Local Wildlife Sightings December 2024

 I was on holiday until the 4th and didn't get out until the 6th, when my walk around the villages produced 44 species recorded (39 seen). Highlights were arguably a pair of Green Woodpeckers (seeing any locally has been difficult in the last couple of years), a Raven and two Herring Gulls just up the road at the Newsells Stud Farm. The regular two pairs of Coot were at the two ends of Phillup's Lake. A new female Tufted Duck was present, together with 20 Mallard.

The weekend saw a storm pass over Royston, with what I reckon were severe gale force winds overnight on the 7/8th that necessitated emergency repairs in the dark to the (new!) fence to prevent panels being lost. Rainfall passed 30 inches for only the second time since I started keeping records in 1991 and the drizzle in the following, gloomy week was sufficient for a new rainfall record to be established - hardly a surprise after such a wet year. Coming back from town at dusk on the 9th I saw a Tawny Owl fly into the Green Walk Plantation close to the house: an unusual sighting at this time of year.

On the 13th a walk along the Icknield Way, east of Royston, produced at least 34 species, including a Stonechat near the Heydon Grange golf course and no fewer than three Sparrowhawks, one carrying prey (a Blackbird?). I say 'at least 34' because I'm never too sure how many gull species I have seen - in particular, were any Yellow-legged or Caspian Gulls in amongst the Herring Gulls? The normally huge gathering at Heydon Pig Farm had been disturbed, but there were plenty to see along the way including around 200 (mainly) Common Gulls following the plough. As usual, I photographed those gulls that were close enough to the track to (hopefully) identify later. One of my images (below) showed an adult gull with many of the characteristics of Caspian Gull ('gimlet' dark eye, long, thin bill with markings only on the lower mandible, very clean-looking). Is it too small, though, and is the back too dark? Gull identification can be tricky and frustrating, but also fun at times, even for a non-expert. Hopefully I'll keep learning.........

Possible Caspian Gull (on the Ground, 2nd from Right) with other Gulls, near Royston, 13 December

On my way back from Fishers Green on the 15th (see my UK blog) I popped in to Amwell to see the resident female Smew, which was (distantly) feeding when viewed from the Gladwin Hide. Also present were one male and at least two female Goldeneye and an uncommon visitor to Hertfordshire, a Great Black-backed Gull.

'Record Shot' of Female Smew, Amwell GP, 15 December