorn still bearing some berries. A few of the thousands of Pink-foot Geese on the marsh were unusually close to the shore path. Normally they are shy birds. He spotted a Black Swan a few days ago at the Caldy Wildfowl Collection. These are not native birds, but they do look very regal.
A smart drake Goosander was on West Kirby Marine Lake. Another photo shows how calm the water was – it is not often that the water is still enough to see the reflections of the houses. A little further afield, a Kestrel posed for Bill on Anglesey.
I don’t know if it was the same day that Bill was in West Kirby, but I enjoyed a beautiful sunset at Burton Mere Wetlands on a calm day.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned the reintroduction of Beavers into Cheshire. Here is a link to a video showing them being released into their new home. The reserve is not open to the public yet, but we will watch out for further news and update you.
Finally, we have to end with a seasonal Robin! Well, it wouldn’t be Christmas without one!
Best wishes to you all from the publishing team. We will be back in the New Year!
Hugh Stewart
