Shenstone Birder: Monday 15th April 2013

This afternoon's visit was a sunny affair with the rare treat of clear blue sky! This milder weather worked wonders for bringing out a few invertebrates, with the highlight being a stonking ♂ Brimstone butterfly that was flying along Stanklyn Lane.

Also along Stanklyn Lane were 2 singing Chiffchaffs and 2 singing Corn Buntings.

The Butts Lane/Barrs Lane area was unusually quiet with the only notable birds being the pair of Common Buzzards that were showing over Stone Manor.

Heath Lane was the most productive area on the bird front with 118 Fieldfare present in one of the fields. A Corn Bunting was singing at the top end of the lane and near the paddock I recorded a new invert for my patch list in the form of a Pied Shieldbug.

At Witch Lane, 2 more Buzzards were up soaring and a Chiffchaff was singing near the cricket pitch. A queen White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) and a 7-spot Ladybird were also noted.

My final stop was Back Lane where a 4th Chiffchaff was heard singing and a swallow went over heading NW. A queen Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) was also noted.

Pied Shieldbug (Tritomegas bicolor)