Wednesday 30 April 2014

And still they come

Wednesday 30 April 2014

Latest count of Bryony ladybirds down the allotment - 44! Two new birds for the Ewelme 2014 list - Skylark and Whitethroat. My first grass snake of the year - a small one swimming in the beds just below the road bridge.

My second damselfly of the year - the second Large Red which visited my conservatory before being potted and safely released in the garden.

Saturday 26 April 2014

Farm bird count

Saturday 26 April 2014

this was the 109th consecutive monthly count of birds round the Preston Crowmarsh farm. 266 individuals of 28 species. Unfortunately the strength of wind probably affected numbers with hardly any singing which is required when the leaves begin to provide cover. Best birds: 3 Buzzard, 6 grey Partridge, 4 Stock Dove, 6 Swallow, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 3 Linnet and 3 Yellowhammer.

Thursday 24 April 2014

Bugs

Thursday 24 April 2014

Not much happening at Ewelme but my patch of fruit bushes held 17 Bryony ladybirds, 2 Seven spots, a Hawthorn Shield Bug and 9 Squash bugs. Better keep it quiet or someone will want to make it into an SSSI!

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Dorchester WeBS Count

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Good set of new birds though little to do with "Wetland". Swallow, House and Sand Martins and an early Swift. Lots of Tufted ducks still around but most of the rest have gone to their breeding quarters. A pair of Egyptian Geese with 5 goslings. No Common Terns as yet but a single Oystercatcher seen.


Sunday 20 April 2014

Record count for Ewelme

Sunday 20 April 2014

Nothing special but a total of 33 species seen during a stroll round The Watercress beds this morning. 3 swallows seem to have taken up residence locally. The Chiffchaff was remarkable by its absence - hopefully it has gone quiet because it is otherwise occupied, nesting. Both woodpeckers and Long-tailed Tit noted after several weeks absence.

Friday 18 April 2014

Sunday 13 April 2014

Thrush

Sunday 13 April 2014

Great to see a family of Song Thrushes recently fledged.


Friday 11 April 2014

First Blue

Friday 11 April 2014

A Holly Blue to accompany the 7 Brimstones, 7 Orange Tips, 7 Small Tortoiseshells and 6 Peacocks on the Ewelme Watercress Beds today.

Thursday 10 April 2014

First white

Wednesday 9 April 2014

The first White butterfly of the year (if you discount Brimstone and Orange Tip) a small White!

Friday 4 April 2014

1st Swallow

Friday 4 April 2014

Just the one seen over the watercress beds while entertaining local children with paper raft races.

Thursday 3 April 2014

Species number 50 for Ewelme, 2014

Thursday 3 April 2014

A flighty Yellowhammer near the Road Bridge. Not a common bird on the reserve.

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Butterfly transect

Tuesday 1 April 2014

First transect survey of the season at Ewelme Watercress Beds LNR: 14 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock and 1 each of Brimstone (male) and Orange-tip (male).