Bird News: November 2022

Our member on Cadbury Hill reported Great Tits ‘everywhere’ and a Marsh Tit as well as a Tawny Owl in the car park at the beginning of the month. A couple of days later whilst we were cleaning out the Nestboxes in Yatton churchyard two noisy Mistle Thrushes arrived. They are scarce birds locally now and it was a real surprise to see then in the middle of the village. One lucky member had a Firecrest in his garden. 

Woodpigeons passed over in numbers with a flock of 2,000 reported over Yatton on the 2nd. A juvenile Black Redstart was in Wemberham Lane on the 6th followed by a big arrival of winter thrushes the next day, about 500 Redwings and Fieldfares in total in the wider Wemberham area.

A still and sunny morning persuaded a Chiffchaff to sing on the Strawberry Line at Congresbury. Nearby several Redwings were in Congresbury churchyard. A Peregrine had returned to his favourite pylon by the railway and more Redwings and Fieldfares were in the Little River area. On the 18th a Song Thrush was singing by Wemberham Lane.

Towards the end of the month most of the winter thrushes, mainly Redwings had moved on but Lapwings arrived with 200+ by the motorway at Kingston Seymour. Wintering Chiffchaffs were in evidence at several sites and Barn Owls were reported from the Wemberham area.

There was another report of a Marsh Tit, unusually on the top of Cadbury Hill and a few Goosanders were arriving on the estuary, they may be on the Kenn and Congresbury Yeo rivers soon. At the month end 75 Fieldfares were in the old orchard by Little River and were spooked by a passing Peregrine.

The Congresbury Yeo and many Rhynes were dropped to winter level at the month end. This brought two Green Sandpipers and two Grey Wagtails to the river. The Green Sandpipers like the muddy edges and the Grey Wagtails the small ‘ waterfalls’ at the sluices. Four Teal and three Little Egrets were also seen.

Finally thanks to all the volunteers who have been involved in checking the YACWAG Nestboxes, we have cleaned out most of them now. There have been less nests this year perhaps due to weather conditions and/or food supply. Extra thanks to Jon Thobroe who has repaired several boxes for future use.

Your sightings are always appreciated, please send to birds@yacwag.org.uk

Thank you,

Trevor