Photos courtesy Peter Law.
Banded Demoiselle
Crane fly
Froghopper ↕
Mayfly
Monday 31 May 2021
Sunday 30 May 2021
Quiet
Sunny, 18°, light ENE.
Lollingdon yesterday and the Bunk line/Green lane today.
All fairly quiet for the last couple of days with all the regulars present.
A Zebra Finch seen yesterday out at Lollingdon, undoubtedly and escapee from somewhere.
50+ Swift feeding high over the Bunk line today, a Sedge Warbler singing from CSW and a Lesser Whitethroat still mobile and vocal around Green lane.
Mammals: Brown Hare.
Dragonflies: Large Red Damselfly.
Lollingdon yesterday and the Bunk line/Green lane today.
All fairly quiet for the last couple of days with all the regulars present.
A Zebra Finch seen yesterday out at Lollingdon, undoubtedly and escapee from somewhere.
50+ Swift feeding high over the Bunk line today, a Sedge Warbler singing from CSW and a Lesser Whitethroat still mobile and vocal around Green lane.
Mammals: Brown Hare.
Dragonflies: Large Red Damselfly.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Small Copper, Small Blue (per Alan), Holly Blue, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Marsh Fritillary (per Alan), Speckled Wood and Small Heath.
Thursday 27 May 2021
Reed & Sedge
A Sunny day, 18°, light SSW.
A trek out to the Lees and beyond today and Alan covering Bow Bridge to the 4-Arches.
6+ Sedge Warbler and at least 3 Reed Warbler along the “Reedy ditch”. A small colony of “Acro” Warblers doing well in the area.
A good number of Reed Bunting between the Church and the outskirts of Aston and a few Yellowhammer, 4-5 pair of Yellow Wagtail and a single Corn Bunting also noted. And a Hobby soaring over Church road on return.
All the regular suspects along the river.
Mammals: Roe Deer & Muntjac Deer.
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle, Large Red Damselfly (both sites) & Azure Damselfly.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Painted Lady (both sites), Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Marsh Fritillary, Speckled Wood & Small Heath.
A trek out to the Lees and beyond today and Alan covering Bow Bridge to the 4-Arches.
6+ Sedge Warbler and at least 3 Reed Warbler along the “Reedy ditch”. A small colony of “Acro” Warblers doing well in the area.
A good number of Reed Bunting between the Church and the outskirts of Aston and a few Yellowhammer, 4-5 pair of Yellow Wagtail and a single Corn Bunting also noted. And a Hobby soaring over Church road on return.
All the regular suspects along the river.
Mammals: Roe Deer & Muntjac Deer.
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle, Large Red Damselfly (both sites) & Azure Damselfly.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Painted Lady (both sites), Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Marsh Fritillary, Speckled Wood & Small Heath.
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler (not a good pic)
Yellow Wagtail
Sedge Warbler courtesy Alan
Yellowhammer courtesy Alan
Wednesday 26 May 2021
Birds & the rest
Mainly cloudy with some sunny spells, 15°, light NW.
A walk out to Lollingdon hill today proved somewhat fruitless. Nothing much to shout about on the hill, the usual Corn Bunting and Common Whitethroat present but little else.
A hovering Buzzard was a distraction but albeit too briefly before disappearing over the top.
Nothing out of the ordinary on the way back, just the regulars.
However on walking back thru the Brook meadow to Church road when I saw one of the local Red Kite being vigorously pursued by 5 Rook. As they passed over I noticed the Kite had a young Rook gripped in its talons. Presumably it had just taken one from a nest in the Rookery. Last saw them flying off towards West End!
Alan on his usual patch along the river today: Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Chiffchaff to name a few.
Mammals: Stoat & Muntjac Deer.
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle, Azure Damselfly & Large Red Damselfly.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Brown Argus (yesterday per TR), Marsh Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma & Small Heath.
Other Insects: Black Slip Wasp & Nettle Weevil.
A walk out to Lollingdon hill today proved somewhat fruitless. Nothing much to shout about on the hill, the usual Corn Bunting and Common Whitethroat present but little else.
A hovering Buzzard was a distraction but albeit too briefly before disappearing over the top.
Nothing out of the ordinary on the way back, just the regulars.
However on walking back thru the Brook meadow to Church road when I saw one of the local Red Kite being vigorously pursued by 5 Rook. As they passed over I noticed the Kite had a young Rook gripped in its talons. Presumably it had just taken one from a nest in the Rookery. Last saw them flying off towards West End!
Alan on his usual patch along the river today: Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Chiffchaff to name a few.
Mammals: Stoat & Muntjac Deer.
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle, Azure Damselfly & Large Red Damselfly.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Brown Argus (yesterday per TR), Marsh Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma & Small Heath.
Other Insects: Black Slip Wasp & Nettle Weevil.
Black Slip Wasp courtesy Alan (A parasite of Large White Butterfly)
Yellowhammer
Mistle Thrush (youngster)
Chiffchaff courtesy Alan
Lesser Whitethroat courtesy Alan
Nettle Weevil courtesy Alan
Tuesday 25 May 2021
After the Rain
Mainly cloudy with a few sunny spells, 14°, mod W.
First day for a time without rain and a walk out along the Bunk line and Green lane though fairly quiet.
A Lesser Whitethroat still present and singing well and a Sedge Warbler still but not in song and a Kingfisher.
Also Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting.
A Yellow Wagtail overhead plus 20+ Swift and c6 Swallow and an adult Herring Gull.
Alan out yesterday dodging the showers and also out today along the river.
All the usual present.
Mammals: Red Fox.
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle, Azure Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly. Per Alan.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Marsh Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Small Heath and Meadow Brown.
First day for a time without rain and a walk out along the Bunk line and Green lane though fairly quiet.
A Lesser Whitethroat still present and singing well and a Sedge Warbler still but not in song and a Kingfisher.
Also Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting.
A Yellow Wagtail overhead plus 20+ Swift and c6 Swallow and an adult Herring Gull.
Alan out yesterday dodging the showers and also out today along the river.
All the usual present.
Mammals: Red Fox.
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle, Azure Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly. Per Alan.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Marsh Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Small Heath and Meadow Brown.
Red Fox
Little Owl courtesy Alan
Silver Y Moth courtesy Alan
Female and Male Reed Bunting carrying food courtesy Alan
Wednesday 19 May 2021
Bunk Line & River Thames
Sunny periods with rain showers later, 15°, light WNW.
The Bunk line and river covered today with Alan finding some “first for the year” Dragonflies including Club-tailed and a good selection of Butterflies around today.
Firstly, Grundon’s in their wisdom (or not) are building an earth rampart around the gravel pit that blocks the pit from view! Why is this being done? And is there something they do not want us to see?
Bunk line: Relatively quiet, although a Lesser Whitethroat singing quite consistently along Green Lane and several Swift (6-8) overhead ranging over the village. Still negative for House Martin around Church road!
Several Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Yellowhammer, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 6-8 Swallow,
Cholsey Marsh and The Thames: All the usual present including Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti’s Warbler and Tawny Owl to name a few.
Mammals: Red Fox and Brown Hare.
Dragonflies: Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly and Club-tailed Dragonfly.
Butterflies: Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Marsh Fritillary, Small Heath and Speckled Wood.
The Bunk line and river covered today with Alan finding some “first for the year” Dragonflies including Club-tailed and a good selection of Butterflies around today.
Firstly, Grundon’s in their wisdom (or not) are building an earth rampart around the gravel pit that blocks the pit from view! Why is this being done? And is there something they do not want us to see?
Bunk line: Relatively quiet, although a Lesser Whitethroat singing quite consistently along Green Lane and several Swift (6-8) overhead ranging over the village. Still negative for House Martin around Church road!
Several Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Yellowhammer, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 6-8 Swallow,
Cholsey Marsh and The Thames: All the usual present including Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti’s Warbler and Tawny Owl to name a few.
Mammals: Red Fox and Brown Hare.
Dragonflies: Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly and Club-tailed Dragonfly.
Butterflies: Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Marsh Fritillary, Small Heath and Speckled Wood.
Whilst out walking this morning I was thinking I have not seen a Fox for a while. I had this feeling to turn around and when I did I saw this handsome creature looking right back at me. Law of Attraction at work?
Painted Lady
Goldfinch
Club-tailed Dragonfly
Field full of Buttercup
The Rampart
Monday 17 May 2021
April Showers?
Sunshine and showers and the odd Thunderstorm, 14°, light W.
A walk out to Lollingdon via the Lees.
3 pair of Yellow Wagtail between the Church and the Lees plus a Corn Bunting and a couple of Yellowhammer.
The “Long ditch” held approx. 6 Reed Bunting and the “Reedy ditch” 2+ singing Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler.
Lollingdon Hill was quiet with just a few Swallow around, 3 singing Corn Bunting, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
A singing Lesser Whitethroat nearby and another near the West End railway bridge.
Alan between Cholsey Marsh and Bow: Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Kingfisher and Reed Bunting.
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Peacock, Marsh Fritillary, Speckled Wood and Small Heath.
A walk out to Lollingdon via the Lees.
3 pair of Yellow Wagtail between the Church and the Lees plus a Corn Bunting and a couple of Yellowhammer.
The “Long ditch” held approx. 6 Reed Bunting and the “Reedy ditch” 2+ singing Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler.
Lollingdon Hill was quiet with just a few Swallow around, 3 singing Corn Bunting, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
A singing Lesser Whitethroat nearby and another near the West End railway bridge.
Alan between Cholsey Marsh and Bow: Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Kingfisher and Reed Bunting.
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Peacock, Marsh Fritillary, Speckled Wood and Small Heath.
Moths: Small Yellow Underwing.
Photos courtesy Alan
Sunday 16 May 2021
Marsh Frits
Cloudy with a few sunny spells and showers, 13°, light SSW.
The Marsh Fritillaries are out in Cholsey, approx 2 weeks later than last year.
Photos courtesy Alan Dawson.
Saturday 15 May 2021
Those Damn Crows
Cloudy with sunshine and showers, 13°, light SW.
More like Rooks than Crows.
My garden bird feeders are in direct line of sight by the Rooks nesting in the Brook meadow. During this time they frequently cause havoc on the feeders with up to six of them trying to hang on and take the seed. Subsequently all the flapping and squabbling causes the feeders to shake and sway causing the seed to spill which is then hoovered up by the Ducks.
On the plus side we have two active nest boxes with both Blue and Great Tit feeding young.
An afternoon on the allotments with Loren watching at least 6 Swift hawking overhead and a few House Martin passing over. A few Swallow swooping thru and a female Sparrowhawk on the hunt.
Mammals: Muntjac Deer in the Brook Meadow late afternoon.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Holly Blue and Peacock.
More like Rooks than Crows.
My garden bird feeders are in direct line of sight by the Rooks nesting in the Brook meadow. During this time they frequently cause havoc on the feeders with up to six of them trying to hang on and take the seed. Subsequently all the flapping and squabbling causes the feeders to shake and sway causing the seed to spill which is then hoovered up by the Ducks.
On the plus side we have two active nest boxes with both Blue and Great Tit feeding young.
An afternoon on the allotments with Loren watching at least 6 Swift hawking overhead and a few House Martin passing over. A few Swallow swooping thru and a female Sparrowhawk on the hunt.
Mammals: Muntjac Deer in the Brook Meadow late afternoon.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Holly Blue and Peacock.
Rook
Muntjac
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Friday 14 May 2021
A day between the rains
Overcast, 11°, light NNE.
Alan out today along the Marsh to Bow Bridge: a Raven overhead, several Swift and House Martin feeding along the river. A Tawny Owl calling from the opposite side of the river and a pair of Bullfinch noted and a Lesser Whitethroat at Bow plus all the regulars.
A quiet time along the Bunk line/Green lane today. Having said that a Sedge Warbler still singing along Green lane and another close to CSW. A Reed Warbler heard singing from CSW and a Yellow Wagtail overhead.
Nearby a Lesser Whitethroat singing briefly and several Common Whitethroat and Blackcap.
Alan out today along the Marsh to Bow Bridge: a Raven overhead, several Swift and House Martin feeding along the river. A Tawny Owl calling from the opposite side of the river and a pair of Bullfinch noted and a Lesser Whitethroat at Bow plus all the regulars.
A quiet time along the Bunk line/Green lane today. Having said that a Sedge Warbler still singing along Green lane and another close to CSW. A Reed Warbler heard singing from CSW and a Yellow Wagtail overhead.
Nearby a Lesser Whitethroat singing briefly and several Common Whitethroat and Blackcap.
Local Swallow now regularly seen in the area and 4 Swift feeding high over Church road after midday.
Common Whitethroat
Grey Heron courtesy Alan
Wednesday 12 May 2021
Improving
Sunny intervals, 15°, light SSW.
A single Wheatear on Lollingdon Hill today plus a couple of Pied Wagtail. A Yellow Wagtail and 3 (2&1) Raven overhead and up to 3 Corn Bunting in song.
Nearby a singing Lesser Whitethroat and a Spotted Flycatcher that moved off towards Amwell Spring where I lost it.
Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting regular.
A singing Goldcrest, Little Lollingdon.
Good numbers of Swallow around now but still not seeing Swift or House Martin over this end of the village. However Alan still finding them along the river so they may be still feeding up over areas where insects are more abundant.
Alan at Cholsey Marsh to Bow Bridge and Bunk Line:
Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Swift, House Martin, Swallow, Grey Wagtail, STILL NO REGULAR CUCKOO!
Bunk Line: 2 Yellow Wagtail.
Mammals: Brown Hare & Stoat.
Dragonflies: Large Red Damselfly. Per Alan.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Peacock, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell & Speckled Wood.
A single Wheatear on Lollingdon Hill today plus a couple of Pied Wagtail. A Yellow Wagtail and 3 (2&1) Raven overhead and up to 3 Corn Bunting in song.
Nearby a singing Lesser Whitethroat and a Spotted Flycatcher that moved off towards Amwell Spring where I lost it.
Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting regular.
A singing Goldcrest, Little Lollingdon.
Good numbers of Swallow around now but still not seeing Swift or House Martin over this end of the village. However Alan still finding them along the river so they may be still feeding up over areas where insects are more abundant.
Alan at Cholsey Marsh to Bow Bridge and Bunk Line:
Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Swift, House Martin, Swallow, Grey Wagtail, STILL NO REGULAR CUCKOO!
Bunk Line: 2 Yellow Wagtail.
Mammals: Brown Hare & Stoat.
Dragonflies: Large Red Damselfly. Per Alan.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Peacock, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell & Speckled Wood.
Lesser Whitethroat courtesy Alan
Blackcap (f)
Wheatear ↕
Large Red Damselfly courtesy Alan
Holly Blue ↕ courtesy Emily Dawson
Monday 10 May 2021
Sunshine & Showers again
Sunshine and Showers, 14°, breezy SSW.
A day for dodging the rain showers but not being too successful.
A surprise butterfly out at Little Lollingdon was a Painted Lady.
3 Wheatear on Lollingdon Hill, not necessarily the same ones as last week but did not see much else as a heavy shower started.
When the weather cleared a Lesser Whitethroat singing nearby and a light passage of Swift, Swallow and House Martin went thru plus a Hobby.
A couple of Swallow visiting a regular nesting site on Church road.
Alan also had a Painted Lady along Green lane today and birdwise, a Lesser Whitethroat near Bow Bridge and a flock 0f c30 House Martin Caps Lane and a Little Owl nearby.
All the usual stuff on Cholsey Marsh.
Mammals: Brown Hare.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue and Painted Lady.
A day for dodging the rain showers but not being too successful.
A surprise butterfly out at Little Lollingdon was a Painted Lady.
3 Wheatear on Lollingdon Hill, not necessarily the same ones as last week but did not see much else as a heavy shower started.
When the weather cleared a Lesser Whitethroat singing nearby and a light passage of Swift, Swallow and House Martin went thru plus a Hobby.
A couple of Swallow visiting a regular nesting site on Church road.
Alan also had a Painted Lady along Green lane today and birdwise, a Lesser Whitethroat near Bow Bridge and a flock 0f c30 House Martin Caps Lane and a Little Owl nearby.
All the usual stuff on Cholsey Marsh.
Mammals: Brown Hare.
Butterflies: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue and Painted Lady.
Wheatear
Painted Lady
Orange Tip
Painted Lady courtesy Alan.
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