Blakehill Birding 2003-23
Curlews (Bob Shiret) & Skylark (Jon Mercer)
Short-eared Owl (Jon Mercer) & Red-backed Shrike (John Grearson)
BLAKEHILL FARM NATURE RESERVE 2003 – 2023
20 YEARS OF BIRDING AT BLAKEHILL
I started regular bird-watching at Blakehill Farm Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve in September 2003 when the then warden Trevor Stinton invited me to visit for recording purposes when the reserve was still closed to the public. I had visited on a couple of occasions prior to this in September 2002 and June 2003 with guided walks led by Paul Darby, the then Braydon Forest officer for the WWT.
As Blakehill is very wheelchairable it was a good place for me to visit along with my disabled wife. I visited on a weekly basis from then onwards and although the reserve opened to the public in summer 2005, I continued to visit to record bird and butterflies and a few other things up until the present, starting a Butterfly Transect on the reserve in 2007.
Following an appeal for records due to my having lost data, especially for the first half of the period, Steve Davies sent me a link to an invaluable website Webarchive.org where my Blakehill data (plus much other material beside) was still available! Thanks to Steve this list is complete - but please still let me know if there are any omissions you know of. Thanks also to Simon Tucker for sending some more ringing records and to Nick Self for forwarding some WSBRC records.
In the records below, un-initialed records are by myself. Others as follows: Nick Adams, Pete Adams, Martin Adlam, Tom & Ann Binny, Steve Birt, Bill Blumson, the late John Booth, Mark Coller, Jonny Cooper, , Neil Cowley, Andy Crabtree, Ken Cypher, Terry & Gaynor Dabner, Paul Darby, Brian Danby (BDy), Brian Davies, Stephen Davies (SpD), Steve Davies, Jane Deacon (JaneD), John Durell (JohnD), , Stephen B. Edwards, H. Elliot, Neil George, John Grearson, Mark Gurney, T. Hall, Mike J. Hamzij, P. Hiam, E. Horton, Joanna Hutchinson, Jon Holloway (JonH), Ellie Jones, Dave Kilbey, Graham Lawlor, Dave Lee, Wilf Lewis, Dr. Gary Mantle, Bob Markham, Dr. Jon Mercer, Laura Mynott, Michael New, Bob Philpott, Nigel Pleass (NPl), Dan Pointon, Matt Pringle, Neil Pullen, Barbara Reed, Nick Rentmore, Malcolm Royal, Tim Salkeld, Jo Sayer, Ian Searle, Bob Shiret, Nigel Sluman, Chris Snook, Dave Soons, Trevor Stinton (TSt), Paul Tubb, Simon Tucker (Braydon Forest ringer), Richard Vernon, Bob Webb, Keith Williams, Richard Williams. In addition these initials cannot be identified – they include some written on the blackboard at the site: DG, PH, RH, SM, "ET & ST."
BIRD RECORDS
Canada Goose Occasional flyover
Bar-headed Goose Only record, 1, 4th Mar. 2018 (BP,NG,RW)
Mute Swan Occasional flyover
Common Shelduck Four reports of wanderers, presumably from CWP. 1, 9th May 2004, 3, 6th Feb. 2009 – “remarkable colours against the snow” (NP), 2, 3rd Apr. 2016 (DK), 2, 17th Mar. 2020 (JM)
Gadwall One report : 2, 31st July 2020 (NS)
Mallard Often seen at the ponds, may have bred
Teal Six reports: Pair, 22nd Feb. 2006, 2, 5th Mar. 2008 (T & GD), 2, 16th Sept. 2009, 5, 19th Mar. 2013 (BS), 1, 31st Jan. 2015, 2, 21st Feb. 2017.
Goosander Seven flyover records – 4, 3rd Dec. 2007, 6, 7th Dec. 2008, 1 M., 1st Jan 2010, 10, 29th Jan & 8, 12th Feb. 2011, 17(!), 29th Dec. 2012, 4, 30th Nov. 2020.
Grey Partridge Rare resident A couple of confirmed occurrences – may have bred in 2009 when seen 3 times (RG, JohnD, TH), then twice in winter/spring 2010, then an unconfirmed, anonymous report in 2019, and a confirmed report of two on 27th August, 2022 (DS), interestingly later than the last report of Red-legs.
Pheasant Resident
Quail Possibly bred, 2005 & 2011. Recorded calling in late spring or early summer on the plateau as follows: 1, 9th Jun. 2004, 1, 11th / 22nd May 2005, 1, 1st Jun. 2008 (DL), 1, 1st – 14th Jun. 2011, 1, 28th May, 2012, 1, 5th Jun. 2016 (MN), 1, 14th May 2017 and 1, 15th Jun. 2020 (JC) – the last one reported.
Red-legged Partridge Resident but apparently declining. Max. a covey of 10 seen by farm staff in summer 2012, also 7 seen regularly in autumn 2015, but none at all reported since 18th May 2020.
Swift Visitor especially in poor weather. Max. est. 100, 11th May, 2020 (T & AB). Early birds, 2 on 28th Apr 2012 & 1, 24th Apr. 2016 (IS). Late birds, several in August, and latest were 2, 6th Sept. 2012.
Cuckoo Former(?) breeder, still occasionally seen and heard each spring. Seen pursued by breeding pairs of Meadow Pipits in both 2004 and 2009, and courtship behaviour noted in late April, when high numbers reported, 2012. High numbers again in 2013 – “Up to 6 or 7 present from 21st Apr. till early June with last being 2 on 19th June. Presume hedgerow Dunnocks are the victims here as Meadow Pipits virtually extinct at Blakehill.” (In fact Meadow Pipits last bred in 2010.) Rufous phase female, 9th June 2023 (JM). Earliest ever was 1, 7th Apr. 2012 (NP) Fledged juveniles: 28th July 2006, 1st Aug. 2010 (Anon.), 19th -20th Aug 2011 (JohnD, DL).
Stock Dove Resident. Max 40, 31st Oct. 2011. Sometimes shares nest box with Barn Owls!
Wood Pigeon Resident
Collared Dove Resident
Moorhen One or two occasionally seen at ponds or ditches, but only since Mar. 2008 for some reason.
Coot Occurred before/in 2020 (WSBRC)
[Corncrake An unconfirmed report from 24th April 2016 by an anonymous observer. No further details ever came to light, unfortunately.]
Crane Occasionally visitors from the reintroduction scheme in Glos. are seen in flight or on the plateau.
Little Grebe One report, 2019 (WSBRC)
Oystercatcher Two records: One, 23rd Apr. 2016 (MA), 1, 30th June 2017, both presumed from the CWP
Lapwing Occasional, mainly in winter – bred in 2008 only (Stoke Common). Spring records 17th May 2005 & 12th May 2016 may possibly represent local breeders
Golden Plover Former regular (sometimes flyover) visitor especially in early spring and autumn, first seen, 14, 4th Oct 2003, then none till Jan. 2009. Seen regularly from then until 26th Mar. 2013 when there was a large flock of 125, including a few in full breeding plumage, on the plateau, then sadly just two reports in 2018 (one of c150 flying N. on 28th Dec – SBE), and two reports of flyover birds in 2022.
Ringed Plover One heard over, 8th Sept. 2002 on my very first visit to the site – a guided walk with Paul Darby. Never reported again!
Little Ringed Plover One on 25th Aug. 2016, presumed from CWP (beware with this species though – when Skylarks are singing – they are excellent mimics of this species’ call!)
Whimbrel Occasional in spring or late summer – all records – 2, 2nd Aug. 2008, 9, 25th Apr. 2009, then a whole series of reports of birds in spring 2015: 2, 26th Apr. (WL), 8, 27th Apr. (RV), 11, 28th Apr. (NP), 10, 29th Apr., 7, 1st May (JM, T & G D), 4, 4th May, 5, 7th May, then 2, 31st July 2015 (BM), 4, 23rd Apr. 2016, 2, 30th Apr. 2016, 1, 3rd /7th May 2016, 1, 4th May 2018 (JM), 1, 26th Apr. 2021(Hobby), then none till one joined a Curlew pair for a few hours on 18th Apr 2023, to the annoyance of the male (and indifference of the female.)
Curlew Resident every spring, Mar. to early July, tries to breed. Earliest, 2nd Mar. 2019 (JM). Four, 21st Aug. 2018 (DG) and one, 28th Aug 2023 (JH) – were unusual for occurring outside the breeding season. Trapped & ringed 22nd Apr. 2021 and 28th Apr. 2023 (ST). The most important species from the conservation point of view at Blakehill.
Dunlin One vagrant on 7th Nov. 2007 - it very surprisingly flew up from a field with a huge flock of Starlings and winter thrushes.
Woodcock Occasional winter visitor. All records: 1, flying low and slow across plateau, 28th Dec. 2006, 1, 23rd Jan. 2009, 1, 21st Feb. 2009 (Stoke Common), 1, 8th / 15th Nov. 2009, 1, 28th Dec. 2009, 1, seen on the ground, 6th Mar. 2010, 2, 10th Feb. 2012, 1, 1st Feb. 2014 (Stoke Common wood), 1, 2nd Dec. 2014 (NA), 1, 17th Feb.2015 (MC), 1, 7th Feb. 2017 (Stoke Common wood), 1, 31st Jan., 2019 (MP), last sightings, 1 on 1st / 21st Jan. 2020 (ST,RG).
Jack Snipe Occasional winter visitor/resident – all records: 1, 17th Nov. 2007 (Stoke Common), 1, Blakehill, 16th Feb. 2008 (BS), 1, 2nd Mar. 2008 (Stoke Common), 1, 17th Dec. 2008 (Stoke Common), 2, Stoke Common & 1, Blakehill, 14th Jan. – 7th Mar 2009 (RG,JB, T & GD, JM), 1, 30th Jan – 14th Feb., then again 17th Mar. 2010 (Blakehill), 2, 6th Feb., 1, 17th Feb. 2010 (Stoke Common), 1, 10th / 31st Jan. 2015, 1, 8th / 24th Dec. 2015, 1, 9th Feb. 2016, 1, 22nd Oct. 2016, 1, 15th Nov. 2016, 1, 21st Feb. 2017, 1, 30th Oct. 2017 (Anon.), 1, 22nd Dec 2018, 1, trapped & ringed, 23rd Feb. 2019 (ST), 2, 23rd Dec. 2019, 3 trapped & ringed, 1st Jan. 2020 (ST), 1, 20th Feb & 5th Mar 2021, 1, 17th Dec. 2021, 1, 6th Jan.2022, 3, 8th Feb. 2022 (Anon.), 1, 23rd Feb/19th Mar. 2023
Common Snipe Common winter resident, formerly large numbers at Stoke Common, for example, c90, 2nd Mar. 2008 & c70 there 5th Mar 2009, but in second half of the period, fewer, and more evenly distributed between that site and Blakehill. Max. at Blakehill 44+, 25th Jan. 2009 (JB, T & GD). Counting is only achieved through disturbing the birds so should only be done at long intervals by co-ordinated observers.
Green Sandpiper Six reports: 1, 8th Aug. 2007, 1, 16th Feb. 2008 (BS), 1, 1st Aug. 2010, 1, 19th Aug. 2011 (Anon.), 1, 16th Sept. 2016, 1, 26th Dec, 2021 (JM)
Redshank One only: 24th April 2016 (IS)
Greenshank Two records: One at the ponds, 17th Sept. 2014, and one heard calling after dark, 25th Sept. 2015 (ST)
Black-headed, Common, Herring & Lesser-black-backed Gull All four species commute over the site daily, sometimes staying on the ground for a period.
Great Black-backed Gull Two reports: 1, 4th / 7th Aug 2007 (KC, JB), also 1, 2020 (WSBRC)
Common Tern Five reports of flyovers: 1, 24th Jul. 2004, 1, carrying fish, 24th Jul. 2009, ad. + juv., 12th Aug. 2010, 2, 21st July 2017, 1, 5th / 15th July 2020, carrying fish on 5th!(JM)
Black Tern Two reports in 2012 (WSBRC)
Fulmar One, 11th Sept. 2005, flew W. over the site in dull, cold, drizzly weather and a SE wind. Perhaps Blakehill’s most surprising vagrant! The eighth ever in Wilts.
Cormorant Occasional flyover
Cattle Egret One record, with shorthorn cattle 21st September 2020 (JM,RG) The cattle seemed to take exception to the bird and tried to drive it away at one point. More reports of this increasing species would not surprise me.
Grey Heron Regular visitor
Great White Egret Four records in the last three years - 1, seen flying at the same place and in the same direction (S.) on 12th/19th/23rd Apr. 2021, 1, 3rd May 2021 (Hobby), 1, 25th Oct 2022 (JM) and one flushed from near the ponds, 25th Nov. 2023 (SpD).
Little Egret Occasional flyovers, first seen, summer 2011 (Trust staff.) Max. 4, 9th Apr. 2023 (MP)
Osprey Two flyover records – 1, seen twice, 15th Sept. 2010, 1, 15th Apr. 2023 (SB)
Honey Buzzard One record – flyover, 29th May 2012 (JohnD, KC)
Sparrowhawk Resident Max. 3, 1st Feb. 2014
Goshawk One record: 7th Sept. 2020 (DS)
Marsh Harrier Occasional visitor, six scattered sightings from 2012 to 2021, on 2nd Sept 2012 (BD), 15th Jan.2020 (JM), 25th May 2020, 9th Aug.2020 (JohnD), 4th Sept.2021 (DS), m., 23rd Dec.2021, since when none at all in 2022, but more reports than in all previous years together in 2023 (Many observers.).
Hen Harrier Four records – ringtail, 29th Sept. 2007, ringtail, 30th Oct 2019 (JM), ringtail, 28th Mar. 2022 (Anon.), male, 24th Oct. 2022 (JM)
Montagu’s Harrier One record, a ringtail seen by Jo Sayers and other Trust staff on the reserve Opening Day, 26th June 2005! No more information, and the record was never published to my knowledge – but Hobby 2005 states that the year was the best for the species in Wilts since 1953. One report from WSBRC of “indeterminate” Harrier in 2005 may relate to this bird.
Red Kite Resident – first seen 21st August 2006, again on 3rd Nov. (Both sightings, BR via PD), seen annually from 2009, rapidly becoming commonplace. Multiple sightings during/after the haycut, but singles can be seen all year.
Common Buzzard Resident. At least two pairs. Max. 20, 25th July 2014 with three Red Kites (NC) A bird resembling a Rough-legged Buzzard – pale underparts with a dark belly – frequented the site in winter 2005-6. A very pale bird with white underparts (somewhat resembling a Short-eared Owl!) was seen on 3rd Mar. 2007. A white headed bird on 20th July 2018 (WL). Feeding on a dead sheep, 2nd Aug. 2009 (Anon.)
Barn Owl Resident but not often seen. Two seen together on 27th Feb. 2006. One found dead 19th May 2018 (Anon.) Adults ringed on 16/06/2018 and 14/06/2021; pulli were ringed on 18/06/2017, 16/06/2018 and 17/06/2019 - all done under a schedule 1 licence issued by the BTO on behalf of Natural England (ST)
Little Owl (Former?) resident. 3 reports 2005, 5 reports 2006, one report 2nd Feb. 2007 and series of sightings in Aug – Oct that year, with an adult and juvenile present on 12th Sept, when the adult was seen to be chased away by an aggressive Robin! 1 report Nov. 2008, 7 reports in 2009 including an ad plus juv., 3 reports 2010, 4 reports 2011, including one perched on the windowsill of Purley Farmhouse on 28th Jan.(NP). 7 reports 2012, a pair seen 1st Apr. 2013, presumed breeding, singles seen again 10th Apr. and 18th Sept. Four reports of singles in 2014, 2 in 2015, 2 in 2016 and 4 in 2017, but since then only 1, 27th Mar 2019 (JH), and one 4th Oct 2019 (JM)
Short-eared Owl Winter visitor, annually until 2007 then again every year from 2014 – 2019. Short-eared Owls have a strange “on/off” history at Blakehill. They were present annually from at least March 2000 (Hobby 2000, p. 52) until last seen,1-3, 22nd Dec. 2007 – 22nd Mar. 2008 (RG,SBE,LM). The peak count was a total of 14 birds in winter 2004/5 (farm staff). Then there were no sightings at all until 30th Nov. 2014 (DS), from when birds were present every winter until 2018/19, peaking at 7 birds on 18th January 2015. Birds were first seen usually in November, with the earliest sighting being 24th Oct. 2006 (RG,BDy). Late birds occurred in April, eg. on 24th Apr. 2016 (JM,SD) and in May 2006 – 12th / 17th May 2006 (RG, TSt, Anon.). There were many sightings of up to three birds in 2018/9, seen regularly till 11th April 2019, and 2 birds ten days later on 21st April (Anon.). Since then there was just one bird staying for four days from 13th -16th November 2019 (JM,BW,CS), then a brief sighting on 1st Nov 2021 at Leigh village nearby. None since.
Tawny Owl Resident, not noted before 2008. Occasionally heard calling at dusk. One got into the Cooker Spares factory at Chelworth Ind. Est. one night in late summer 2010 and set off the alarm, causing the manager of the business to come out in the middle of the night to investigate!
Kingfisher Three reports, surprisingly. 1, flying across site, “summer” 2006 (DL), 1, 16th Oct 2019 flying E. across the plateau ! (JM) 1, 5th Sept. 2020 (TS, DS, MR)
Wryneck Three reports: 1, “going to roost” 26th Aug 2012 (Anon.), was never documented nor submitted to the county recorder; several attempts were made that evening and next day to re-find the bird, but to no avail. 1, feeding with a Reed Bunting on the perimeter track on 10th Sept. 2014, could well have been present since 6th Sept. when a probable was seen in flight (RG,JohnD). 1, 5th Sept. 2020 (TS, DS, MR)
Great Spotted Woodpecker Resident. Late drummer heard, 17th Jun. 2006.
Green Woodpecker Resident Adults and juveniles are often seen in late summer.
Kestrel Resident. One or two pairs. One caught a Common Lizard, 4th June 2010, recently released by NE at the reserve.
Merlin Winter visitor/resident, apparently declining in the current decade? 1-2, 27th Nov. 2003 – 28th Mar. 2004, 1-2, 6th Nov. 2004/ 6th Mar. 2005, 2, 22nd Oct. 2005 – 31st Mar 2006 (the latest ever here), 2 present Nov 2006 – 25th Mar 2007, 1-2, 17th Nov 2007 - 2nd Mar. 2008, 1, 14th Nov. 2008 - 3rd Feb 2009, 1, 24th Nov. 2010, two undated reports in early and late 2011, 1, 30th Oct – 25th Nov. 2012, 1, 5th Oct 2013, 1, 4th Oct 2014 (earliest ever here) - 16th Feb. 2015, 1, 8th Oct. 2015 - 18th Feb. 2016, 1, 3rd Nov. 2016 - 17th Jan. 2017, 1, 5th Jan 2018, 1, 14th Oct 2018 - 11th Feb. 2019, two, 21st Feb. 2019. Since then just 1, 24th Oct 2019, 1, 17th Mar 2020, 1, 25th Mar. 2021, 1, 30th Nov 2021, a probable 24th Oct. 2022, 1, caught and carried off a Meadow Pipit from the trapping nets during a public ringing session! 8th Oct 2023.
Hobby Summer visitor. Sightings summary: 2002: 1,, then none till 2005: 7, 2006: 5,, 2007: 5, 2008: 8, 2009: 6 incl. two records of two birds, 2010: 4 incl. one record of three birds, 2011: 4, 2012: 4 incl. one of two birds, 2013: 2, 2014: 3, 2015:6, 2016:6, 2017: 5, 2018:3, 2019: 7 incl. one record of four, 2020:3 incl. one record of two, 2021:0, 2022: 7, 2023: 5 incl. late record of 2 juvs. Earliest, 28th Apr. 2007. Latest, 2 juvs.,27th Sept. 2023 – present since 21st Sept. (RG,JM) Max. 4, 20th Aug. 2019 (JH) Attacked by Curlew, 29th Apr. 2005. On 15th Sept. 2006 one caught a Red Admiral, dropped it, tried again but missed, and the butterfly escaped apparently uninjured.
Peregrine Wanderer at all seasons. 3 reports 2004, 2 reports 2005, one of two birds together, 14th Jan. 2005, 2 reports in summer, 2006, 4 reports in winter, 2007, 11 reports, one of a pair, mainly in the first quarter, 2008, 7 reports, 2009, 9 reports, one of a bird present through Feb., 2010, 4 reports 2011, 5 reports 2012, 7 reports 2013 including a first year on 1st Apr. attacking 1) crows 2) raven 3) hare! 4 reports 2014, 8 reports 2015, 9 reports 2016, 3 reports 2017, 3 reports 2018, 12 reports 2019, including one of two birds, 2 reports 2020, 4 reports 2021 including one of a bird which stayed for the latter half of December and another seen half a mile NE of the reserve, 2 reports 2022, 5 reports 2023, including an apparent male and female together on 26th Dec. 2023 (JM). Obvious good years in descending order were 2019, 2010, 2008, 2016, 2015 and 2009.
Red-backed Shrike Two records, a male on 16-17th June 2017 (accepted by British Birds as a possible breeding record!) and 19th May 2019, which is awaiting more information in order to be accepted by WOS
Woodchat Shrike One record, a juv., 29th August 2015 (NC, PA, WL, RG) - the 11th Wiltshire record.
Jay Resident
Magpie Resident 31+ gathering to roost, 21st Dec. 2023 (JM)
Jackdaw Resident
Rook Resident
Carrion Crow Resident. 40+, 7th May 2014 (JaneD)
Raven Resident, breeding evidence from 2013. Max. 6, 21st Feb. 2009. Despite this, much more often reported in the second decade than the first.
Coal Tit Rare visitor. Five reports - 1, 29th Oct 2008 (Stoke Common wood), 1, 17th Feb. 2010, 1, 30th Sept. 2010, 1, 30th Aug. 2013, 1, 19th Mar. 2023
Marsh Tit Two records of a pair in Stoke Common wood on the edge of the site, 17th Nov. 2007 and again 18th June 2008, also a possible heard calling at Blakehill east end on 2nd Apr. 2008 – suggestion at the time it may have been an imitating Great Tit. None since (though Stoke Common wood rarely visited.)
Blue Tit Resident
Great Tit Resident. Imitating Willow Tit song, 23rd Feb. 2011 (where had it heard it?)
Sky Lark Resident, the commonest bird in the breeding season at Blakehill. Sings regularly from mild mornings in January until late June, then again, in most years, on sunny, mild mornings in Sept-Nov., occasionally in Dec. Sometimes up to a dozen singing birds can be heard together. Can be elusive outside these times but some birds are always present I think. A very approximate estimate of 50 pairs on the reserve but not possible to give an idea of any fluctuations in numbers, apart from a feeling there were more in the “noughties” than subsequently. In 2021, c50 birds were counted on 12th and 29th May (Hobby). Occasional movements noted, especially in autumn/early winter, eg. C20 flew west over the site on 6th Dec. 2006.
Sand Martin Occasional visitor
Barn Swallow Summer Resident. 22 trapped & ringed by ST on 20th Sept. 2015. Earliest, 2, 28th Mar. 2011 (JohnD), latest, 22nd Oct. 2022 (KC).
House Martin Summer visitor. Late birds, 2, 2nd Oct. 2012.
Cetti’s Warbler Two reports before/in 2012.(WSBRC)
Long-tailed Tit Resident. At least 27 in flock, 28th June 2018
Willow Warbler Summer resident. Probably about 5 pairs annually. Earliest, 26th Mar. 2011 – apparently the second earliest in Wilts that year, latest 6th Sept. 2016 (KC).
Chiffchaff Resident, 6+ pairs, with some records in early winter – first, 17th Dec. 2005. Earliest “spring migrant” 5th Mar. 2013. One trapped on 2nd Oct. 2015 had been ringed 5 days earlier nearly 50 miles south on Salisbury Plain, showing they don’t always fly south in autumn! (ST) One showing wing-bars, 12th Apr. 2008.
Sedge Warbler Occasional in spring and autumn, eight records : 1,13th Sept.2007, 1 singing, 29th Apr. 2009, 1, 30th Aug. 2010, then none until 1, singing then driven away by Common Whitethroat, 7th May 2019, 1 trapped & ringed, 3rd Aug. 2019 (ST), 1 trapped & ringed 3rd Aug. 2021, 1 trapped & ringed, 12th Sept. 2021, 1, singing, 30th Apr. 2023.
Reed Warbler Occasional spring visitor, presumed on passage. Five records - 26th May 2010, 8th May 2017, 20th Apr 2018, 18th May 2020, 27th May 2021.
Grasshopper Warbler Rare visitor, singing in April or trapped in September, annually in the last three years. All records: trapped & ringed, 26th Sept 2015 (ST), 1, 20th Apr. 2018 (NP), two April 2021 (Anon., JC), one held territory, 14th-30th Apr. 2022, trapped & ringed, 14th Sept. 2022 (ST), one 23rd Apr. 2023 (NP)
Blackcap Summer resident An unusually early one sang on 24th Mar. 2017, latest 6th Oct 2019.
Garden Warbler Summer resident, one – two pairs almost annually. Earliest 21st Apr. 2011 (JM) – apparently just a passage migrant as no more were recorded that year.
Lesser Whitethroat Summer resident – usually 3 – 4 pairs. Earliest, 9th April 2017, singing. Latest 18th Oct. 2007 when there was also a Wheatear present.
Common Whitethroat Summer resident. Usually about half a dozen pairs. Earliest recorded arrival was on 9th April 2006, latest, 27th Sept. 2023 (JM).
Dartford Warbler Two records, one, usually with a pair of Stonechats, 14th-19th Jan. (JS,RG) and again 6th-8th Mar. 2005 (RG,SBE,MJH), and 2nd Feb 2015, a singing male (via Nick Adams), although the second record was never authenticated.
Goldcrest Mainly winter visitor. 1, singing at Chelworth entrance may have been a breeding bird, 18th Apr. 2014
Wren Resident
Waxwing Two records, a single flying NW on 24th Oct. 2010, a month earlier than the rest of the Wilts sightings which followed through the winter. 14, 10th Dec. 2010, briefly on the hawthorn bushes near Purley Farm, then they headed east and out of view (DP)
Nuthatch One record, 21st Sept. 2020.
Treecreeper All records (none since 2014): 1, 27th June/ 5th Jul. 2006, 1, 5th Nov. 2007, 1, 16th Dec. 2007, 2, 2nd Dec. 2009 (JohnD), 1, 28th Dec. 2009, 26th May 2010, 1 singing 21st Feb. 2012, 1 singing 5th Mar. 2013, 2, 12th Apr. 2014 (HE) Also Stoke Common wood, 29th Oct. 2008, 29th Apr. 2009 – probably resident there.
Starling Resident. In 2008 nesting in trees – not since. Still large flocks can occur, particularly prior to roosting eg. c3,000, feeding on plateau then off to W., c3.30pm, 2 Dec 2009, c2000 roosting 7th Nov. 2007, C1000, 3rd Jan. 2010 (JonH), 23rd Feb. 2011 & 1st Apr. 2013.
Ring Ouzel Occasional passage migrant. Eight (or nine) records: 1, 22nd Apr. 2006 (NPl), 1, 10th / 11th Apr. 2007 (BS,RG), 12th May, 2012 (DS), a f. 21st Apr. 2016, 18th Apr. 2017 (Anon.), 13th Apr. 2018 (NPl, CS, GL, JM), 20th Apr. 2019 (DK), 27th Apr. 2021(JM) and again, 1st May 2021 (SB)
Blackbird Resident
Fieldfare Winter visitor Probable max. c850, 23rd Feb. 2011. Earliest, 6, 14th Oct. 2011 (BS). 40 lingering birds seen 21st Apr. 2007 and again 23rd Apr. 2010, with latest ever, c30, 2nd May 2021 (JM).
Redwing Winter visitor, can be abundant - max. almost certainly, 10th Nov. 2021 - “V large numbers grounded and in flight in the murk, 800+ including a single flock of 380+” (but only 8 Fieldfares!) (JM), Generally hard to count when in mixed flock with Fieldfares (and Starlings), often in flight – eg. 17th Nov. 2018, when there was a massive movement of winter thrushes eastwards all morning (ST,RG). Earliest, 6th Oct. 2007, latest, “several 100s with Fieldfares”, 14th Apr. 2021 (BS)
Song Thrush Resident – perhaps 4 pairs. Some sightings in autumn of what could be migrants from their behaviour. Max. 10, 3rd Dec. 2008
Mistle Thrush Resident. Scarce here but may be slightly increasing. 1 singing 29th Oct 2008 – considered to be early.
Spotted Flycatcher Passage migrant. All fifteen sightings: 1, 26th Aug. 2006 (LM), 2, 22nd Aug. 2008, 1, 23rd Aug., 2009 (DL), 1, 25th Aug. 2010, 1, 4th Sept. 2011 (AC), 1, 21st July 2012 (MR), 1,2nd Jun. 2013 (KW) – only “spring” record, 2, 22nd Aug. 2015 (WL), 1, 12th Sept. 2015, 1, 20th Aug. 2016 (SM), 2, 13th Aug. 2017, 1, 19th Aug. 2017 (ST), 1, 28th Sept 2017, 1, 2nd Aug. 2020 (DS), 1 trapped & ringed, 14th Sept. 2022 (ST)
Robin Resident
Nightingale Three records, 1, 5th July 2006, possibly present since 1st Jul., 1, 24th Aug. 2013 (NA), 1, 7th May 2015 (Anon.)
Black Redstart One record, a juvenile male from 8th – 19th Nov 2015, usually accompanying a pair of Stonechats (see below) (GM et al.)
Common Redstart Regular in spring and late summer/autumn. Max. 7, 30th Aug. 2020, with 4 or more in nine other years. Earliest 26th Mar. 2011, latest 4th Oct 2014. Occurs Mar – May, Jul – Oct - only June report was 1, 13th – 21st June 2020. Noted in song, 17th Apr. 2016 & 13th Apr. 2021 - a rare event for passage Redstarts.
Whinchat Regular passage migrant. Max. C20, 13th Sept. 2015 (Anon.) Earliest, 16th Apr. 2022, latest, 18th Oct. 2018.
Stonechat Winter resident. Max. 11, 19th Feb. 2019. Earliest: 10th Aug. 2021 (JM,NR) Latest: 23rd Apr. 2016 (MA) – a very late date, the only other in Apr. being 2nd Apr. 2022. A species much affected by cold weather – few were reported during the spell of relatively hard winters between 2009 – 2013. A male (one of a pair, usually accompanied by Blakehill’s only Black Redstart) was found by Jon Mercer with a broken leg on 15th November 2015 – it was taken to Oak & Furrows Wildlife Hospital (on the site) but could not be saved unfortunately. The female disappeared four days later, as did the Black Redstart, but a pair was seen again from 15th December – perhaps the same female with a new winter male companion?
Wheatear Regular passage migrant in both seasons. A bird in juvenile plumage on 23rd July, 2020 strongly suggests breeding somewhere fairly local. 21, 28th Apr. 2012 was the max reported of many seen in the latter half of that month. C20 reported 14th Apr. 2015 (Anon.). Earliest ever, 12th Mar. 2011/22 (JohnD,TS), latest, 2, 25th October 2009, one with injured wing apparently preventing it from flying. May and September birds are sometimes suspected of being of the larger, brighter Greenland race.
House Sparrow Resident 30, 23rd Feb 2011
Tree Sparrow Only reported in 2008 and 2012 : Three, W. of the reserve, 10th Oct. 2008 (JonH), then 3, presumably the same birds, spent mid Oct - early Dec. at Purley Farmhouse, 2008 (NP), 1 at least, 9th May 2012 (PT)
Dunnock Resident. Site record was a count of 10, 11th Jan. 2014 (HE)
Yellow Wagtail Passage migrant attracted by the cattle, so fewer seen when cattle kept indoors (as in the last couple of years.) Max. 45, 12th Sept. 2013 “around the brown (Shorthorn?) cattle though none around the Aberdeen Angus!” Also 30+, 17th Sept. 2019 (JG) Earliest, 12th Apr. 2016 (RG,JohnD), latest, 8, 29th Sept. 2016.
Grey Wagtail Occasional visitor, usually in autumn
Pied Wagtail Resident. “White Wagtails” seen, 1, 26th Mar. 2008, 1, 19th Apr. 2019
Meadow Pipit Former resident until 2010, (five pairs estimated in 2009), now numerous passage and winter visitor. Since 2010 just a single midsummer report from "ET & ST" of "some" on 26th June 2013. 300+, 11th Sept. 2020 (MP). 97 were trapped and ringed on 25th Sept. 2018, plus one retrap (ST) 109 trapped on the 21/09/2022. A retrapped bird on that date was ringed in Edinburgh in August 2020 and was caught 479 km away at Blakehill. (ST)
Tree Pipit Passage migrant. Five records – 1, 29th Aug. 2015 (WL), 1 trapped & ringed, 8th Sept. 2018 (ST), 1, 24th Aug. 2019 (MG), 1, 11th Sept. 2020 (MP), 1 trapped & ringed, 20th Aug. 2022 (ST)
Chaffinch Resident. 45 counted at Purley Farmhouse, 1st Feb. 2009 in cold, 17 counted there, 2011 – both during the Big Garden Birdwatch (NP) Elsewhere, 15, 25th Jul. 2007.
Brambling Rare autumn/winter visitor. Four records: 1, 31st Oct. 2005, 1, 24th Oct. 2007, 1, 10th Dec. 2008, 1, 6th Nov. 2015 (JM)
Hawfinch Two records, 2, 24th Dec. 2008, perched on top of tree briefly and in flight, calling, and 1, 18th Jan 2009 in flight only. (1 was also reported from CWP nearby on 1st Jan. 2009.)
Bullfinch Resident. Max. 14, Blakehill/Stoke Common, 23rd Jan 2009
Greenfinch Resident in small numbers 8, 16th Dec 2023 possibly a max. number in recent years!
Linnet Resident, recent decline of numbers in breeding season detected – max. estimate of pairs, 12 in 2016, since then 3 – 5 estimated each year, apart from apparently none at all in breeding season 2018. (7 or 8 pairs estimated 2008 - 2010.) Larger flocks, 70+ from 30th Jan – 10th Feb 2012, C50, 26th Apr. 2015 (EH), c50, 12th Aug. 2015, c75, 18th Oct 2018 – in response to wild flower planting project earlier that season.
Lesser Redpoll Winter & passage migrant. 7 reports of ones and twos in late autumn 2007. One on 30th July 2014 was unusual and suggestive of breeding nearby (JM) Max. 7, 15th Oct. 2020. 3 “Common” Redpolls are recorded as occurring before/on 2017 in the WSBRC records. It is true that only one Lesser Redpoll has been specifically identified at Blakehill – in Stoke Common, 17th Nov. 2007 – but it is unlikely so-called Common (formerly “Mealy”) Redpolls will ever be identified. Now widely considered to be sub-species - again!
Common Crossbill One report: 3, flying SW, calling, 3rd Nov. 2010
Goldfinch Resident. An estimated 1000 on 20th Sept.2015 of which no fewer than 69 were trapped by ST, 68 of them juveniles!
Siskin Winter visitor & passage migrant. The date and number makes a report of 12 on 27th Aug. 2011 notable (PH)
Corn Bunting Rare visitor/breeder?, two occurrences – singing, 27th Jun. then group of three seen, 12th Aug. 2011, considered by trust staff to be a family group. 1, 24th Apr. 2022 (PH) A very unlikely bird to record here!
Yellowhammer Scarce visitor, has bred. Good numbers in my first spring recording here – 2004: 3, 28th Mar., pair, 12th Apr., 8, 17th Apr., male, 23rd May, but no evidence of breeding, though presumably not far away. Then 1, 9th Nov. 2005, present on 2nd & 9th Aug. 2006, pair 19th Feb. 2008, 2, 5th May 2008, presumed bred in 2011, when pair present and singing, June-July, and seen again 21st Oct., then no records till 1, 4th Jan 2015, 1, trapped & ringed, 9th Oct. 2016 (ST), presumed bred in 2017 when singing, 20th May & 17th June (BB) and 2, 7th Aug.(EJ). 1, 9th Sept. 2020 (Anon.) A few other records in autumn/winter months.
Reed Bunting Resident – 3 – 5 pairs breeding, in both damp and dry habitat. Colour-ringed birds seen at Purley Farmhouse in 2006-9 had been ringed in CWP according to Gareth Harris (NP)
Above: Tree Pipit (Simon Tucker), Merlin (Jon Mercer), Stonechat (Jon Mercer), Wheatear (Jon Mercer), Redstart (Ken Cypher), Whinchat (Jon Mercer)