June 22nd

Hobby flew through early morning along with Stock Dove and twelve Swift. Also noted Blackcap , Willow Warbler , Chiffchaff and Reed Warbler . Along with Bullfinch , Grey Heron , Coal Tit and a adult Lesser Black Backed Gull , Buzzard and Canada Goose. Mark managed 41 species on his walk around early morning. Great Spotted Woodpecker was noted only second time this year , also an unusual record of a Fox. (MS).

Butterflies 2018

First dates of Butterflies recorded so far this year.

1 Comma..............................25/03
2 Small Tortoiseshell..........05/04
3 Peacock.............................05/04
4 Brimstone.........................18/04
5 Green-veined White.........18/04
6 Large White......................19/04
7 Orange-tip........................ 19/04
8 Holy Blue...........................19/04
9 Speckled Wood.................30/04
10 Small White....................13/05
11 Small Copper..................16/05
12 Large Skipper.................03/06
13 Meadow Brown.............03/06
14 Common Blue.................04/06
15 Ringlet.............................15/06
16 Small Skipper.................19/06
17 Painted Lady...................20/06
18 Gatekeeper......................
19 Red Admiral....................

Painted Lady

Brian Hicks found our first Painted Lady butterfly of the year along with Ringlet , Meadow Brown , Large Skipper , Small White and Green-veined White.

Painted Lady photo by Brian Hicks.

June 19th.

Five singing Song Thrush , sixteen Great Crested Grebe's (4 young) , two families of Blackcaps and four Reed Warblers (3 in song) (JS).

First Small Skipper of the year (MS).

Ringlet

The first report of Ringlet butterfly was on Friday 15th.

June 16th

Two singing Reed Warblers and a single Oystercatcher flew over , also Kestrel Swift and Sand Martin . Several Meadow Brown butterflies were on the wing but no sign of any Ringlets as yet. Five Common Spotted Orchids are in flower but most of the Southern Marsh have almost gone now. Quite a few baby Toadlets were on the east path . (MS & TS).

June 15th

A Kingfisher flew across the mere this morning . (AG).

June 5th

Butterflies Common Blue , Meadow Brown and Large Skipper have all been seen over the last couple of days.

June 1st

Black-tailed Skimmer female still present along with Large Red and Azure Damselflies. Also Sparrowhawk , Holy Blue and Small Copper. (MS).

Smooth Newt taken by Tracey Stubbs .