Winter Birds by Rev. George Neal

January and February are the coldest months of the year as a general rule. Being England ,however, and blessed by a warming Gulf Stream it means that we can , even in these months , have some bright and mild spring-like days as well as an occasional share of the Artic -like weather which dominates most areas of northern Europe. Both American and Canadian folk almost laugh when we complain of it being cold here. They often have four months of bitter freezing weather unbroken by any mild days until late April or early May. Apparently, we in England are on the same latitude as Canada so if it was not for the aforementioned Gulf Stream we would have the same very hot summers and bitter cold winters as Canada does. Lets hope that climate change does not move the Gulf Stream away from our shores.

This milder climate means that much of our wild life goes on even if at times it is a struggle for survival when there are prolonged times of very cold or snowy weather. Because of our generally frost free ground we are flooded by millions of migrant birds from much colder climes able to feed on our soil.

Every winter we have thrushes such as fieldfares and redwings who devour every berry showing. If our oaks and beeches are particularly fruitful then in addition to the usual migrants we will have jays, bramblings and even the most beautiful of birds the waxwing gracing our countryside and towns with their individual ways of foraging and acting devouring tons of berries, beech masts and acorns as well as worms and other insect life.

Although for the winter the skylarks and meadow pipits will flee our moors for lower areas of milder temperature and frost free grounds; some species will stay and by late February Ravens and mistle thrushes will be nesting and accompanied by some early returning more stalwart skylarks that will start their very distinctive aerial song that for some of us is the quintessential music of the English countryside!

For the bird watcher and nature lover every season has great attraction and there is no place nor any time when one cannot see something of interest. Keats said that autumn has its beauty too but I would add that so has every season .I love every season of the year.

Although many people hate the winter it is for the bird watcher both the time of the wonderful period of Advent and Christmas and also that influx of many species we do not see in the late spring or summer; Winter I know can be very tough on the small birds such as tits and finches. Apparently the tits all have to spend 75 to 90 per cent of the day hunting for scarce insect food if they hope to survive through the long cold nights- that is why we must help with our bird food. However there is one bird ,the Tawny Owl, for whom the long night of sixteen hours is a blessing for it has all that time to hunt for its main rodent food ;but ,in addition, it has many bird roosts to visit for tasty suppers and breakfasts as it catches sleeping birds!

For those of you who prefer the warmer weather, remember that “if winter comes can spring be far behind! “(Shelly}
Rev. George Neal

Where are the songs of spring?Ay where are they?
Think not of them thou has thy music too