I found a new plant species at Toad Holes Beck the other day…Sorry cannot report some kind of rare Orchid…but a humble Celery-Leaved Buttercup, in fact two have appeared by the smaller pond at Toad Holes Beck this brings the plant species list 210.
Celery-Leaved Buttercup
Also a bit of good news on the Lesser Whitethroat a male was in brief song again this morning which is very interesting!
A Peppered Moth was caught last night only the second record at Caldene Fields
Last night some unseen youths set alight and destroyed the bench that overlooked the pond at Raw Nook Nr. This morning I found the remnants of the fire and empty beer bottles. These mindless people have not only spoilt the enjoyment of genuine members of the public who liked to sit and watch the wildlife but for themselves as youngsters used to sit on the bench as well.
Lately I have noticed the bench was becoming a ‘Meeting Place’ for people who didn’t respect the area. It is sad for the genuine people who gained enjoyment from sitting at the location but ‘ I now wonder what vandalism would be next? and therefore not replacing the bench may be the way forward.
A check at Toad Holes Beck revealed no sign of the Lesser Whitethroat …which was a disappointment. However, on a better note Long tailed Tits have successfully bred with at least 9 Juvs seen. A Chiffchaff was observed feeding young and 14 LBB Gulls many adults were noted moving to the N/W over Caldene Fields.
A single moth a Shuttle Shaped Dart was caught last night which is poor for this time of the year.
One of several juv Lond Tailed Tits recorded
is .
Found another a male Lesser Whitethroat at Toad Holes Beck on 21/5. Went down to the site this morning and the bird appears to trying to attract a mate…so watch this space… Also seen were a pair of Grey Wagtails, a pair of Linnets at Caldene Fields and 6 Canada Geese and a male Orange Tip butterfly at Toad Holes Beck, first of the year.
Orange Tip butterfly
The cool temperatures are playing havoc with moth recording at the moment with only a male Buff Ermine caught on 18/5. Last night nothing at all was caught…
Last years Swallows are nest building at the horses shed at Caldene Fields with their big black stallion as body guard!
A male Lesser Whitethroat was in full song this morning at the top end of Toad Holes beck this morning. Sadly this bird could well be a passage bird rather than a male seeking territory.
I have been unable to work the patch other the last week so I was looking forward to what was about this morning. Sadly I was in for a bit of a shock as they were nothing new in apart from a single Swift that flew west.
With the mainly northerly winds there has been little movement of migrants in the last few days. However, this morning a Common Snipe was at Caldene Fields which is an unusual record for Spring.
Actually not that much about today. Only real things of note were 4 Swallow feeding low over Caldene Fields, a pair of Song Thrush at Raw Nook Nr and views of a male Blackcap collecting nesting material.
Firstly I had a ‘ blast from the passed’ moment today when a pair of Lapwing were displaying over Caldene Fields a regular nesting site in bygone years. A returning male Swallow flew into it’s old nesting site the horses shed at Caldene Fields and whilst I do not normally comment on nest sites the Swallows one is very safe….as a rather large mean looking stallion keeps the Swallow company… Only a female Blackcap at the top end of the fields was judged as a new migrant in.
Last night was the first time this year I put out the moth trap and was rewarded with a Brindled Pug the f hirchkei form which is a new site record. 2 Common Quaker and 3 Hebrew Character were also recorded.
Four Smooth Newts were observed at Raw Nook nr pond and at least 4 Peacock and 3 Small Tortoiseshell were noted.
