Greenfinch - Carduelis chloris

 Date spotted: 4th September 2012 - 2pm

Location: Newton St Loe Village - Zone 1+5

Observation: Family of greenfinches sat feeding on garden feeders happily. A pigeon like bird lands next to it, ALL the birds fly off, so jumped up to find it was a Sparrowhawk! First time ever in our garden. Sparrowhawk got away empty-handed.

Weather: Some Sun, Cloudy, Little Wind

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Blackbird, Crow, Jackdaw, Barn Swallow, Swift, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Buzzard, Kestrel, Wood Pigeon, Coal Tit, House Sparrow, Robin, Sparrowhawk (day before)

Other Insects: Black Vine Weevil, Hoverfly, White Tailed Bumblebee, Dark Bush Crickets, Orb Spider, Shieldbug, Harvestman Spider, Scorpion Fly.

 

Osprey - Pandion Haliaetus

Date spotted: 2nd September - 4pm

Location: Somerset Levels - Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath

Observation: Travelled down to Shapwick Heath and successfully found the Osprey that had been there for over a week. The Osprey was just sat on the one perch for over 30 minutes only moving his head to move around. But still a great find as never seen one before so very exciting!

Weather: Cloudy, Rain and Windy

Other Species: Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wood Pigeon, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Great White Egret, Little Egret Coot, Moorhen, Osprey, Buzzard, Little Grebe, Dunnock, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Long-Tailed Tit, Mallard.
Other Insects: Sawfly caterpillar and a Male Adder (first time ever for both of these!)