Something of a pleasant surprise to
start the day as arriving at the traps this morning, among the first
half dozen or so Insects to be removed there was what is considered
scarce for Dorset a
GRASS WAVE
Not rare but localised, it is said that fewer than 200 have ever been
recorded in the County.
After that the only way was 'down' but even then there was this much more common
TREBLE BROWN-SPOT
but nonetheless a first for the property.
COMMON CARPET
is as the name suggests and no less difficult to catch
(female) LIGHT EMERALD
and after a late one from yesterday (the 'immigrant')
GEM
we go onto a round up of some of the activities during recent days on
Parley Court Farm
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER
doesn't hold the Bird Table exclusively, this
SPARROWHAWK
now putting in more of an appearance surely has a nest in the vicinity.
Unfortunately, the only one of the resident Woodpecker not to have
been seen or heard recently, despite a number of searches, is Lesser Spotted but
GREEN WOODPECKER
is seen or heard on a daily basis.
Down by the Riverside (Stour)
CETTI'S WARBLER
REED WARBLER
and
SEDGE WARBLER
are all holding territories, and no doubt some already have eggs.
COMMON BUZZARD
are also nesting locally, with 2 sites identified, while
GREY HERON
do not nest here
but must be doing so close by?
As seen in a recent Post
GREYLAG GEESE
have had breeding success just up the road but on a serious
'down-side' no
HOUSE MARTIN
have returned, thus far, to breed on the Manor House with only
a 'single' seen in close proximity. However, last Thursday at least
200 were feeding above the fields in the northern half of the property.
LAPWING
are still 'sitting' in 18 Acre Field while next door chicks have been
seen for a few days now.
Of the other Warblers
BLACKCAP (male)
female
still find voice on a daily basis along with Whitethroat, while other 'vocalists' include
Goldcrest, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Skylark, Gold and Greenfinch
while it is only in recent days that the Cuckoo has fallen silent.
As described on the last Post
KESTREL
has been conspicuous by their absence, but as soon as you utter
the words one hovers directly above your head.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
are enjoying whatever it is they are finding to eat in the various paddocks.
LINNET
are say on eggs,
LITTLE EGRET
have become 'daily', even venturing into the garden pond at Harbins
as the
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER
stayed until the weekend when essential work became all too much.
Not wanting to land these days
MEDITERRANEAN GULL
are also seen or heard on a daily basis as are a pair of
RAVEN
also observed copulating, they did nest close by last year.
While not proven there seem to be signs of
SKYLARK
also breeding but proof is difficult to come by as with the c7
STOCK DOVE
still favouring the north end.
No doubt what is happening with
SWALLOW
as it seems like c4 nests are occupied in the Harbins garage alone.
Back to the 'songsters' and early morning is best for hearing both
TAWNY OWL
and Barn Owl and on a single occasion it sounded as if Little Owl was also joining in.
WHITETHROAT
In
addition the small Rookery, between Bournemouth Airport and the Eco
Plant is doing well, House Sparrow, Wren, Song Thrush, Blackbird,
Greenfinch and especially Long-tailed Tit have young everywhere. There
is no knowing how many Kingfisher there are but the single has stopped
visiting the garden pond, but are seen intermittently elsewhere. Common
Swift, by no means common here, have been watched feeding most evenings
above the farmhouse in numbers up to 50, a second pair of Tufted Duck
have returned to Parley Pond (while the other 2 have not moved) as the
original c8 Cygnets have managed to stay clear of the predators.
Finally, many dozens of juvenile Starling seem to be feeding the lawn
when I arrive to tend the traps each morning and are still there late
afternoon, and Hugh saw last week what he described as his only sighting
on the farm of a
YELLOW WAGTAIL
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