December Wildlife Sightings from a garden in Annan

Birds have been the only wildlife we have seen in the garden this month - but the cold weather has meant we have had quite a few visitors in total. Our goldfinches are still daily visitors and frosty mornings have meant we have had to defrost water dishes so that the birds get a drink - or a bath! Just watching them have a bath - splashing water everywhere - makes you feel cold. (brrr)  It was nice to see a greenfinch - we don't see many of those in our garden.

 

 

Our monthly max is therefore as follows:

Blackbird - 2 male 2 female

Blue tit - 3

Carrion crow - 2

Chaffinch - 4 male 4 female

Coal tit - 1

Collared dove- 2

Dunnock - 2

Goldfinch - 22

Goose - 200+ flying over

Great tit - 2

Greenfinch - 1

House sparrow - 20 male 15 female

Pied wagtail - 1

Robin - 1

Starling - 40

Woodpigeon - 1

Wren - 1

 

With the weather and the Christmas holidays,  we haven't been out and about much to find the DGERC species of the month for December - which were Maidenhead fern and Map Lichen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maidenhead Fern

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                         Map Lichen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DGERC species to look out for in January are Otters and Hart's-tongue Fern.

 

Otter  Lutra lutra

Otters are found in a range of habitats in D&G are although shy, are usually seen in early mornings or evenings. Those living in the River Nith in the centre of Dumfries have become more tolerant of humans and are often seen by residents.

Otters are sometimes confused with mink - but otters are much bigger. They can be 3-4 ft long with a powerful body and a broad muzzle. They have a grey-brown fur with a paler chest and neck whereas a mink is much darker. However - just to confuse the issue - both look darker in the water!

Otters are a protected species under national and international legislation.

 

Hart's-tongue Fern

Phyllitis scolopendrium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hart's-tongue fern has simple, undivided and strap-like fronds, varying from a yellowish green to a dark green. They can grow quite long when in shade. The name comes from the shape of the fronds - which are supposed to resemble  the tongue of a deer (or hart).

It usually grows in damp, shady gorges, banks in woodlands as well as on rocks, walls and mossy branches.

 Remember DGERC are always grateful for records - even old ones!