January in the Valley

They’re saying that December 2010 was the coldest since records began in 1910. At the start of January last year the temperature was hovering around freezing and we had a great deal of snow during the first week that caused havoc. What can we expect in 2011? Soon all will be revealed. A reminder however that if we do get more snow, frost and ice, please remember to put out food and water for the birds.

Whatever the weather this is one of the best months to visit the many lakes in the Valley to see flocks of wildfowl. These birds prefer open views so they can see potential danger approaching, but this also makes it much easier for us to watch them. Tongham Pool, Frimley Hatches and Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve are all worth a visit, but Moor Green Lakes is probably one of the best sites in the Valley. At this time of year look out for Wigeon (pictured right), Pochard, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveller, Tufted Duck, Goosander and Great Crested Grebe.

Goosander, our Bird of the Month, are colourful birds slightly larger than Mallards and easy to spot with their contrasting head and body. They breed on remote rivers in Scotland and Northern England but come south during the winter. Wary birds they always keep well away from people and other dangers so like large open water bodies preferably without any surrounding tree cover. They are fish-eating ducks and with their relatives the Merganser and Smew are known as sawbills, a name that derives from a feature designed to stop slippery fish escaping.

This is the month when birds flock together in large numbers for a variety of reasons and dawn and dusk are when this spectacle can be breathtaking. There are several reasons why birds flock together. Huddling together overnight to keep warm is one reason, but flocking is usually done to minimise predation - being one of a crowd reduces the chances of being attacked. Flocking also maximises food intake - winter seeds and berries can occur in large numbers and are more easily located if you are part of a group.

Look out for flocks of Redwings, as well as another winter-visiting member of the thrush family, the Fieldfare. The largest of all the thrushes the Fieldfare is large and bulky, similar to a Mistle Thrush, but is overall lighter in colour with maroon, grey, yellow, white and black plumage. It is usually seen with other thrushes, particularly Redwing, forming large roving flocks which quickly devour berries or garden windfalls. If the cold of winter starts to bite visiting Fieldfares, Redwings, possibly even some Waxwings, may be seen feeding on hawthorn, holly, rosehips, rowan and other fruiting berries. Please let us know of any sightings you make.

Our more common birds such as Blue Tit and Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, thrushes and finches can be seen in the trees and shrubs as you walk along the Blackwater Valley footpath and you could well have an occasional sighting of Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker as well as a Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Also look out for Wood Pigeon as they feed on ivy berries.

A different proposition altogether is the Snipe. These waders have long beaks, which they use to feed in marshy fields and at the water’s edge. Their brown plumage is excellent camouflage. They will also feed along the River Blackwater at the few remaining spots where muddy margins have not been destroyed. If the weather really gets cold and the lakes are frozen, the riverside feeding areas are vital to the Snipes’ survival, and their behaviour can allow excellent views (if you can spot them at all!). Always worth looking out for are the large flocks of Golden Plovers up to 200+ which can been seen at Badshot Lea (Farnham Quarry) and on the new workings next to Moor Green Lakes.

The ubiquitous common Alder thrives in wet ground and can be found in many parts of the Valley lining the banks. Towards the end of the month look as the catkins get longer and begin to shed pollen. Find out more about the Alder in our Tree of the Month feature, which ties in with the International Year of the Forest 2011. To find out more visit the website.

 
  Bird of Month: Goosander

  Tree of Month: Alder

  January sightings  >>>

  January events >>>
        

Did you know...?

 *  In winter look for the rubbery gelatinous fungus Auricularia auricula-jadae.

 * Most commonly found on living and dead Elder, it can also be found on the dead wood of a range of broad-leaved trees and shrubs.

*  Auricularia auricula-jadae is one of the few fungi to be found throughout the year.

*  It bear the common name of Jelly Ear or Juicy Ear fungus, more descriptive and less racist than the original Jew’s ear.

* The name Jew’s ear is said to derive from ‘Judas’s ear’, and the story that Judas Iscariot (who betrayed
Jesus for 30 pieces of silver) hung himself from an Elder.

*  The gelatinous nature of the fungus makes it  drought-tolerant. During dry spells it withers, only to rapidly revert back into ‘pristine’ ears when the wet weather returns.

* The mature fruit body is about the size and shape of a human ear.

*  Soft, gelatinous and dark brown when moist, it becomes smaller, darker and harder as it dries out.