It’s the 18th December and in recent weeks, I have been busily entering data into the BTO BirdTrack Project. The latest data that I have entered is particularly broad ranging and precise as it covers my records from the surveying work for the GWCT. Even now, I still have some way to go, but intend to finish by the end of the year, this being particularly important as the Breeding Bird Atlas figures are required by then.
Next, it will be upping the research for my followers and lurkers who wish to know more about this Phenology malarkey, which as I have said before, are the main ethics behind this blog. On that note, nature continues to be confused with a personal report of a singing Blackbird in December, alongside the more usually singing members of the Thrush family, Song Thrush and Robin. Even more bizarre, courtesy of Birdguides once again, are further reports of migrant species loitering on our islands. Northern Wheatear, Swallow, House Martin, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler to name but some, are 3,000 to 5,000 miles or more away from their wintering grounds. Strange but true!
Getting back to personal Phenological records of the past, some events have occurred before the year has even turned. One event that springs (geddit) to mind was a Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming, during December, in one particular season. So all is not what it first appears to be, in the ever-changing world of nature.
One last thought I would like to share with you all is the following http://thedragonflywoman.com/2011/12/18/social-science/ link. This particular blog is a wealth of information for folk, into their Dragonflies and more especially insects. The fantastic thing about this, is the fact that she (Christine), is also an addicted Citizen Scientist. Boy!, I know how she feels.
Goodbye all.
Tony Powell
naturestimeline 
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