Nature in your local patch
OPAL West Midlands: Nature in your local patch
2008
December 08 notes
16/12/08 23:34
Keep an eye out for our visiting winter migrant birds. Although the summer migrants have left we have a few winter visitors that arrive every year from the continent and further north to overwinter in our milder oceanic climate. We have a large number of migrants that are either new arrivals or supplement our local populations during the winter. We also receive a good few species that are blown in on winter storms, stimulating discussion on web fora such as the Bird Forum and causing interest in local nature reserves in the region. We will identify 
these visitors as and when they arrive. Two years ago we had flocks of Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus) moving through the suburbs in southern Birmingham and Bromsgrove and they are now back in the north of the city at an Asda petrol station in Minsworth moving between there and Sutton Park (Dec 17 onwards). The birds are still around now (Jan 7th 09) and the picture to the left was captured by Neil Martin (copyrighted) at Garretts Green Road in Birmingham. A couple of weeks ago one of us (Emma) spotted a Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis cabaret) in Cannon Hill Park, only a couple of miles away from New Street Station in the city centre. It is surprising what can turn up - keep your eyes open.
If you are close to water bodies you will have seen the influx of water fowl such Tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula), Wigeon (Anas penelope), and Shovelers (Anas clypeata) to name only a few. If you live deep in the city keep an eye out for other species. You know winter is here when you see the influx of finches into the local parks and open spaces from the rural areas; listen out of the soft pan-pipe calls of Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) and the whispering flight chattering of Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis). Perhaps our most celebrated winter visitors are the flocks of Redwings (Turdus iliacus) and Fieldfares (Turdus pilaris) that move around often in mixed flocks deep in the region’s urban areas. We love them!
If you are close to water bodies you will have seen the influx of water fowl such Tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula), Wigeon (Anas penelope), and Shovelers (Anas clypeata) to name only a few. If you live deep in the city keep an eye out for other species. You know winter is here when you see the influx of finches into the local parks and open spaces from the rural areas; listen out of the soft pan-pipe calls of Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) and the whispering flight chattering of Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis). Perhaps our most celebrated winter visitors are the flocks of Redwings (Turdus iliacus) and Fieldfares (Turdus pilaris) that move around often in mixed flocks deep in the region’s urban areas. We love them!