Our weather systems have brought plenty of rain, and hinted at a few flurries of snow, but our local birds have not been discouraged from their usual activities. You saw a good range of birds this month, along with a few hoverflies and a hedgehog!
A highlight of these sightings is the Kestrel. Although often seen flying over farmland, this bird has actually suffered a big decline in numbers over the last few decades. There are a variety of projects currently investigating this issue and so far, they have noted that use of rodenticides appear to be a key factor.
The wildlife sightings you send us are always uploaded to the central records database, iRecord, to ensure that conservation researchers have access to them. Keep recording – a common sighting to you could become useful data!
Read January’s results, below.
Species
Blackbird, Turdus merula: 4
Carrion crow, Corvus corone: 2
Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto: 10
Coal tit, Periparus ater: 2
Green Woodpecker, Picus viridis: 1
Hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus: 1
Herring Gull, Larus argentatus: 2
House Sparrows, Passer domesticus: 10
Hoverfly, Meliscaeva auricollis: 1
Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus: 1
Long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus: 2
Marmalade Hoverfly, Episyrphus balteatus: 1
Robin, Erithacus rubecula: 1
Photo submissions:
Keep sending in your submissions, and if you haven’t taken part already, please share your sightings with us – every record received helps us build a more accurate picture of the Manhood Peninsula*.
How can I get involved with this survey?
Sending us a record of your wildlife sightings is simple, just make a note of the date and location of the sighting, and use these notes to fill out a wildlife recording sheet. To download a wildlife recording sheet and see full details on how to submit records and photos, visit our Find Wildlife From Home survey page.
*This survey is specifically receiving submissions of wildlife sightings seen on the Manhood Peninsula, below Chichester, which includes the parishes of Apuldram, Donnington, Earnley, East Wittering & Bracklesham, Hunston, North (and South) Mundham, Selsey, Sidlesham, West Wittering, West Itchenor and Birdham.