Local update December/January

As to be expected it was another fairly quiet period particularly December, up to four Cormorants remained either feeding along the river or in their favourite roost tree and six Goosanders were on the river on 18^th January, there were a couple more Buzzard sightings one on 19^th December and the other on 10^th January, also a couple of Grey Wagtails were seen on occasions but very few winter Thrushes around at the moment. Most of the action has centred around the Cornfield NR and the cold weather in January saw another big increase in Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting numbers with three Corn Buntings turning up on the 16^th and remaining through the following week, other notable January sightings were a female Brambling in Clifton Park on the 18^th and a Little Egret feeding on the marshy area running out from the Ings Dyke on Rawcliffe Ings on the 31^st. A couple of Roe Deer have also featured fairly regularly in the Cornfield NR throughout and another was seen over the river on Acomb Ings on 24^th January.

three of the Goosanders on 18th January

Jelly Ear fungus

a December sunset over the Ings