Thursday 28 April 2011

Cholsey, 28th April

Sunny, 16º, fresh N.

10:00 – 15:30

Followed the railway to Winterbrook, then along the Thames to the 4 Arches, back to Bow Bridge and along Caps Lane to the village.

Railway.

60+ Hirundines feeding over Cholsey sewage farm, mainly House Martins with around 10 Swallows and a Pied Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail nearby.

At least one, possibly 3 pairs of Lapwing breeding. Probably the only ones breeding in the parish these days.

2 pairs of Grey Partridge and 3 Red-legged Partridge. Most Linnets seemed to have paired up but a flock of around 15 seen and 1 Willow Warbler singing near Wallingford Bypass.

Whitethroat, Skylark, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting regular.

Thames.

3 Sparrowhawks in the air at one time, 1 and 2. The was one of the biggest Sparrowhawks I have seen (No, it wasn’t a Gos).

A steady trickle of Swallows moving up river along with 1 House Martin and 2 Sand Martins.

1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling on Cholsey Marsh briefly along with the usual although rather subdued in the early afternoon.

2 Lesser Whitethroats and 1 Garden Warbler heard singing between Bow Bridge and the Marsh.

A Kestrel hunting over the Marsh and a Grey Heron nearby.

65 species seen/heard today.

Mammals.

Only a Fox seen.

Dragonflies.

Another Large Red Damselfly seen and a Banded Demoiselle. 2 Common Clubtails and a single Broad-bodied Chaser.

Butterflies.

Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, both Large and Small Whites, Holly Blue, Comma, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip, 1 Green-veined White and 2 Small Copper.

Lollingdon Hill this evening produced 1 Wheatear, 1 Green Woodpecker + Corn Buntings,  Linnets, Skylarks etc.

                                   Broad-bodied Chaser


No comments:

Post a Comment