The Beacon March 2012 - Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat ...

Nature Notes
The few days prior to the very cold weather we had in February were classic in
the signs wildlife gave us as a warning of its advance. Credit must go to the
Weather Forecasters who usually get a bit of stick but in this instance not only
warned us in good time but gave explanations as to the sequence of the
approaching systems and temperatures. The very cold conditions started over
Eastern Europe and moved westwards. The Bird Observatories on the East Coast
of Britain received many unexpected species arriving overnight escaping from
the cold and the lack of food availability that always goes with it.
It was good to see several Song Thrushes in the garden. Before the snow came I
managed to ring three of them and by the extra wing length and greyish colour I
think that two were of Continental origin escaping the extreme cold. The other
was a typical local sandy coloured bird with an average wing. Blackbirds also
came. As soon as a thaw began they were finding food beneath the shrubs,
turning leaves over seeking worms and insects. The weights of all birds I handled
were well in excess of those one would expect during the breeding season such
is their need to carry body fat to withstand the freeze and the value of our
sustained feeding greatly helps the survival of many.
There was almost frantic feeding on the feeders in the gardens, Blue and Great
tits as usual abundant with Goldfinches mainly on the Nyger seed but also on the
ground below. Disappointing was the lack of Siskins. They are irregular visitors
but do usually appear this month when the many seeds of the Alder trees by the
stream are ready. I have had yet another Goldfinch recovery proving their north
to south movement in autumn. This one I caught in the garden in November
wearing a ring that had not been issued to me. The information arrived this week
showing that it had been ringed ninety-two days ago in August by Merseyside
Ringing Group and had travelled three hundred and twenty-five kilometres
south-south-east. What was satisfying for me was that both the ringer and I
agreed exactly as to its age, sex and measurements.
Weather permitting, the firsts birds will build their nests and have eggs before
the end of this month. It is always Blackbirds, Song and Mistle thrushes, Robins
and Dunnocks be first among the garden birds. All feed on insects and worms
and the success from these earliest broods will be according to the availability of
them. As the leaves have yet to appear at this early time, evergreen plants such
as Ivy give them protection and a hiding place. Unless any Ivy is causing a
problem on a wall or weighing a tree down, it is best left as it is a lifeline for
those early breeders. Should any nesting attempts fail due to the weather or
predation, repeat nests will be quickly built and with these common species up
to five attempts may be made to get a successful brood reared during the year.
Reg Lanaway
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