December 2021
Amphibians and Reptiles
No sightings reported this month.
Birds
A total of 408 reports
received this month, containing 50 different species. Both Fieldfare and
Redwing continued to be reported, as well as another winter visitor, the
Lesser Redpoll.
Redwing – nine reports
from around the villages, including flocks of 30-40 in fields adjacent to Church
Lane, as well as on GP feeding in Yew trees, and on the LSA. Fieldfare – one report of a small flocks along
the Roman Road
Lesser Redpoll –
also along the Roman Road, a flock of 10 seen flitting between high trees (27th).
Bullfinch – a pair
seen an heard in hedgerows along the Roman Road (27th). Up to five Chaffinch seen more
regularly, alongside the more usual good numbers of Goldfinch (10-15)
and Greenfinch (3-6) regularly on feeders. Regular reports of Robin, Dunnock,
Jay and Magpie, with a Wren seen more occasionally.
Mistle Thrush and
Song Thrush continue to be reported, as well as several Blackbird.
Also in gardens, small groups of Great Tit and Blue Tit regularly seen,
as well as a Coal Tit and 6-8 Long-tailed Tit spotted occasionally
in several gardens. Up to 10 House
Sparrow reported chirruping loudly in the winter sun.
Great Spotted
Woodpecker - seen daily on feeders in several gardens, a Green
Woodpecker was spotted at several sites, as well as a Nuthatch reported
once.
Tawny Owl –
heard calling near Lewis Crescent early in the month. A Buzzard was spotted
flying low over a garden hotly pursued by two Magpie in Meadow Walk, as
well as several sightings elsewhere around the villages. Up to four Red Kite
were seen over open ground and along the old A11, and occasional reports of a Sparrowhawk
and a Kestrel.
Little Egret – one seen
fishing along the river by the Millennium Bridge, as well as up to four Grey
Heron around GP, Sluice Wood and the Perse sports fields. A Grey Wagtail
was spotted in amongst a flock of 31 Pied Wagtail feeding on the GP
cricket green, and on the GP lake, a few Mallard and Moorhen were
seen alongside a Mute Swan, and five Barnacle Goose.
Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer
and Red-legged Partridge – were all reported on the LSA, on GP and along
the Roman Road. Flocks of 50-100 Black-headed Gull were seen in fields along
North Road, on the Perse sports fields and on GP, and both Great Black-backed
Gull and Herring Gull were seen flying over the Roman Road.
Butterflies, Bees
and other insects
No sightings, probably due to the weather with
hardly any sunshine.
Mammals
Fox – one seen on Bourn Bridge Road near the International school on the 4th.
Hare – single one seen in fields near AbPkFm in 29th.
Flora &
Fungi, and Rivercare
No reports this month.
Weather
Rainfall was 75 mm, with the first two
weeks fairly wet with much more rain at the end of the month, just in time for
Christmas, but less than December 2020 which had a much higher rainfall. Highest
temperature was 16.2 degrees C on the 30th, and according to the met
office this is the highest on record since 1916. Lowest temperature was -3.6
degrees C on the 22nd, but overall a frost free month.
Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for December 2021:
Jeff
Dowling, David Farrant, Gaynor Farrant, Jennifer Hirsh, Carole McCrae, Andy
Merryweather, Gill Smith, Derek Turnidge, Sally Turnidge.
