December round-up

Not a bad month, birding-wise.

Only one excursion, to the East India Dock Basin early in the month. Other than that, I’ve kept it local!

Locally, quite a few sightings, and plenty of action on the feeder — Stalings, Blue Tits, Goldfinches, Great Tits, the occasional Coal Tit and (inevitably) Ring-necked Parakeets, with Feral Pigeons and Woodpigeons going for whatever falls to the ground. As well as peanuts and suet blocks, we have some regular assorted bird seed into which I am mixing extra nyjer seeds. The latter is very popular, and is usually finished within a day or so! The squirrel-baffler continues to do its job. 

Elsewhere in East Finchley, there have been what I like to call the regulars — Carrion Crows, Magpies and overflying Black-headed Gulls in addition to the above. Lots of Starlings in the trees, and a very obliging Robin near the Tube station who hung around for long enough for me to take a photo, with the surrounding branches framing him rather well.

Redwings continue to be spotted, and I’ve seen a couple of Pied Wagtails near the cafe in Cherry Tree Wood. There was the occasional Jay, and a male Blackcap a few Long-tailed Tits. 

Finally, a trip out to the Cotswolds for work added Red Kites, Pheasants, Rooks, Jackdaws and a Buzzard on my sole trip beyond the M25 this month!

As the year reaches its end, my mind wanders back to the birding highlights of 2024, looks forward to new birding adventures in 2025 and contemplates the unread bird-related books on my shelves!