9th January 2010 X

The continuing and worsening cold spell has had profound effects on the avifauna of Beddington. Here are some counts made today of almost everything on the farm (most birds have gone):

Sightings:
15 Reed Bunting, 25+ Skylark, 200+ Linnet, 2 Chaffinch, 50+ Redwing, 70+ Fieldfare (SW), 600+ Jackdaw, 200+ Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Lapwing, 40+ Teal, 5 Common Snipe, 40+ Teal, 15 Coot, 54 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant (over), 1 Little Grebe, 5000+ gulls, 20+ Carrion Crow, 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail

Highlights:
12 Jack Snipe, 2 Yellowhammer,
1 Wigeon, 1 Brambling, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Buzzard

The first casualties of this hard weather have been noticed including some gulls and passerines such as Robin and Reed Buntings are feeding on the path desperate to find food.