Damsels, Dragons and Butterflies.

Sunny, 24º, light SW, giving way to light rain later and temp dropping to 16º.

Not too much bird activity today, Grasshopper Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat at Cholsey Marsh. 3 Kestrels around and a flyby Black-headed Gull and Cormorant.

A Kingfisher near Bow Bridge and 2 at Cholsey Marsh.

Dragons.

Around 5 Brown Hawkers, 2 Blue (southern) Hawkers, and quite a lot (c20) Common (Blue Damsel) Bluetails and around 12 Banded Demoiselles.

Butterflies.

2 Silver-washed Fritillaries again, plus Meadow Brown, Green-veined, Large and Small Whites, Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Marbled White, Large Skipper, Gatekeeper, Comma and first Painted Lady of the year.

A colony of Pyramid Orchids found, around 30 plants present at this site.

The second House Martins nest at Marymead has fledged with at least 2 young flying.

Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest in the garden today along with the usual visitors and a Blackcap singing, Song Thrush and Great-spotted Woodpecker regularly visiting and a Moorhen briefly, 2 Mistle Thrush in the meadow.
A Red Kite came down in the garden this afternoon briefly, certainly put the Squirrels to flight.
A Kestrel settled on the bird feeding station this evening flushing everything.

                                   Common Bluetail

                                           

A view of the meadow from the garden, Cholsey Brook runs along the right hand side.

Lollingdon

Sunny spells, 18º, light NW.

Getting quiet now bird wise.

A Sparrowhawk seen over the playing field in Cholsey and a Grey Heron seen feeding in the spring at Lollingdon.

Lollingdon Hill was reasonably quiet except for the hundred or so sheep that are grazing there.

3 Corn Buntings singing, several Yellowhammer, a Yellow Wagtail and 2 Mistle Thrush there, a Kestrel hunting over the north side of the hill.

A Tit flock comprising mainly Long-tailed Tits also had 2 juvenile Chiffchaffs with it. Both Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers seen and several (8) Stock Doves.

NO Willow Warblers seen or heard recently, suggests they have all passed through to breed elsewhere. Only place not checked so far is on Cholsey Downs. Maybe the odd pair may be breeding there?

The past few days have been good for butterflies with Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Meadow Brown all seen today.

Only Dragonfly today was a Blue (Southern) Hawker seen in a garden in West End.

A complete lack of Damselflies in the Cholsey area recently, this is also borne out by another observer!

A Kestrel in the meadow this morning feeding on insects.

                                   Ringlet

                                   Gatekeeper

                                   Marbled White

                                   Meadow Brown

                                    Corn Bunting

                                   Long-tailed Tit