Wildlife Diary, 2010

Reports from the previous 12 months for comparison. Please contact Nick Roberts with any comments, queries or records, 07850 467443 or 01327 844188, or email at nckroberts@hotmail.com

JULY 2010

1st Week, 10 exuvia of SOUTHERN HAWKER found around my garden pond with 2 emergent adults seen. BEAUTIFUL DEMOISELLE seen crossing West Haddon Rd (Away from water suggests dispersal from nearby colony). HOBBY takes a small bird at Bridge House Farm amongst a cloud a alarmed HOUSE MARTINs.

JUNE 2010

27th June, HOBBY over village. MUNTJAC DEER reported from The Wharf by Alan Webb. Helen Reeve reports a Bee colony from Brington Rd.
25th June, BEE ORCHID with three flower heads noted. 2 exuvia of SOUTHERN HAWKER found with one recently emerged, but with damaged wings. Jim Jelley reports 7 HARE at Perkins Lodge Farm.
22nd June, Birds include HOBBY, LESSER WHITETHROAT, BULLFINCH and 12 SWIFT. Butterflies include MEADOW BROWN, SPECKLED WOOD, RINGLET, LARGE SKIPPER, COMMA and COMMON BLUE. Dragonflies include BROAD-BODIED CHASER, FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER and EMPEROR, Damselflies include LARGE RED, AZURE, COMMON BLUE, RED-EYED and BLUE-TAILED.
17th June, Brian Laney reports BEE ORCHID, PYRAMIDAL ORCHID and COMMON TWAYBLADE from the parish.
16th June, Alan Webb reports 2 ROE DEER and a GRASS SNAKE from The Wharf. PAINTED LADY noted.
12th June, Trevor Moore reports COMMON SPOTTED ORCHID and BARN OWL.
6th June, a HOBBY seen hunting over the village, attempting to outmanoeuvre HOUSE MARTINs. LARGE SKIPPER reported.
4th June, 2 beautiful male BROAD-BODIED CHASER and a FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER plus 3 species of Damselfly. Butterflies included COMMON BLUE, BROWN ARGUS, RED ADMIRAL, ORANGE-TIP, BRIMSTONE, SMALL TORTOISESHELL and PEACOCK, at Hanglands NR. 40+ RED-EYED DAMSELFLY at Evans Ponds, and a Hoverfly, Volucella Bombylans, which mimics a species of Bumblebee.
2nd June, Terry Laney reports CUCKOO at Evans Pond area.

MAY 2010

27th May, 1 BROWN ARGUS butterfly noted, also 3 species of Dragonfly.
25th May,4 MOTHER SHIPTON moth at the Long Buckby Green Space site now known as Cotton End Park. 30+ AZURE DAMSELFLY there and a GREAT_SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Pat and Peter Kingham reorts a MUNTJAC DEER from the Brington Rd.
23rd May, GREAT DIVING BEETLE and WATER MEASURER noted along with newly emerged FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER, male COMMON BLUE and SMALL COPPER butterflies.
22nd May, CUCKOO! 0650hrs, in fields at eand of Lime Avenue. Singing REED BUNTING and GOLDCREST noted. A small brown, black and white bumble-bee nesting in a porch roof in Armley close was indentified as TREE BUMBLE-BEE new to the parish (and the county?) A HORNET reported also.
21st May, Terry Laney has LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER and COMMON BLUE at Picnic Spinney. BROAD-BODIED CHASER, and 2 DAMSELFLY species at local ponds.
20th May, male WHEATEAR reported.
17th May, 18 SWIFT in screaming party over village.
1st and 2nd week, SPECKLED WOOD, GREEN-VEINED WHITE, nesting WREN, CORMORANT, LESSER WHITETHROAT, WHEATEAR, SMALL TORTOISESHELL, HOUSE MARTIN, 10 SWIFT, BROWN ARGUS, BROAD-BODIED CHASER, LARGE RED DAMSELFLY, SPECKLED WOOD, 2 HEDGEHOG and RED-TAILED BUMBLE-BEE.

APRIL 2010

3rd and 4th Week, pair of TEAL, more SWALLOWs, 7 TUFTED DUCK, JAY, 6 HARE, FOX, ORANGE TIP, HOLLY BLUE, nesting CANADA GOOSE, RED-LEGGED and GREY PARTRIDGE, GREEN and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, sing LITTLE OWL, PIPISTRELLE BAT, BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF, WILLOW WARBLER, WHITETHROAT, COMMA, BRIMSTONE, PEACOCK, BEE FLY, 4 GREENLAND WHEATEARS, TREECREEPER, BLUEBELLS, CUCKOO FLOWER, TADPOLES, live HEDGEHOGS, YELLOW WAGTAIL, HOUSE MARTIN, COAL TIT, fledged BLACKBIRDS, HOLLY BLUE, 4 LAPWING, 2 MUNTJAC, and GREY WAGTAIL.
15th April, about 7 MEADOW PIPIT noted and 2 JAY again. GREAT-SPOTTED WOODPECKER stil drumming in Vanderplanks Covert. SMALL TORTOISESHELL reported. 3 RAVEN over village, 2 chasing 1, which may be territorial.
9th April, 2 JAY noted in private woodland. Tadpoles reported from 2 sites. WILLOW WARBLER reported from Brington Road area.
8th April, Several sightings of PEACOCK, BRIMSTONE, and SMALL TORTOISESHELL butterflies, dozens of 7-SPOT LADYBIRDS, and BUMBLEBEES.
6th April, GREEN SANDPIPER on Bridge House Farm Lake. Mike York reports COMMA. Alan Webb reports a good set of garden birds at his feeders including REED BUNTING, LONG-TAILED TIT, and GOLDFINCH.
5th April, SWALLOW! one low over West Haddon Road, 1540hrs. Brian Laney reports GREAT-CRESTED and SMOOTH NEWT in numbers at local ponds, and is reminding people to be aware of TOAD and FROG on roads at night.
2nd April, Richard Brennecker reports REED BUNTING from his garden. (Within the last month they have been occuring regularly at at least 5 village gardens, including my own). A pair of GREYLAG GOOSE at Bridge House Farm lake, MOORHEN and MALLARD also resident. Male PHEASENT noted sparring and displaying. Many birds now nest-building. Up to 5 CHIFFCHAFF within the parish.

MARCH 2010

31st March, a pair of RED KITE reported from Home Farm by Mr Seymour, feeding on a dead pigeon. (There has been a pair of Kites at Althorpe regularly recently as reported by Kath Shepperson and others)
30th March, a pair of JAY, a pair of SONG THRUSH and a pair of LONG-TAILED TIT all near Vanderplanks Covert. CHIFFCHAFF, flowering Celandine and Coltsfoot noted at Picnic Spinney by Terry Laney.
28th March, Mill Park looking and feeling very spring like. Kevin Spokes reports 6 GREY PARTRIDGE, the 3 common raptors noted.
27th March, 1 CHIFFCHAFF, and 1 lonely LAPWING noted. SMOOTH NEWT in my garden pond.
25th March, 2 BRAMBLING (outgoing winter migrant) feeding in my garden. Several TOAD noted at night.
24th March, CHIFFCHAFF (1st spring migrant warbler) singing at Murcott, 2-4 BRIMSTONE and 1 SMALL TORTOISESHELL noted. 1 male REED BUNTING feeding in my garden. Several ‘BOMBUS’ (Bumblebee) about.
23rd March, I found 2 male WHEATEAR (1st spring passage migrant) on sheep pasture at Oak Tree Farm at 0645hrs. Neil Chancer of The Banks reports a pair of LITTLE OWL, 2 GREAT-SPOTTED WOODPECKER and COAL TIT from the field near the allotments and churchyard. STOAT and COAL TIT at Grange Farm. Hundreds of FIELDFARE, REDWING and STARLING in flocks at Home Farm.
21st March, 6 BUZZARD together above the village. A record (in my garden this winter) 12 GREENFINCH feeding. REED BUNTING also appeared. Mike Ivens reports frog spawn from Mill Park and I had 30 clumps at Hanglands Nature Reserve (Grange Farm). A road-kill TOAD noted, but a live one also seen. WHITE-TAILED BUMBLEBEE noted p.m. Thomas Roberts reports BRIMSTONE from the village.
19th March, a pair of COAL TIT noted in Armley Close gardens, singing, dueting and displaying. BLACKBIRD and BLUE TIT noted gathering nest material.
17th March, Terry Laney reports COMMA at South Close. Phil Davis reports male REED BUNTING in his garden, as does Richard Sainsbury. There are more birds and different species on feeders in gardens now than in the middle of winter due to the ‘hunger gap’. This is the critcal period where last years natural food supplies have completely gone and new one have not yet materialized. Continuing to feed birds at this time of year is essential.
16th March, ‘First of the year award’ goes to Mike York of Lakeside with BRIMSTONE butterfly. 2 SMALL TORTOISESHELL also noted, many TWO-SPOT and SEVEN-SPOTTED LADYBIRD noted and a steady passage of MEADOW PIPITs going over. Phil Davis reports having GREEN WOODPECKER on his lawn at the same time as GREAT-SPOTTED WOODPECKER on the bird feeder. The TAWNY OWL hooting at Syers Green is being answered by another bird possibly a female.
10th March, MEADOW PIPIT and SNIPE in the field that we hope will become the Long Buckby Green Space.
9th March, David Price reports a LITTLE EGRET at the stream below Church Farm. This appears to be a favourite place for these birds as 1 has been recorded there several times during winters past.
8th March, several Drone Fly types and Ladybirds were active today, 30to50 GOLDEN PLOVER alighted in free-range hen fields at Bridge House Farm and fed amongst them with parties of FIELDFARE.
7th March, the Mill Park Reserve held a Lichen indentification workshop as part of a nationwide survey on air quality. Several villagers learned how to spot different species or families of Lichen and 6 were found on the reserve which were mainly nitrogen loving. BUZZARD and BULLFINCH were noted there also.
5th March, hundreds of mainly COMMON and BLACK-HEADED GULL of various ages and plumage within the parish, and winter thrushes noted moving north.
2nd March, Norman Crutchley reports pre-roost display of STARLING still over Hall Drive/High Stack.
1st March, Angela Roberts reports 7 LAPWING at rest in pasture at Grange Farm.

FEBRUARY 2010

27th February, a TAWNY OWL calling from Vanderplanks Covert.
26th February, Jo Pogson reports a TAWNY OWL hooting over several nights near Syres Green Close.
24th February, David Evans reports a BLACKCAP from East Street.
20th February, GOLDFINCH, TREE SPARROW, REED BUNTING, YELLOWHAMMER noted on morning walk, and a LITTLE OWL found roosting in an ASH tree.
18th February, 2 HARE and GREAT-SPOTTED WOODPECKER at Perkins Lodge Farm. BULLFINCH and LONG-TAILED TIT reported from village gardens.
17th February, 80+ FIELDFARE, 30+ BLACK-HEADED GULL on fields at Perkins Lodge Farm.
16th February, Helen Sitch has sent me photos of a male BLACKCAP from the Syers Green area.
1st Week, 400+ STARLING in a roost back off Lakeside. 31 COMMON GULL on pastureland. Many SNOWDROP out. Regular RAVEN reported, usually 2 birds together. WOODPECKER sp, drumming almost daily in Vanderplanks Covert. A dozen bird species have been noted singing so far.

JANUARY 2010

31st January, RSPB Garden Birdwatch carried out.
28th January, about 38 LONG-TAILED TIT in one flock noted.
24th January, 3/4 SNIPE on damp patches in right-hand cereal field going up West Haddon Road, 2 RAVEN over as well. WREN, BLACKBIRD, CHAFFINCH and YELLOWHAMMER noted singing. Majority of winter THRUSHES have moved on. BUZZARDS displaying and KESTREL noted.
20th January, 2 CRANE (!) reported flying over Hannah Hill. (unfortunately report received on the 24th)
17th January, cold but clear weather for an extended walk produced a good range of bird species hightlights being STONECHAT, MEADOW PIPIT, SKYLARK, LINNET, TREE SPARROW, GREEN & GREAT-SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, 2 fly-over MUTE SWAN, several FINCH and TIT species, TREECREEPER, REED BUNTING, lots of THRUSHES (5 species) 2 RAVEN and close views of GULLS on the flooded fields. A sign of spring was the emergent leaves of BEE ORCHID noted on reserved land.
16th January, a KINGFISHER checking out garden ponds on The Leys.
15th January, Reports of small coveys of GREY and RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE there is a suggestion that these may have released by local shooters. MUNTJAC and FOX reported, also more SNIPE. A flock of 8 GOLDEN PLOVER over Grange Farm.
11th January, Mike Ivens reports 3 SNIPE, 2 along the flush outside Mill Park, 1 within the garden at Willow Mill. Also a GREY HERON was spotted by Eliot Chapman in the stream at the park, caught up in bramble and looking emaciated. Mike rescued it but even after feeding and warming it, it died. A SNIPE at Oak Tree Farm, and a PEACOCK butterfly noted flying in the church during a service.
10th January, invited by Mr and Mrs Bristow of Pittams Close to look at a fine FIELDFARE which they were feeding in their garden, a pair of BULLFINCH there as well. BULLFINCH also noted at a garden at The Mounts.
8th January, 3 FIELDFARE noted in gardens off Pytchley Drive and 1 at Rockhill Road.
7th January, GOLDCREST and COAL TIT noted in gardens, BUZZARD again noted low over village being mobbed by 2 CROW.
1st January, a Possible LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER at Grange Farm. BUZZARD noted low over village. REDWING reported from several gardens.

DECEMBER 2009

31st December, continental BLACKBIRD and ROBIN doubling the numbers of local birds. MISTLE THRUSH and PIED WAGTAIL noted singing today. A WOODPECKER heard drumming in Vanderplanks Covert may have been LESSER SPOTTED. 7 RAVEN reported flying over West Street.
20th December, Shooters report WOODCOCK in small numbers, a RAVEN also seen.
13th December, The flock of SWANS again reported. My morning walk produced 1 HARE, 2 male REED BUNTING, 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 1 male STONECHAT, many THRUSHES, and ROBINS plus a few FINCHES and YELLOWHAMMER. I visited a small game cover for the first time in 3 years and found a roosting TAWNY OWL in the same spot as my previous visit. A MOSQUITO noted and several MOTHS.
11th December, 7/8 SWANS reported at Evans’ Ponds.
9th December, at Mill Park, a CHIFFCHAFF feeding in an ALDER, 11 species of Fungi noted and 8 MUTE SWAN seen flying over. 2 HERRING GULL noted in fields, and about 30 BLACK-HEADED GULL noted on the rugby pitches.
7th December, SMALL TORTOISESHELL and a BUMBLEBEE noted today.
3rd December, at the Long Buckby Green Space (LBGS) a male STONECHAT, MISTLE THRUSH, KESTREL and a singing BLACKBIRD. Alan Webb reports several REDWING at the Wharf and numerous HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD hibernating, (have also been noted elsewhere).

NOVEMBER 2009

30th November, 2 more reports of BARN OWL around the village. Several plants including CLOVER and PRIMROSE flowering, plus several garden plants in flower.
29th November, a RED KITE over Oak Tree Farm mid-morning, 35+ SKYLARK in a flock with a dozen LINNET. 25+ YELLOWHAMMER a few TREE SPARROW and CHAFFINCH noted in game cover. 3 or 4 vocal BUZZARD in same area. Report from a dog walker of decapitated and skinnned mammal corpses probably BADGER, fairly fresh so perhaps Friday (27th) or Saturday (28th) night, also a sharp knife found at the scene.
28th November, GOLDFINCH, CHAFFINCH, BULLFINCH, and GREENFINCH noted in lower numbers than usual. Dozens of winter thrushes including continental BLACKBIRD noted. A SMALL TORTOISESHELL butterfly seen, probably disturbed from hibernation.
27th November, a pair of STONECHAT at the same site as a month ago.
3rd week, Mike Ivens reports GRASS SNAKE still present at Mill Park.
25th November, BARN OWL over near bridges at The Wharf.
22nd November, several species of GULL in the parish, REDWING and FIELDFARE on berry-laden Hawthorns. Framers still trimming the hedges, wasting all those autumnal fruits.
19th November, 200+ LAPWING on fields near the A5. Reports of fewer or no GREENFINCH in gardens, compared to last year.
17th November, Geoff Spokes reports FOX and MUNTJAC from game game rearing areas.
16th November, a KINGFISHER on my garden fence, looking into next-doors pond.
10th November, Terry Laney reports a CURLEW and FIELDFARES around Picnic Spinney.

OCTOBER 2009

24th October, a pair of STONECHAT noted in the fog, also high numbers of BLACKBIRD.
22nd October, Mark Jelley reports WATER SHREW from the stream at Perkins Lodge Farm, REDPOLL also seen there.
18th October, a PEREGRINE, GOLDCREST and CHIFFCHAFF seen whilst surveying the site of the LONG BUCKBY GREEN SPACE.
16th October, at Perkins Lodge Farm, a single LAPWING heading south. Flowering IVY still attracting insects.
14th October, more REDWING, becoming daily, plus 2 SISKIN over gardens in West Street.
11th October, truly Autumnal, with more REDWING, a flock of 120+ LINNET, CHAFFINCH, BULLFINCH, YELLOWHAMMER and SKYLARK noted. The 3 common raptors noted as well. A flock of 12 SWALLOW may be the last we’ll see this year.
10th October, 7 REDWING (The first our winter migrants from Scandinavia) over the village at 0740hrs. SKYLARK, MEADOW PIPIT and a late CHIFFCHAFF noted, also 2 species of GRASSHOPPER and 3 species of BUTTERFLY, including 2 SMALL COPPER.
8th October, at Bridge House Farm, a CURLEW and 4 RAVEN flying over, GREY and PIED WAGTAIL, and a huge queen HORNET also there.
1st Week, odd SWALLOW and HOUSE MARTIN going south, Still RED-TAILED BUMBLBEE, LADYBIRDS, WASPS, the odd HORNET, and butterflies including COMMA, RED ADMIRAL, PEACOCK, and PAINTED LADY.

SEPTEMBER 2009

28th September, a description of a raptor that may well have been MARSH HARRIER heading souh-west in the morning. 2 RED KITE reported from West Haddon and a ROE DEER reported from The Wharf. Lots of SPIDERS being noticed.
27th September, 4 HORNET, SPECKLED WOOD, COMMA butterflies noted, and COMMON DARTER and SOUTHERN HAWKER dragonflies noted.
26th September, 2 RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE and 2 JAY noted. ‘Tiny’ reports a strange caterpillar which turns out to be PALE TUSSOCK moth.
20th September, MEADOW PIPITS constantly going over, joined by several SKYLARK. A family of GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (2 ad, 3 juvs) over. 1 WHEATEAR noted perched on big, round straw bales and a RAVEN calling from top of a pylon.
19th September, 100 plus LINNET flock on recently rolled fields, with STARLING and STOCK DOVE flocks. 7 species of butterfly today.
18th September, p.m. walk produced SNIPE on dried out pond, REED BUNTING and LINNET nearby, 1 immature MIGRANT HAWKER, a fresh COMMA and SMALL TORTOISESHELL. Many ROESELS BUSH-CRICKET, COMMON GREEN and MEADOW GRASSHOPPER, plus SLENDER GROUND-HOPPER amongst the grass.
11th September, SPECKLED WOOD butterfly, 2 male SOUTHERN HAWKER, 15 male COMMON DARTER dragonflies seen p.m.
10th September, SNIPE noted off Brington Rd by T Laney, 3 RAVEN also. 60 plus SWALLOW and 50 plus HOUSE MARTIN moving south. RED ADMIRAL and BRIMSTONE noted.
8th September, warm evening produced BATS including PIPISTRELLE. RAVEN noted over village. Very high numbers of WASP on IVY flowers at Co-op car-park and recreation ground hedges .
1st week, lots of young warblers in the hedges, including WHITETHROAT, BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF, WILLOW WARBLER and SEDGE WARBLER. SOUTHERN HAWKER dragonfly reported from 2 village gardens, and RED UNDERWING moth (huge, grey with black, white and scarlet, noted.

AUGUST 2009

30th August, a covey of 9 GREY PARTRIDGE, 2 WHEATEAR, several MEADOW PIPIT, and 2 GREEN WOODPECKER (Ad &juv) today.
29th August, YELLOW WAGTAIL over village, WHITETHROAT, BULLFINCH and SPARROWHAWK seen today.
27th August, 3 RAVEN over South Close reported by Terry Laney.
23rd August, Hundreds of GULL on the tilled fields of the parish, a GREEN SANDPIPER at Bridge House Farm pond. Enjoyed the Open Gardens of the village.
22nd August, Kevin and Peter Spokes found 2 young WHEATEAR on pasture at Grange Farm. 2 road-kill MOORHEN in the space of a week reported.
21st August, disc harrowing attracted 200plus GULL to nearby fields, mainly BLACK-HEADED and LESSER BLACK-BACKED. 30 odd HOUSE SPARROW on spilt grain reported.
20th August, Derick and Sandra Cooper, also found an ELEPHANT HAWKMOTH caterpillar which they let me photograph before returning safely to a quiet corner of their wonderful garden. Derick reports an abundance of BLUE butterflies on his hay crop this year.
19th August, Peter Clifton called me in to look at an unusual caterpillar, which turned out to be ELEPHANT HAWKMOTH. A long finger sized grey thing with large false eyes which from a certain angle makes it look like a snake!
18th August, over 50 TREE SPARROW with LINNET and YELLOWHAMMER found in a field corner feeding on wind blown wheat, and a young SEDGE WARBLER feeding off insects on a BRAMBLE. 2-3 RAVENS about. The Harvest has come and the ‘country’ chaps have been out with their guns, with 2 young FOX shot and left on dog-walkers routes for all to see. Thanks to George Whitworth who found a CREAM-SPOTTED LADYBIRD for me, which was nice. When did you last see a SWIFT?
16th August, a long walk to the North, lots of YELLOWHAMMER and TREE SPARROW, a TREE PIPIT was a surprize, and the only county record this autumn so far. COAL TIT and TREECREEPER together with other TIT and WARBLER juveniles in the hedges and copses. A male HORNET noted on BRAMBLE. Still many COMMON BLUE butterflies about and a MIGRANT HAWKER also seen. At home during a rare moment of gardening I found a SPECKLED BUSH-CRICKET, which may be a first for the parish.
15th August, 2 RAVEN soaring (large circular movements rather like a BUZZARD)
12th August, HOBBY again over village.
9th August, a HOBBY seen a.m. While chatting to my neighbours, Natalie and Paul Ryan, Natalie looked up and said “Thats not a Buzzard is it?” The bird was a female PEREGRINE soaring over us in wide circles at no real height. Her husband Paul reported it doing a similar thing the following day. I have noted PEREGRINES in Northampton town centre 3 or 4 times in the last few months. The family walk this evening produced a covey of 10 GREY PARTRIDGE. Brian Laney reports GREY FIELD SPEEDWELL from the parish, (a first)
8th August, a sunny morning prompted a early walk-about, rewarded by a fine male REDSTART fly-catching from a hedge near Vanderplanks Covert, with a juvenile ROBIN and LESSER WHITETHROAT looking on. On my reserve pond 2 GREEN SANDPIPERS were a surprising find, along with an inquisitive male SOUTHERN HAWKER and many COMMON BLUE butterflies nearby. Managed to get my wife and sons good views of a FOX during a family walk.
5th August, LITTLE OWL noted, and young BUZZARDS seen sitting about calling/begging to be fed.
3rd August, a RED KITE over the allotments showing a white wing tag suggesting it being part of a release programme. 30+ PAINTED LADY on my garden Buddleia during the day and 30+ moths mainly SILVER-Y during the evening. Lots of mixed flocks of juvenile birds in the hedgerows, mainly TIT and WARBLER species.
2nd August, a HOBBY noted having just killed a SWALLOW, soaring while plucking the feathers. 15 species of butterfly today and nine species of dragonfly including RED-EYED & SMALL RED-EYED DAMSELFLY, RUDDY & COMMON DARTER, SOUTHERN & BROWN HAWKER.
1st August, a REED WARBLER singing from the elephant grass. (Well it does look like a huge bed of Norfolk Reed!)

JULY 2009

30/31st July, So many butterflies! 12 species recorded including HOLLY BLUE. 7 species of dragonfly including BROWN HAWKER. 27 species of birds recorded including Dabchick with young, MEADOW PIPIT, TREE SPARROW, GOLD & BULLFINCH and YELLOW WAGTAIL.
27th July, Terry Laney reports HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH and HEDGEHOG from South Close.
25th July, a walk along the canal, seeing a couple of COMMON TERN, MOORHEN with day old chicks, BROWN and SOUTHERN HAWKER,and BANDED DEMOISELLE.
22nd July, Brian Laney has been about the village surveying plants and records the following, BRISTLEY OXTONGUE, FOX&CUBS, DWARF MALLOW, COMMON CATSEAR, AUTUMN HAWKSBIT, MAIDENHEAD SPLEENWORT, and PURPLE TOADFLAX. SMALL-FLOWERED, CUT-LEAVED, and DOVESFOOT CRANESBILL. HOARY WILLOWHERB, YELLOW CORDYALIS, BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL and KNOTTED HEDGE PARSLEY.
20th July, autumnal weather accompanied by sightings of LESSER BLACK-BACKED and BLACK-HEADED GULL flocks, including juveniles, in their usual NE/SW passage. HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD noted eating PEACOCK butterfly caterpllars on STINGING NETTLE.
18th July, Alan Webb reports MUNTJAC, which his son photographed in his garden at the Wharf, he also reports a GREEN WOODPECKER noted on the towpath. 3 reports of SOUTHERN HAWKER within last few days. SIX-SPOTTED BURNET reported/noted.
12th July, caterpillars of PUSSMOTH and VAPOURER discovered on WILLOW. ROESELS BUSH-CRICKET heard and seen, MEADOW and FIELD GRASSHOPPERS also noted.
10th July, Bob Gill (county moth expert) set up two moth light traps north of the village and between 2130 and 0030 attracted over 50 macro species including 9 new records fro the parish including SCARCE SILVER-LINES, WHITE SATIN MOTH, JULY HIGH-FLYER and SMALL PHOENIX.
9th July, 15 species of butterflies including SMALL COPPER and GATEKEEPER. The dragonflies included several freshly emerged COMMON DARTER, 3 BROWN HAWKER and an EMERALD DAMSELFLY. Dozens of TOADLETS and FROGLETS about.
4th July, This fine weather has made this year very good for insects generally, Moths are having a bumper year, as are Hoverflies with FOUR-BARRED MAJOR being noted (first time for the parish).
1st July, Filming with local film maker Becky Steele at Evans’ Ponds. 6 EMPEROR, 10 FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER, 2 BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER, 1 BANDED DEMOISELLE, and 4 species of Damselfly. PEACOCK and RED ADMIRAL were additional Butterflies. Have not been mentioning BUZZARD of late because they are now a daily site, but a particularly close one was filmed soaring and displaying today.

JUNE 2009

28th June, Butterflies (generally in higher numbers than last year) include COMMA, SMALL SKIPPER, COMMON BLUE and SMALL TORTOISESHELL. Moths reported include ELEPHANT HAWKMOTH, DRINKER and GREEN PUG. Dragonflies include BEAUTIFUL DEMOISELLE which is popping up any where, presumably dispersing to find new potential breeding sites.
26th June, a flock of 12 SWIFT together over the village, HARLEQUIN and SEVEN-SPOTTED LADYBIRD noted.
25th June, Brian Laney reports 4 flower spikes of PYRIMIDAL ORCHID, plus COMMON TWAYBLADE and BEE ORCHID at a private site in the village.
23rd June, 2m EMPEROR dragonfly in addition to others at Ponds, a KINGFISHER also there. BEAUTIFUL DEMOISELLE noted at 4 sites with 16 being counted along one stream (via Terry Laney). HARLEQUIN Ladybird noted. 2 young LITTLE OWL in a nest hole in a big ASH tree near Coton End. COMMON SPOTTED ORCHID, MARBLED WHITE butterfly, FIVE-SPOTTED BURNET and CINNABAR Moths noted along Brington Road.
22nd June, at The Banks, the last 2 houses have approx’ 5 occupied HOUSE MARTIN nests, Holyoake Terrace has a similar number. A huge CRANE FLY, tipular Maxima, found near allotments, LITTLE OWL and GRASS SNAKE reported from there as well.
19th June, COOT with 2 sets of young, DABCHICK, CANADA GOOSE, and HERON noted at Evans’ Ponds, several small TROUT, and BULLHEAD noted in stream, CHIFFCHAFF, young GREAT TIT, WHITETHROAT, and GREY HERON noted.
16th June, at Mill Park SLOW WORM, GRASS SNAKE, 3f/1m BROAD-BODIED CHASER and 1m FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER. At Vanderplanks Covert, JAY, GREEN and GREAT-SPOTTED WOODPECKER. On the Canal at The Wharf, 2m BEAUTIFUL and 1m BANDED DEMOISELLE and a pair of GREY WAGTAIL. 11 species of butterfly recorded today.
2nd week of June, 4 reports of Deer, 1 definate MUNTJAC DEER near Armley Close, 2 other records nearby. BARN OWL and LITTLE OWL reported. Butterflies include MEADOW BROWN, RINGLET, LARGE SKIPPER, BRIMSTONE, SMALL TORTOISESHELL, COMMON BLUE, BROWN ARGUS, PAINTED LADY.
2nd June, lunchtime walk at Evans’ Ponds produced 10 FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER, 12+ male COMMON BLUE butterflies, also 1 BROWN ARGUS, a striking beetle, yellow and black, turned out to be WASP BEETLE, and along with RAGGED ROBIN, YELLOW FLAG IRIS, and WATER MINT was a lone FOX & CUBS flowering. The slugs have got to the BEE ORCHIDS (should I put pellets down to protect them?) 2 records of HORNET received.

MAY 2009

31st May, A good walk North of the village produced BEAUTIFUL DEMOISELLE, LARGE SKIPPER and WATER VOLE near Picnic Spinney, 5 species of DAMSELFLY, an adult female GRASS SNAKE, several male COMMON BLUE and 2 SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLIES, LITTLE GREBE, COOT, MOORHEN, REED BUNTING, BULLFINCH and WHITETHROAT at Evans’ Ponds, and 1 TOAD, 4 BROAD-BODIED CHASER, 1 FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER and a GREEN WOODPECKER at Grange Farm Reserve. Numbers of PAINTED LADY passing by all day.
30th May, MUNTJAC DEER reported crossing sheep pasture. BRIMSTONE and ORANGE-TIP reported.
28/29th May, Eileen Evans, Jack Wright and Kath Shep’ all report CUCKOO from Cotton End area, including Mick Hill’s Yard (top of Stenhouse Close) and the Brington Road.
27th May, HOBBY seen at Grange and Bridge House farms, 9 SWIFT over the villlage.
24th May, J Spokes reports 1 BAT from Grange Farm, Newts and BATS reported from village gardens. Mrs Spokes is interested in any Cuckoo records this year, she can be contacted on 01327 842327.
23rd May, at Evans’ Ponds area, 2 pairs of COOT, one pair with 2 young, one on nest. Singing REED BUNTING, WHITETHROAT, and SONG THRUSH, calling LITTLE GREBE. Several small (8’‘) TROUT in stream, eight species of butterfly including SMALL COPPER and regular PAINTED LADY passing through, numbers suggest an invasion year. Damselflies included LARGE RED, RED-EYED, AZURE and BLUE-TAILED. P Spokes reports SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. GARDEN WARBLER and BULLFINCH noted, also 2 small GRASS SNAKE.
21st May, my first dragonfly, an immature male BROAD-BODIED CHASER, a SPOTTED FLYCATCHER calling from Vanderplanks covert, a female MUSLIN MOTH noted.
19th May, at Bridge House Farm yard, a singing GREY WAGTAIL, 20 odd HOUSE MARTIN, 1 HOBBY, a singing BLACKCAP, 2 RAVEN being mobbed by CROWS.
Jim Jelley reports 6 HARE from PERKINS LODGE FARM (RSPB alliance farmer). 2 dead HEDGEHOG noted from village roads.
14th May, 2 TREE SPARROW noted on garden feeders not far from well hedged paddocks of Berryfield/Lime Avenue. A pair of REED BUNTINGS and a pair of YELLOW WAGTAILS noted. SMOOTH NEWT, POND SKATER, and COMMON FROG seen by Joe Hedley and Thomas Roberts in our garden pond.
8th May, 5 SWIFT noted over the village, this is a week later than last year. There a generally fewer migrant birds about, SWALLOW and HOUSE MARTIN numbers are the lowest recorded.
6th May, CUCKOO reported from Brington Road, RED CAMPION flowering along with HAWTHORN, and a young GRASS SNAKE noted. Alan Webb has had a probable ROE DEER reported to him from the Whilton side of The Wharf. He also reports a pair of TUFTED DUCK on the canal.
4th May, ST GEORGES MUSHROOM reported, with a large nearly complete ring noted north of the village.
2nd May, one or two LESSER WHITETHROAT and BLACKCAP about, a CORMORANT on Evans’ Pond, CUCKOO FLOWER reported from 5 locations.

APRIL 2009

30th April, nesting MALLARDS causing the usual mayhem around Lakeside, males in pursuit of females reported from various parts of the village.
24th April, RAVEN noted carrying food, Alan Webb reports the first SPECKLED WOOD butterfly from the Reserve at Long Buckby Wharf. Terry Laney reports WALL BROWN ( first record for many years). 2 LESSER WHITETHROATS noted. A small GRASS SNAKE seen and 6 butterfly species recorded today.
23rd April, Phil Davis sees the first CUCKOO over east Street (same date as last year), and the first HOLLY BLUE butterfly noted.
21st April, CUCKOO FLOWER noted in several places, RAVEN soaring over the Buckby turn A428.
20th April, at Mill Park, with the French visitors, a SLOW WORM shown to the group, MALLARD ducklings seen, and a WREN nest found. Elsewhere Terry Laney had 2 RAVEN over the village.
19th April, 5 species of butterfly noted, a well fledged BLACKBIRD being fed in the garden this evening. Robin Lock reports and photographs BEE-FLY.
18th April, 0443hrs a singing BLACKBIRD, same bird sang in the evening until 2057hrs, longer days for some! 2 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 10 SWALLOW, 1 CORMORANT, 2 GREEN WOODPECKER and 5 immature LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL noted.
17th April, a WHEATEAR reported, many singing SKYLARK about.
15th April, SWALLOWS reported daily now, also another JAY record. Terry Laney has noted the first ORANGE-TIP butterfly and BEE-FLY. GREEN-VEINED WHITE and SMALL TORTOISESHELL also seen. Max Ford reports LONG-EARED BATS from churchyard, Alan Webb reports SIGNAL CRAYFISH from the canal.
14th April, GREEN SANDPIPER seen on reserved land at Grange Farm.
13th April, RED KITE seen by David and Joy Evans at Oak Tree Farm at 1630hrs flying southwest. JAY reported.
12th April, in nearby Norton parish, a GREAT GREY SHRIKE discovered, this rare winter visitor may have been there for some weeks or months. 3 singing WILLOW WARBLERS and a BLACKCAP noted in game covert south of village.
11th April, an early morning walk from the allotments up to Oak Tree Farm produces a fine male WHEATEAR, several TREE SPARROWS, a fly-over YELLOW WAGTAIL, 3 YELLOWHAMMER, 2 REED BUNTING and near the ponds 5 CANADA GOOSE with 1 GREYLAG GOOSE. During the afternoon, 20 HOUSE MARTINS over MURCOTT, a singing BLACKCAP in Vanderplanks Covert, 2 RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE, 1 GREEN WOODPECKER, 20+ MEADOW PIPITS flying north and 3 KESTRELS in dispute over an old crows nest.
10th april, a walk at Cotton End near Grove Farm, produces JAY, 2 LITTLE OWL in a nest hole, 2 SWALLOW, 1 or more SAND MARTIN, 1 SONG THRUSH, several SKYLARK, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 2-3 LAPWING and 2 HARE.
8th April, Pete Spokes reports a female MARSH HARRIER flying over at 1825hrs. Angela and Thomas Roberts see a SWALLOW.
7th April, Tony Peploe sees SWALLOW near Mill Park.
4th April, Terry Laney hears WILLOW WARBLER near Picnic Spinney.
3rd April, John Groves reports a WHEATEAR form near Patford Bridge.
2nd April, Mike Ivens noted a probable GREY WAGTAIL nest site. 80 JACKDAW in display flock over village centre. Many BUZZARD records (daily). Brian Laney reports KNOTTED HEDGE PARSLEY, which is qiute rare. 3 MISTLE THRUSH watched quarreling near The Banks.

MARCH 2009

31st March, after an evening with the cubs at Mill Park, walking from there through to Tebbitts Close noted about 12 bats registering as PIPISTRELLES, and 2 possibly being NATTERERS. 2 male REED BUNTING noted feeding on seed in gardens. 15+ dead (road kill) TOAD noted on one stretch of the West Haddon Rd by Terry Laney.
30th March, 2 small BAT reported, could be PIPISTRELLES.
28th March, winter weather and winter birds, including 5 REDPOLL, 2 SISKIN, YELLOWHAMMER, FIELDFARE and REDWING. 200+ flock of WOOD PIGEON and 60 LINNET also about.
23rd March, Richard Sainsbury reports TREE SPARROW feeding on bird seed in his garden, 3 also noted gardens elsewhere.
20th March, RAVEN soaring towards foxhill a.m. CHIFFCHAFF singing near Vanderplanks Covert, with WOODPECKER drumming from within. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE, GREY WAGTAIL and GREEN WOODPECKER noted. 1pair of TEAL, 4 MALLARD and 4 MOORHEN and a GREEN SANDPIPIER noted at flood pond near Murcott. GREEN-VEINED WHITE and BRIMSTONE reported.
19th March, a pair of REED BUNTING at bottom of Lodge Lane, displaying LAPWING nearby, WOODCOCK and GOLDCREST noted at the poors land. SMALL TORTOISESHELL and SISKIN reported.
15th March, BRIMSTONE butterfly reported from 3 locations in village including Mike & Beth York on Lakeside. 20+ GOLDEN PLOVER heading north, and double figures of BUZZARD reported soaring and displaying. COMMON SHREW, BANK VOLE, and COMMON TOAD noted. CHIFFCHAFF reported singing at Brington Road near village. Kath Shep’ reports 8 LAPWING from Lodge Lane area.
12th March, small flocks of FIELDFARE, REDWING and MEADOW PIPIT noted heading north. Drumming WOODPECKER (probably Great-spotted) noted.
11th March, Several BUMBLEBEES and smaller BEES reported, FROG and NEWT reported from village ponds.
8th March, 9 clumps of FROG spawn in ponds at Grange Farm Reserve.
7th March, small flocks of REDWING and FIELDFARE about, still a flock of 50plus LINNET noted north of the village.
2nd March, a dead WEASEL on the road at the wharf. RAVEN reported. COAL and LONG-TAILED TIT recorded at bird feeders in gardens.
1st March, female FROG reported in garden pond.

FEBRUARY 2009

28th February, sing SKYLARK reported, MEADOW PIPITS going over, c200 FIELDFARES heading north, BUZZARDS displaying including 7 together over the Wharf reported by Alan Webb.
24th February, Brian laney reports SMOOTH and GREAT CRESTED NEWTS in ponds at Mill Park.
23rd February, Jo Lock reports BARN OWL north of the village hunting in daylight.
22nd February, Peter Spokes noted SKYLARK on fields off West haddon Rd, 8 were later noted including singing birds. 60-100 LINNET also seen. Frank Davis of Highstack noted a pair of BLACKCAP in a garden during the recent cold snap. A RED KITE seen over Grange and Oak Tree farms at 100hrs moving southwest.
21st February, 5 BUZZARD and a SPARROWHAWK soaring together in the sunshine. FIELDFARES noted heading north. In the evening surveying local farm ponds, FROG and SMOOTH NEWT were recorded. Graham bates reports a KINGFISHER taking fish from his garden pond in Armley Close at 0700hrs.
20th February, a goose flock (9) included, or may have all been PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, seen and heard going over village at 0900.
3rd week, Brian laney reports SMOOTH and GREAT CRESTED NEWTS in village ponds due to the mild spell, also a BARN OWL at Surney. Many flowers in bloom from under the snow, including SNOWDROPS, and ACONITES. A BLACKBIRD noted singing at 0420hrs along with ROBIN.
16th February, 150+ LAPWING in a flock flying east over the village at 0815.
9th February, I spent a few minutes watching a male MERLIN interacting with JACKDAWS and COLLARED DOVES. Pete Spring reports a FIELDFARE in his garden eating berries, Other people have also reported these birds in their gardens.
2nd week, Mike Ivens reports a PEREGRINE from Murcott also several SNIPE from damp fields in the area.
8th February, a long walk in the snow revealed many animal and bird tracks including BADGER, FOX, RABBIT and MUNTJAC. Birds seen included a flock of 10 REDPOLL, 6 BULLFINCH, 5 TREE SPARROW and 1 SONG THRUSH.
3rd February, Anne McGann reports a BLACKCAP feeding in her garden at Holyoake Terrace.

JANUARY 2009

PLEASE FEED THE BIRDS DURING THIS HARSH WEATHER.
28th January, a wonderfully plumaged male MANDARIN DRAKE with the MALLARDS and MOORHEN on the canal at Newbridge.
26th January, Billy Roberts and his mum spot a BARN OWL on the way back from Beaver Cubs.
24/25th January, the RSPB Garden Birdwatch, the 30th year this has taken place.
20th January, 2 RAVEN calling, flying over the parish near Oak Tree Farm.
19th January, a flock of about 50 GOLDEN PLOVER flying south west over Sandy Lane during the morning.
10th January, a probably LITTLE OWL/TAWNY OWL reported from the back gardens of Holyoake Terrace.
7th January, 2 BLACK-HEADED GULL seen to take bird food from garden lawn, without landing, also LONG-TAILED TIT flock reported.
6th January, Alan Webb reports two large flocks of STARLING displaying prior to roost, one flock estimated at a thousand birds, can be seen over Long Buckby Wharf from the canal bridge at around 1600hrs.
1st Week, Mike Ivens has seen SNIPE on the verges of the stream north of Mill Park.
4th January, at the MILL PARK work party, we drank hot chocolate around the bonfire and the children saw a BROWN RAT and a GREENFINCH.
note, please look out for Waxwing, a rare visitor from Scandinavia. They are starling sized with a flat crest and red and yellow on the wings. A handful have been seen within the county and they prefer berries like Rowan etc. If you see any please let me know.
2nd January, MUNTJAC DEER noted, FIELDFARE and REDWINGS back in the parish in small numbers. 2 TREE SPARROWS seen in gardens on edge of village.

DECEMBER 2008

28th/29th December, had a go at laying some HAWTHORN hedge that may have only ever been layed once in its lifetime. End result was quite neat, fairly stock proof, and far nicer to look at that the flailed version.
27th December, Shoot report 5 GREY PARTRIDGE and 1 WOODCOCK.
25th December, hundreds of VELVET SHANK mushrooms growing on trunks of standing dead ELM in hedgerows. 2 REED BUNTINGS noted in elephant grass.
24th December, COMMON SHREW, SHORT-TAILED FIELD VOLE noted under tin sheets on reserve. REDPOLL heard calling. HERRING GULL seen flying over.
17th December, RAVEN again, 2 sitings from north of village probably same pair of birds. WOODCOCK reported from shoot activities.
14th December, GOLDFINCH flocks, and LONG-TAILED TIT flocks reported from gardens. COAL TIT also reported.
1st/2nd Week, 2 ‘grey waders’ reported by shoot members also WOODCOCK seen. Carrie Hart reports a wader from the stream near Murcott Mill, probably a GREEN SANDPIPER, she has also seen a ROE DEER. Sue Spokes reports a probable KINGFISHER. A pair of RAVEN (always given away by their deep croaking calls) seen about the parish.

NOVEMBER 2008

29th November, a flock of 10 CANADA GOOSE about the village. 2 dead BADGER reported.
23rd November, a small peach coloured mushroom on a fallen dead ELM identified as rhodotus/pleurotus palmatis.
22nd November, 2 SNIPE seen flying over the village, 4 GREY PARTRIDGE noted on stubble, 2 TREE SPARROW noted on the barn being converted on the path north of the church. ( they breed in the stone walls of this barn every year). 1 WOODCOCK flushed from a nearby plantation along with 12 STOCK DOVE.
20th November, another SNIPE noted.
18th November, David and Jonathon Evans report a BARN OWL on the West Haddon Road.
16th November, a walk in the fog produced a good list of birds including a KINGFISHER at Evans pond, 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 5 SONG THRUSH and 3 REDPOLL. A MUNTJAC was seen crossing a field of bemused sheep from Picnic Spinney to Vanderplanks Covert and was later seen feeding food put down for game along with a GREY SQUIRREL.
6th November, probably the first parish record of a RINGED PLOVER calling as it flew over Bridge House Farm, GREY WAGTAIL and MEADOW PIPIT there as well.
5th November, all the wet ground attracted a SNIPE flushed from sheep pasture and the increasingly regular STONECHAT noted.
1st Week November, RED ADMIRAL, a BUMBLEBEE and a WASP noted during warmer spells.

OCTOBER 2008

30/31st October, KINGFISHER spotted by Angela Roberts on fence looking into next-doors goldfish pond. Fungi reported during the month include, Mucilago Crustacea (porridge like substance on grass), EYELASH, SHAGGY INKCAP, YELLOW BRAIN, HORSE MUSHROOM, and Verdisgris Agaris (green mushroom type)
28th October, Trevor Moore reports BARN OWL from his nest boxes. More JAY reported.
21st & 22nd October, A CORMORANT noted both days flying over village. JAY and COMMON DARTER dragonfly also reported.
18th October, 200+ FIELDFARE flying south over village, increased numbers of BLACKBIRD, SONG THRUSH about. GREEN SANDPIPER flushed from a pond, 4 GREY PARTRIDGE, 1 fly over BRAMBLING, 1 SKYLARK and a HARE also noted. Still RED ADMIRAL, COMMA and SMALL TORTOISESHELL about.
15th October, Judith and Colin Jackson report GREEN WOODPECKER on lawns at Floyers Farm.
8th October, more sun! JAY, GREY HERON and GOLDCREST seen. Insects included SOUTHERN HAWKER and COMMON DARTER Dragonflies and RED ADMIRAL, SMALL TORTOISESHELL, LARGE WHITE and BRIMSTONE. At Bridge House Farm lake 6 TEAL, 10 MALLARD, a family of MOORHEN, and a young MUTE SWAN.
5th October, beautiful evening, walk produced STONECHAT (passage migrant) LITTLE OWL (resident) REDWING (winter migrant) and singing CHIFFCHAFF (summer migrant).
4th October, 2 RAVEN over the village early morning, several REDWING (the first winter migant) noted.
2nd/3rd October, an young STONECHAT at Grange Farm. Thousands of GULL of several species on ploughed and drilled land all over the parish.

SEPTEMBER 2008

4th Week, Paul & Sue from LBW report male MANDERIN (an exotic duck species) fron the canal.
23rd September, 400 Corvids (ROOK, CROW and JACKDAW) closely gathered in ‘parliament’ pre-roost during the evening on seeded fields off the West Haddon Road, plus over 200 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS visiting the plough.
21st September, KINGFISHER and BULLFINCH observed by many at the Mill Park Open Day where the sun shone and it felt like, dare I say it, summer.
20th September, 1 or 2 TREE PIPIT (new for the Parish) on reserved land, these are now a scarce summer visitor to the county having bred regularly at several sites up until the last couple of years. 2 JAY and REDPOLL also flying over.
19th September, GREY WAGTAIL at Murcott Mill. Mrs C Hart handed me a large black, white and pink moth which turned out to be a PRIVET HAWK-MOTH, (probably the first record for the Parish).
16th September, 1 or 2 nice male STONECHAT on fences near elephant grass north of the village. Many sightings of COAL TIT and GOLDCREST within village gardens. These species seem to be part of an influx which also includes SISKIN and MEADOW PIPIT within the last two weeks or so. T laney reports 8 TEAL from ponds.
14th September, 55 species of birds recorded on an extensive walk this morning, early fog clearing to fine weather always helps. Alan webb reports female TUFTED DUCK from canal at LBW.
13th September, SKYLARK joined the mixed flock of FINCHES and BUNTINGS on fields off the West Haddon Road. Sunshine bringing the first Dragonfly activity for many days including, 4 male SOUTHERN HAWKER holding territory, 1 MIGRANT HAWKER, 20+ COMMON DARTER, 4 RUDDY DARTER, a male EMERALD and a pair of BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLY at ponds on reserved land. SPECKLED WOOD seems to be having a good year with 18 noted on a long walk around the parish. Other Butterflies noted were SMALL and GREEN-VEINED WHITE, BRIMSTONE, RED ADMIRAL and SMALL TORTOISESHELL. A call-out to an electrical fault revealed a dead BROWN LONG-EARED BAT straddling the live terminals inside a fuse-box. Matt Lynn reported a GRASS SNAKE from the footbridge near Jacksons Track.
12th September, MEADOW PIPITS noted again flying over.
10th September, 2 HOBBY, adult and young noted high up, calling.
7th September, WHEATEAR noted near Oak Tree Farm and another, male, in Armley Field. MEADOW PIPITS noted calling, flying over from North, and 3 SISKIN also calling flying over the village.
5th September, Terry Laney reports a KINGFISHER from the stream by Picnic Spinney.
4th September, a HOBBY again seen this time near the allotments chasing HOUSE MARTINS. RAVEN, BUZZARD and KESTRAL all seen within 1hour.
3rd September, a HOBBY seen in hunting flight at 18.18hrs.
1st September, Geoff Spokes reports a pair of GREY PARTRIDGE with 2 young, North of the village.

AUGUST 2008

31st August, a foggy start to the day with a few migrant birds grounded around the fields and hedges. At the allotments young of ROBIN, DUNNOCK, BLACKBIRD, SONG THRUSH, GREAT & BLUE TIT noted, hedges to the north produced a mixed flock of LONG-TAILED TIT (20+), WHITETHROAT, CHIFFCHAFF, and BLUE TIT, plus a fine male REDSTART. TREE SPARROW, CHAFFINCH, YELLOWHAMMER & LINNET flocking on cut fields. GOLDCREST, WILLOW WARBLER & GREEN WOODPECKER noted at the covert, and LESSER WHITETHROAT & BULLFINCH also seen.
30th August, 2 YELLOW WAGTAILS noted, plus dozens of GOLDFINCH and GREENFINCH feeding on a cut rape field. 2 male SOUTHERN HAWKER dragonflies noted over a garden pond in the village, with reports of MIGRANT HAWKER hunting around houses and gardens. A RUDDY DARTER also seen.
29th August, young SWALLOWS still in the nest at Murcott Mill, reported by Mrs C Hart.
28th August, RAVEN over the village, 70 plus HOUSE MARTIN over Bridge House Farm with many nests still occupied.
25th August, Large GULL movement through parish with LESSER BLACK BACKED (northern and western european forms) plus HERRING GULL.
24th August, 2 SWIFT noted.
17th August, about 50 COMMON BLUE butterflies, mainly male, (the most ever recorded in one area) from the footpath near Evans’ Ponds. Several SMALL TORTOISESHELL, RED ADMIRAL, PEACOCK, SPECKLED WOOD, BRIMSTONE and GREEN-VEINED WHITE also noted. A pair of DABCHICK with 2 juveniles also there, and BROWN, SOUTHERN and MIGRANT Hawkers noted. EMERALD, COMMON BLUE and BLUE-TAILED damselflies noted. 2 SWIFT over the village, these will be leaving for Africa soon!
15th August, 5 GREY PARTRIDGE noted in Wheat fields north of village, also 5 (family?) BUZZARD in the air together.
10th August, COMMON BLUE, BROWN ARGUS and SMALL COPPER butterflies noted. SOUTHERN and MIGRANT HAWKER, and COMMON DARTER dragonflies also seen.
9th August, 25 CANADA GEESE in sheep pasture grazing with the sheep. A SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (my only parish record this year) noted at the allotments with young WILLOW WARBLERS flycatching from the hedge at the bottom. 2 young REED BUNTINGS on Jacksons Track suggesting the may have bred nearby.
7th August, 30+ HOUSE MARTINS over village, several larger GULL species about. A HUMMING-BIRD HAWK-MOTH noted in the evening.
2nd August, more HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD records with 3 or 4 colour/pattern varieties.

JULY 2008

30th July, a GRASS SNAKE with its shed skin found. A BROWN ARGUS and PEACOCK butterflies reported, and an OAK BUSHCRICKET found.
27th July, a HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD (1st record for the parish) was found. Described by the University of Cambridge as ‘the most invasive ladybird on earth’ this species originates from Japan and has worked its way across the world getting to the UK a couple of years ago. A search on ‘all fours’ on reserve grassland revealed 4 species of grasshopper, ROESELS BUSHCRICKET, LONG-WINGED CONEHEAD, MEADOW and COMMON GREEN GRASSHOPPER.
26th July, a CROSSBILL (1st record for the parish) seen and heard flying over the village, these birds are sparodic invaders from the continent and several have been reported within the county. A dozen species of dragonfly noted including BROWN HAWKER, BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER and EMERALD DAMSELFLY. An incredible 14 species of butterfly noted from sites around the village including PAINTED LADY, ESSEX SKIPPER, HOLLY BLUE, COMMA and SMALL COPPER.
13th July, several GULL noted moving west. Female EMPEROR noted ovipositing (egg-laying) in a village pond SOUTHERN HAWKER also seen. A LESSER STAG BEETLE found and SPARROWHAWK noted with prey over the village.
11th July, SOUTHERN HAWKER found just after emergence from a village pond. Took 2 days to pump up and dry out before flying off.
7th July, 2 RAVEN over Lodge Lane.
5th July, CUCKOO reported (where are all the cuckoos?) GATEKEEPER, male noted also SMALL TORTOISESHELL, once our commonest butterfly now rare.
4th July, froglets and toadlets reported from several localities, COMMON DARTER emergence, 7 teneral (immature) noted.
2nd July,a female TUFTED DUCK with 7, day old ducklings at Evans’ Ponds, REED WARBLER, 7 species of Dragon/damselfly and 5 species of Butterfly also there. 17 LAPWING noted flying west over the village p.m.

JUNE 2008

2nd June, A HOBBY over Bridge House Farm also singing GREY and PIED WAGTAILS there.
8th June, several BEAUTIFUL DEMOISELLE along the stream at and between Mill Park and the West Haddon Road. A HAIRY HAWKER (1st record for the parish) was seen at Evans Ponds plus COMMON BLUE butterfly and a HORNET. A TROUT also seen in the stream and a buck ROE DEER seen near Picnic Spinney.
10th June, COCK CHAFER reported by a few people including Sam the (quality) hairdresser. The BEE ORCHID on reserve land blossomed today. A HEDGEHOG noted eating cat food.
11th June, Dragonflies noted at local ponds and streams included EMPEROR, BROAD-BODIED CHASER, FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER,HAIRY DRAGONFLY and BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER.
20th June, Many people around the village are complaining about an abundance of house flies. Butterflies noted include BRIMSTONE, MEADOW BROWN, LARGE SKIPPER, SPECKLED WOOD and COMMON BLUE.
24th June, COMMON TWAYBLADE, BEE and PYRAMIDAL ORCHID in flower. (site details not available), Many RINGLET noted. HOUSE MARTIN occupying several nests at Bridge House Farm.
29th June, NATIONAL INSECT WEEK celebrated at Mill Park, Many people from the village and elsewhere came to the event, pond dipping produced dozens of species including young NEWT. Dragonlfies included BANDED & BEAUTIFUL DEMOISELLE, Butterflies included RED ADMIRAL and RINGLET, Several SLOW WORM were seen and handled, and Brian Laney brought his STICK INSECT collection. Thanks to Jayne Louise Bassett, Tony Peploe and Brian Laney for assistance on the day.

MAY 2008

1st week, Several SWIFT, only a few HOUSE MARTIN over village, LAPWING displaying over recently cut grass fields north of village,6 species of summer visiting warblers noted including GARDEN WARBLER and LESSER WHITETHROAT. Butterflies include ORANGE-TIP, HOLLY BLUE (good numbers) GREEN-VEINED WHITE, and SMALL TORTOISESHELL. Lots of BAT activity around the village.
8th May, Trevor Moore watched a RED KITE over the village during the morning.
10th May, 4 teneral (just emerged) LARGE RED DAMSELFLY at Evans’ Ponds, and SPECKLED WOOD reported. SMOOTH NEWT, FROG, TOAD, and GRASS SNAKE also noted.
14th May, a pair of RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE, and 2 emerging BROAD-BODIED CHASERS seen.
20th May, The Infant School enjoyed their trip to Mill Park seeing Toad, Damselflies, and a SLOW WORM.
23rd May, 3 species of Orchid reported from one site south of the village, also COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY.
24th May, GRASS SNAKE reported from 3 sites, COMMON BLUE, BLUE-TAILED, and LARGE RED DAMSELFLIES, and a male and female BROAD-BODIED CHASER noted around the village.
26th May, Poor weather with 10 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL noted moving east.
29th May, sunshine brings PEACOCK, LARGE WHITE, SPECKLED WOOD butterflies, and 5 species of dragonfly including FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER.
31st May, Thomas Roberts caught a GRASS SNAKE (with skill and care)

APRIL 2008

2nd April, a SWALLOW over Oak Tree Farm, 2 CHIFFCHAFF also noted.
3rd April, BRAMBLING and SISKIN reported from garden bird feeders.
5th April, RAVEN seen flying over, 2 SNIPE reported, and a party of large GULL flying South-West.
2nd Week, many insects including 7SPOT LADYBIRD, SMALL TORTOISESHELL and several BEE species reported.
12th April, a walk around Murcott produced a pair each of MALLARD, TEAL, GADWALL,and GREY WAGTAIL, plus GREEN SANDPIPER, TREECREEPER, newly arrived WILLOW WARBLER and BLACKCAP.
13th one male BRAMBLING remains at the bird feeder at home, BLACKBIRD and JACKDAW noted with nest material, WOODPIGEON have hatched young.
19th April, Harvesting of Elephant grass displaced FOX, HARE, GREY PARTRIDGE and SKYLARK. (it is illegal to disturb nesting birds during the breeding season)
20th April, FIELDFARE still about, WHITETHROAT and SWALLOW seen, 120 LINNET noted.
21st April, RAVEN over the village calling, SWALLOW seen at The Wharf.
22nd April, Geoff Spokes reports 4 pairs of GREY PARTRIDGE, a male RING OUZEL seen at Thrupp Grounds during a survey prior to proposed housing. Mark Kerr reprts a BARN OWL near Sandy Lane, and Trevor Moore reports a TAWNY OWL nesting at Foxhill Park. PIPSTRELLE Bat seen at 2045hrs over Armley Close.
23rd April, Kath Shep’ reports a CUCKOO from the fields behind her house early this morning, and HOUSE MARTIN, Butterflies today include BRIMSTONE and PEACOCK.The sun shone warm and the Birds sang at St Lawrences for Frank Cross’ funeral. Frank was a keen observer and contributor to this diary.
24th April, Brian Laney reports PIGNUT and FIELD WOODRUSH fro fields near Lakeside.
25th April, Terry Laney, reports TROUT in stream near Murcott. Tim Marlow (environmental surveyor) reports 15+ GOLDEN PLOVER heading north over village.
26th April, at least 5 LAPWING between Lodge Lane and Brington Road, with hopes they will be able to breed unhindered.
27th April, several summer migrants this weekend including WILLOW WARBLER, WHITETHROAT, BLACKCAP, SWALLOW, HOUSE MARTIN and