Since the last post back in October the Crook has been quiet with a slow trickle of passing migrants some staying longer than others and our numbers of wintering birds have increased markedly in the past week. Of note at present is our group of 7 black tailed godwits that pop in and out with the tide usually with a big group of curlews. The lapwing count has increased with a count last month of 434 after a prolonged spell of rain feeding on fields adjacent to the Crook. The golden plovers built up to just short of 2000 but have now dissipated leaving a flock of around 300 birds that have been swelled this week by 700 dunlin. The duck population on the Crook has exploded on the Crook with large numbers of Teal always good for having a look for a green winged variety
green winged teal
common teal
As well as teal pintail and widgeon and the regular mallard two other birds of note are the swans we get mute swans through the year but the whoopers have returned and use the lagoons for there washing and then return to the fields adjacent to feed. While on the subject of wildfowl the geese are starting to come in yesterday there was 250 barnacle geese in front of the car park and about 60 pink footed geese that number of barnacles before Christmas is quite unusual. On to raptors well things since the small passerines have come in we are now getting two male hen harriers and a ringtail hunting the saltmarsh along with merlin, perigrine and kestral also our resident buzzard.
The passerines that have come in are mainly twite, linnet and goldfinch however stonechat have become more evident as well and we always have skylark and pipits.
We have two walks over the festive period one on the 26th December and another on the 2nd of January both being more of a stroll to walk of some of the festive excesses. If you would like to join the walk please ring and book on 01988 402130 and leave a message. Our office is closing on the 21st December so after that please e-mail Paul.Tarling@rspb.org.uk.
Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a happy New Year
Paul