Firstly a Happy New Year to all our readers (if we have any).
Just a few notes for December which as others have commented seems to have been pretty quiet.
Gadwall: If we do get a cold snap then well worth looking out for them on the main canal which presumably due to the influence of the sewage works doesn't freeze between Oxley and Castlecroft.
Reason I say this is 2 males were at Pool Hall and 10 birds at Pendeford mill just before Xmas
Little Grebe: Still with us on canal but quite mobile and very much favouring the middle of valley
Kingfisher: Again still with us but probably not if we get cold snap, favouring the Meccano area.
Redwing/Fieldfare: These along with other members of the Thrush family are the subject of a survey by the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) now in its 2nd year. Not sure if anyone in the valley is submitting records which anyone can do. My impression is we have lots of groups of Redwing which are feasting in gardens on berries whilst fieldfare are more likely to be encountered on the edges of the conurbation feeding in fields in bigger groups.
Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Nuthatch: All three seem quite prominent and enjoying good food supplies.
Reed Bunting: A bird on the western boundary of the barleyfield was a surprise on Xmas morning.
Finally star of the month was a Water vole. 2 sightings around Hordern Rd bridge including one obliging animal which crawled out of the canal and crossed the towpath a few yards in front of me!!
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