July 2008

Early July was dominated by the passage of depressions, though little rain fell in the southeast, until the 7th and it rained continuously on the 9th. A more settled, warmer and mainly dry spell followed from the 10th, under the influence of an Atlantic high to the south. Apart from some extremely light rain on the 17th and 19th, it remained dry and though the northwest wind around the 20th felt cool, temperatures reached the mid 20°C from the 22nd, as a zone of high pressure moved across the British Isles towards Scandinavia.

Bob noted over 50 species during his first two visits of the month and on the 1st from the edge of the poplar wood he disturbed a Common Buzzard, which then flew E. There was more excitement on the 2nd, when a Little Egret and a pair of Gadwall circled over the reservoir, five Lapwings flew S and a LS Woodpecker was seen near the barn. Two Kestrel fledglings sat on the barn and the first juvenile Woodpigeon was also seen. On the 3rd a lone Cormorant was seen and an adult Mediterranean Gull circled high overhead before flying off NE.

There were showers and a moderate southerly breeze during my first July visit on the 5th, when a Tufted Duck proudly showed off her five newly hatched ducklings on the lake and the reservoir pair of Common Whitethroats had fledged young. Three juvenile Kestrels were present on the lower barn and two Barn Owl nestlings looked mature enough to fledge. In the Tanyard territory, juvenile Yellowhammers were probably calling and a hen bird carried food, but the young didn't show themselves. Single Turtle Doves were seen and heard in two of the probable territories. Four Swallow nestlings were about to leave their nest, a Spotted Flycatcher fed in the graveyard and as the rain cleared a House Martin and at least nine Swifts fed high overhead.

A moderate to strong southwesterly blew under increasing cloud cover on the 6th but it remained essentially dry during the visit, prior to which Duncan heard and saw a lone Curlew flying S over the reservoir (number 107 for the year). By the reservoir, a little over an hour later, an adult Mediterranean Gull flew S and a distant Hobby was seen flying among a number of Swifts over the Greensand Ridge before disappearing E. An immature Cormorant flew S, the Tufted Duck family of five was present on the lake, with five other ducks and four drakes, a total of nine LBB Gulls flew mainly SW but very few passerines were noted in the strong wind and the Barn Owl and Swallow nestlings were still in their respective nests. Rain fell during the afternoon.

Only a short, early visit was possible on the 7th, as heavy showers turned into continuous rain in a moderate southwest wind. A total of 15 Mistle Thrushes flew from the Spindlewood orchard, a family party of Common Whitethroats was present in the rarity hedge, a Turtle Dove ‘purred' from the alder coppice and an adult Barn Owl perched outside the nestbox from which two youngsters continued to peer.

The 8th became warm and sunny during a five-hour morning visit but a moderate westerly wind blew. I joined Bob for a while and between us we noted nearly 50 species and a reasonable variety of insects. A Grey Heron flew SW, a LS Woodpecker drummed in the oak above the Peens Lane kissing gate, the Swallow young left their nest – the first successful breeding record since 2005 – a Skylark sang from the hay field, a juvenile Grey Wagtail was seen along the western feeder stream for the lake and a male Sparrowhawk flew into the poplar wood. The four juvenile Kestrels were active within their territory, another juvenile was seen in the Deer Park, near the Old Vicarage, and the young Barn Owls continued to peer out of their nestbox.

A male and female Comma were photographed, Large, Green-veined and Small Whites were noted, numerous Meadow Browns were present, a Banded Demoiselle visited the marsh and the first Cinnabar Moth caterpillars were noted on several plants of ragwort.

It rained continuously during the visit on the 9th, when an adult Mediterranean Gull flew NW. Three Coal Tits and two juvenile Goldcrests were seen feeding in the spruce coppice, but whether the latter bred within the study area is uncertain. Also uncertain is whether the Barn Owl young have actually fledged and are simply roosting in the nestbox. In past years they have usually roosted on or beside the box. Only one showed its face early on the 10th, so maybe they have fledged. In contrast to the 9th, when it rained all day, it was mainly dry, with sunny periods and a moderate west-southwest wind. At the lake, a pair of Moorhens had three newly hatched chicks and a duck Mallard showed off her four new ducklings. A Sparrowhawk flew E with prey, near the reservoir, to which a LBB Gull made a brief visit.

The four fledgling Swallows rested on a telephone wire over the Boughton Place courtyard, the female of the pair of Yellowhammers below Tanyard was again seen carrying food, but more interesting was the presence of two juvenile Pied Wagtails on the power lines over ‘their' combine harvester nest site – seems likely but the first sighting since they probably fledged on 3rd June! The two juvenile Goldcrests were again present in the spruce coppice and a family party of at least three Coal Tits, with an adult still feeding a juvenile, was seen in the three pines by the lake. The warmth of the sun was appreciated by a number of insects, including the first Gatekeepers and a couple of male Broad-bodied Chasers.

Early on the 11th there was little wind but a moderate southwesterly blew by 9am, when the first shower fell. There was evidence that the Barn Owls may have been fledged for about a week, as both perched outside the nestbox, into which one flew as I watched.

A Turtle Dove sang in the southwest corner of the Deer Park, I glimpsed my first Bullfinch for the month and an adult Goldcrest was also present in the spruce coppice, from which the two juveniles flew. The 12th commenced with an almost cloudless sky but a brisk west-northwest wind soon produced a variably amount of cloud and it remained dry during the morning. There was no sign of the young Barn Owls and only one of the fledgling Kestrels was seen. Four fledgling Common Whitethroats were present by the rarity hedge, three House Martins appeared briefly over the northeast corner but insects attracted more attention at times.

Eight butterfly species were noted, including my first Essex Skipper, Blue-tailed and Common Blue Damselflies were photographed, Emperor Dragonfly and Black-tailed Skimmers were also noted. The warmer, settled conditions continued on the 13th but only a short ninety-minute visit was made, following a final TTV along the Loose Valley. A Grey Heron flew low E over the reservoir, where a pair of Moorhens had hatched three chicks, but few passerines were seen or heard. Several more Black-tailed Skimmers and two Brown Hawkers were noted.

The sky was almost cloudless and an autumnal mist hung over the Weald early on the 14th, when a Mediterranean and six Herring Gulls flew S. In the Deer Park a LS Woodpecker was seen drumming and it called later as it flew towards the oaks in the southwest corner. A lone Barn Owl perched beside the nestbox and three of the four Kestrel young were seen not far from their nestbox.

It remained cloudy, with just an occasional patch of blue, throughout the eight-hour census on the 15th, when a light southwesterly blew. Two Curlew flew SW and the marked differences in size indicated a possible juvenile male and an adult female. Though not one owl species called before dawn and the elusive Sparrowhawks remained just that, it proved to be an extremely successful census, with 514 birds of 55 species, 66 below and three above the respective means. There was a small but interesting southerly movement of hirundines, including at least six Swallows, two House Martins and the first Sand Martin of the autumn. Totals for some residents were extremely low; for example 15 Wrens compared with just four Robins and three Dunnocks, and by way of contrast a total of 37 Mistle Thrushes was noted, comprising a flock of 30 followed by seven more flying NW from the Spindlewood orchard. The first fledgling Garden Warblers, at least two, were at last seen in the old orchard, from which a male also sang, Turtle Doves were heard or seen in three different territorial areas and it was pleasing to see a Skylark dropping into the wheat near the Greensand Way. It was also interesting to stumble across a mixed feeding flock in oaks in the Deer Park, in which two Treecreepers, Blue and Great Tits – with a Coal Tit calling nearby – Chaffinches, a Chiffchaff and a Spotted Flycatcher were noted. Bob also saw single adult Mediterranean Gulls flying N and S, the latter with several BH Gulls, including the first juvenile.

A light northwesterly brought cloudy conditions during a two-hour visit on the 16th, when a Grey Heron flew from beside the reservoir. Had it been there on the 15th, a total of 56 would have equalled the third highest July census total in 1995, with 57 in 1988 and the peak of 58 in 1992. The two Barn Owl young were again perched beside their nestbox and a Spotted Flycatcher was present near Gravitt's Cottage but otherwise it was a relatively quiet visit. It was cloudy on the 17th, with a light to moderate southwest wind and light rain from 10.30am. At long last a male Chaffinch was seen feeding a fledgling near the church – exceptionally late, the mean date being June 9th. An adult male Sparrowhawk flew N along the Peens Lane hedgerow and a Spotted Flycatcher was again seen near the church.

It was again cloudy, but still on the 18th, when two Grey Herons flew over: the first SW over the reservoir and the second dropped rapidly towards the lake, as two LBB Gulls mobbed it. Among the numbers of gulls that flew over were totals of six Black-headed, that included one juvenile, seven adult LBB, which also included one perched on a power-line pole by the Spindlewood orchard and 17 Herring Gulls, which included a flock of 10 NW. A LS Woodpecker called from an oak by Wierton Hill, one Barn Owl was seen to fly into the nestbox and an adult, with two juvenile Little Owls were perched on a wall of the old gamekeeper's cottage in the Deer Park - one had just flown!

The 19th commenced cloudy, with a light to moderate southwest wind and a few spots of rain, but it was bright and sunny by 9.30am. Remarkably few passerines were either seen or heard but, in addition to the usual bird near the church, a second Spotted Flycatcher flew N from the alder coppice and seven Swifts flew W along the southern boundary. A male Sparrowhawk disappeared through the tops of oaks in the Deer Park and in much the same area a juvenile Stock Dove provided sufficiently good views to age it, just a day later than the mean ‘fledging' date. A cool, light-moderate northwest wind blew on the 20th, when there were sunny periods. During a brief mid-morning visit the first Kingfisher for the month flew across the reservoir and an adult LBB Gull looked strange, showing pristine white primary coverts as it flew by. There was little else of note, though two Peacock butterflies were my first this month.

The northwest wind felt cool early on but once the cloud cleared it was warm in the sunny periods on the 21st. An adult Mediterranean Gull circled high over the church, as it flew N and a flock of about 15 Canada Geese flew S. I was surprised to disturb a flock of nine Song Thrushes at this time of year, from vegetation close to the reservoir. A small mixed feeding flock near the Old Vicarage included a Spotted Flycatcher, a Coal Tit, a Nuthatch, two Chiffchaffs and two Goldcrests, with several Great and Blue Tits. Several dragonflies were noted and amongst the butterflies seen were several Small Coppers and a Small Skipper, two Holly Blues and a rare sighting of a Silver-washed Fritillary, bringing the species total for the month to 16.

The wind had dropped on the 22nd and with a cloudless sky the temperature quickly rose towards the mid 20°C during the visit. A cock Reed Bunting visited the reservoir, where the first autumn migrant Sedge Warbler was present. These two species increased the July total to 70, four below the mean but well below the 1988 peak of 82, when several more species were resident. A juvenile Kestrel in the park may or may not have been one of the brood of four. The pair of Canada Geese had left the lake, a pair of Wrens was busy feeding a second brood of young and one of two Chiffchaffs, along Peens Lane again, was seen carrying food. Good numbers of butterflies were extremely active, no new species were seen but a Small Skipper feeding on a thistle provided a photographic opportunity.

A late afternoon visit didn't produce any new butterflies but a pair of Spotted Flycatchers was feeding actively between the lych gate and the Church door, where one had disappeared earlier carrying food.

It was still, cloudy and humid early on the 23rd, when seven Canada Geese flew NE. One of the two Chiffchaffs in Peens Lane was again seen carrying food, flocks of 45 Jackdaws and 26 Starlings were present in the Deer Park and three Turtle Doves were heard ‘singing' from their respective territories in the alder coppice, the old orchard and Boughton Place. Poppies looked attractive in the wheat and two Six-spot Burnets were busy.

It was certainly summery on the 24th, hot and cloudless, with a light easterly breeze but relatively little was seen. A pair of Canada Geese had returned to the lake and a flock of 17 flew SW, the two juvenile Barn Owls had returned to preen by the nestbox and six Swallows, probably the Tanyard family, visited the reservoir for a drink. The first Southern Hawker was also seen, a dozen or more Emperor Dragonflies chased over the surface of the lake and a Large White was photographed while taking nourishment from a thistle.

The dry summer weather continued on the 25th, though high clouds spread over in a light southeasterly wind. Two Grey Herons circled high over the Deer Park as they headed N. A juvenile Grey Wagtail visited the lake and a flock of 12 Swallows circled high over the reservoir. A juvenile Goldcrest and an adult Coal Tit were seen in the spruce coppice and a total of four Chiffchaffs was noted but song from a lone Blackcap was the only other warbler noted. An adult Little Owl and a juvenile Stock Dove provided good photographic opportunities. Later, Mary saw two Sparrowhawks flying over the Deer Park.

It was still and very warm again on the 26th, with increasing high cloud cover. The reservoir attracted five Swallows and single House and Sand Martins. A lone Spotted Flycatcher fed nearby and well-fledged juvenile Yellowhammers were certainly seen within the old orchard territory and probably present in the territory below Tanyard, where the adult male was photographed carrying nesting material.

A Common Whitethroat was seen carrying food to a newly fledged youngster, within the old orchard territory, where the first brood may or may not have fledged successfully. A second brood of five duckling Tufted Duck was present on the lake and Bob saw a Hobby flying N over the church and noted a family party of five Goldcrests in the spruce coppice. There were good numbers of Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns but only a scattering of other species and Common Blues have been particularly scarce.

The 27th was more humid and mainly cloudy during the visit, but sunnier later. A Grey Heron flew SW, at least 12 Swallows and 10 House Martins visited the reservoir to drink, the first autumn migrant Willow Warbler and a hen Reed Bunting were also seen there. A mature juvenile Little Grebe was present on the lake, where just one of the resident adults was seen and heard. The hot weather continued, with a little high hazy cloud and a light northeasterly breeze, on the 28th, when relatively few passerines were seen. A Kingfisher flew towards the lake, from which two Grey Herons flew and three Canada Geese were present on the reservoir, otherwise there was little change and the only butterfly of note was a Holly Blue.

After an overnight thunderstorm, a light to moderate southwest wind soon blew the rain clouds away early on the 29th and warm sunny periods followed. There was an increase in duck numbers on the lake, where there were 19 Mallard, including the duck with her four maturing ducklings. The two broods of four and five Tufted Duck were still feeding actively, alongside three other ducks and one of the resident Little Grebes was observed chasing the visiting juvenile. The only warblers noted were two Chiffchaffs, the alder coppice Turtle Dove was heard and seen but the pair of Spotted Flycatchers near the church had not been seen since the 22nd.

It was still and warm again, with some hazy high cloud on the 30th, when the first Greylag Goose of the month flew onto the lake, with a flock of 45 Canada Geese. A migrant Willow Warbler and four single Chiffchaffs were the only warblers noted, a lone Swift was only the second sighting since the 19th and a small flock of Greenfinches, that visited the Spindlewood orchard, comprised four adults and five juveniles.

The last visit of the month on the 31st, in humid conditions, with a light southeasterly wind, was quite productive; the most welcome sight, though far too brief - as it is one of my favourite warblers - was of a Wood Warbler feeding in an oak in the Deer Park, my 100th species for the year and the 108th for the patch. Two juvenile Linnets were seen with eight Greenfinches in the Spindlewood orchard – the first record of this species since Apr 29th.

Two Kingfishers visited the reservoir briefly, two and four Swifts circled over and there were four sightings of adult Spotted Flycatchers, including two in the rarity hedge, involving at least three and possibly five birds, so the presence of migrants is possible, though all were seen in localities where individuals have occurred during the spring and summer. Later, three Sand Martins flew over, several Brown Argus butterflies were seen and the first Beautiful Demoiselle - totally unexpected for this area - was observed near the marsh.

The month ended on a high note, with the Wood Warbler and the monthly total of 74 equals the 24-year mean and the end of July annual total of 108 is three above the mean. By the end of the month 41 species were known to have fledged young successfully, another four may well have bred – Pied Wagtail, Lesser Whitethroat, Goldcrest and Reed Bunting – but no fledglings were seen at the time they were due to fledge and the later sightings of juvenile Pied Wagtails and Goldcrests may or may not have bred within the study area. Little Grebe, Pheasant, Turtle Dove and Spotted Flycatcher may yet fledge young but that still leaves the total below the mean of 51.