The highlight of today has to be the discovery of 4-5 Willow Emerald Damselfly at Cholsey Meadows by Alan.
The first time this species has been recorded in Cholsey.
“Just a decade ago, the Willow Emerald Damselfly had only been reliably recorded in the UK on 2 occasions, in 1979 and 1992. A single individual was then recorded in south east Suffolk during 2007, followed in 2009 by a sudden boom of 400 records of the species from this same general area (SE Suffolk/NE Essex). Since this time, the Willow Emerald has spread rapidly across the south-east of England, gaining footholds in new counties on a yearly basis.”
Info courtesy British Dragonfly Soc.
Congrats to Alan for finding these!
A complete waste of time with my visit to Lollingdon Hill today with a farm hand and tractor cutting down everything in sight that was growing more than 10cm above ground and then cutting the hedgerow back. WHY at this time of year when there are still so many fruits on the hedgerow plants?
A walk back and continued along the Bunk line that proved more fruitful.
Alan found a Whinchat along the Bunk earlier but not present this afternoon.
A good number of Chiffchaff noted by both Alan and myself today, a few Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat and 20+ Yellow Wagtail.
A trickle of Hirundines still passing thru with 70-80 birds logged today.
Little Owl, Sparrowhawk and Grey Heron also noted.
Mammals: Stoat & Brown Hare.
Dragonflies: Willow Emerald Damselfly, Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker & Common Darter.
Butterflies: Large White, Small White, Common Blue & Speckled Wood.
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