Spotted Flycatcher - 30th May 2024

 Today is our last full day in West Sussex, and this morning, we popped across to the National Trust's Petworth House. We arrived a little early for the main house, so we parked up in the Deer Park and had a short walk. 

Within a few minutes, we spotted a new bird for the year; Spotted Flycatcher (177) This was quite unexpected, but a lovely surprise, especially as it was nest building!

Spotted Flycatcher

The last bird to mention, is one that we glimpsed briefly as we were driving. We spotted a long winged, long-tailed bird gliding, and at first thought it might be a Red Kite. We then noticed that the tail, didn't have a fork. Our only other thought was a Honey Buzzard! Unfortunately, we couldn't stop the car, so we didn't get any better views. One that got away!!!!

RSPB Pagham Harbour and Kithurst Hill - 29th May 2024

 Today, Jayne and I visited RSPB Pagham Harbour and Kithurst Hill. The first site was a new reserve for us, where we set out to find some terns. The second site, also a new place to visit, was visited in search of butterflies.

We arrived at Pagham and found out that the tern colony had been badly hit by Bird Flu for the last few years. As a result, there weren't any birds nesting this year! The ranger did say, however, that there still a few birds flying around, so we set off on the on the 1.6 mile walk down to the beach. On the way, we spotted many small birds, including Cettis Warbler, Linnet, and Whitethroats. The tide was out, but we still managed to see a few water birds: Shelduck, Dunlin (c.30), Bar-tailed Godwit (6), Redshank, Mediterranean Gull (2 adults flying over), Black-headed Gull, Little Egret, Sandwich Tern (1 flew over - 174), Whimbrel (2 birds - 175) and Little Tern 3 birds - 176).

Back at the centre, we had a look around the Discovery Area, where a juvenile Tawny Owl was sitting in a tree near the nestbox. We also saw several Broad-bodied Chasers (males and females ovipositing), Common Blue Damselflies (in tandem) and a single male Emperor dragonfly.

Broad-bodied Chaser

After Pagham, we drove across to Kithurst Hill, in search of Duke of Burgundy butterflies. Unfortunately, we seemed to be a little late in the year, but we did spot: Dingy and Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue Butterfly, Small Blue, Cinnabar Moth, Vapourer moth caterpillar, Common Carpet and Common Lizard.

Grizzled Skipper

Dingy Skipper

Common Lizard

Knepp Estate - 27th May 2024

 Today, Jayne and I went to the Knepp Estate, which is a large rewilding scheme, here in Sussex. We went to see the reintroduced White Storks (172), which now breed on the estate, as well as a couple of other key species: Turtle Dove (171) and Nightingale (173).

We walked around the 10km red route, and managed to see the three target birds. The first birds seen were the Turtle Doves. We managed to spot two birds, possibly a pair, sitting in a tree by the first treetop viewpoint, and I got a couple of half decent photos.

Turtle Doves (nearly!)

A bit better!

Shortly after these views, we saw our first White Storks, a distant view of a pair on a nest. We also saw another pair, with two young, and managed to get some photos (taken from a very safe distant and heavily cropped).

White Storks

The third species, Nightingale, wasn't so cooperative, but we did manage to hear at least 2 singing - a fantastic sound.

Whilst walking around the site, we also recorded many other species, including: Whitethroat, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Song Thrush, Wren, Jackdaws, Crows, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue and Great Tit, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Buzzard, Red Kite, Fallow and Red Deer, Grey Squirrel, a vole species, a grasshopper sp, 2 Small Heath butterflies, 2 Mother Shipton moths and a male Beautiful Demoiselle!!

Beautiful Demoiselle

Downy Emerald - Lifer!!

 Jayne and I are down in West Sussex for the week, so we're taking advantage to see  few new species. Yesterday, we visited RHS Wisley, on the way down, and today, we've been to Thursley Common NNR.

RHS Wisley was fantastic, and, with temperatures around 20 degrees, we managed to see a good number of dragonflies, including several new species for the year: Red-eyed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle and Large Red Damselfly. We also spotted a single Edible Frog - which was quite a surprise.

Edible Frog

This morning, we drove across to Thursley Common NNR. The target species was Downy Emerald dragonfly. When we arrived at the Moat Pond, it was cool and overcast, so we didn't spot any straight away. Instead, we had a walk along the boardwalk, where we eventually managed to see a single Common Blue Damselfly, and, when the sun came out, about 5-6 Four-spotted Chasers. We carried on across the reserve, and found several Stonechats (family parties), a single Green Woodpecker, Linnets, Goldfinch, a singing Woodlark, and 3-4 Dartford Warblers (170).

Walking back to the Moat Pool, the sun had come out, and we found our first of c.6 male Downy Emerald dragonflies. They were pretty easy to see, but impossible to photograph, as they never stood still!!!! Anyway, a lovely new addition to the list of dragonfly species seen.

Linacre Nestboxes - 19th May 2024

 Last week's visit to Linacre was very successful, with 43 active nests found. I was back down again yesterday, and am very pleased to say that the nests were still going strong. In addition, I spotted a few butterfly species, including a new one for the year.

First up, the nestboxes. Last week, there were 2 Pied Flycatcher nests, but this week, it had increased to 3! One of last week's nests had increased the number of eggs to 7 (from 5), and the other two contained 5 and 4 eggs. The Wren's nest was still active as was the Coal Tit's. These chicks were old enough to ring (brood of 6) as was the first brood of Blue Tits (6). I'm particularly pleased with Coal Tits, as this is the first time this species has successfully nested in the boxes. As always, the results will be entered into the BTO's Nest Record Scheme.

After checking the boxes, I had a quick check for butterflies, and dropped lucky with 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, 3 Silver Y moths and, best of all, a Painted Lady!

Painted Lady

There weren't many birds on the water (presumably still nesting), but I did record 2 broods (10 and 9) of Mandarin Ducks.

Linacre Update - 11th May 2024

 Yesterday morning I went down to Linacre to carry out this month's WeBS count, and to catch up with the nestboxes.

The WeBS count was, as usual for May, quite quiet, with the following birds recorded: Mallard (46 birds; 32 adults and 14 ducklings - 4 broods of 5, 5, 3 and 1), Tufted Duck (4!), Grey Wagtail (2; 1 male and 1 female), Grey Heron (1), Coot (5 adults), Moorhen (4 adults) and Mandarin Duck (10).

The nestboxes, on the other hand, were much more exciting! I found our first full clutches Pied Flycatcher eggs of the year (2 nests, each containing 5 eggs). Another 2 singing males were also heard away from these boxes, so I'm keeping everything crossed for further nests. The Coal Tit and Wren nests were still going strong, and the first Blue Tit chicks of the year had hatched. In total, we now have 43 active nests on site - a very good year! Other birds recorded around the site were 3 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 singing Garden Warbler.

On Thursday, I was also on site, with Chloe, to ring the adult Mandarin Duck that is nesting on site. This year, we also added a colour ring, so hopefully, we'll get some more sightings of her.

Mandarin Duck "HA"

Last, but by no means least, I also managed to spot a few insects: 2 female Orange Tips, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Helophilus pendulus, 1 Common Carder Bumblebee, 1 Red-tailed Bumblebee and 1 Hairy Shieldbug.

First Dragons and Butterflies

 Last week, Jayne and I went to RSPB Old Moor (see last post). Whilst there we had our first damselflies of 2024. The two species seen were: Large Red and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

Today I went to Pleasley Pit to look at the colony of introduced Small Blue butterflies. There were 6 flying around, and landing on my feet!

Small Blue

My foot (and a Small Blue)

Small Blue

Whilst there, I also saw Large Red (c.5) and Blue-tailed Damselfly (1 male), but, by far the biggest surprise, was a female Hairy Dragonfly ovipositing!! I put the record on IRecord, and it appears that it's only the second record of the year for Derbyshire! In addition, it's my first record for this site.

Hairy Dragonfly

Year List Update

 As well as the ringing, Jayne and I had a few walks to try and catch up with a few "year ticks".

The first new bird, Garden Warbler, (164) was seen at Linacre on 4th. The next three: Cuckoo (165), Whitethroat (166) and Redstart (167) were all seen at Burbage Moor and Padley Gorge. The final bird, Pied Flycatcher (168) was found at Linacre on 6th. 

Although not a year tick, another bird I wanted to highlight was this stunning male Garganey that had been reported at Manvers Lake, near  Barnsley, for a few weeks. Unfortunately, it has spent all the time coming to bread (!) along with the resident Mallards, so it may well have escaped from somewhere. Nevertheless, it's still a stunning bird, and great to get close to.

Garganey

Linacre Nestboxes - 4th and 6th May 2024

 Over the weekend, I was down at Linacre with other members of Sorby Breck Ringing Group, to carry out another check of the nestboxes. We had a couple of visits, and recorded some new species, and a very nice surprise....!

The first visit, on Saturday, saw the first check of the boxes around the Ranger's Base, and we found 13 new occupied nests. After that we checked on the owl boxes. The first contained Grey Squirrels (!), the second had a female Mandarin Duck on 11 eggs, and the third box contained..... a single Tawny Owl chick! This was a great find, as it was the first chick in the boxes since 2018.  

Tawny Owl

On the second visit, on Monday, we checked the remaining boxes, and found a grand total of 30 nests, including our first Pied Flycatcher (1 egg) and Wren (1 clutch of 6) of the year. There was 1 singing Pied Flycatcher (year tick 168) in another area of the woods and 1 other nest without eggs in it, so I'm hoping we may yet get more than 1 nest this year. The last piece of good news was that the eggs on the Coal Tit nest we found last week had hatched - the first time this has happened in a box.

Walking around the reservoirs, I managed to spot a couple of Mallard broods (2 and 1), my first of the year, 21 Tufted Ducks, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Great-crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Mandarin Ducks (5 males and 1 female), 6 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 singing Garden Warbler ( year tick 164).

A few insects were seen on Sunday: 1 male Orange Tip, 1 Peacock, my first Red and Black Froghopper and 2 Dark-edged Bee-flies.