December - an overview
December 21st is the Midwinter Solstice and our shortest hours
of daylight, you can take a 24 hour
time-lapse
of the day here... It also marks the official arrival
of winter. Shorter daylight hours and long cold nights make for
difficult times for wildlife such as
Birds
and
Mammals.
What to see
Winter food is scarce for all wildlife and any berries such as
Holly, Rowan
Hawthorn
will be eaten by birds. They are active after dawn foraging for
food and hour before sunset eating in readiness for the long night
ahead. This is a good time to feed birds as they will appreciate
a meal and you may be rewarded by seeing other species such as
Bullfinch
as their need for food makes them less timid.
Redwing
and
Fieldfare
which have migrated from Northern Europe to winter in Britain
can be seen. If you are lucky you may also see
Waxwings;
a winter visitor from Russia and Northern Europe. They are usually
spotted where berries such as Rowan are found.
Plants are in their dormant stage and there are very few signs
of growth at this time of year.
Key dates:
This here month iz fearful caud; Bud twarst fer them ats getting
oud.
Bill o 'th' Hoylus December 1873
Nah fleecy skies begin to clothe the wood, An ffakes o rustlin
ice cums rowlin dahn the ffood.
Bill o 'th' Hoylus December 1874
If you have any dates, information about weather or observations
about nature, stories or folklore relating to this month contact
us and if suitable will add to the page - please local to Haworth
and the surrounding area only.
