Long wander 27.08.08

A morning walk along the Ridge footpath to Bush Wood and on to Winding Hill before crossing the River Ash and heading up the footpath that runs parallel to the 1st and 2nd fairways of the golf course. This path leads to Caley Wood and hence on to the rest of the golf course and finally back to the Ford. A reasonable selection of regular birds were about, with over 200 swallows and martins, mainly house but with a few sands, all migrating south along the Ash valley. Also, large numbers of starlings (75+) were congregating on wires along New Road and over 200 jackdaws, rooks and crows were foraging on the recently cropped fields. In with these was the leucistic jackdaw, which appears to be accepted by the others, but not the magpies who invariably chase it endlessly.
Also seen were yellowhammers, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker and a lone lesser black backed gull was noted on a ploughed field. A kestrel hovered over the golf course as a family party of 4 pied wagtails scurried around in the newly mown rough. A solitary moorhen was snapped on the Ash behind Lordship farmhouse.
Insects were observed in good numbers. Butterflies seen were meadow brown (12), small skipper (2), small white (26+), speckled wood (6) large white (2), green veined white (2) and holly blue (2).
7 migrant hawkers were observed, whilst a southern hawker was photographed, shown here. This one was photographed roosting on the hedgerow along the Ridge path. Also along here, a common darter dragonfly was also seen but moved too quickly for a photo.

Photos today show the southern hawker dragonfly, the yellow triangle on the second abdomenal segment being diagnostic of this species. speckled wood butterfly is also depicted along with the moorhen, grey squirrel and a secretive muntjac.

Unusual sighting

A short walk on 25th August gave up the usual suspects in fields to the south of the village. Many swallows and martins, both sand and house, were registered moving south. A chiffchaff called from the hedgerow as my attention was drawn to 2 magpies chasing a similarly sized pale bird. This turned out to be the part albino, leucisitic jackdaw that had been reported to me by a villager who had witnessed it along the Albury Road. Two photos here. It is interesting to wonder if this is a first year bird, having been the result of the totally albino jackdaw mating this year. No recent sightings of the latter. This bird shows colour in the primary feathers. The two birds are shown here for comparison

Camargue Visit

Presently just some photos. Comments to follow but a more detailed report can be read at
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=121440 Click on photos to enlarge.
Photo 1: greater flamingo
Photo 2: grey heron
Photo 3: greater flamingo and black winged stilt
Photo 4: Camargue cheval blanc
Photo 5: Roman amphitheatre, Nimes
Photos 6 and 7 greater flamingos
Photo 8: sacred ibis
Photos 9 and 10: more flamingos
Photos 11 and 12: bee eaters
Photo 13: lesser emperor dragonfly
Photo 14: bee eater tree
Photo 15: cattle egret
Photo 16: short toed eagle
Photo 17: swallows
Photo 18: general view of main lake (Etang les Vaccares)
Photos 19 and 20: cattle egrets.

Golf course wander

A walk across the golf course this afternoon yielded few birds. Small numbers of swallows were recorded over the course and a lesser black backed gull was photographed here as well; a 2nd year bird. Also a chiffchaff called in Alder Woods whilst another was registered in Chapel Lane. Good numbers of house sparrows (50+) were seen having a dust bath in Chapel Lane and large numbers of corvids, mainly jackdaws, were in the newly harvested wheat fields to the south of the village. A green woodpecker was also photographed on the golf course, shown here. Note the use of the tail, where strong feathers help the bird hold the tree trunk.

5 migrant hawker dragonflies were seen and a few large whites and peacocks, with 1 speckled wood, shown here. I managed to get a quick snap shot of a muntjac as it crossed the path near Chapel Lane, but all in all, very quiet.

new species, 15.08.08

An early start this morning found me on the Ridge path, heading south towards Bush Wood and Winding Hill. All the usual suspects showed, with early highlights being a cormorant heading up the Ash Valley and common whitethroats and yellowhammers calling from the hedgerows. However, whilst observing a large party of long tailed tits I was drawn to a small warbler, which at first I presumed to be a chiffchaff or willow warbler. After finding it in my binoculars it became immediately apparent that it was a wood warbler, a much less common species and one that is probably migrating south each day. It moved continually, not permitting any worthwhile photos. The yellow eye stripe (supercillium) was diagnostic and its wings showed hints of a lime green/yellow. A first for me in the area and 1st new species since mid July.

Upon arriving at Bush Wood 2 fox cubs showed on the path, startling 4 jays from the oak tree. A quick snap shot was taken before they dived into the hedge. Shortly after a hobby flew low over the bean field, calling as it headed south. Only my 3rd record of this superb bird of prey this year and another sign of migration.

Over the golf course a common buzzard was heard "mewing" and a great black backed gull glided north west. Most noticeable was the lack of any swifts, swallows or martins.

2 migrant hawkers were observed along with 25+ meadow browns, 2 peacocks, 5 large whites 15+ small whites, 1 comma, 1 red admiral, 1 small skipper and 2 common blues. A most successful wander.

Today's photos show the splendidly inquisitive fox cubs along with a female yellowhammer. 2 views of a common blue, showing both the underwings and fore wings and finally a chance snap of a green woodpecker flying past on the golf course. Looks rather odd with its wings folded completely back. This flight pattern gives the bird its tell tale dipping flight.

Garden butterflies

An hour in the sunny conditions this morning enabled me to snap the visitors to the buddliea bush in the garden. Click on the photos to enlarge. The top photo depicts either a female or juvenile kestrel. The first butterfly shown is a large white, the scourge of gardens if you're growing brassicas or nasturtiums, where the female lays the eggs on the plant and the green and yellow caterpillar hatch with voracious appetites, devouring whole cabbages, sometimes in a day. The second shows a red admiral, a migrant butterfly that arrives here in April/May from the continent and then lays eggs that hatch in the second emergence, around the beginning of August. Some of the later hatching eggs will hibernate over winter and emerge to lay eggs in April time. The 3rd is the unmistakable peacock whilst the 4th is the common small white. Finally, a very old and faded example of a comma, showing the wear and tear from a month or so on the wing. Probable causes of the damage will be territorial fights with other butterflies and also pecks from birds

Also of note this evening, 6 sand martins flew over the chapel, heading south.

Wet walk 13.08.08

An afternoon wander across the golf course and back alng the River Ash in squally conditions didn't offer much of note. Black Headed gulls (23) were loafing around on the now ploughed rape fields adjacent to the golf course and a grey heron flew north east. Also, 2 lesser black backed gulls headed west. 3 swallows and 1 swift headed south, probably on migration. I have noted a marked decrease in the swifts around the village this week, the wet weather telling them it is time to move. Over the next few weeks there should be good numbers of swallows and martins overhead, all moving south.

A Migrant hawker dragonfly was observed along the Ash, but the conditions deterred most butterflies from flying. A comma, large white, speckled wood and several meadow browns were noted. However, the garden buddliea continues to attract red admiral and peacocks. Also, having filled the garden feeders, there has been the return of great, blue and coal tits to the garden.

Photographs show the fruit of the bittersweet plant. Looks very enticing but is poisonous!

French trip

Just returned from a trip to North Eastern France, Lac Du Der. The lake is a man made lake, with a massive 77km shoreline. It is of international importance for migating common crane that over winter around the lake, as well as white tailed eagles, ospreys and waterfowl. Although quiet at present, and with a very limited time for birding, I still managed 66 species for the trip. Need to make another visit during September/October time to se the environs in their full glory. For those interested a more detailed reprt can be viewed at http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=120531

Photographs attached depict the black redstart, an uncommon breeding bird in the UK but a regular sight on the continent. Another 2 photos of this bird are shown, one feeding a juvenile whilst the other sits under a tree. In fact the German name for this bird is house redstart. The bird on the water in a first year great crested grebe, still showing its juvenile striped neck plumage. The silhouette of the bird of prey is a black kite, again an uncommon visitor to these shores. However, 5 recently escaped from the aviary at London Zoo, so they may breed and become more common in the south east. Presently, no reports of black kites in the home counties are being treated as anything other than these escapees. The dragonfly is a ruddy darter and the small wading bird a common sandpiper. The other 2 snaps show views of the lake and its surrounds.