Summer visitors here to stay?
07 Jan 2016
A notable feature of this winter has been the above average temperatures and the associated continued abundance of food has led to several unusual species attempting to overwinter. Following the historic influx of Yellow-browed Warblers in September and October, it is no surprise that a few stay on. At least 20 were noted at various sites in December, mainly along the south coast. Who knows how many more are lurking unseen amongst flocks of tits and Goldcrests? Amazingly, swifts continued to be reported throughout December, including one Little Swift in Guernsey and then Scotland at the month's end.
Other unusual over-wintering birds include several Swallows, a Red-rumped Swallow in Norfolk and a Wheatear in Dorset. The weather has been dominated by mild tropical air originating from the Atlantic and brought in by a succession of low pressure systems. If they survive, these late birds may gain an advantage in the next breeding season by not having had to undergo the rigours of migration.
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