Cholsey

Sunny spells, 18°, breezy NNE.

A steady day today with a few species noted, including Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Little Grebe and Tufted Duck.

Common Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, several Chiffchaff (with some in song), Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Little Owl, Sparrowhawk, many Linnet and several Yellowhammer.

Swallow and House Martin also in good numbers.

Another Spotted Flycatcher, Lollingdon. Per TW.  

Mammals: Red Fox & Brown Hare.

Dragonflies: Migrant Hawker & Common Darter.

Butterflies: Large White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood & Small Heath.

Greenshank courtesy Alan

Common Redstart

Window strike courtesy Bill Nicholls

Another Greenshank

 Photos courtesy Alan

Bunk Line again

Mainly sunny, 22°, light ENE.

Both along Bunk line again and still relatively quiet.

At least 1 Spotted Flycatcher present, good numbers of Chiffchaff and several Common Whitethroat and Blackcap present.

A good number of Linnet around plus a few Yellowhammer, also 2 Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, a couple of Jay and a Grey Heron.

Again plenty of House Martin (c100) and Swallow (c50) from the Church end to the Winterbrook end.

Mammals: Brown Hare.

Dragonflies: Southern Hawker & Common Darter.

Butterflies: Large White, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell and Small Heath.

Moths: Hummingbird Hawkmoth in both our gardens. It has been a good year for this migrant moth and the possibility of it colonising the UK if current climate conditions prevail over future years.

Spotted Flycatcher courtesy Alan

Southern Hawker courtesy Alan

Bunk Line

Sunny periods, 22°, light E.

Both along the Bunk line this morning and a fair few Warblers around.

Good numbers of Chiffchaff, a single Willow Warbler, several Common Whitethroat and Blackcap. Also a couple of the Chiffchaff in song and a Blackcap in sub-song.

2 Little Owl heard calling to each other and 2 Kestrel present and a Sparrowhawk passed thru.

Also good numbers of Swallow and House Martin around and 2 Swift passed thru with a flock of Swallow. Per RB.

Dragonflies: Southern Hawker.

Butterflies: very few noted, Large White & Common Blue only species seen.

Moths: Hummingbird Hawkmoth in garden again.

Chiffchaff

Cool & Quiet

Sunny, 8-13°, light NNW.

An early morning visit to Lollingdon hill, however somewhat quiet. 5 Common Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a couple of Blackcap, several Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler.

Very little else evident.

Mammals: Brown Hare, Roe Deer and Muntjac Deer.

Butterflies: a few Large White, 3 Speckled Wood and a Meadow Brown.

Common Whitethroat ↕

Willow Warbler

Blackcap

Probable Marsh Harrier

Rain at first then overcast, 19°, light N.

Alan had a call this afternoon from Brian Wyatt to say he had just seen a Harrier flying over Cholsey Hill. Brian did not have bins with him but he said it looked like a Marsh Harrier, so it probably was. Alan went up there shortly after but the bird had probably moved on by then. I was halfway along the Bunk line on foot so could not make it. One that got away.

A video from Richard James today showed a Tit flock passing thru his garden comprising of c100 birds and probably had a few Warblers with them. Quite a sizable flock.

Alan and I both out along the Bunk line again today but at different times. Lots of Yellow Wagtail around today. I guess around 40+, including a flock of 15. Swallow and House Martin flocks still passing thru and a Sand Martin noted. A single Common Whitethroat, a few Blackcap, 10+ Chiffchaff, a Spotted Flycatcher, a good number of Finch (Gold, Green, Chaffinch & Linnet), several Yellowhammer, a Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel and 2-3 Jay.

Mammals: Brown Hare.

Only one butterfly seen today, a Speckled Wood.

Paul & Alan.

Yellow Wagtail courtesy Alan

Cholsey

Sunny spells, 23°, light SSE.

Trekked out early today shortly after sun up and Alan out later in the day.

A large flock of 200+ Geese flew from Cholsey Hill overhead and most disappeared towards the river. Predominantly Canada Geese with c40 Greylag, 30+ Egyptian Geese and surprisingly a Ruddy Shelduck present.

other species of note today: Common Sandpiper, Little Grebe, many Swallow passing thru plus good numbers of House Martin and 2-3 Sand Martin.

Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Wheatear, 20+ Linnet, 10+ Yellowhammer, c10 Yellow Wagtail and 5 Mistle Thrush.

Mammals: Brown Hare & Stoat.

Dragonflies: Southern Hawker & Migrant Hawker.

Butterflies: Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma & Speckled Wood.

Moths: a couple of Hummingbird Hawkmoth (has been a good year for this migrant moth).

Paul & Alan.

Common Sandpiper courtesy Alan

Common Whitethroat

Hummingbird Hawkmoth courtesy Alan

Chiffchaff

Pied Fly still present

Sunny periods, 24°, light SW.

Just a quick visit along the Bunk line again today with both the Pied Flycatcher and Common Redstart still present. (seen by Alan & Michael earlier).

Also a good number of Swallow, House Martin and Yellow Wagtail present nearby.

Pied Flycatcher

Mainly cloudy, 21°, moderate SSE.

Pretty quiet on Lollingdon hill this morning with just a Common Redstart, a Kestrel and a few small flocks of Swallow moving thru when I got a call from Alan to say he had just found a Pied Flycatcher along the Bunk line.

Trekked all the way back and met Alan in the area where it was recently seen, only to find it had flown across the field to the hedgerow on the other side of the field. A quick scan picked it up just briefly before it disappeared again. After around 30 minutes Alan decided to check closer to CSW and I stayed put hoping it would turn up again.

After around 10 minutes Alan phoned to say he had just found a Common Redstart along the hedgerow. Shortly after that the Pied Flycatcher appeared back on its original area, so I waved Alan back and we managed to watch and photograph the bird for the next hour of so. Tony Williams also arrived on scene as it was his first for Cholsey and only the 3rd record in recent times for the parish.

Other birds present were loads of Swallow (20+), a few House Martin feeding over the cows and 10+ Yellow Wagtail, plus Jay, Grey Heron and Common Whitethroat.

Mammals: Brown Hare.

Butterflies: Large White, Small White, Comma, Speckled Wood & Meadow Brown.

Pied Flycatcher courtesy Alan

Pied Flycatcher

                                    Pied Flycatcher

                                      Pied Flycatcher

                                     Pied Flycatcher

                                      Pied Flycatcher

Muntjac in garden

Pied Flycatcher courtesy Alan

Out & About

Sunny spells, 23°, breezy SW.

Both Alan and myself out today around and about the parish.

c100 Canada Geese flew from the west and continued towards the river, 4 Egyptian Geese, a Little Grebe, a flyby Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Common Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 20+ Lesser Blackback Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 3-4 Tufted Duck, Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, 100+ House Martin, 60+ Swallow, 2 Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, 4 Wheatear, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail plus the regulars.

Mammals: Red Fox.

Dragonflies: Common Blue Damselfly, Southern Hawker & Common Darter.

Butterflies: very low numbers, Large White, Small White. Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown & Small Heath.

Paul & Alan.

Wheatear courtesy Alan

Southern Hawker

Hummer

Cloudy and muggy at first, then brightening. 20°, light E veering SW.

A Hummingbird Hawkmoth turned up in our garden today. These continental migrants seem to have arrived in some numbers this year. A fascinating moth to watch as it flits from flower to flower feeding on nectar, and beating its wings at around 80 beats per second. Very difficult to get a photo as they are always on the move………..at speed.

Lollingdon, the last few days with Alan visiting yesterday and myself today.

Pretty busy around the hill and adjacent farmland.

1 pos 2 Common Redstart on the hill, a family of Spotted Flycatcher, 2-3 Yellow Wagtail, a Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 10+ Chiffchaff, 10+ Yellowhammer, 3 Reed Bunting, a flock of 32 Mistle Thrush (largest flock I think I have seen), a Sparrowhawk, a Little Owl, a few flocks of Swallow and the usual Corvids and BOP’s.

Local House Martins still present Church road area but no sign of Swifts for a few days now.

Another Common Redstart along the Bunk line near the Millennium Wood and 2 Raven, Little Lollingdon.

Mammals: Brown Hare and Muntjac Deer.

As it was early today only 1 Large White butterfly.

a few of the Hummer.

Spotted Flycatcher courtesy Alan

Cooler?

Sunny at first then clouding up, 28°, light WSW.

Lollingdon Hill quite busy today at least 12 Red Kite and up to 4 Buzzard overhead and a flock of c 80 Corvids. Mainly Rook with c20 Jackdaw and 4 Raven put in an appearance.

Singles of Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat and 2 Blackcap.

Nearby, 2 Little Owl calling and several Yellow Wagtail, plus the usual Yellowhammer and Linnet.

Alan covered the Bunk and River: Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail and Yellowhammer.

Mammals: Brown Hare.

Dragonflies: Willow Emerald Damselfly, Common Emerald Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Emperor, Ruddy Darter & Common Darter.

Butterflies: Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper & Meadow Brown.

Arachnids: Wasp Spider.

Yellow Wagtail

Brown Hare ↕

Migrant Hawker courtesy Alan

Yellow Wagtail

Wasp Spider with Red-eyed Damsel as prey courtesy Alan

Common Emerald courtesy Alan

Another warm one

Sunny, 28°+, light NNW.

Alan out at Lollingdon and a few other spots: Spotted Flycatcher, Common Redstart (m), Yellow Wagtail, Raven, Sparrowhawk and Little Owl.

Dragonflies: Emerald Damselfly.

Butterflies: Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Peacock.

Moths: Hummingbird Hawkmoth frequenting Alan’s garden recently.

Insects: Wasp Spider.

Emerald Damselfly courtesy Alan

Wasp Spider courtesy Alan

Spot Flys

Sunny, 25°, light N.

Alan managed to find a family group of Spotted Flycatcher today. The first ones of the year.

All pics courtesy Alan

Cholsey

Mainly sunny, 20°, breezy NW.

Lollingdon somewhat quieter today. A male Common Redstart still present and a few Common Whitethroat and Chiffchaff.

100+ Rook and Jackdaw feeding on the hill and 60+ Swallow with some moving overhead and others resting up on wires.

Nearby 2 Little Owl and several Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer and Linnet.

Alan covered the River/Marsh and Bunk line: Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Yellow Wagtail, Sparrowhawk plus other regulars.

Mammals: Brown Hare & Red Fox.

Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Emperor and Common Darter.

Butterflies: Numbers still low, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper & Meadow Brown.

Little Owls

Swallows

Red Fox courtesy Alan

Common Redstart courtesy Alan