Mainly cloudy with lengthy sunny spells, 14°, light SSW.
A frustrating day! Whilst watching some
Common Darter along a flooded margin of a field out at Lollingdon I heard a
Woodlark call and a few seconds later call again.
Scanning the area where the call came from but could not see the bird and I spent the next hour searching for it. However no sign of it but I did flush a
Common Snipe from the field.
I let both Alan and Tony know in case they go out that way soon.
Continuing on to the hill but it was somewhat quiet, a couple of
Mistle Thrush and a
Sparrowhawk and a
Kestrel present.
Back off the hill and another look for the lark. No luck but good numbers of
Fieldfare and
Redwing scattered about. Also 2
Chiffchaff, several
Meadow Pipit,
Pied Wagtail,
Skylark and a
Kingfisher and 20+
Yellowhammer nearby.
3
Raven near the Bullshole and several
Siskin and a
Goldcrest, Millennium Wood.
Alan and Tony out along the river:
Little Grebe,
Kingfisher,
Grey Wagtail,
Mistle Thrush,
Chiffchaff,
Goldcrest,
Meadow Pipit and
Fieldfare and
Redwing.
30+
Golden Plover near Silly Bridge.
Mammals:
Nathusius’s Pipistrelle recorded by Niall today near the Reading road proposed development site. He also has a few previous records from the site which may prove a case for conservation in the area rather than development!
Dragonflies:
Common Darter, 5 pairs egg laying and a few individuals.
Butterflies: B
rimstone (f), along the river and 2
Red Admiral and a
Small Tortoiseshell, Lollingdon.
A few shots of the Common Darters.
Sparrowhawk
Chiffchaff courtesy Alan
Some of the hundred plus flock of Fieldfare.
Chiffchaff
