A Willow Warbler was singing from trees along Stanklyn Lane and a Chiffchaff was singing from Stanklyn Wood. 2 Blackcaps were singing along Heath Lane and 2 Chiffchaffs were present in trees/bushes next to the Islamic School playing fields. Also, 2 Common Buzzards and a Kestrel were seen soaring.
At the Butts Lane/Bars Lane area there were c.30 Linnets and 2 Yellowhammers present. Whilst at this location 2 Swallows and a ♀ Sparrowhawk flew through.
Today's highlight came from Witch Lane where a dowdy ♂ Wheatear was present (this was most likely a first year bird). The ♂ Blackcap was again present here and a Meadow Pipit flew over heading NW.
As mentioned earlier butterflies were very much in evidence with Orange Tip being the most abundant. Good numbers of Peacock & Small Tortoiseshell were also evident. Whilst on Witch Lane I picked up a couple of butterfly year ticks in Small White and Green-veined White.
Orange Tip (male) - 10th April 2011:
Peacock - 10th April 2011:
Wheatear - 10th April 2011:
You've got me doing butterflies ( and bees) too now ! Cheers for the Wheatear, had Orange Tip and Peacock on my patch this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteGreat Butterflies and the greatest Wheatear.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, Jason. I`m still waiting for Small White to appear along with Large. Probably not this week now, what with the temperatures taking a tumble.
ReplyDeleteMark - glad to be of help with the Wheatear. Its worth getting into butterflies, dragonflies, moths etc...you will really appreciate it during the summer void betweemn bird migration periods.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob...much appreciated.
Cheers Dean..I was so pleased to finally get a male orange tip with wings open. The change in weather will certainly set the butterflies back but the other side of the coin is a bit of cloud/mist may put a few migrant birds down...every cloud and that
Good variety there Jase, as most days. I wish the willow warblers would stay and breed here!
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