Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2011/January 2012 | Page 79
COUNTRY LIFE
What to look out for...
Redwing
Woodcock
An abundant winter visitor
to our woodland edges,
fields, and gardens. Quite
small, about the size of a
song thrush. Identifiable
by it’s rusty-red flanks
when standing or rusty-red
underwing when in flight with
a creamy white flash above
it’s eye. Eats berries and
worms, often seen socialising
with fieldfares.
Although resident in our
woodlands all year, we have
an influx of visitors from
Finland and Russia. They are
generally nocturnal, but in
really cold weather will venture
out early dusk, or will fly off
if disturbed. Similar to snipe,
the woodcock is slightly larger
with a ‘pot belly’. They eat
worms, beetles, spiders and
small snails.
A pleasantly, scented winter
find, look out for it along,
stream sides and road verges.
Enjoyed and much planted
by the Victorians, it has
vigorous rhizomes and can be
a rampant garden weed. The
flower spikes grow to about
25cm (10”), and will happily
flower throughout the winter
months.
Winter
Heliotrope
gar
December Eg
Many moths will see out the
winter as pupa or eggs. The
‘December Eggar’ is found
in deciduous woodlands,
parks an B