Cholsey Wildlife: Birds, Butterflies and boring weather

Thursday, 24 July 2014

Birds, Butterflies and boring weather

Sunny, 28º, light E..............getting bored with the weather!

Another warm sunny day and a walk around the hill.

At least 2 Common Redstart present and possibly a 3^rd in the hedgerow that leads off south, becoming increasingly difficult to find. 6 Chiffchaff feeding in the Hawthorns along the south face, a Willow Warbler in the NW corner, 8 House Sparrow, 10+ Linnet, 2 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 5 Yellowhammer, several Corn Bunting in the fields along with at least 6 Yellow Wagtail.

The House Sparrows and Greenfinch are not regulars on the hill, maybe the abundance of grass seed and the ripening cereal crops have attracted them?

A flock of 10+ Swift flew over south and 2 flocks of 5 Swallow each flew south east, 2 Kestrel still hunting insects on the hill.

At least 2 Spotted Flycatcher on the north side and 3 Hobby vocally very agitated and engaging in some high altitude aerial combat with Red Kites (4) and Buzzards (2) overhead.

A couple of Brown Hawker and a Blue Emperor dragonfly, 16 butterfly species: Large White, Small White, 2 Brimstone, 3 Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, 1 Common Blue, 2 Holly Blue, Peacock, 3 Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Wood, Small Skipper and 1 Large Skipper.