December
Robin
The robin is the UK’s favourite bird. The robin was officially adopted as Britain's National Bird in 1960. It is instantly recognisable due to its rusty-red breast. The robin is one of the few birds in the UK that sing all year round. This is due to the importance of holding winter territories. Males often hold the same territory for their whole life. Territories are defended by singing from perches and by aggressively driving intruders away. Did you know that two robins weigh roughly the same as one chicken egg?
Stoats
Look out for stoats during the month of December, although all you might see is a flash of one running by because they can move at speeds of 20 mph! Such speed during pursuit of their prey is part of what makes them such fierce predators. Stoats can overpower prey up to 6 times larger than themselves. Their eyesight is quite poor. They use their strong sense of smell and excellent hearing to locate prey from a great distance.
Holly
Holly berries are fully ripe by the end of December. A holly bush is a likely place to spot mistle thrushes as they feed on the berries. During the winter one or two birds will noisily chase away everything else from their holly bush to defend the berries. This means that they will have enough berries to last them throughout the winter. The birds that manage to defend their holly berries have bigger and earlier clutches.
Phantom Midge Larva
Phantom midge larva can be found in ponds even on winter days. They are called phantom midge larva because they are transparent. They have large eyes and filter feed using their large brush-like mouthparts. The larvae will grow into non-biting flying midges. The females then lay their eggs in jelly like disks on the surface of the water. The larvae hatch out into the water.
Goosanders
Keep an eye out for the arrival of goosanders to rivers during December. Goosanders are large, elegant ducks. They are members of the sawbill family because of their long, serrated bills used for catching fish. Their bills also have a hooked tip at the end. Male goosanders have dark green heads and white bodies with a dark line along the back. Females have red-brown heads with a crest and greyish bodies with large white patches on the wings.
December Moth
The December moth can be found between October until mid to late December. This moth is fairly common over much of the UK and can be identified by its full, fluffy body and its slate-grey wings edged in brown and marked with a cream colour band. Look out for the December moth resting on twigs or bark during the day and at night it sometimes comes up to lit windows.
