tree – Stephen's Wildlife

Winter lockdown

This last weekend the RSPB ran its annual survey of garden birds. By all accounts the number of people submitting data increased significantly over last year and their were reports of people being unable to access the survey web page to record their count. Quite probably this was the ‘lockdown effect’.

My own count included 8 goldfinches. They are small birds, quite striking in appearance with their red face and yellow finch stripes on the wings. They normally form groups in the winter which may contain other finches, e.g. greenfinch, siskin, chaffinch. These groups are referred to as ‘charms’.

The UK winter lockdown continues. Yesterday we lost Captain Sir Tom Moore, a covid hero who raised over £38m last year on his 100th birthday for the NHS. The vaccine rollout continues offering light at the end of the tunnel, even as the virus continues to take its toll. This latest winter lockdown does appear to be accompanied by fatigue and weariness.

Parus Major

The woodland area near home is accessed by passing through an open area of grassland known as By-the-way field. There is a metal gate to enter the woodland. At this point the gravel footpath crosses a bridge over what might generously be called a stream, but probably more accurately, a ditch. This is a great spot to linger a little, to look and listen. The bright sunshine so evident just a few steps back is now shaded by the canopy and branches of tall trees. It takes a second or two for the eyes to adjust.

One of the first birds to be seen and heard here will be the Great tit, Parus Major to give it its latin name. It has a bright yellow breast with a black line running down the centre. The black continues up to its head. There is a black cap and collar, with white cheeks. The back is olive green and the wings are grey / blue with a thin white line.

Climbing trees

Within walking distance from home we have a woodland area. I was delighted on Saturday’s excursion to capture this image of a treecreeper, so named due to their behaviour of scaling a tree starting at the bottom and jerkily working their way up. Their colouring is so well camouflaged that it is only the movement that catches the eye.

We are permitted to leave the house once each day for exercise. There is no time limit, but there can only be one outing. The outing has to be local, which is a little subjective. Fines have been issued to people driving over 5 miles. Taking a flask of tea has been interpreted by some police forces as an intention to have a picnic – not permitted. There has been quite a media blitz to gain public support for the lockdown.

The rollout of the vaccine continues. At present about 10% of the UK population have received the jab. But it’s still going to take a few months before the current restrictions are lifted.