Holding the end of year bird walk at a somewhat earlier date than usual paid dividends. The weather was pleasant and an impressive gathering of over twenty people was rewarded with some good sightings. Highlights among the 29 species encountered included a number of parties of Redwings and Fieldfares flying west or south west over the Park en route from Scandinavia to their winter quarters either in this country or beyond, numerous Jays transporting acorns from Ecclesall Woods to be stashed for the winter in hiding places throughout the area, a couple of Sparrowhawks passing over and two or three Grey Wagtails giving good views along the river.
In the coming days keep an eye out for more parties of winter thrushes coming over from the north east usually in the first two hours of daylight and look and listen out for skeins of Pink-footed Geese flying south east over the area en route to their North Norfolk wintering grounds.
Pete Brown
Friends of Millhouses Park 