Wet Village Walk - Newton St Loe Patch

Date: 5th July 2015 - 12PM
Location:  Newton St Loe Circular

Observation:  With 1/2 of NSL-Birding suffering with a bad neck, we stayed local and wandered out the Village in the hope we would miss the incoming storm (which was due to start at 2pm!) Through the campsite, it was busy once again with workmen but its due to finish in around 6 weeks, so should start to see wildlife returning soon we hope! On the Dog Walk, there were abundant supplied of butterflies and bugs, the majority being Small Skipper (first of the year for our patch) and Comma butterflies.

This year, we have seen 20 species of butterfly on our patch the record being 21 for us so not bad! The 21 species we have seen are: European Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Large White, Green Veined White, Brimstone, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Comma, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Small Copper, Clouded Yellow, Marbled White, Orange-Tip, Common Blue and the Painted Lady. The only butterfly we haven't seen on our patch this year is the Common Blue!

Has anyone seen more than 21 on their patch?!

The Buzzard was calling from his tree in Seven Acre Woods, as we approached (we couldn't actually find him!) he flew off and circled for a short while but landed in Seven Acre Woods as the wind started getting stronger. At the crossroads a quick, glimpse of the Yellowhammer before he hid in the hedgerow away from us (as always!).

Into the Village, it started to rain (the weather is wrong once again!) there were a few Barn Swallows and singles of Swift flying above us. In the Village junction there were alot more younger Swallows and House Sparrows grounded on surrounding wires. The rain and wind was coming in heavy and fast now, so we took a few shots of the Swallows and headed home (very quickly!).

Along the last stretch of the rain, with the rain and wind still slamming down, were some squawking young Magpies in the tree, they flew off before we could see what they were squawking at! This ended our walk and arrived home VERY wet and cold!

Weather:  Cloudy, Sunny Intervals, Warm - Incoming Storm

Other Species: Buzzard, Yellowhammer, House Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Swift, Crow, Magpie - Of Note

Butterflies: Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper - Of Note

Thanks For Reading !