While it might be freezing cold and wintry conditions out there, nature is still putting on a spectacular show and its worth wrapping up warm and getting outdoors.
January has plenty to offer, and winter is a great time to look out for woodland birds as the lack of leaves makes it easier to spot them.
This year I’m really hoping to catch sight of my first Woodpecker, of course the easiest way to spot them is to listen out for that distinctive drumming sound on the bark of the trees. I always feel like I’m eavesdropping on a conversation, as the males and females drum to communicate with each other and mark out their territories.
I’ll also be watching out for Redwings that flock back in winter to our shores all the way from Iceland and Scandinavia. Looking for shelter and berries to eat, they can often be confused with Song or Mistle Thrushes and will even flock with other thrushes as they roam the countryside. My advice is, keep an eye out for the orangey-red tinge under their wings – it’s what gives Redwings their name.
The Christmas break was the perfect time to brush up on my bird id knowledge, keeping an eye on my garden visitors to give me an idea of who might be around when it comes to the Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of the month. The frosty weather has kept it quite quiet in the garden the last week or so, but I’ve still caught sight of a few Blackbirds, Thrushes and Starlings digging for worms in the garden through the hard frost.
Image: Redwing perched on branch in the snow, Credit Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
If you haven’t yet signed up for Big Garden Birdwatch, there is still plenty of time! https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch
Between January 24 and 26, choose one hour to record birds landing on your patch and record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time.
Still unsure how? Nature reserves are a perfect way to get started, surrounded by staff who can help you identify your first birds and how to get garden birds flock all the way to your garden. You can find the one closest to you here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves