Shalfleet Churchyard has been the haunt of the Island’s keenest birders in the past few weeks as they seek out a scarce visitor, a hawfinch, which has been around the churchyard since the third week in January.
The hawfinch is the largest of the finches. At first glance it looks like a large chaffinch but is best identified by its large head and grey beak shaped like a parrot’s. Uniquely, the strong jaws are powerful enough to crack a cherry stone and it also feeds on haws (of course) and other tree seeds. It is the only bird that can eat and digest yew seeds, which are poisonous to all other birds. Yew berries are definitely on the menu in the churchyard.
In a normal winter we are lucky to see one on the Island. They usually spend the winter in Eastern Europe but it is thought a poor seed crop has sent large numbers, maybe 12,000, further west this year to England where we have had a better crop. A number have made it to the Island since October. Apart from six in Parkhurst Forest, single birds have been seen at only four other locations, so we are very lucky to have this visitor in the village.
It is a secretive bird and hard to spot in the yew trees, but has shown itself in the open so, with patience and luck, you may see it.
So once again Shalfleet Churchyard proves itself to be a very special habitat for wildlife that deserves protecting. It is very much in our plan for the year ahead to do just that, so keep in touch, and let us know if you would like to help!