January in the Valley
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, Pochard, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveller, Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe.
Goosander, our Bird of the Month, is another species to look out for around Moor Green Lakes at dusk. Colourful birds slightly larger than Mallards they are 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 bill feature designed to stop slippery fish escaping.
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 Tices Meadow (Farnham Quarry) and on the new workings next to Moor Green Lakes.
This month birds flock together in large numbers and this spectacle can be breathtaking when they fly at dawn and dusk. There are several reasons why birds flock together. Staying close overnight to keep warm is one reason, although flocking is usually done to minimise predation - being one of a crowd reduces the chances of being attacked. It also maximises food intake as winter seeds and berries can occur in large numbers and are more easily located if birds are part of a group.
Away from the water look out for flocks of Redwings. These wintering thrushes are easily recognised as they fly, by a flash of red on the undersides of their wings. Similar to a Song Thrush but smaller and darker in colouring with a distinctive face and underpart pattern. They feed on berry trees found in hedgerows and parks as well as in open fields and woods, but are also common garden visitor feeding on berries. Another winter-visiting member of the thrush family to look for is the Fieldfare. The largest of all the thrushes it 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 Redwings, 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.
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 Woodpeckers as well as a Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Look out too for the Wood Pigeons as they start to feed on ivy berries.
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. Although male and female catkins grow on the same tree, the long purple-coloured catkins are male. The small dark purple female flowers are harder to spot although once they are pollinated they will turn into the small woody cones that remain on the tree long after they have shed their leaves. Look out for both Siskins and Redpolls who feed on Alder seeds, Redpolls often feed in flocks.
Despite this year’s extremely cold start, our winters have been getting milder and as a result frog spawn has been seen in January. Do keep looking in the Valley ponds and email us when you first notice clusters of frog spawn.
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