Cotwall End valley nature diary – December 2023
December 1
Two ravens in late dusk flight, heading towards Himley.
December 2
Lots of blackbirds and goldcrests as the winter influx continues.
Calling raven in flight.
Two redwings in trees alongside lane.
Two separate muntjac sightings, one captured in the accompanying video.
December 3
Fox at the junction of our road and the lane at dusk.
December 5
Great white egret in low dusk flight across Wordsworth Road and the lane, heading into the wooded valley.
December 6
Walking through the woodland, I heard a muntjac barking.
Tracking it down, I had excellent and prolonged views of a male and female feeding.
December 12
Three ravens in flight across the valley, from east to west.
December 18
Five redwings in flight across the Straits estate.
Sparrowhawk in flight towards the western ridge, across the Straits estate.
December 20
Raven and little egret both in flight.
Two mistle thrushes, a nuthatch and c.30 goldfinches.
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.
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.
Three herring gulls in circling flight.