Friday, 8 July 2011
Increasing mud attracts migrating ICELANDIC BLACK-TAILED GODWITS
FRIDAY 8 JULY
The strong Southwesterly winds continued throughout the day bringing some blustery rain showers....
WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTFORDSHIRE)
The water level continues to drop on Wilstone, with more and more mud being exposed daily. As such, the conditions attracted 10 migrant ICELANDIC BLACK-TAILED GODWITS this afternoon, the flock commuting between the mud and the Drayton Bank to roost. The entire flock seemed to consist of summer-plumaged males.
Also present were 124 Lapwings and a Common Sandpiper, along with 9 Little Egrets, 36 Mute Swans, 42 Atlantic Canada Geese, the eclipse drake GARGANEY found earlier by Roy, 6 Common Teal, the 4 oversummering Northern Shoveler, the oversummering drake Eurasian Wigeon, 9 Northern Pochard, 10 Gadwall, 22 adult Black-headed Gulls, 31 Common Terns (including 7 fledged juveniles), 16 Moorhen (4 juveniles), 46 Common Swifts, 1 House Martin and 11 migrant Sand Martins.
PITSTONE QUARRY (HERTS)
The 6 MANDARIN DUCKS survive, with 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 11 adult Black-headed Gulls present.
ALDBURY VILLAGE (HERTS)
A pair of Moorhens feeding two tiny babies on the duckpond in the centre of the village and 1 pair of House Martins nesting
The strong Southwesterly winds continued throughout the day bringing some blustery rain showers....
WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTFORDSHIRE)
The water level continues to drop on Wilstone, with more and more mud being exposed daily. As such, the conditions attracted 10 migrant ICELANDIC BLACK-TAILED GODWITS this afternoon, the flock commuting between the mud and the Drayton Bank to roost. The entire flock seemed to consist of summer-plumaged males.
Also present were 124 Lapwings and a Common Sandpiper, along with 9 Little Egrets, 36 Mute Swans, 42 Atlantic Canada Geese, the eclipse drake GARGANEY found earlier by Roy, 6 Common Teal, the 4 oversummering Northern Shoveler, the oversummering drake Eurasian Wigeon, 9 Northern Pochard, 10 Gadwall, 22 adult Black-headed Gulls, 31 Common Terns (including 7 fledged juveniles), 16 Moorhen (4 juveniles), 46 Common Swifts, 1 House Martin and 11 migrant Sand Martins.
PITSTONE QUARRY (HERTS)
The 6 MANDARIN DUCKS survive, with 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 11 adult Black-headed Gulls present.
ALDBURY VILLAGE (HERTS)
A pair of Moorhens feeding two tiny babies on the duckpond in the centre of the village and 1 pair of House Martins nesting
LITTLE EGRETS now up to 9 and drake GARGANEY
This morning the highlight was an eclipse drake GARGANEY about 40 metres left of the hide. It should hopefully prove less elusive than the spring birds. Now that the water level is lower the young trees to the left of the hide are not in water and so not as attractive to Garganey.
Also one or two Common Sandpiper, nine Little Egrets (although two flew off), and a Mandarin (Roy Hargreaves)
Also one or two Common Sandpiper, nine Little Egrets (although two flew off), and a Mandarin (Roy Hargreaves)
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
A Day of PURPLE EMPERORING - LGRE Diary Notes
PURPLE EMPEROR (FRANCIS BUCKLE)
MONDAY 4 JULY
Another glorious day weatherwise, with long sunny periods, warm temperatures and no wind. Having been busy all weekend, I took advantage of the sunshine to do some butterflying - and in particular, for searching for PURPLE EMPERORS, my favourite British butterfly. I was not disappointed...........Avian highlights included a few returning waders, including a WOOD SANDPIPER....
TRING TOWN (HERTFORDSHIRE)
In Wingrave Road, I came across a breeding colony of Common Swifts - some 8 adults entering a hole in the guttering at number 8, alomost opposite The Pheasant public house.
COLLEGE LAKE BBOWT (BUCKS)
There was no sign of yesterday's adult Wood Sandpiper, seen by both Paul Reed and David Bilcock. In fact, there were much fewer waders present than of late, with no sign of the family party of 4 Oystercatchers.
A quick inventory check revealed the presence of 3 Mute Swans (the pair with just one surviving cygnet still), 1 Greylag Goose, 113 Atlantic Canada Geese, 1 female Common Teal, 11 Tufted Duck, two family groups of Moorhen (1 with 5 chicks and another with 3 chicks), 4 Common Redshank, 15 Lapwing (including 9 young of varying ages), 4 Little Ringed Plovers (2 pairs), 1 Black-headed Gull, 14 Common Terns and several Western Reed Warblers.
AYLESBURY COUNCIL OFFICES (BUCKS)
Once again, absolutely no sign of either adult Peregrine in the nest chamber or anywhere else on the building.
CALVERT AREA AND ENVIRONS (BUCKS)
In an extensive search of the area and nearby sites, no sign of Richard Birch's pair of European Turtle Doves from last Friday. Warren Claydon also failed during a search over the weekend. If my bad luck continues throughout July, 2011 could go down as my first year with a complete blank on this species within the county - a sad show indeed and representative of the stark decline and situation this once common farmland species is really in.
FINEMERE WOOD, NEAR QUAINTON (BUCKS) (SP 721 216)
By mid morning, the sun was radiating heat and the temperature had risen to nearly 70 degrees F - it was time to visit Finemere. I met up with local butterfly expert Steve Croxford and nature photographer Martin Parr and enjoyed an excellent hour or so of butterfly entertainment along the main drove up to 140 yards beyond the private parking area. The stars of course were the PURPLE EMPERORS - up to 7 on the wing today. Martin cheated a little bit - by relocating a major food source on to the track inside the wood - and within a short time indeed attracting two somewhat worn-winged males down (perhaps individuals attacked by birds). The views were spectacular - down to a few feet - allowing Martin to take over 250 photographs. They remained at the food source for at least an hour, with different more mobile individuals (including a single female) being seen flitting high in the Oak canopies and along the ride.
A WHITE ADMIRAL was also seen, as well as 5 SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARIES, along with 2 PURPLE HAIRSTREAKS, 7 MARBLED WHITES, large numbers of Ringlets, Large White, Green-veined White, Small White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper (40+), Small Skipper, Comma (3), Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell.
Avian highlights included no less than 8 BULLFINCHES (two single pairs and then two pairs together - all 'budding'), 2+ MARSH TITS, Common Buzzard carrying prey, Common Chiffchaffs, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, male Yellowhammer, Blackcap, Nuthatch and a large mixed flock of Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great Tit.
(Note: Finemere Wood is a premier site for Purple Emperor in Buckinghamshire but this year has been eclipsed by Rushbeds Wood BBOWT, Brill, where up to 15 have been showing daily)
ASTON ABBOTTS (BUCKS)
Sadly, another dead Badger - this time on the A418 north of Wingrave Cross Roads at cSP 860 203.
KING'S WOOD, HEATH AND REACH (BEDFORDSHIRE) (SP 930 300)
Another prime butterfly wood and again very productive today. Along one of the side rides was one mobile male pristine-conditioned and presumably newly-emerged PURPLE EMPEROR, no less than 9 SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARIES and 3 WHITE ADMIRALS, along with good numbers of many of the commoner butterflies.
CHICKSANDS WOOD (BEDFORDSHIRE) (TL 100 400)
I arrived at Chicksands Wood shortly after 1400 hours, at the same time as Letchworth butterfly fan Dave Blofield. It was more Crossbills than butterflies that I had driven all the way over for, but despite walking all round, drew yet another blank on the former - my 8th dip now. Dave and I walked the main drove SW from the parking space (at TL 106 411) and soon came upon a stunningly confiding female PURPLE EMPEROR on the main track, just 30 yards along from the Obelisk (at TL 104 406). She was in immaculate condition and sat on the track just yards from us for 12 minutes before flying off and into the wood. Dave got some nice photographs. A second individual, this time a male, was seen 400 yards further on, along a track off to the left after a further 75 yards. This was in flight and highly mobile.
Just 1 WHITE ADMIRAL was seen along the main drove, and 3 different SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARIES, along with 9 Commas, 2 Red Admiral, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, 15 Marbled Whites, large numbers of Ringlets, Meadow Brown, 40+ Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Small Skipper and in the usual bramble scrub adjacent to the Henry John Robert Osborn monument at TL 097 395, 4 well-showing WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAKS - my first of the year.
In the heat of the mid-afternoon, birdlife was scant, frustratingly Common Crossbills. No sign of any Spotted Flycatchers either, but Common Buzzard with food and Jay - as well as Southern Hawker and Ruddy Darter.
As MJP proclaimed only yesterday, the two vast Poppy fields at TL 104 441 are resplendent and well worth photographinge (just west of the parking spot on the Haynes Church End road).
ROOKERY PIT SOUTH, STEWARTBY (BEDFORDSHIRE)
(1600-1645 hours)
Two WOOD SANDPIPERS in our region in the first few days of July is very unusual and early so despite missing yesterday's College Lake bird, I was more than pleased to make up for it by seeing the Rookery adult, now present for its third day. It was feeding along the edge of the closest island on the right hand side of the complex viewing from the Jackdaw Bridge side. Newly arrived were two spanking adult summer-plumaged ICELANDIC BLACK-TAILED GODWITS.
Otherwise 52 Lapwings (flock of post-breeding adults and at least 9 juveniles wandering about), an adult Oystercatcher, several Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Common Redshank and a Little Egret. Also female Northern Pochard with single young, female Red-crested Pochard with single young and both Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe with young; one pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets and at least 17 juvenile Black-headed Gulls within the colony. Grisly was watching an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (one of the nesting pair) attack and kill a baby Moorhen and later devour it.
Both Western Reed Warblers and Common Whitethroats were feeding fledged young.
SHARPENHOE CLAPPERS (BEDFORDSHIRE)
Although late in the day and fairly overcast, it was still very warm and in the wild flower-rich meadow immediately north and adjacent to the car park was highly productive for butterflies. No less than 10 DARK GREEN FRITILLARIES were seen (mainly nectaring on the purple flowering heads), 20 or more Marbled Whites, several Commas, both Small and Large Skippers and my first PAINTED LADY of the year. One further DARK GREEN FRITILLARY was seen in the usual meadow with the wooden bench 250 yards down along the footpath.
SPRINGFIELD FARM QUARRY (SOUTH BUCKS)
Thanks to Peter Stevens, I was able to locate the rest of the COMMON SHELDUCK family this evening - all 13 birds (including 11 surviving juveniles) on the largest of the three pools to the NE of the quarry buildings and offices just beyond the tall pines (see map). This is a record family gathering in my Recording Area and replicates an identikit family group that Chris Heard observed at Queen Mother Reservoir in Berkshire this evening. Interestingly, both family parties were accompanied by the fathers - at one time all of the males flying off to moult in Holland post-breeding.
Also tonight, the wader pools held 3 adult GREEN SANDPIPERS and an adult LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, whilst the female Lapwing with her two chicks was joined by 32 post-breeding adults of the species.
Further breeding success came from the isolated Oak-nesting Common Kestrel family - 3 juveniles fledging today - with Pied Wagtails feeding young at the cement complex and 11 Skylarks being seen on the meadow. The 63 Common Starlings roosted again in the row of tall pines.
Another glorious day weatherwise, with long sunny periods, warm temperatures and no wind. Having been busy all weekend, I took advantage of the sunshine to do some butterflying - and in particular, for searching for PURPLE EMPERORS, my favourite British butterfly. I was not disappointed...........Avian highlights included a few returning waders, including a WOOD SANDPIPER....
TRING TOWN (HERTFORDSHIRE)
In Wingrave Road, I came across a breeding colony of Common Swifts - some 8 adults entering a hole in the guttering at number 8, alomost opposite The Pheasant public house.
COLLEGE LAKE BBOWT (BUCKS)
There was no sign of yesterday's adult Wood Sandpiper, seen by both Paul Reed and David Bilcock. In fact, there were much fewer waders present than of late, with no sign of the family party of 4 Oystercatchers.
A quick inventory check revealed the presence of 3 Mute Swans (the pair with just one surviving cygnet still), 1 Greylag Goose, 113 Atlantic Canada Geese, 1 female Common Teal, 11 Tufted Duck, two family groups of Moorhen (1 with 5 chicks and another with 3 chicks), 4 Common Redshank, 15 Lapwing (including 9 young of varying ages), 4 Little Ringed Plovers (2 pairs), 1 Black-headed Gull, 14 Common Terns and several Western Reed Warblers.
AYLESBURY COUNCIL OFFICES (BUCKS)
Once again, absolutely no sign of either adult Peregrine in the nest chamber or anywhere else on the building.
CALVERT AREA AND ENVIRONS (BUCKS)
In an extensive search of the area and nearby sites, no sign of Richard Birch's pair of European Turtle Doves from last Friday. Warren Claydon also failed during a search over the weekend. If my bad luck continues throughout July, 2011 could go down as my first year with a complete blank on this species within the county - a sad show indeed and representative of the stark decline and situation this once common farmland species is really in.
FINEMERE WOOD, NEAR QUAINTON (BUCKS) (SP 721 216)
By mid morning, the sun was radiating heat and the temperature had risen to nearly 70 degrees F - it was time to visit Finemere. I met up with local butterfly expert Steve Croxford and nature photographer Martin Parr and enjoyed an excellent hour or so of butterfly entertainment along the main drove up to 140 yards beyond the private parking area. The stars of course were the PURPLE EMPERORS - up to 7 on the wing today. Martin cheated a little bit - by relocating a major food source on to the track inside the wood - and within a short time indeed attracting two somewhat worn-winged males down (perhaps individuals attacked by birds). The views were spectacular - down to a few feet - allowing Martin to take over 250 photographs. They remained at the food source for at least an hour, with different more mobile individuals (including a single female) being seen flitting high in the Oak canopies and along the ride.
A WHITE ADMIRAL was also seen, as well as 5 SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARIES, along with 2 PURPLE HAIRSTREAKS, 7 MARBLED WHITES, large numbers of Ringlets, Large White, Green-veined White, Small White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper (40+), Small Skipper, Comma (3), Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell.
Avian highlights included no less than 8 BULLFINCHES (two single pairs and then two pairs together - all 'budding'), 2+ MARSH TITS, Common Buzzard carrying prey, Common Chiffchaffs, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, male Yellowhammer, Blackcap, Nuthatch and a large mixed flock of Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great Tit.
(Note: Finemere Wood is a premier site for Purple Emperor in Buckinghamshire but this year has been eclipsed by Rushbeds Wood BBOWT, Brill, where up to 15 have been showing daily)
ASTON ABBOTTS (BUCKS)
Sadly, another dead Badger - this time on the A418 north of Wingrave Cross Roads at cSP 860 203.
KING'S WOOD, HEATH AND REACH (BEDFORDSHIRE) (SP 930 300)
Another prime butterfly wood and again very productive today. Along one of the side rides was one mobile male pristine-conditioned and presumably newly-emerged PURPLE EMPEROR, no less than 9 SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARIES and 3 WHITE ADMIRALS, along with good numbers of many of the commoner butterflies.
CHICKSANDS WOOD (BEDFORDSHIRE) (TL 100 400)
I arrived at Chicksands Wood shortly after 1400 hours, at the same time as Letchworth butterfly fan Dave Blofield. It was more Crossbills than butterflies that I had driven all the way over for, but despite walking all round, drew yet another blank on the former - my 8th dip now. Dave and I walked the main drove SW from the parking space (at TL 106 411) and soon came upon a stunningly confiding female PURPLE EMPEROR on the main track, just 30 yards along from the Obelisk (at TL 104 406). She was in immaculate condition and sat on the track just yards from us for 12 minutes before flying off and into the wood. Dave got some nice photographs. A second individual, this time a male, was seen 400 yards further on, along a track off to the left after a further 75 yards. This was in flight and highly mobile.
Just 1 WHITE ADMIRAL was seen along the main drove, and 3 different SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARIES, along with 9 Commas, 2 Red Admiral, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, 15 Marbled Whites, large numbers of Ringlets, Meadow Brown, 40+ Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Small Skipper and in the usual bramble scrub adjacent to the Henry John Robert Osborn monument at TL 097 395, 4 well-showing WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAKS - my first of the year.
In the heat of the mid-afternoon, birdlife was scant, frustratingly Common Crossbills. No sign of any Spotted Flycatchers either, but Common Buzzard with food and Jay - as well as Southern Hawker and Ruddy Darter.
As MJP proclaimed only yesterday, the two vast Poppy fields at TL 104 441 are resplendent and well worth photographinge (just west of the parking spot on the Haynes Church End road).
ROOKERY PIT SOUTH, STEWARTBY (BEDFORDSHIRE)
(1600-1645 hours)
Two WOOD SANDPIPERS in our region in the first few days of July is very unusual and early so despite missing yesterday's College Lake bird, I was more than pleased to make up for it by seeing the Rookery adult, now present for its third day. It was feeding along the edge of the closest island on the right hand side of the complex viewing from the Jackdaw Bridge side. Newly arrived were two spanking adult summer-plumaged ICELANDIC BLACK-TAILED GODWITS.
Otherwise 52 Lapwings (flock of post-breeding adults and at least 9 juveniles wandering about), an adult Oystercatcher, several Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Common Redshank and a Little Egret. Also female Northern Pochard with single young, female Red-crested Pochard with single young and both Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe with young; one pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets and at least 17 juvenile Black-headed Gulls within the colony. Grisly was watching an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (one of the nesting pair) attack and kill a baby Moorhen and later devour it.
Both Western Reed Warblers and Common Whitethroats were feeding fledged young.
SHARPENHOE CLAPPERS (BEDFORDSHIRE)
Although late in the day and fairly overcast, it was still very warm and in the wild flower-rich meadow immediately north and adjacent to the car park was highly productive for butterflies. No less than 10 DARK GREEN FRITILLARIES were seen (mainly nectaring on the purple flowering heads), 20 or more Marbled Whites, several Commas, both Small and Large Skippers and my first PAINTED LADY of the year. One further DARK GREEN FRITILLARY was seen in the usual meadow with the wooden bench 250 yards down along the footpath.
SPRINGFIELD FARM QUARRY (SOUTH BUCKS)
Thanks to Peter Stevens, I was able to locate the rest of the COMMON SHELDUCK family this evening - all 13 birds (including 11 surviving juveniles) on the largest of the three pools to the NE of the quarry buildings and offices just beyond the tall pines (see map). This is a record family gathering in my Recording Area and replicates an identikit family group that Chris Heard observed at Queen Mother Reservoir in Berkshire this evening. Interestingly, both family parties were accompanied by the fathers - at one time all of the males flying off to moult in Holland post-breeding.
Also tonight, the wader pools held 3 adult GREEN SANDPIPERS and an adult LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, whilst the female Lapwing with her two chicks was joined by 32 post-breeding adults of the species.
Further breeding success came from the isolated Oak-nesting Common Kestrel family - 3 juveniles fledging today - with Pied Wagtails feeding young at the cement complex and 11 Skylarks being seen on the meadow. The 63 Common Starlings roosted again in the row of tall pines.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Weekend Snippets
Just a roundup for the weekend. The Beacon Sunday 3 July Several Dark Green Fritillaries found with the help of Francis Buckle and Ian M (see top picture). Also Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Meadow Pipits and female Yellowhammer carrying food.
Wilstone Reservoir on Friday 1 July Some images from around the hide area. A pair of Coot feeding one sole juvenile; one of the 6 Little Egrets showing good head plumes and a Mallard brood of ducklings getting a bit too near a feeding Grey Heron (Sally Douglas Birding)
WOOD SANDPIPER at College Lake today
Image taken of today's adult WOOD SANDPIPER, found by Paul Reed early afternoon. The 4th Wood Sand at College Lake this year! (David Bilcock)
Friday, 1 July 2011
LRP
Some pictures from an early morning trip to Wilstone today.
Highlight for me was a Little Ringed Plover on the bar in front of the hide (see picture). It flew in about 7am and landed in between two large groups of Coots in a space apparently "owned" by the Terns and the Lapwing chicks. The LRP was continually harassed by the Terns and Lapwings both on the ground and in the air. Despite this, the LRP just kept on coming back and was there at 8:15 when I left.
The eight Common Terns were very loud and often flew in with fish in their mouths (see picture), There were also two Shoveler to the left of the hide for a while. There are two pictures - one of a Shoveler and one of close up of its beak showing its filter mechanism (see picture).
Finally, there were 6 Little Egrets moving about quite a lot (see picture of one), feeding in shallow water, but quite skittish.
Michael Nott
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