November in the Valley
What you can expect to see...
Looking back over the past few years it’s interesting to note the changes in the weather. In 2007 September and October were warmer than normal - as they have been this year; whereas in 2008 October finished with frost and even a sprinkling of snow. You can be sure that during November the weather will get colder, wetter and windier because it always does.
But how does this Indian Summer weather affect the Valley’s wildlife? Well we’re still receiving sightings of dragonflies, probably Common and Ruddy Darters, as well as sightings of Red Admirals, all making the most of the warmer conditions. The leaves are still firmly on the trees, although there have been some lovely autumn colours.
During this month the numbers of wildfowl that migrate south to spend the winter on lakes in the Valley will be gradually increasing. Coots, Mallards, Teal (our bird of the month) and others that bred here will be joined by birds of the same species from further north, as well as those that we only see in the winter, such as Widgeon, Goosander and Gadwall. The Gadwall is an inconspicuous greyish duck but well worth looking out for.
 By the end of the month the trees should be bare giving you the opportunity to to see all kinds of things that are usually hidden... watch out for our three native species of woodpeckers for example. The Green Woodpecker is not a true woodland bird, preferring open areas such as parks and large gardens where it feeds on the ground. It is the largest of the three woodpeckers and distinguished by its green and yellow colouring, listen out for the distinctive ‘yaffling’ laughter-like call. Then there’s the Great Spotted Woodpecker (pictured), with its black and white colouring featuring crimson patches under the tails of both sexes and on the back of the head of the males. Look for it climbing up tree trunks in the woodlands, although it’s increasingly found feeding from garden bird tables. It makes a distinctive ‘tchack’ call that carries through the woodland. Far more elusive and difficult to spot is the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, with its black back and wings and white barring, which creates a ladder-like appearance Not much bigger than a sparrow it tends to frequent the tree tops so when the trees are leafless small movements in the topmost branches become more obvious. It has a ringing ‘ki-ki-ki’ call. Please let us know if you see any of these birds in the Valley.
Leafless trees also allow you to try and spot dense bundles of twigs and vegetation which show you where birds’ nests where built. The most easy to spot are the large loose domed stick nests built by Magpies, the tree-top communities of nest platforms belonging to Rooks and the solitary efforts of Carrion Crows. More challenging is trying to find the smaller nests belonging to our common garden birds such as Blackbirds and Song Thrushes. Song Thrush nests are unique among British birds as they have a hard nest lining of mud. Blackbird use mud to build the nests but line it with fine grass.
 This is also the time of year to look for fungi there’s plenty about lurking in the leaf litter, although actual identification may prove to be more difficult... If finding fungi in leaf litter proves too difficult look onthe trunks of dead or dying birch trees for large bracket fungi. Razor Strop fungus (Piptoporous betulinus), is one of the most common land will often survive for two or three years providing food and shelter for many insects who overwinter as grubs deep within it. Keep a Razor Strop fungus in a container covered with a fine mesh and you will be surprised at the number of small flies that hatch out in spring.
Sightings
Have you seen anything interesting, unusual or just something that has captured your imagination in the Valley this month? Whatever it is please send us details so we can put it on our sightings page. We would love to receive your pictures as well. This month’s sightings...
|
©