July full patch walk

Date: 26/07/2016

Location: Patch Walk- Newton St Loe

Weather: Cloudy and grey

Other Species: 
Coal Tit, Bullfinch, Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Buzzard, Black Headed Gull, Yellowhammer, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Raven, Nuthatch.36 sp.
Butterflies
Gatekeeper,Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Ringlet, Small White, Large White, Peacock, 
Red Admiral, Holly Blue,Comma.11 sp.

Observation: 

Started out through Bath Mill with very little along brook a few butterflies on dog track mainly Gatekeepers and Ringlets but number low.

Walking up on to fields a few Yellowhammers about, but no skylarks or Whitethroats heard.

Swifts buzzing overhead, farmer was harvesting far fields lots of Wood Pigeons and 2 Buzzards also.

Just before Seven Acre saw a couple of Skippers Essex and Small.

While standing watching Red Admirals around 5 on edge of Seven Acre saw at least 3 Holly Blues on Bramble, 2nd brood.

Red Admirals looked fresh saw around 7/8 on the full walk. Sun was trying to come out but not long enough so most butterflies didn't stop for long.

Out through village Martins and Barn swallows zooming in skies, 

just after church saw 2 Green Woodpeckers feeding in grass.

At lake nout new Mute Swans still with 7 Cygnets, plenty of mallards and this inquisitive Grey Wagtail juvenile. 

But also no Grey Herons ! But the return of 2 Black Headed Gulls not seen on lakes since 07/03/2016 breeding i suppose ?

Out past second lake saw this feather ? anyone ID ?

On Ponds by Football pitches 2 Emperor Dragons and 2 Common Darters, Little else but this pale Buzzard calling for mum or Dad.

As you can see very pale against the equally pale and grey skies !

That ended walk with the walk up over hill to Park Farm and along 12 O'clock lane with nothing to add. 

Ended on 36 bird Species and 11 Butterflies.

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Bentley Wood + Alners Gorse

Date: 14/07/2016

Location: Bentley Woods + Alners Gorse

Weather: 18-21 Temp, Sunny with some Cloud

Other Species: 
Purple Hairstreak, Silver Washed Fritillary, Ringlets, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Red Admiral, Comma, Large White, White Letter Hairstreak, Large Skipper.

Observation:

In my pursuit of Butterflies headed to Bentley Wood in search of the Purple Emperor, but apart from a tree top pass, silhouetted which I just can't count I drew a blank!

Stayed for 2hrs 30mins, Donkey Corpse best hope as others had all the gear, Shrimp Paste and alike but nothing, in fact not alot Silver Washed Fritillaries and some high level Purple Hairstreak the best.

Gatekeeper

So sun still shining headed across to Alners Gorse, on arriving saw White Letter Hairstreak perched in Brambles but head buried and didn't move, apart from higher up into bush.

Headed on round to Buckthorn and must have been 20 Purple Hairstreaks at least in small tree.

Got a few nice shots and lots of nice people there full of information!

Got plenty of closed wing shots had to wait for a few individuals to open up and show the 

Purple.

Walked around reserve a couple of times Marbled Whites and a few Silver Washed Fritillaries, Meadow Browns making up the majority.

On the Buckthorn bush saw this Brimstone Caterpillar, a first for me!

So monday morning weather permitting its the 2hr 50min drive to Fermyn wood for the Purple Emperor! Fingers crossed

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Newton St Loe At Its Best !

Date: 08/05/2016

Location: Patch - Newton St Loe

Weather: 
Blue Skies, Some Wind

Other Species: 
Goldcrest, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Skylark, House Sparrow, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron, Green Woodpecker, Linnet, Kestrel.
Butterflies:
Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip, Peacock, Small White, Large White, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Comma, Green Veined White.

Observation: 
Blue skies today so headed out as normal through Bath Mill, a Kingfisher flashed along brook with the normals in trees and up to the fields. Whitethroats, Yellowhammer and Skylarks on top fields and this cracking little Dunnock singing away competing with the Skylarks.

Still not many Butterflies about but a little windy across fields this Small White finding nector where it can, not many plants about.

On 22 bird species at this point with a surprise Sparrowhawk over Seven Acre.

At Village, House Martins and Barn Swallow screaming across the landscape, here a almost in shot! After many failed attempts.

On out through Village and Churchyard this Crow having a crafty bread roll which it must have scavenged.

Lots of Blackcap and Chiffchaff hidden now by foliage in the Covert Woodland on my way down to Fisherman's Car Park.

A quick turn right along College Drive to see Grey Herons paid off with 8 birds in nests, such great mad looking chicks !

Pre-Historic chicks !

At Lake very little Grey Wagtails the best of it, Teal seem to have departed.

A few students about making noise and off footpaths as they do ! 

So carried on out towards Stanton Prior where there was very little also, a Red Admiral first one I've seen on patch this year !

Yellowhammer, Linnet & Skylarks at Park Farm then on round to 12 O'Clock Lane where this Roe Deer looked nice surrounded by green.

Buzzard soaring across Englishcombe and a distant Kestrel, Chiffchaff as normal along lane.

Got this nice looking Female Orange Tip on wild garlic, cracking !

Carried on down lanes thinking that's it for photos and this stunning Buzzard drifted over from Pennyquick and across lanes perfect light !

Then while thinking that's definitely it a male Sparrowhawk just before road and home !

Amazing and a cracking bird to end on species count today was 40 Birds and 9 Butterflies although Butterflies seem slow to start on Patch this year ?

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Patch Walking - Newton St Loe

Date: 13-18/08/2015

Location: Patch Walk To Lake  

Weather: Cloudy, Overcast - Both Walks 

Other Species: Barn Swallow, House Martin, Buzzard, Kingfisher, 3 Grey Heron, 8 Mute Swan.

Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Small White, Large White, Peacock, Holly Blue, Brimstone, Comma, Small Copper.

Observation: Two walks in one blog, First picture from an evening walk quite 20 Barn Swallow at Village, 2 Buzzards in copse, fisherman's car park. Calling loudly, one juv I think.

While watching noticed I was being watched too !

Today being 18th headed out again. Seven Acre 2 holly blues few white's Gatekeeper about.

Also this Magpie Moth 

At Village noticed one House Martin I think ?

  Alot of House Sparrows at farm shop 

Around 30 despite hedge being cut rather violently !

2 Adult and a juv Grey Heron busy fishing top lake 

Sat with Mallards about 20 on lake at moment.

Walked back through lanes and found a Small Copper.

Thanks For Reading !

Draycott & Priddy Mineries

Date: 28/07/2015

Location: Draycott Sleights then Priddy Mineries

Weather: Windy some sunshine later

Other Species Butterflies: Silver Washed Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Small Copper, Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Chalkhill Blue = 12

Observation: 

Sunny spells forecast but wind not good for butter-flying :( but headed to Draycott Sleights anyway saw around 6/7 Chalkhill Blues all hiding in grasses not really posing so headed up slope came to this Silver Washed Fritillary had another wander round but still to windy, wind was gusting at 15mph.

Thought maybe Priddy Mineries would be better, it was a bit,so headed into Stockhill Wood first and saw this lovely looking Large White.

Bit further on surprised to see this large skipper in the woodland .

Dark Green and Silver Washed Fritillary's Soaring through the glades. Also birds saw Goldcrest and Coal Tit and unknown bird of prey calling thought maybe kestrel.

Out on to the Mineries path, windy again. But this Small Copper stopped briefly.

Lots of mostly Small Skippers with Marbled Whites, Burnet Moths, Meadow Browns making the numbers

I really liked this shot, thought he was smiling I was as well ! :)...I'am now ! :)

Last thing of the day Common Darter landed on path, Nice :)

Thanks For Looking :)

Alners Gorse

Date: 23/07/2015

Location: Alners Gorse 

Weather: Very short sunny spell then cloudy - 20c

Butterfly Species: White Letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, White Admiral, Silver Washed Fritillary, Gate Keepers, Peacock, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large White, Red Admiral, Marbled Whites +Small Skipper - 12

Observation: First time at Alners Gorse, Nice little place. Walked around reserve about 5 times. My first trip round was most successful with White Letter Hairstreak almost instantly at this point it was sunny and warm. Butterflies covering Bramble bushes mainly Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns 

My First White-Letter Hairstreak 

They seem to be very friendly !

Of the 2 White Letters I saw they spent most of there time heads buried in bramble heads.

Again White Admiral has holy wing, one week earlier next year me thinks.

Saw around 10 Silver Washed, when they stop soaring, Stunning !

After the fourth trip around still hadn't seen the Purple Hairstreak but after bumping into to 

Dr Martin Warren of Butterfly Conservation, only the Chief Executive ! He pointed in the direction of the magic Alder Buckthorn Bush And 6 Purple Hairstreak adorned the bush top ! Spent 60 mins watching and waiting for the sun.

Another Head on shot, difficult to get picture as perching at 7 foot and above.

Didn't quiet get the open wing shot but Purple Hairstreak !

Thanks For Looking !