Nature Notes - January 2022
Sickleholme Nature Notes
With New Year’s Day being announced as the warmest since UK records began, January was off to a good start albeit that a succession of very frosty mornings was to quickly follow. This mix of temperatures produced a number of contrasting wildlife sightings and queries but, unlike last year, the course was open for us to enjoy and play our golf.
Early in the month, the only notable flora were Hazel catkins (see photo image) although the top of the course saw a few flowering Daisies in the final week. Whereas it is unusual to find many active insects in January, I was asked why “midges” had appeared on a couple of the sunnier days. These are in fact Winter Gnats, which do not bite, and the small clouds of these creatures are seen in display flight prior to breeding.
The only mammals reported went unseen, but there was plenty of evidence that our Common Moles were busy, particularly in front of the 9th tee. It seems feasible that with such a mild winter, they have not had to burrow quite so deeply and are active earlier that might be expected. They are never likely to be a greenkeeper’s friend!
The brighter days also saw more bird species starting to sing and, in addition to those mentioned at the end of last year, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes were regularly in full song. In addition, Matt reported two Tawny Owls calling in the ravine during the early morning of the 21st. The usual call is a shrill and repeated kerwick sound, but when advertising or protecting territory then we hear the more familiar mellow whistled hoots which to me carry a woodwind tone. Flyover birds included several Buzzards, an occasional flight of Mandarin Ducks and a Raven. Even at height, the latter can often be picked out from other corvids by its deep kronk call.
As always, many thanks to all who have shown interest in our wildlife monitoring or have produced sightings.
Bryan Barnacle
