December 2024

Sunday December 1st. A Blackcap visits our garden feeder.

Monday December 2nd. Once more to Barnfield Sandbeds, loving the light through the Silver Birch and the carpets of leaf everywhere.

Tuesday December 3rd. A morning canal walk, enjoying reflections, and an afternoon stroll to see the setting sun.

Wednesday December 4th. A foggy day on the way to the canal; then a Xmas lunch in the Oakley Arms, greeting two of the Geese in the car park! And Villa Park at night to complete a full day….

Thursday December 5th. Walking along Oram Lane the sweetest Robin just sits and quietly sings close up, tame as anything. The canal is muddy and leaf strewn.

Monday December 9th. On the way to Belvide see my first winter Fieldfare and Redwing in the sodden field in a flock with Starlings and the odd Blackbird. A Robin poses on the way back!

FieldFare
^{Rather large, subtly attractive thrush with blue-gray head, dark chestnut-brown back, gray rump, and variable peachy-buff wash on spotted breast. Breeds in forested habitats, often favouring wooded areas adjacent to more open foraging grounds; in winter, found mainly in open woodland, farmland with hedges, orchards, and parkland. Often breeds colonially and sometimes retains social habits on wintering grounds, mixing with Redwings and other thrushes in fields or in fruiting trees}

Redwing
^{Rather small, attractive thrush with bold whitish eyebrows, a variable orangey patch on each flank, and a yellow bill base. Shows rusty-orange underwings in flight. Breeds in wooded and forested habitats, especially with birch; in winter found mainly in open woodland, farmland with hedges, orchards, and parkland. Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with Fieldfares and other thrushes, feeding out in fields or in fruiting trees. Rich and lovely song is a series of burbling trills and whistles. Calls include a high buzzing “tseer” and short rattled phrases.}

Thursday December 12th. Another foggy day on the canal.

Saturday December 14th. Church bells ring on a sunny December Saturday.

Monday December 16th. Brighter winter light on the horizon.

Tuesday December 17th. Our tree, in muddy mid winter mode.

Thursday December 19th. The wintry skies with rainbow and black silhouetted trees.

Sunday December 22nd. More strong winter light on the canal.

Monday December 23rd. Visit Comer Woods near Bridgnorth. Quirky Xmas decorations on the for trees! Also, discover it’s a site for the White Admiral butterfly in midsummer.