Bird Surveying at RAF Halton

Ivinghoe Car Park

Saw your report re model planes at Ivinghoe. In the past I have got in the car and driven away when they are flying from the car park because a) no birds and b) if you get hit on the head with the point of a plane you could end up in hospital. So I have today written to Ivinghoe Parish Council pointing out the dangers to children, animals and vehicles and suggesting they erect a notice banning flying from that area and using the Beacon. We’ll see what happens.

Bird Survey at RAF Halton 1700-20.30 9 July 13

Airfield & Sewage Works Area contained breeding Com Whitethroat, Pied Wagtail along with the common species. Chiffchaff and Blackcap calling. Two

Com Terns flying over. Swifts were swooping under guttering in the hangers nesting and House Martens feeding young on the house opposite the airfield car park. Disappointed that the Red Kites and Sparrowhawks are no longer nesting in Splash Covert. Green Woodpecker seen and a family party of Long-tailed tits. Flyover Red Kite and Sparrowhawk. 

However, we were amazed at the numbers of butterflies, mostly Small Tortoiseshell in their 100’s, frequenting the uncut margins and sewage works areas which are full of wild flowers. In smaller numbers were Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Comma, Ringlet and Gatekeeper. In singles were Five-Spot Burnet moth, Small Skipper, Common Blue and a red Damselfly

20.30 As we returned to the car park the airfield was quiet and covered with Rooks, Crows and Jackdaws feeding but we were surprised to see interspersed amongst them 39 mainly juvenile Lapwings which I don’t remember seeing there before.

At our last survey on 20 June the Little Owl was near the nest box and 9 Red Kite and a Buzzard were circling overhead.

Kind regards.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Sally Douglas