Garden nature diary – December 2023
December 1
Two male house sparrows on the feeding station.
December 2
Six blackbirds in the garden this morning. The winter influx, plus harsh weather, has brought them in numbers to feed. The most seen at one time in our garden.
The feeding station has been exceptionally busy, included two long-tailed tits, which I haven’t seen for a while.
December 3
Flock (6) of house sparrows in the garden all day.
The continuing icy weather has seen a lot more birds than usual. They’ve been queuing up for perching points on the feeders.
December 6
There’s been a juvenile stock dove regularly visiting the garden for a while now.
It is a regular species visitor and out of all the ones we get in that category, it’s my favourite.
It’s indicative of the location we live in.
December 7
Male great spotted woodpecker on the feeding station. A regular visitor, he loves sunflower hearts.
December 12
As soon as I did the morning top-up with the feeding station, we had 6 wood pigeons, 3 stock doves, 2 collared doves and Daison, our pet feral pigeon in the garden.
December 14
Two long-tailed tits briefly on the feeding station.
December 17
Three stock doves in the garden first thing, all feeding below the station.
December 22
First ring-necked parakeet sighting from home. On the drive, I heard the single bird first and then saw it in flight, heading in a NW direction across the valley.
Haven’t seen one for a while, so nice to have a nuthatch in the garden today.
December 24
Long-tailed tits (c.6) in the garden late afternoon.
December 25
Great white egret in low flight over the bungalow below ours at dusk, heading into the woodland towards the base of the valley.
December 28
Two ravens overhead from west to east. Vocal and semi-displaying.
Long-tailed tits c.6 on the feeding station.
Flock of c.30 goldfinches in the garden.
December 29
Blog post here.
December 30
At 3.50 a.m. a robin singing and a wood pigeon calling.
I haven’t seen a greenfinch for a while, so nice to watch a male feeding on sunflower hearts.