Thursday 19 May 2016

Lesser Whitethroats at two sites

Bovingdon Brickworks is a well establish breeding territory for the Whitethroat or Common Whitethroat but in 2013 and 2015 it also attracted a Lesser Whitethroat (a far more difficult bird to find locally). This year, another singing male has arrived at the site, details here.

Gadespring too annually attracts one or two Common Whitethroats but this year, Lesser Whitethroat has also been recorded on site, details here.

Tuesday 10 May 2016

Highlights from the first week of May

The sunshine and warmth of the first week of May have finally breathed life into Spring. The Green Hairstreaks have emerged at Roughdown (details and more HERE), Dingy Skippers are now flying at the Brickworks and the first moth trapping of the year took place on site (details and more HERE). Finally, a pair of Grey Wagtails are nesting by the River Bulbourne (more info HERE).

Wednesday 13 April 2016

First moth trapping of 2016

Ben and Roger set themselves the ambitious task of trapping at 3 Box Moor Trust sites simultaneously on 12/4/2016 (Gadespring, Roughdown and Westbrook Hay). In spite of torrential rain, dodgy electrics and spluttering motors, they had the skill, patience and dogged determination to stick with it. Between them, they trapped and netted some exciting specimens: for the full account, including some superb photographs, head on over to Ben's blog, HERE.

Monday 11 April 2016

Newt Survey

On 7th-8th April, we carried out a newt survey on a couple of the Trust ponds. Check out the Brickworks blog for the results, here.

Sunday 3 April 2016

Chiffchaffs & Toads

A good fall of migrant Chiffchaffs at the Brickworks today, more details, HERE

And, the Toads have returned to spawn at Gadespring, details, HERE

Saturday 12 March 2016

Spring walk along the Bulbourne & first Newt emerges!

The fantastic Kingfisher pair have been keeping photographers and wildlife enthusiasts entertained through the winter.
Bulbroune Meadow, January 2016

Grey, dull and wet: not quite the spring weather I was after on Thursday! However, in spite of the dankness, at every stage along the Bulbourne, there was something interesting to see. Mr Kingfisher made off with a decent prize for his good lady. A pair of Wrens were inspecting a nest hole, preparing to raise this year’s brood. The Grey Wagtail pair were together, foraging along the river bank on Bulbourne Meadow, and a couple of Little Egrets were lazily fishing the shallows. Great Tits and Mistle Thrushes were amongst those in full song. Goldcrests seemed to be on the move too, with single birds at separate locations, edging their way along the bank. Finally, on Blackbirds Moor, there were a good 15+ Redwing, darting between the soft ground and the safety of the trees. There were also flocks still at the Brickworks and at Roughdown Common this week.

A few Snowdrops are still hanging on. Primroses and Daffodils are blooming on Harding’s Moor and it won’t be long before the Grape Hyacinths also open up. The latter seem very early.

Full list of bird species seen 10/3/2016
  1. Wren
  2. Dunnock
  3. Robin
  4. Blackbird
  5. Song Thrush
  6. Mistle Thrush
  7. Redwing
  8. Woodpigeon
  9. Feral Pigeon
  10. Magpie
  11. Coot
  12. Moorhen
  13. Mallard
  14. Canada Goose
  15. Black-headed Gull
  16. Starling
  17. House Sparrow
  18. Jay
  19. Carrion Crow
  20. Little Egret
  21. Grey Heron
  22. Grey Wagtail
  23. Kingfisher
  24. Chaffinch
  25. Goldfinch
  26. Goldcrest
  27. Great Tit
  28. Blue Tit
  29. Long-tailed Tit
  30. Red Kite

Frequently seen but not noted on Thursday:
  • Kestrel
  • Sparrowhawk
  • Greenfinch
  • Coal Tit
  • Nuthatch
  • Green and/or Great Spotted Woodpecker

In other news

David K spotted the first of the year's Newts to emerge at Gadespring (HERE). In the coming weeks, we're hoping to survey a few sites and see which species the Trust land supports.