Wildlife Diary, 2007-8

Reports from summer 2007 to summer 2008, scroll down to compare with this time last year.

JULY 2008
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 SWIFT. Male REED BUNTING singing from oilseed rape fields, and a late FIELDFARE seen (this winter visitor should be on the way back to Scandinavia by now). Five species of butterfly this weekend including a HOLLY BLUE from Station Road .
MARCH 2008
1st week, more FROG spawn reported, plus other BRAMBLING records, GREAT-SPOTTED WOODPECKER reported from 2 gardens.
2nd week, BARN OWL again reported, plus KINGFISHER.
7th March, a male MANDARIN DUCK reported from the canal at the wharf. Several COMMON GULL noted moving through.
9th March, Mosquitos reported!, FROG spawn in many ponds, and SMOOTH NEWTS seen.
13th March, lots of plants and creepy-crawlies seen at Mill Park by the year 1 pupils of Long Buckby Infant School.
15th March, 2 STONECHATS seen, also GOLDFINCH, TREE SPARROW, REDWING, MISTLE THRUSH and SPARROWHAWK. A TOAD also noted after dark.
3rd week, YELLOWHAMMER, SISKIN and REED BUNTING reported from gardens around the village. SKYLARK and MEADOW PIPIT singing. BUZZARDS displaying, also a report of a PEREGRINE over the village. (these birds are more regular within the county and have bred in recent years)
24th March, CURLEW calling flying North. The first spring migrant, a WHEATEAR seen North of the village. REDWING and FIELDFARE moving back North.
27th March, BRIMSTONE seen on lakeside by Mike & Beth York. (the 1st buttefly record this year, a week later than last year)
30th March, a good walk around the parish produced a pair of LAPWING off Lodge Lane, drumming WOODPECKERS, 2 singing CHIFFCHAFF at Vanderplanks Covert, RED CAMPION in flower, another BRIMSTONE, several BUMBLEBEE and signs of HEDGEHOG.
31st March, COMMA, queen WASP and TOAD reported.
FEBRUARY 2008
1st week, BUZZARD seen regularly over the village. Brian Laney finds 2 rosettes of BEE ORCHID at another site in the village.
9th February, a NOCTULE BAT noted flying around Vanderplanks Cover for 20mins at about midday.( a BITTERN seen at nearby Ravensthorpe Reservoir).
3rd week, more displaying BUZZARD noted, GREY PARTRIDGE reported and 350 FIELDFARE seen in a field East of the village.
4th week, FROG spawn noted at Mill Park and elsewhere, Bumblebees reported.
29th February, 10 BANK VOLE, 7 SHORT-TAILED FIELD VOLE, and 1 COMMON SHREW under survey tins on reserved land.
JANUARY 2008
3rd January, a GREEN SANDPIPER at Bridge House Farm slurry pit. SPARROWHAWK there also.
12th January, 4 male TUFTED DUCK at Lodge Farm lake, several MISTLE THRUSH about.
15th January, a flock of 200 or so STARLING performing a pre-roost flying exhibition at Murcott, noted for many days this month.
20th January, a male BRAMBLING in my garden at Armley Close. 2 RAVENS over.
23rd January, Brian Laney reports rosettes of GREEN-WINGED ORCHID and BEE ORCHID at a site in the village, plus FIELD MADDER, FOX & CUBS, and BRISTLEY OXTOUNGE.
(1-4 BRAMBLING present daily at Armley Close until mid-March 2008)
DECEMBER 2007
1st Week, GOLDEN PLOVER noted flying over village.
2nd week, MUNTJAC and NUTHATCH reported.
3rd week, 200 LAPWING with the Plovers also 130 STARLING.
4th week, BULLFINCH, REED BUNTING, and LONG-TAILED TIT reported from gardens around the village.
NOVEMBER 2007
1st week, many FIELDFARE, REDWING, noted plus GOLDEN PLOVER and SISKIN.
4th November, a MUNTJAC seen in plantations North of the village, a COMMA also seen.
3rd week, several reports of BARN OWL particularly North and South-east of the village. LITTLE OWL also noted.
14th November, 2 WOODCOCK reported by beaters, plus TAWNY OWL and GREY WAGTAIL.
30th November, approx 500 GOLDEN PLOVER noted on fields near A5.
4th Week, a SNIPE reported near Mill Park. HERRING, GREATER BLACK-BACKED, and BLACK-HEADED GULLS noted around parish.
OCTOBER 2007
1st October, PIPISTRELLE BAT noted at 1906hrs near in village.
10th October, several GREY WAGTAIL and more REDWING noted.
13th October, 2 RAVENS, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER noted over MILL PARK.
15th October, Terry Laney found a dead WATER SHREW. (nice)
18th October, 2 STONECHATS seen along West Haddon Road.
24th/25th October, a BLACK REDSTART at Grange Farm, several midlands birders visiting to see it.
3rd week, RAVENS noted, Gilly Filsner reports BEARDED MILKCAP fungi from the village.
30th October, 1 SISKIN noted flying over.
SEPTEMBER 2007
3rd September,a superb summer plumage male REDSTART North of the village, several local birders getting to see it. Also MEADOW PIPIT noted.
5th September, a large greenish orb-web spider identified as Araneus quadratus.
2nd week, many MEADOW PIPIT noted flying over.
11th September, a large gull-like bird seen at dusk with LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL may have been a SKUA.
13th September, a NOCTULE BAT and 2 HARES seen East of village, at dusk.
23rd September, at Mill Park, a HOBBY, and a FOREST SHIELDBUG.
26th September, 3 STONECHAT, and 1 WHINCHAT reported. 8 HARE, SWALLOW and MEADOW PIPIT seen.
27th September, REDWING noted.
29/30th September, SWALLOW, HOUSE MARTIN, SKYLARK, SONG THRUSH, REDWING, CHIFFCHAFF, LESSER WHITETHROAT, RED ADMIRAL, COMMA, SOUTHERN HAWKER, MIGRANT HAWKER, and COMMON DARTER noted.
AUGUST 2007
1st Week, dead BADGER reported from 3 locations around the village. A POLECAT noted at midnight foraging on the road verge North of the village.
7th August, 1 WHEATEAR noted in fields North of the village.
15th August, a pair of GREY PARTRIDGE with one juvenile noted East of the village.
18th August, 1 imature male and 1 female REDSTART found, no less than 7 county based birdwatchers visiting to see them.
19th August, a WHIMBREL flew over the village North to South, calling.
20th August, 2 RAVEN seen at the Wharf at 0750hrs.
23rd August, 2 WHEATEAR near the West Haddon Road, SOUTHERN HAWKER, MIGRANT HAWKER and EMPEROR seen at Oak Tree Farm ponds from the footpath. RED ADMIRAL, PEACOCK and PAINTED LADY reported from several gardens. A fine male REDSTART watched for an hour, and 2 CURLEW seen flying over.
24th August, another REDSTART noted, plus LESSER and COMMON WHITETHROAT, WILLOW WARBLER, CHIFFCHAFF and YELLOW WAGTAIL. WHEATEAR at 2 localities.
27th August, OAK BUSH-CRICKET noted in the evening.
JULY 2007
1st week, a party of 25 SWIFT screaming over the village, a HOBBY noted over Grasscroft and a large dragonfly reported emerging from a pond off Station Road.
10th July, a strange cup-like fungi found on rotting straw bales identified as Peziza vesiculosa.
14th July, at a pond near the village, the larvae of a GREAT DIVING BEATLE reported catching a blue damselfly and dragging it below the surface of the water.
15th July, 2 ROESELS BUSH-CRICKET (a type of grasshopper) found on reserved land at grange farm, this is the first parish record. MEADOW BROWN, RINGLET, GATEKEEPER and SMALL SKIPPER also noted.
3rd week, HEDGEHOG reported from the Brington Rd, 2 involved in 'courtship' in a garden off The Leys. A report of a strange noise in the night around the South Close area, a loud intermittent 'beep' rather like a low-battery signal sound on a smoke alarm. Investigations revealed this to be a call made by members of the introduced colony of MID-WIFE TOAD.
20th July, several GULLS species noted moving through.
24th July, 5 ROESELS BUSH-CRICKET found in other areas North of the village. EMERALD DAMSELFLY, EARLY THORN MOTH and HOLLY BLUE (2nd generation) also noted.
25th July, Brian Laney reports BUGLOSS and CORN MARIGOLD in fields off Sandy Lane.
4th Week, regular reports of BATS and larger MOTHS.
27th July, SMALL HEATH reported (1st parish record?), also BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER.
28th July, GRASS SNAKE skins found, and ESSEX SKIPPER netted for positive identification.
29th July, SMALL COPPER noted in 2 localities, a WHEATEAR seen briefly, and another new grasshopper species, LONG-WINGED CONE-HEAD discovered near Murcott.
30th July, young and adult BUZZARD displaying over the village, and LARGE SKIPPER noted.
31st July, SAND MARTIN noted over the A428 probably from the small colony on a nearby farm. BEE ORCHID site bulldozed, MARBLED WHITE colony destroyed by recent works at the railway,
no LAPWING noted in former breeding field as site was worked on during nesting season.