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.

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).

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.

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.

Toads spawn at the Brickworks & the first Willow Warbler arrives

For more details on the Toads at the Brickworks, click HERE

For the Willow Warbler, click HERE

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

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.