December - What did the Bronte sisters see when they were walking in December?

abigailsateliers/haworth-photos

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. http://www.bronte-country.com/views.html 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. Bullfinch 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.