Lesser Celandine: An early woodland bloomer.


Tawny Owl: Early breeders, listen for them at night.


LOCAL WINTER WI LDL IFE SPRING IS WAITING IN THE WINGS


For our February issue Gwent Wildlife Trust’s Senior Conservation Ecologist Andy Karran looks at our local Winter Wildlife with hope on the horizon and spring is waiting in the wings.


However, at the time of writing we are back in lockdown, it is cold outside and the days are short which can feel a bit uninspiring. It may seem as if there isn’t much wildlife about to cheer us up, however if we make the effort there is much that can be found in the depths of winter and crucially close to home.


The most obvious wildlife is probably the birds, the coast can be very rewarding this time of year with multitudes of ducks and waders, however restrictions are likely to put this out of range for most at present. Thankfully our gardens and local parks can be great areas for close views of finches, tits, thrushes and maybe even a woodpecker or Nuthatch. All this activity will often attract the attention of the local Sparrow-hawk, adding true drama and excitement. If you can feed the birds it will help them greatly during the cold weather and also afford you fantastic views from the warmth and safety of home.


Another great place to find winter birds locally is a lake or reservoir, they are a magnet for waterfowl, even those within urban parks can hold a good variety of species. Amongst the ubiquitous Mallards, graceful Swans and tamer escapes that eagerly take food from the children, there can be Tufted Ducks, Moorhens, Coots, a selection of gulls, maybe a Great Crested Grebe, and if you are lucky a Kingfisher may flash by.


67


Andy Karran


LIVE24-SEVEN.COM


GWENT WI LDL I F E TRUST LOCAL WINT ER WI LDL I F E


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