Friday 22 April 2011

Misc Bugs

Thursday 21 April 2011
Three species of Ladybird identified at Ewelme, 14 spot and 24 spot as well as numerous 7 spots.

Also loads of Nursery Web Spiders sitting on nettle leaves - can't they move quickly?
and to finish off, a Small Yellow Underwing moth nectaring on flowers in the wild flower meadow.  First of this species I have recorded at the Watercress beds.



Tuesday 19 April 2011

Eggs

Tuesday 19 April 2011
Watched a Brimstone laying eggs on the Purging Buckthorn this morning and managed a pic after she had left but what laid the egg picture in the second photo?

Monday 18 April 2011

April WeBS count at Dorchester

Monday 18 April 2011
Numbers of water birds have dropped off considerably in the last month but a total of 556 individuals of 18 species is probably close to average.  Highlights were two Little Ringed Plovers, three Common Terns and a Wheatear.  An Oystercatcher flew over my head making a racket and a pair of Egyption Geese were shepherding young - no idea how many as they were in and out of the reeds but "lots".

Thursday 14 April 2011

Flowers at Ewelme

Thursday 14 April 2011
Not much of note on the bird or insect front on this cool overcast day but a couple of nice flowers in the wil flower meadow - Forget-me-not and Primrose.

Wednesday 13 April 2011

River walk

Wednesday 13 April 2011
While waiting for the car to be fixed I walked along the bank of the Thames from Wallingford towards Cholsey.  Very quiet with a Chiff Chaff and a couple of Blackcaps braving the cooler temperatures to give quick bursts of song and a Sedge Warbler giving forth from the depths of Blackthorn blossom - it did briefly pop its head out to take a look at me.  The only other surprise was a Gadwall in close company with a Mallard - don't think I want to go down those thoughts!

Sunday 10 April 2011

Insects and ducklings

Sunday 10 April 2011
At least three families of Mallard ducklings on the beds.  This little lot don't seem to have mastered the little weirs as yet!
My first sighting on the Watercress beds LNR of Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White and Small White.
and the final interesting sighting of the day, found whilst tidying the garden, was a Bryony ladybird.

Wednesday 6 April 2011

1st butterfly transect at Ewelme

Wednesday 6 April 2011
Only 11 individuals but 6 species - Brimstone, Large White (2), Orange Tip, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell (5) and Peacock.  A garden along St. Helen's Crescent played host to 18 Waxwings but they were either flighty or I was otherwise engaged so managed to miss them - perhaps tomorrow?

Tuesday 5 April 2011

Sewage Works

Tuesday 5 April 2011
Managed to find half an hour for a brief visit to Preston Crowmarsh Sewage works this morning.  Delighted to catch up with Swallow (about 5 or 6), a single House Martin and a singing Willow Warbler.  In a nearby field a couple of Lapwings which seem settled.

Monday 4 April 2011

Brambling

Monday 4 April 2011
Still little to report but a pair of Brambling on the feeders in the garden at lunch time.  Although I have seen both seperately before this is the first time I have seen them together in the garden.