December 2021

I did the monthly bird count on the 8th. The whole Mute swan family was there this month, so they were probably hidden in a corner of the lake last month. The 130 Canada geese was the second highest December count over the 35 year study, which is bad news for the All England, who face a goose problem on their proposed development. The 35 Greylags, however, suggest that this species is no longer increasing and the single Egyptian goose suggests that the golf course may have been culling them. The single Mallard shows that the long-term decrease of this species continues. There were only 6 Shovellers, so this species too remains in low numbers. In contrast, 30 Pochards was the second highest December count, confirming that this winter visitor, that is declining nationally, is increasing on the lake. A Grey wagtail was seen beside the brook near the waterfall. This species has been sighted more often in recent years and it will be interesting to see how it is affected by the works to the outfall and brook. Woodpigeons were feeding on Ivy fruits.

The works on the toilet block seem finished, but they remained locked. As is usual in the winter, there was water ponding beside the path north of the stadium. It was good to see that the excessive leaf-blowing in Ashen Grove Wood had ceased.