Bird News: January 2025

The first of January is traditionally the day when birdwatchers rush around trying to see as many species as possible for their year lists. Not this year though as the weather was awful but on the 2nd, a glorious sunny day I was pleased to receive separate reports of a Kingfisher and a Great Egret on the Little River. The calm conditions persuaded the Peregrine to perch on the pylon by the railway in the late afternoon, that was two sightings in three days. The Peregrine obliged again on the 3rd and 4th and a flock of 40 Linnets were by Little River on the latter date.

Barn Owls have been active mornings and afternoons by the Strawberry Line path, Yatton. This is presumably due at least in part to the freezing weather and hopefully also an abundance of voles making day time hunting worthwhile. It is a complete change from their previous nocturnal hunting. On the 8th there was a report of two Short Eared Owls being chased by two Kestrels in fields to the west of the path. The Short Eared Owls May have come down from the snow covered Mendips or from much further north perhaps. Later in the month a Little Owl was calling in the vicinity. A pair of Bullfinches, a swimming Water Rail, a Barn Owl and a Kestrel were observed on the afternoon of the 9th.

Thirty five Lapwings heading South West on the 11th were almost certainly fleeing the snowfields further north as was a flock of at least six hundred Linnets moving south over the  River Yeo, a sight that I have never experienced before. A party of eight Goosanders flying upriver at Congresbury must have been a stirring sight, Goosander are a relative newcomer to the Yeo. Staying in Congresbury a Black Redstart was a visitor to our Cobthorn Reserve almost certainly attracted by the insect rich mulch laid around the new trees. 

Some years ago a Wheatear was photographed in Wheatear Road, now Emily has photographed a Blackcap in Blackcap Avenue. 50 Redwings were feeding at Hangstones, Yatton a good number for this winter. There were more Owl reports with a Short Eared Owl on Kenn Moor and a pair of Little Owls on Nailsea Moor. A large flock of Fieldfares, unusual this winter, and a singing Mistle Thrush were also on Kenn Moor.

It was Big Garden Birdwatch on the 25th and one of our trustees recorded a Chiffchaff in central Yatton. There are good numbers of wintering Chiffchaffs around the periphery of Congresbury and Yatton but very few seem to visit gardens now. They used to be regular in winter gardens in small numbers. The count at the Congresbury Moor Reserve only produced three Snipe but 16 Teal a good count there. Three Little Egrets were at Claverham.

Your sightings and pictures are always very welcome at birds@yacwag.org.uk.
(Thanks to Emily for all this month’s pictures!).

Trevor Riddle