Some of the insects captured yesterday by Alan.
Brown Argus
Small Heath
Azure Damselfly
Common Blue Damselfly
Four-spot Chaser
Showing posts with label Small Heath. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Small Heath. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Monday, 9 May 2022
Cholsey Marsh & a few Swift arrive
Some sunshine, 16°, light S.
An early visit to the Marsh this morning for a dawn chorus. Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler and an assortment of other songsters.
The 3 Geese species, 2 Kingfisher, a Cormorant, several Swallow, a Grey Wagtail, a Kestrel, a Grey Heron plus a few others.
Alan visited a bit later and added a flock of 20+ House Martin.
2 Swift high over Church Road late afternoon and 3 Swift over Cholsey Meadows..
Mammals: Roe Deer & Muntjac Deer.
Dragonflies: Club-tailed Dragonfly & Four-spot Chaser.
Butterflies: none early morning but Alan had a few species later. The first Small Heath of the year found by Alan yesterday.
An early visit to the Marsh this morning for a dawn chorus. Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler and an assortment of other songsters.
The 3 Geese species, 2 Kingfisher, a Cormorant, several Swallow, a Grey Wagtail, a Kestrel, a Grey Heron plus a few others.
Alan visited a bit later and added a flock of 20+ House Martin.
2 Swift high over Church Road late afternoon and 3 Swift over Cholsey Meadows..
Mammals: Roe Deer & Muntjac Deer.
Dragonflies: Club-tailed Dragonfly & Four-spot Chaser.
Butterflies: none early morning but Alan had a few species later. The first Small Heath of the year found by Alan yesterday.
A few photos from the weekend and today.
Greylag Goose with one young
Small Heath courtesy Alan
Garden Warbler courtesy Alan
Grey Wagtail courtesy Alan
Four-spot Chaser courtesy Alan
Great-spot
Blackbird
Orange Tip (M&F) courtesy Alan
Large Red Damselfly courtesy Alan
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
Monday, 1 June 2020
BeauDem
Sunny, 24°, light NE.
Still sunny and warm and apparently the sunniest May ever!
Another Beautiful Demoiselle found by Alan in Cholsey. Previously this species was very rare in Cholsey with only a couple of records to date relating to wandering individuals.
This year up to 5 individuals have been found and have also been seen at sites upriver close to the Thames.
Presumably their range is expanding and it would be interesting to know why!
A walk along the Bunk line today and things seem to be settling down for the summer. A single Blackcap, a couple of Common Whitethroat and Yellowhammer still singing and a single Kestrel hunting.
Both Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker noted and a Mistle Thrush near the Church.
Several Swift, Swallow and House Martin over the Church road area.
A Whinchat seen along the track to the Lees this evening and an adult Black-headed Gull foraging over the Rec and Millennium field. Per RB.
Butterflies: Still few around, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Small Heath.
Still sunny and warm and apparently the sunniest May ever!
Another Beautiful Demoiselle found by Alan in Cholsey. Previously this species was very rare in Cholsey with only a couple of records to date relating to wandering individuals.
This year up to 5 individuals have been found and have also been seen at sites upriver close to the Thames.
Presumably their range is expanding and it would be interesting to know why!
A walk along the Bunk line today and things seem to be settling down for the summer. A single Blackcap, a couple of Common Whitethroat and Yellowhammer still singing and a single Kestrel hunting.
Both Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker noted and a Mistle Thrush near the Church.
Several Swift, Swallow and House Martin over the Church road area.
A Whinchat seen along the track to the Lees this evening and an adult Black-headed Gull foraging over the Rec and Millennium field. Per RB.
Butterflies: Still few around, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Small Heath.
Beautiful Demoiselle (courtesy Alan) ↕
Meadow Brown
Small Heath
Friday, 1 May 2020
Sunshine & Showers
A few sunny spells with a few showers (rain & hail), 13°, moderate W.
A little quieter than Wednesdays walk to Lollingdon but all the usual suspects present.
2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Little Owl and a Kestrel and Sparrowhawk worth a mention.
A few Swallow seen and 8 House Martin overhead near the Church and several Swallow and House Martin over CSW.
A Herring Gull and 8 Lesser Blackback Gull flew overhead near Church road.
Green Woodpecker still quite vocal with 3 heard today.
Alan was on the marsh again today and so was the Cuckoo, along with Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and supporting cast.
Mammals: Brown Hare and Roe Deer.
Dragonflies: Common Clubtail. Per Alan.
Butterflies: none for me today but Alan had Orange Tip, Red Admiral and Small Heath.
A little quieter than Wednesdays walk to Lollingdon but all the usual suspects present.
2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Little Owl and a Kestrel and Sparrowhawk worth a mention.
A few Swallow seen and 8 House Martin overhead near the Church and several Swallow and House Martin over CSW.
A Herring Gull and 8 Lesser Blackback Gull flew overhead near Church road.
Green Woodpecker still quite vocal with 3 heard today.
Alan was on the marsh again today and so was the Cuckoo, along with Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and supporting cast.
Mammals: Brown Hare and Roe Deer.
Dragonflies: Common Clubtail. Per Alan.
Butterflies: none for me today but Alan had Orange Tip, Red Admiral and Small Heath.
Little Owl
Corn Bunting
Small Heath (AD)
Friday, 28 June 2019
A Butterfly day
Another sunny day, 24°, light E.
A walk alongside the Bunk line from Church road to the bypass.
Butterflies were the order of the day with literally hundreds of Meadow Brown on the wing today. They were everywhere.
Another 8 Painted Lady seen with some looking very tatty after a presumably long flight and ageing.
Best one of the day was a single Silver-washed Fritillary seen flying around a large garden before disappearing from view.
Good numbers of Marbled White all along the route.
Other species noted were: Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brimstone (1), Brown Argus (3), Common Blue (8), Red Admiral (6), Small Tortoiseshell (c20), Comma (3), Speckled Wood (2), Ringlet (12) and Small Heath (2).
Some thistles were in flower on the edge of a bean field and these held the majority of Painted Lady, Small Tort and Marbled White.
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle (M&F), Large Red Damselfly and Southern Hawker.
Moths: Cinnabar Moth.
A few birds noted were, 3 Yellowhammer, a single Reed Bunting and 2 Common Whitethroat.
Surprisingly I found 2 Pyramid Orchid growing in one of the conservation strips by the side of one of the fields. Sadly almost devoid of any other flowers.
Maybe farmers should be encouraged to plant wild flowers on these strips?
On the down side there were very few Bees noted…..just a handful!
A walk alongside the Bunk line from Church road to the bypass.
Butterflies were the order of the day with literally hundreds of Meadow Brown on the wing today. They were everywhere.
Another 8 Painted Lady seen with some looking very tatty after a presumably long flight and ageing.
Best one of the day was a single Silver-washed Fritillary seen flying around a large garden before disappearing from view.
Good numbers of Marbled White all along the route.
Other species noted were: Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brimstone (1), Brown Argus (3), Common Blue (8), Red Admiral (6), Small Tortoiseshell (c20), Comma (3), Speckled Wood (2), Ringlet (12) and Small Heath (2).
Some thistles were in flower on the edge of a bean field and these held the majority of Painted Lady, Small Tort and Marbled White.
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle (M&F), Large Red Damselfly and Southern Hawker.
Moths: Cinnabar Moth.
A few birds noted were, 3 Yellowhammer, a single Reed Bunting and 2 Common Whitethroat.
Surprisingly I found 2 Pyramid Orchid growing in one of the conservation strips by the side of one of the fields. Sadly almost devoid of any other flowers.
Maybe farmers should be encouraged to plant wild flowers on these strips?
On the down side there were very few Bees noted…..just a handful!
Painted Lady
Large Skipper
Ringlet
Large Skipper
Painted Lady
Small Tortoiseshell
Small Heath
Meadow Brown & Marbled White
Comma
Banded Demoiselle (M)
Sunday, 16 June 2019
Week end pics
some good wildlife pics from Cholsey this week end. Thanks to Niall, Cathy and Alan for their photos.
Barn Owl (courtesy Niall Hammond)
Pyramid Orchid (courtesy Cathy Block)
Common Frog (courtesy Alan Dawson)
Small Heath (courtesy Alan Dawson)
Mute Swan family (courtesy Alan Dawson)
Friday, 31 August 2018
WWW
A sunny day with light cloud, 20°, light NE veering SE.
A Whinchat and a Wheatear on the hill today along with a Willow Warbler along the hedge.
A couple of Blackcap and several more Chiffchaff off the hill.
A few flocks of Swallow and House Martin overhead, around 100 birds in total.
A couple of Blackcap and several more Chiffchaff off the hill.
A few flocks of Swallow and House Martin overhead, around 100 birds in total.
The Bunting flock still around Little Lollingdon and a few Chiffchaff in the hedgerow nearby.
Mammals: Brown Hare.
Dragonflies: Southern Hawker & Common Darter.
Butterflies: Large White, Small White, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Small Heath.
Mammals: Brown Hare.
Dragonflies: Southern Hawker & Common Darter.
Butterflies: Large White, Small White, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Small Heath.
Whinchat
Wheatear
Chiffchaff
Yellow Dung Fly
Sunday, 5 July 2015
Aston Rowant NNR
Sunny, 22°, light to mod WSW (cloudy later with some rain).
A trip to Aston Rowant NNR this afternoon mainly for butterflies.
The highlight was several Dark Green Fritillary seen speeding around and not easy to find settled and a single Chalk Hill Blue.
Also Meadow Brown and Marbled White were common, others noted were a single Brimstone and Red Admiral a couple of Large White and Small White, several Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Ringlet and Gatekeeper and a single day flying Cinnabar Moth.
A few birds noted: Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Bullfinch.
A Nuthatch present in the garden again this evening.
A trip to Aston Rowant NNR this afternoon mainly for butterflies.
The highlight was several Dark Green Fritillary seen speeding around and not easy to find settled and a single Chalk Hill Blue.
Also Meadow Brown and Marbled White were common, others noted were a single Brimstone and Red Admiral a couple of Large White and Small White, several Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Ringlet and Gatekeeper and a single day flying Cinnabar Moth.
A few birds noted: Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Bullfinch.
A Nuthatch present in the garden again this evening.
Thanks to Loren for most of the pics.
Dark Green Fritillary
Small Heath
Meadow Grasshopper
Pyramid Orchid (of which there were many)
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
Sunshine & Butterflies
Sunny, 32°, light SE.
Warmest day of the year so far and a walk along the Bunk line to Winterbrook to see what butterflies were about.
(hottest July day on record with 36.7° recorded at Heathrow).
Meadow Brown were out in abundance along with good numbers of Marbled White and Ringlet.
Other species noted were: Large Skipper, Small Skipper, 1 Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small Heath.
Dragonflies: Common Blue Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle.
Moth: 6-spot Burnet plus a few other day flying moths that were not identified.
Common Whitethroat and Yellowhammer frequent also Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Swift, Swallow and House Martin regular overhead.
Young of Swallow, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Linnet and Goldfinch seen.
Warmest day of the year so far and a walk along the Bunk line to Winterbrook to see what butterflies were about.
(hottest July day on record with 36.7° recorded at Heathrow).
Meadow Brown were out in abundance along with good numbers of Marbled White and Ringlet.
Other species noted were: Large Skipper, Small Skipper, 1 Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small Heath.
Dragonflies: Common Blue Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle.
Moth: 6-spot Burnet plus a few other day flying moths that were not identified.
Common Whitethroat and Yellowhammer frequent also Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Swift, Swallow and House Martin regular overhead.
Young of Swallow, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Linnet and Goldfinch seen.
Marbled White & Meadow Brown
Large Skipper
Common Blue Damselfly
Ringlet
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