What to Look Out For in January

An area for archived forum posts
Post Reply
RachelMC
Posts: 460
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 1:04 pm
Location: Chester

What to Look Out For in January

Post by RachelMC »

What to Look Out For in January:

This time last year I wrote in What to Look out For that it was grey and wet and windy. Well, it's still grey... but the weather is quite mild and we have a respite from all the rain. Maybe we will yet see those crisp and bright Winter days?

Many bird species have migrated southwards but large numbers of migratory ducks, geese and swans are present and other winter visitors to look for include Redwings (Turdus iliacus), Fieldfares (Turdus pilaris) and in some years Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus).

As the month progresses, the Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) starts to proclaim its territory. On sunny days Blackbirds (Turdus merula), Greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) and Great Tits (Parus major) also sing. In woodlands you may be lucky enough to hear a Great-spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) hammering on dead wood, hunting out insect larvae in the bark. If you see a flash of red it’s likely to be a Great-spotted Woodpecker. These attractive birds may venture into larger urban gardens, especially if you leave dead wood or provide a peanut feeder.

As winter progresses flooded grasslands may attract gulls. Where sites are more permanently flooded, and possibly even managed that way, ducks such as Wigeon (Anas penelope), Gadwall (Anas strepera), Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis), Teal (Anas crecca); waders such as Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria), Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), and Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) may visit.

Woods are quiet, save for the twitters of occasional flocks of small birds moving through. However there is a glimmer of better things to come as Lords and Ladies or Cuckoo Pint (Arum maculatum) leaves are starting to emerge in a curled funnel formation and a precocious Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) may dare to flower.

On the road sides, one of the first wild flowers that appears is the Winter Heliotrope (Petasites fragrans). Its round leaves form large clusters with delicate pink and white flower spikes poking up.

Although hibernating, in milder weather, evidence of Badgers (Meles meles) making a foray can be found by looking for fresh pad mark or scratch marks on their well worn paths.

Insects are few and far between. Some butterflies migrate but many over winter as a pupa or adult. Peacock butterflies (Inachis io) are often to be found in sheds and attics where the temperature is fairly constant and the air is moist.

January is really a low point in terms of plant hunting. However there are some signs of things to come. Precocious Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale agg.) may flower as may other common wayside plants. The first of the Hazel (Corylus avellana) catkins are stretching out into golden tassels. Many ferns can still be seen in winter. The common Hart's tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) can be found growing abundantly in many damp woods and hedges.

Lichens are easily found at all times, and it is worth venturing into graveyards, for instance, where the air is not too polluted to discover these fascinating organisms. Lichens are an association between algal and fungal species, which benefit from each other in a way that enables them to survive the most adverse of conditions.

Even in January some fungi are still bright and fresh and various orange capped fungi bring some colour to a winter woodland.

Notes compiled by Rachel with acknowledgement to: When to watch wildlife

Post Reply