Stover’s autumnal golds and reds, which arrived later this year due to the mild weather, are finally fading and falling now that winter has descended. The woodland birds will now have fewer daylight hours in which to feed.
Most insects have now gone into hibernation and are hidden away by the beginning of December. Woods rustle as blackbirds and thrushes sift through the leaf-litter in search of food. Male robins are singing at the moment to mark out their territories and most will have paired up by Christmas. In early winter, both males and females are highly territorial. Song thrushes should start to sing in December, joining the wrens and the dunnocks. Keep an ear out for the mistle thrush’s song – normally they start singing after Christmas. Crossbills will now be nest building – the hatching of the chicks coincides with the opening of conifer and alder cones which peaks in February. These will attract other seed-eating birds such as siskin and redpoll. If the scales on the conifer cones have been split longitudinally, then crossbills have been feeding on them. They are easily approachable at this time of year when they are concentrating on feeding. There are plenty of other birds to see in the Park in the winter which include great spotted and green woodpecker, bullfinch, siskin and redpoll. Chaffinch can be seen coming into Stover at dusk to roost in some of the rhododendron bushes. The best time to view these birds during December is from 3.30pm onwards; different birds arrive in groups of 30 to 50 and then assemble together. Starlings gather noisily on the pylons during this time of the day also. Keep an ear open for redwing. They can be heard as they migrate at night making a ‘tseep’ call. It’s often not until after Christmas that fieldfares are seen inland in significant numbers. If you are really lucky you may spot a woodcock resting on the ground – however its camouflage makes it tricky to see. They usually arrive at Stover after the ‘Woodcock Moon’, more commonly known as the ‘Beaver Moon’ which is the first full moon in November. Tawny owls are at present pairing up and establishing territories so are at their most vocal. Woodpigeon flocks have been seen flying over the Stover area – some will consist of migrating European birds.
On the lake pochard numbers are still very low with a female staying for just the day on 4th November, and a single male arriving 12th November which remained for the rest of the month – probably the same individual as last year. Tufted duck numbers are also down this year again to a maximum of 15 recorded on 24th November. This is only a third of 2022’s maximum of 49 recorded on 29th November 2022. Up to 10 mandarin ducks were present on the lake which was also down on the 23 sighted at Stover in 2022. Keep an eye out for wigeon, gadwall and teal during December. Wigeon were recorded several times during November; 3 on the 5th and 6 on the 13th. Wigeon are unusual as they are grazing ducks, eating grass like geese, but will also ‘upend’ whilst feeding on the water. Male wigeon have a striking yellow forehead whereas female wigeon are more uniformly brown than other female ducks, with a small bill. Teal are Britain’s smallest duck and their population is increased by a large migrant population from northern Europe in winter. One shoveler was recorded on 12th November. Only 3 goosander were spotted last month (on the 22nd) when they usually start to arrive – keep an eye out for them in December. Goosander are a type of sawbill duck having a serrated cutting edge to their beak that enable them to feed on fish, and are frequently seen on reservoirs and lakes during winter. Cormorant numbers are building at this time of year and can be seen perched in the trees on the island; 7 were recorded on the 20th. The peak count for black-headed gulls during November was 60. Herring gulls were seen throughout last month. Water rail are present in the marsh along with snipe. The snipe are easiest to see when they are standing on the edge of the marsh. Many more rest up in the middle making them impossible to spot. At dusk they can be heard leaving the marsh for their feeding sites on nearby pasture. The highest coot count was 43 on 17th November along with 14 moorhens. The equivalent counts this month last year were 104 and 25 respectively. Kingfishers and herons have been recorded throughout November. All 5 cygnets are regularly flying over the lake practising for their eventual departure. The great-crested grebe remained on the lake throughout November with a Little Grebe recorded on the 8th.
Mammals are easier to spot now that the ground cover has died back and they spend more time foraging. Foxes appear particularly striking as their breeding season gets under way, peaking early in January. Foxes become increasingly active at this time of year and can often be seen in daylight hours. Even if you don’t see them, you will most certainly hear their barks and screams at night. Their distinctive musky smell is obvious all over the Park.
Some insects can be seen over the winter months such as a small brown moth known as the winter moth. Oak and sitka spruce are favourite hosts, of which Stover has plenty! Any warm sunny days during the winter months may rouse brimstone, red admiral and peacock butterflies from their hibernation so they may be seen briefly on the wing. The majority of adult dragonflies die with the arrival of the colder weather, however their eggs and nymphs will remain safe under the water until they transform into adults and start emerging again next summer.
Next years buds are starting to appear on many of Stover’s trees. The scarlet elf-cup fungus is out at the moment and can be found on rotten wood in the damper areas of Stover’s woodlands, along with the barometer earthstar fungus visible on the heath.
The Stover Centre, Community Workshop, Gatehouse and silt dredging works are now complete with the portacabins and sheds removed. The official opening of these aspects of the Restoring Stover Park National Lottery Project took place on 15th and 16th November – a huge achievement for all involved. Unfortunately Storm Bert bought one of the oak trees down parallel to the Centre on 23rd November with a branch hitting the roof, however repairs are underway. The silt bags will remain within the Heras fenced section until next Spring / Summer when the bags will be removed and the silt will be spread. Apologies for the inconvenience of the section of footpath by the bird hide being inaccessible in the meantime.
The support for Stover has truly been incredible, so thank you all for your patience and enthusiasm whilst the works have been underway. A range of community activities have carried on throughout for all Stover’s user groups, and our volunteer input is hugely appreciated as always.
Merry Christmas !