Season’s greetings to you all,
Another year almost gone and more importantly next year is the 30th anniversary of the Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. Do you have memories of the reserve you would like to share, as we would love to hear about them? Please send them to me. We are looking at making a special Anniversary newsletter.
Wildlife doesn’t celebrate the season in the way we do, but they do make the most of the bounties that are there. They move to find them. That is why the fieldfares and redwings come down at this time of year looking for berries. Some years are mast years and the next isn’t. That seems to be how it is on the reserve this year. Very few fieldfares have been seen here. The redwings, siskins and redpolls are around, but in smaller numbers. Maybe, it is also because it has been staying relatively mild, although very wet! The Cetti’s warblers are singing well and bullfinches can be seen on the tops of hawthorn. Another interesting small bird present, but not singing yet is the chiffchaff. So, keep your eyes peeled!
The WeBS count showed that the winter wildfowl are finding food to stay with us, mainly on the top lakes with over 1000 tufted ducks, wigeon and pochard being counted. A couple of great white egrets were counted, so does that mean they are staying with us for the winter, as they usually go further south? There are goosanders to be found. They seem to be moving around the reserve. Martin was particularly pleased with a count of 23 common gulls. A bird, now red listed. Common they are not, but I agree with Martin that they are one of the prettier gulls. The other interesting count were 2 hybrids. One appeared to be part greylag /Canada goose and the other a tufted duck/pochard.
A bird we used to see many more of is the smew. It is a bird that is worth a walk up to Island pit in case one comes in when the weather cools more. It is the last place I have seen one around here.
There is still lots of other wildlife to see on the reserve as well. Look out for any plant in flower. The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland want to know what wildflowers are in flower anywhere in the country from 29th December. Below is the webpage with all the details. There is also an App. Ann Miles will be recording any seen on the New Year’s Day Walk at Paxton Pits. Come and join her. More eyes and more will be seen.
BSBI New Year Plant Hunt – Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (https://bsbi.org/new-year-plant-hunt#:~:text=Our%20next%20New%20Year%20Plant%20Hunt%20runs%20from,sheets%3A%20the%20Top%20Ten%20and%20the%20Top%20Twenty).
There are plenty of fungi and slime moulds around as well. The scarlet elf cups are emerging joining the green ones which are already been out for a while. Look at any decaying wood as you walk around and there will be all sorts. Macro photography or a magnifying glass allows you to see how detailed they are.
Bracket fungus is a little more obvious than some other fungi. Look closer at them and they may have a gall growing on them. Apparently, it is caused by a fly, which has spread from Europe. The larvae feed inside the fungus. I haven’t seen it here at the Pits. Have you? Be the first one to see it and let me know.
Best wishes for all your wildlife hunting in 2025. Please let me know about it.
Contact me at friends@paxton-pits.org.uk with your sightings, photos or if you are interested in helping in any way.
Best wishes
Ann
Ann Thomas 18.12.24