This may be of interest to some people who are familiar with the area or not, but this year during Covid-19 lockdown I did a complete survey of all species in Hugset Wood, Higham and one of my regular haunts. Strangely, the last full survey was in 1985 and since then some species populations have remained just about the same while others have changed dramatically. The highlights are as follows. In 1985 there were 254 all species territories and now 252 which is remarkably close but three Turtle Dove territories, 12 Tree Pipit, 9 Whitethroat and 12 Yellowhammer which all disappeared by the early 90s. 1985, four Willow Tit territories now one, Garden Warbler 12 but now down to two and Willow Warbler 39 now one! Incomers are Buzzard two and Nuthatch two. Big changes upwards are Chiffchaff 4 in 1985 and now 27 and Blackcap 12 and now 28.
These mirror the National changes with some species but the habitat has changed over time.
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