An early evening walk along the Ash and then back to the Ford for a walk up to Millennium Wood. 2 new species for the lists. The first came in the shape of a migratory adult common gull heading south; the second a brown hawker dragonfly witnessed along the dry Ash towards South Cottages. Neither offering photo opportunities of note.
Swallows were heading south over the polo fields as I entered M. Wood. Little on offer here apart from singing chiffchaff and a mixed flock of corvids, some 200 strong towards Bury Green. However, a photo call for a newly emerged comma butterfly, depicted here. The white marking on the hind wing giving the insect its name. Also, easily identifiable by its ragged wing pattern. A common butterfly for this region, nevertheless a pleasing insect to observe.
Definite signs of Autumn as far as the bird world goes. They tend not to have a summer, but complete their breeding, moult and the head south if they are migratory. The gulls, however, tend to move to autumn roosts as soon as the young are fledged, leaving them at the breeding grounds to follow on later in the year. Locally, with black tailed godwits arriving in a field in Sawbridgeworth from Iceland, it won't belong before the dirth of birds is over and several new species can be searched for. Top of the list will be the upland breeding wheatear, which should be seen at high areas locally, such as Ash Valley G.C. as well as the fields around Allens Green and Trim's Green.
Also of interest was the unusual sight of a first year grey heron alighting onthe chapel roof at the bottom of the garden. The local jackdaws and collared doves were most irritated by its presence and saw it off before I could reach for the camera.
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