Summary of the year so far.

Snow and dogs on the common.

Dog walkers at the cafe.

Robin on ice.

A dog, a snow ball and a Christmas tree.

Big footed Coot.

Gulls over the frozen pond.

Robin in the snow.

Female Sparrowhawk by the pond.

There has been a lot of weather so far this year. It has been very cold with reports suggesting it has been the coldest winter in Britain for 30 years. The 1st started brightly and a Sparrowhawk circled in the clear blue sky above Furzedown. It remained cold with temperatures dropping below zero most nights but it was still a pleasant surprise when over two inches of snow fell on the night of the 5th. The following 2 days were icy underfoot and it snowed again yesterday afternoon. Presumably as a result of the harsh weather, small numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare have been seen feeding in all areas of the southern common. Numbers peaked today with 30+ (mainly Redwing) feeding on the berry bushes by the bowling green today.

Other sightings. 2 Little owls in the wood behind the cafe (4th) and Lesser spotted woodpeckers have been seen or heard on most outings either in Graveney wood or by the pond area. The Great spotted woodpeckers have been very active chasing each other around, a maximum of 9 were seen on the 2nd. Nuthatches in Graveney and cafe wood. The pond has been frozen which probably accounts for the drop in Shoveler numbers (6) and a lone Cormorant was back on the pond today. The Robins seem to be faring well and are being fed which is also being appreciated by the Blackbirds, Dunnocks and pigeons. Black headed gull numbers have remained constant at 100+ and the 2 Common gulls are still present. Sparrowhawks have been seen regularly in Graveney wood and 2 (male and female) were seen by the pond today. Blue, Great and Long tailed tits have been seen in good numbers, and a Coal tit (a scarce bird on the common) was seen at Heritage park on the 2nd. Greenfinchs and Goldfinchs are regular and two Chaffinchs were seen by the pond today.