January: Winter Wildfowl and Gulls

Winter is a great time to watch Wildfowl. Large numbers of Mallards congregate around Bridgnorth Low Town Bridge and squabble over bread regularly thrown into the cold river by passers by. On my BTO Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) walk, I regularly count in the region of 60 of these birds along the survey route from Well Meadow to Bridgnorth Golf course. However the population is nearly always concentrated near the bridge where the general public provide ample feeding opportunities. The Mallard drakes are already sporting bright plumage in preparation of the breeding season, as they pair off with their chosen partners during the winter months.

River wildlife of course suffers at this time of year, particularly during the rather unusual recent cold snap. Ducks and Geese for example may be forced into other areas as Rivers and lakes freeze over, and ground where they graze is carpeted in snow. A 50 metre section of the Severn froze over last week across its width, near Bridgnorth Rowing Club, only the third time in a century has the river frozen over here.

http://www.bridgnorthjournal.com/2010/12/30/bridgnorth-in-the-freezer/

The stunning Mandarin drake was a welcome visitor here again, after spending a few weeks last year during the last cold spell early in 2010. This introduced species from China favours shallow still ponds and lakes. It is not normally sociable with other duck species, which goes to show how freezing weather can displace wildlife from their chosen habitat, and force them to adapt their behaviour in order to survive.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article7014283.ece

The Mandarin is certainly an unmistakable bird!

No sign of any geese today. Canada, Greylag Geese, and Greylag x Domestic ('Farmyard' Goose) hybrids can all be observed on the River Severn. The Canada's tend to disappear during the winter months, no doubt to a reservoir or Gravel pit such as Chelmarsh.

The Greylag's may be grazing further upstream on Well Meadow, or along the river banks near the bypass bridge.

I'm also keeping a watchful eye out for the Goosanders, I had breeding evidence of these birds last summer and I hope they'll be back this year.

On to Gulls now, the most common species you will see in Bridgnorth as with many inland locations is the Black Headed Gull. Numbers steadily increase from September, peaking in December and January when I count between 50 to 100 birds, then the numbers tail off until April by which time they have left to join their breeding grounds. The only other species of Gull I've so far recorded in the town is the Lesser Black-backed, however only the odd bird is seen and usually in Summer. The picture below shows a Black-headed Gull in Winter, non-breeding, plumage, standing on railings next to Low Town Bridge. This one had an injured foot.

Gull species are notoriously difficult to ID. Upon closer inspection of the photo this is also a Black-headed Gull, however it is a juvenile (1st winter). You can tell by the slightly mottled brown appearance on the wings.

One bird today, in the photo below, certainly is showing early pre-breeding moult - the characteristic 'black' head that gives the gull its name (note the colour is actually chocolate brown!). Although this colour is typical of the species' plumage between the months of January and March, it may occasionally be started as early as late December, as in this case.

Next month I'll be heading out of the town centre in search of Kingfishers and Mute Swans, and to my own Kingfisher 'hot spot' by Bramble Ridge playing fields. I'll also be reporting on some of the typical trees and plants growing on the banks of the Severn. Many species of non-waterbirds can of course be encountered along the riverside, for example the Peregrine Falcons of High Rock and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. I feel very privileged to have access to all this biodiversity on my doorstep!