Blakehill Wildlife 2022

Home

Blakehill Annual Report 2022

Blakehill homepage 

                                                                                                                                      Above: Redstart, 7th Apr. (Jon Mercer)

Below: Stonechat, 23rd Jan. (Jon Mercer), Skylark, 19th March (JM), Lesser Whitethroat, 20th Aug. (RG) - latter bird trapped by Simon Tucker and team - see Simon's report below.

Observers: Steve Birt, Jacqui Cockram, Dave Collins, Ken Cypher, Jane Deacon (JaneD),  John Durell (JohnD), Simon Gathercole, Vanessa Goodall, Mark Gurney, "PH", Joanna Hutchinson,  Jon Mercer, Tony Oram, Brian Piercey, Matt Pringle, Neil Pullen, Scott Punter, Tim Salkeld, Clive Scarlett, Nick Self (NickS), Robert Shiret, Dave Soons, Nigel Sluman, Chris Snook, Simon Tucker (bird ringer), Richard Vernon, Geoff Whittle, Richard Williams, Anon. No initials = RG, plus in some cases the butterfly transect team

BIRDS

It is gratifying that Curlews continue to frequent the reserve in the breeding season, nationally the most important bird - probably species - at Blakehill. One pair at least stayed this year until early June. It was an interesting though not scintillating year otherwise. Worth high-lighting here are a report of Grey Partridge,the first for 13 years apart from an unconfirmed, anonymous report in 2019, a good number of Cuckoo encounters, a count of 22 Common Snipe , the most for 5 years, and an unconfirmed report of 3 Jack Snipe, a  Great White Egret sighting for the second year running, the 3rd and 4th Hen Harriers, a good number of Hobby sightings, Grasshopper Warblers singing again in April, the 5th Tree Pipit and a report of a Corn Bunting on 24th April, the first for 11 years, by an unknown observer - I would like further details of this if possible?

A = all records given. Some records for Stoke Common, the adjacent reserve to the SW, are given at the end of the entries.

Grey Partridge Rare resident/visitor  2, 27th Aug. (DS) - the first confirmed record since three dates in 2009  A

Partridge sp.  One seen 17th Apr. (Anon.) The formerly common Red Legged Partridge has not been positively identified at Blakehill since May 2020. A

Swift  Summer visitor on the decrease everywhere. All reports listed for the first time.  1, 10th May (JM) 8, 12th May (RG,JM) 8, 21st May (SG) several 27th Jun. (RG,JohnD) 2, 2nd Jul. (JM), and a very late bird, 31st Aug. (SG). A

Cuckoo  Much declined former summer resident. Heard, 28th Apr. (RG,JC) , 1, 1st/4th/6th/12th/18th/21st/24th May, 1, 6th/27th Jun. - on last date flying along track in front of us (NP,JM,RG,JaneD, JohnD, GW,VG,SG,JH)  Stoke Common: 1, 29th Apr. (NickS) A

Stock Dove  Present most (all?) of the year in small numbers. Eg. 5, 14th Jan., 3, 16th Sept.

Lapwing Scarce visitor - possibly bred at Stoke Common in 2008, not detected doing so again  1, 10th Oct. (Anon.) 45 flying SW, 14th Nov. (JM) A

Golden Plover    Formerly almost annual on passage, now rare. 2, 27th Apr. (JC), heard calling but not seen, 14th Nov. (JM) - the first here since 2018 when there were also 2 reports, themselves the first since 2013. A

Curlew  Scarce and declining breeder.  First seen 14th Mar. (CS,JM) Pair from 22nd Mar. 3, 28th Mar. (JM), 5, 7th Apr. ( RG,JohnD,JM ), 6, 10th Apr. (Anon.) 2, 14th May (JM) 2, 21st May (SG) 1, 24th May, 1st Jun. (RG,JohnD) 2, 6th/8th Jun.(JH,TO) A

Jack Snipe Scarce winter visitor. 1, 6th Jan., 3, 8th Feb. (Anon.) - the joint highest number reported at Blakehill, together with 3 trapped and ringed in 2020 by Simon Tucker A

Common Snipe Passage and winter resident.   10, 6th Jan., 13, 27th Jan., 6, 8th Feb, (Anon.), 17, 10th Feb., 1, 12th Feb. (JM), 18+, 27th Feb., 22, 17th Mar., the most since 22, 14th March 2017,  8, 28th Mar., 2, 10th Apr., 1, 13th Apr. (DS & SC).  1, 10th Oct. (Anon.), 4, 3rd/15th Nov., 9, 16th Nov. (JM) 13, 3rd Dec., 8, 26th Dec. Stoke Common: 4, 25th Mar. A

Gulls  Commonly seen at all times of year - in order of frequency, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull. Daily commuters over the site between Swindon and the CWP where they roost, also seen if any flooding on the plateau.

Great White Egret  Scarce recent colonist.  1, 25th Oct. (JM) - the second year running it has appeared here A

Sparrowhawk  Seen throughout the year, presumably breeding nearby.

Hen Harrier Vagrant Ringtail, 28th Mar. (Anon. - no further details), 1, 24th Oct - male flew through late afternoon, heading north (JM) (3rd & 4th Blakehill records, the latter being the first male. The others were in Sept 2007 and Oct 2019)  A

Red Kite  Regularly seen at all seasons. 2, 6th Feb. (JM), 2, 22nd Mar., 3, 16th Apr./6th Jun. (RG,JH), 2, 15th Jul. (RG,JohnD) 4, 17th Jul.(JM) 2, 27th Jul. (RG,JohnD)

Buzzard  Resident. 3, 12th Feb. (JM) 4, 17th Jul. (JM) 4, 22nd Sept. (MG)

Barn Owl  Resident.   1, 10th Jan. (Anon.) 1, 6th Jun. (JH) 1 calling at dusk, west of site, 23rd Aug. A

Tawny Owl  Resident. 1 calling west of site evening of 23rd Aug. A

Great Spotted Woodpecker  Regularly seen, breeding nearby?  Drumming on 23rd Jan. (JM) 2, 16th Oct., 2, 26th Dec.

Green Woodpecker Present all year, presume breeds, 2 from 10th Feb., 3, 3rd May, 2 juvs, 14th/15th Jul. (JM,RG,JohnD))

Kestrel  Resident. Pair all year, 4, 21st/31st Jul. (CS,JM) 3, 2nd Sept.

[Merlin  Declining winter visitor.  Only record was a possible perched far out on the plateau, 24th Oct. I looked away for a second and in that time it vanished and not seen in flight! Last definite sighting, Nov 2021] A

Hobby  Summer visitor. After an unprecedented blank year in 2021, lots of records this year.  1, 2nd May, perched on post centre of plateau - flew the short distance to another post but seemed rather lethargic (RG,JohnD) 1, 6th Jun. (JH) 1, 13th Jul., 1, 14th/20th/28th Aug. (MG,RG,DS,JM,DC) 1, 13th Sept. seen to hover briefly, a rare sight, 1, 17th Sept.(JM) A

Peregrine Wanderer.  A poor year. 1, 30th Apr. (Anon.), 1, 6th Nov. (JM) A

Jay  Occasional visitor, particularly in autumn. 3, 16th Nov.(JM)

Raven Resident. Apparently none seen till a family of 3, 14th Jul. (JM), 1, 23rd/25th/26th Aug. (RG,MG,RV) 2, 22nd Sept. (MG) 2, 16th Oct., 2, 3rd Nov., 1, 16th Nov. (JM) A

Great Tit Resident. 3 trapped and ringed, 14th Sept. (ST)

Skylark Numerous resident and passage migrant.   Singing as early as 2nd Jan (JM), again 10th Feb., 15+ incl. 3 singing, 12th Feb. (JM) 25+, 4th Oct. (JM) Singing, 16th/28th Oct.

Sand Martin  Passage migrant and presumed visitor from the Water Park.  4, 11th Sept. (SG) 3, 13th Sept.

Swallow  Summer resident.  2, 10th Apr. (Anon.) c12, 28th Apr. (RG,JC) 2 trapped & ringed, 14th Sept. (ST) 15, 17th Sept. (JM) passage noted, 20th Sept. (CS), 100+, 26th Sept. (JM) 15+, 6th Oct. (JM) 2, 22nd Oct. (KC ) - probably the latest ever here

House Martin Summer visitor.  20+ flew N., 12th May (RG,JM), 20+, 26th Sept. (JM) 30+, 6th Oct. (JM)

Long-tailed Tit Resident. Seen regularly - 2, 14th Jan., family seen 12th May (RG,JM) 13, 28th Oct., 5, 6th Nov. (JM)

Willow Warbler Summer resident. 2, 15th Apr. (SP) 3, 6th Jun. (JH) 1, trapped and ringed, 20th  Aug. (ST)

Chiffchaff Summer resident.  1, 14th Mar. (Anon.), 3, 17th Mar. 11, trapped & ringed, 14th Sept. (ST)

Sedge Warbler  Passage migrant. 1, 21st May (Anon.) 1, trapped & ringed, 14th Sept. (ST) - 9th & 10th records, now almost annual. A

Grasshopper Warbler Passage migrant -  a possible future breeder.  1 reeling, 14th-16th Apr. (KC,RW,MP, JM), again, 30th Apr. (Anon.), 1, trapped & ringed, 14th Sept. (ST) -only  the third and fourth occurrences, the first being one trapped and ringed on 26th Sept. 2015 and another of two birds singing in April 2021 A

Blackcap Summer resident.  1, 11th Sept., 2, 4th Oct. (JM)

Garden Warbler Summer resident.  1, 2nd/3rd May (RG,JohnD) 2, 12th May, 1, 21st May (SG) singing, 13th Jul. A

Lesser Whitethroat Summer resident. 1, 18th Apr., 2, 23rd Apr., 6, 28th Apr./ 2nd/3rd May (RG,JC) 4 singing, 12th May also 1st/6th June. (RG,JH) Ad. + 2 juvs, 14th Jun. 3 (2 singing) 22nd Jun., 1, 27th Jun., fam., 23rd Jul. (JM,RS) 1, trapped and ringed, 20th Aug. (ST) 1, 27th Aug./2nd/6th/11th Sept. (RG,SG) A

Common Whitethroat Summer resident. 1, 14th Apr., 2, 18th Apr., feeding young, 22nd Jun. (RG,JohnD) singing, 13th Jul., 2, 31st Jul.(JM) 1, 15th Aug., 2, trapped and ringed, 20th Aug. (ST) 1, 27th/28th Aug., 6+, 1st Sept. (JM) 1, 11th Sept. (SG) 2, 17th Sept. (JM) 1, 22nd Sept. (MG)

Wren  Resident  3 trapped, 2 ringed, 14th Sept. (ST)

Starling  Resident and winter visitor. c100, 15th Feb.

Fieldfare Winter visitor.  100 in mixed flock with Redwings, 2nd Jan., less than 50 rest of winter,  40+, 12th Mar. (JM), 4, 22nd Mar., 1, 28th Mar.    10, 22nd Oct. (KC), 200+ with Redwings, 24th/ 25th Oct. (RG,JM) c20, 28th Oct.,  100+ mixed flock, 6th Nov. (JM), c100, 15th/16th Nov. (RG,JM) c100, 3rd Dec., c60, 26th Dec.

Redwing  Winter visitor. 2nd Jan, see above,  less than 50 rest of winter.  135, 19th Oct. (JM) 20+, 21st Oct.(JM) 20, 22nd Oct.(KC) 100+ roosting, 24th/25th Oct. (JM) c150, 28th Oct., c300. 3rd Nov., 100+ mixed flock, 6th Nov. (JM), 200+, 9th/14th Nov. (JM) c250, 15th Nov., c300+, 16th Nov. (JM) then small numbers, less than 15, to end of year.

Song Thrush  Resident. Seen regularly.  Possible migrants: 3, 10th Oct. (JM), c4, 15th Nov.

Mistle Thrush  Resident.  3, 2nd May (RG,JohnD)

Spotted Flycatcher  Summer visitor.  1 trapped & ringed, 14th Sept. (ST) A

Whinchat Passage migrant.  1, 16th Apr. (SP), 1, 10th/12th May (JM) 2, 11th May (NS), 2, 19th Aug. (SB), 5, 21st Aug. (JM) 1,  25th/27th Aug. (MG,DS) 3, 28th Aug. (DC,DS,JM) 2, 2nd Sept., 1, 13th Sept. A

Stonechat  Winter resident. Pair from 2nd Jan - 8th Feb., 3, 10th Feb, 8th Mar., m. still present, 14th/22nd Mar. (CS,JM,RG), 2, 18th Mar. (BS), 1, 2nd Apr.  Pair, 14th Sept. (JM) 8, possibly 10, 20th Sept. (CS) 10+, 22nd Sept. (MG) 3, 23rd Sept., 2 pairs, 26th Sept (JM) 6, 4th Oct. (JM) 5, 6th Oct. (JM) 10, 10th Oct. (Anon.) 3, 16th Oct. 1, 21st Oct. (JM) 2, 22nd Oct (KC) 3, 24th Oct., 1, 25th Oct. (JM) 2, 28th Oct. 2, 3rd/6th/14th Nov. (RG,JM) 1, 16th Nov. (JM) pair, 28th Nov.(JM) A

Wheatear Passage migrant.  First for the year, 12th Mar. - the equal earliest record, the previous one being in 2011 (TS), 15th Mar. (Anon.), 1, 7th Apr. (RG,JohnD,JM) 1, 13th/14th Apr. (BP, RG) 2, 18th Apr. (JM) 1, 19th Apr. (Anon.) 2, 27th/28th Apr. (KC,JC,RG) 1, 2nd-4th May (RG,JohnD,JM) 1, 7th May (SP) pair, 10th/12th May (JM) 4, 11th May (NS) 1, 16th May (SG) Injured female 21st May (SG) 1, 23rd Jul. (JM,RS) 2, 18th Aug. (JM), 4, 19th Aug. (SB), 2, 20th Aug., 4, 21st Aug. (JM) 2, 24th Aug. (JM) 1, 25th Aug. (MG) 3, 28th Aug. (DS,DC,JM) 1, 30th Aug. (JM) 3, 1st Sept. (JM) 1, 2nd/3rd/5th/6th Sept. (RG,JM), 2, 8th Sept. (CS) 4, 13th Sept., 1, 14th/23rd Sept. A

Redstart Passage migrant, ?moulting in late summer.  1, 7th Apr. - earliest since 6th April 2019 (RG,JohnD,JM ), 2, 13th Apr. (BP)  1, 27th Jun. (RG,JohnD) 2, 15th Jul.(RG,JohnD) 1, 21st Jul. (CS) 2, 27th Jul. (RG,JohnD) 1, 31st Jul. (JM) 1, 14th/20th Aug. (MG), 2, 21st Aug. (JM), 3, 23rd Aug. 1, 24th/25th/26th Aug. (JM,MG,RV) 2, 28th Aug. (DC,DS,JM) 2, 1st/2nd/3rd Sept. (JM,RG) 1, 5th/6th/8th/11th/14th/16th/23rd Sept. (RG,CS,SG,JM) A

Grey Wagtail   Out of season visitor. 1, 23rd Jan. (Anon.) Winter sightings are rare - most often seen in autumn here. A

Pied Wagtail Resident Family, 27th Jun. (RG,JohnD)

Yellow Wagtail  Passage migrant, often attracted by the cattle. 1, 25th Aug. (MG) The poorest year ever here, possibly due to the cattle being kept indoors for most of the season. A

Meadow Pipit  Passage and winter resident, bred till 2010.   From 2nd Jan (2), single figures only until 25+, 14th Mar. (CS,JM) 2, 2nd Apr., 2, 10th Apr.  8, 2nd Sept., 13, 11th Sept.(SG) c75, 13th Sept., 38 trapped of which 35 were ringed, 14th Sept. (ST), 11, 17th Sept. (JM), 8, 22nd Sept. (MG), 1, 23rd Sept., 40+, 26th Sept. (JM) 38, 4th Oct. (JM), 40+, 6th/10th Oct. (JM) c15, 16th/24th Oct., 20+, 25th Oct. (JM) c15, 28th Oct. c10, 3rd Nov., 2, 6th Nov. (JM), 1, 14th Nov. (JM), 3, 16th Nov. (JM) Stoke Common: 1, 25th Mar.

Tree Pipit  Scarce passage migrant. 1, trapped and ringed, 20th Aug. (ST) the 5th ever, first since 11/9/20, all in the last 6 years, 2 of them trapped and ringed, suggesting some pass through unnoticed. A

Bullfinch  Resident. 

Greenfinch   Resident mainly in west of site

Linnet  Resident, least common in winter. 5, 17th Mar., 6, 22nd Mar., 15+, 7th Apr. (RG,JohnD,JM ) 5 family groups, 13th Jul., 3 fams. one of 6 birds 27th Jul. (RG,JohnD) 2, 16th Oct., c30, 26th Dec. with a few Goldfinches - a good count.

Lesser Redpoll Autumn passage migrant.  1, 16th/28th Oct. 1, 3rd Nov. A

Goldfinch  Resident, though least common in winter months - flocks feed on weed seeds in late summer/autumn.

Corn Bunting  Rare breeder. 1, 24th Apr. (PH - unknown apart from initials) - the second record here, they probably bred in 2011 - when strangely so did Yellowhammer! A

Yellowhammer Scarce visitor, has bred.  M., 6th Oct. (JM) 2, 22nd Oct. (KC) m., 9th Nov. (JM) A

Reed Bunting  Resident. Present from 15th Feb (JM), pair present 14th Mar., - 3, 28th Mar., 2 m. 6th May (JM) 2 pairs, 24th May (RG,JohnD), 2, 20th Aug./2nd Sept., 3, 22nd Sept. (MG), 8, 26th Sept. (JM) 5, 6th Oct. (JM) 7+, 10th Oct. (JM)

Blakehill Farm Ringing 2022  by  Simon Tucker

We carried out 11 sessions at Blakehill Farm this year, including a ringing demonstration on the 20th August.  Our first session, on the 11th February, only delivered two birds but as we were targeting Snipe (above) one of those two was the target species, it was a successful session.

Over the course of the year we ringed a total of 274 birds from 28 species and 25 birds from 11 species:

The key catches for us this year were:

The first Spotted Flycatcher and the second ever Grasshopper Warbler caught on the site, both on the 14th September.  Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have any photos of these two specimens.

The other highlight, and I am aware that it was a highlight for a few people, was the second ever Tree Pipit for the site (above).  That we caught it during the ringing demonstration was the icing on the cake of what was a small but high quality catch. What I like about this photo is that it shows clearly the short hind claw, which is the key morphological difference between the Tree Pipit and Meadow Pipit when on migration.

BUTTERFLIES

                                                                                                             Below : Brown Hairstreak, 20th August (Teresa Farr)

Butterfly Transect results  2022

One might have expected good results with such a warm summer but as usual there were gainers and losers. Best results were for Large Skipper and Gatekeeper, both of which had their best result in the last 9 years. However perhaps more significant was the increase over last year of the Small Heath, with a max of no fewer than 37 and an IoA of nearly 200. Blakehill is one of the best sites in the area for this species of conservation concern.  On the downside both Orange Tip and Marbled White did quite poorly. There were big numbers of skippers in July, and they seem to have mainly been Small, with no Essex actually identified this year, so perhaps Small did well this year. Grizzled Skipper was again completely absent as it has been in all but one of the last five years. If it is going to return management along the eastern perimeter track seems necessary. However one observer told me he had seen one or two in an area of the western part of the reserve where they have never been reported before - more investigation next spring seems called for, maybe a coordinated search of the entire reserve.

All transect visit dates below are for the "week beginning" not the actual date unless stated otherwise. Exact dates given for casual records.

 IoA = Index of Abundance (sum of all totals) 

Comments are comparing totals with numbers in the previous 8 years, while plus and minus signs indicate short term trends.

 Underlined species are species of conservation importance.

-      Essex Skipper   For the first year since 2014 not a single Essex Skipper was identified at Blakehill in 2022. Many skippers were examined but they were all found to be Small Skipper. Only one was identified last year and the species seems to be declining here.

+?    Small Skipper   From 17th Jun - 5th Aug, max. 12, 8th July, IoA 51. On the decline in the long term though a slight increase in identified individuals over last year - see below.

Small or Essex Skipper 1st Jul - 15th Jul, max 73, 15th Jul, IoA 174 - the vast majority of these would have been Small Skipper. Far more unidentified individuals than usual which suggests an increase for the Small Skipper?

+    Large Skipper  20th May - 8th July, max 41, 10th Jun, IoA 136. The best index of abundance in the last 9 years, even better than 2018.

(Grizzled Skipper  One observer reported seeing what he thought was this species in a scrubby semi-concreted area of the west of the reserve - promising habitat, but they have never been reported from there before.)

+    Clouded Yellow  Two singles on 5th Aug and 16th Sept. IoA 2. The first on the transect since 2013, the first at Blakehill since 2020. Also singles on actual dates of 26th/31st Aug. and 28th Oct. (Anon.,SG,RG)

 -     Brimstone  1st Apr - 17th Jun, max 2 on 3 dates, IoA 11     Below average showing.

  =       Large White  6th May-9th Sept, max 3, 15th Jul, IoA 12   Fairly average for this erratic, partly migrant species.

 -       Small White 10th Jun - 23 Sept, max 5 on 3 dates, IoA 41   After four years of comparitive abundance, back to a more normal showing.

+       Green-veined White  22nd Apr - 26th Aug., max 6, 29th Apr, IoA 27     Above average numbers and the best showing for 4 years.

 -      Orange Tip  22nd Apr - 6th May, max 5, 29th Apr IoA 10   Sadly a poor showing equalling the previous lowest total in 2016

  =     Brown Hairstreak  Single on 26th Aug (egg-laying female) IoA 1   (In addition a male on the Ash at the main entrance to the reserve on 4th Aug.  and another egg-laying female seen off the transect in the north of the site on 20th Aug (actual dates). In the last 8 years there were 4 IoA singles, one IoA of 3 and three years when there were no transect sightings.  For this species adult sightings on or off transect are so rare that the species is best monitored by winter egg searches. Egg searches suggest an increase at least in the last 4 years, although the species is still undoubtedly rarer at Blakehill than it was in the "noughties". Totals for the last four years: 2019-20: 33; 2020-21: 14; 2021-2: 60; 2022-3: 97 - all the searches except the last included Chelworth Solar.  A caterpillar was seen on 18th May, a rare event (JaneD)

  +       Small Copper  13th May - 23rd Sept., max 5 on 13th May and 23rd Sept, IoA 30  Surprisingly the best IoA since the amazing year of 2018 (when the IoA was 133!)

   -       Brown Argus  13th May - 5th Aug, max 2 on 13th May, IoA 4   Has been on the decline for the last 4 years, but this may be a normal cycle, hopefully.

  +         Common Blue  13th May - 16th Sept., max 24, 5th Aug., IoA 109    Although approximately twice as many as in the previous two years, still below average.

  +       Red Admiral  20th May - 23rd Sept, max 3, 3rd Jun. IoA 25  The best index of abundance for all 9 years, just, the previous best being 24 in 2017.

-          Painted Lady Singles on 20th May and 3rd June, IoA 2  Also 2, 12th Jun. (JM) Erratic migrant, below average but fairly typical. 

 +         Small Tortoiseshell  1st Apr - 22nd Jul., max 10, 10th Jun, IoA 37  Also 4, 22nd Mar.  Above average for the last four years surprisingly - the lack of late summer or autumn individuals in recent years of this and other nymphalids is quite striking

 -          Peacock  1st Apr - 29th Jul, max 8, 15th Apr, IoA 19  Below average showing.

  -         Comma  1st Apr - 22nd Apr, singles, IoA 4  Also 1, 22nd Mar.  Slightly below average but fairly typical for a marginal habitat for the species. None in summer or autumn.

-           Speckled Wood  13th May - 23rd Sept, max 3, 20th May & 3rd Jun, IoA 18    Average showing.

 -         Marbled White  10th Jun - 22nd Jul, max 72, 17th Jun, IoA 225   The poorest showing since 2016.

+         Gatekeeper 1st Jul - 12th Aug, max 241, 8th Jul, IoA 923   In contrast to the last species, this was the best IoA in the last 9 years. The maturing hedges planted in the last decade or so probably is sufficient explanation.

 +          Meadow Brown  3rd Jun - 26th Aug, max 308, 17th Jun, IoA 1321   An increase from last year but still below average for the last four years

=         Ringlet  17th Jun - 22nd Jul, max 98, 8th Jul, IoA 310   If one sees the years 2017 - 2019 as exceptional, when the species was exceedingly abundant, this was a fairly average showing

 +          Small Heath  13th May - 16th Sept, max 37, 10th Jun, IoA 196   A considerable increase over last year's total, though still a way to go to equal the good years 2019-20. This is one of the success stories of Blakehill however and needs celebrating!

                                                                Below: Brown Argus, Brown Hairstreak caterpillar and Common Blue, 18th May (RG)

                                                                                        Below: Gypsy Moth, Oak Lutestring, September Thorn, Tissue, 24th Aug. (RG)

MOTHS

Day flying moths seen as follows:

Timothy Tortrix  1 , 24th May

Narrow-bordered Five Spot Burnet From 24th May

Six Spot Burnet  From 7th Jun. (JaneD,JohnD)

Thistle Ermine  1, 22nd Jun.

Pyrausta purpuralis 1, 27th Aug.

Drinker  Caterpillar, 18th May

Hummingbird Hawk-moth  1, 13th Jul., 1, 8th Aug.

Yellowshell  From 1st Jun.

Shaded Broad-bar  From 13th Jul., 23, 4th Aug.

Common Carpet  1, 18th May

Green Carpet  1, 24th May

Magpie Moth  1, 27th Jul., 2, 4th Aug.

Straw Dot  1, 1st/14th Jun.

Yellowtail  Caterpillar, 18th May

Cinnabar  2nd Jun.

Burnet Companion  1, 18th May. 7th Jun (JaneD, JohnD), 2, 14th Jun.

Dusky Sallow 1, 4th Aug.

In addition at least 62 species were trapped on Michael New's mothing session on 24th August using four traps., including:

White-headed Ermel  Paraswammerdamia albicapitella

Wainscot Smudge  Ypsolopha scabrella

Rhomboid Tortrix  Acleris rhombana

Little Conch  Cochylis dubitana

Little Roller  Ancylis comptana

Grey Poplar Bell Epinotia nisella

Sharp-winged Drill Dichrorampha acuminatana

Rush Veneer  Nomophila noctuella  - migrant from the south - common this year.

Pale-streaked Grass Veneer Agriphila selasella

Ringed China-mark  Parapoynx stratiotata - all-aquatic lifestyle until the adult emerges. 

Chinese Character

Oak Lutestring  An extraordinary find in Jacqui's trap - there are Oaks in Blakehill but it is hardly an ancient oakwood! The find of the night.

Pale Eggar  A rapidly declining species nationally

Flame Carpet

Tissue  A beautiful, comparitively rare species, local and much declined, but possibly overlooked.

September Thorn

Gypsy Moth   A Swindon speciality that is obviously spreading out of town - possibly originating from adventives - most often found in the London area from which it may have colonised Swindon.

Copper Underwing

Rosy Rustic

Small Wainscot

Centre-barred Sallow

White Point -  formerly a scarce migrant but now spreading quite rapidly northwards from its southern foothold

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Other Insects -  and others

Emperor  From 4th Jun., 4, 27th Jun. 3, 13th Jul., 9, 15th Jul.

Migrant Hawker  From 27th Jul., 4, 27th Aug., 3, 5th Sept.

Brown Hawker  1, 22nd Jun. , 13th Jul.

Four Spotted Chaser  From 24th May

Broad-bodied Chaser  14th Jun.

Black-tailed Skimmer  From 24th May, 4, 22nd Jun.

Common Darter  From 15th Jul., 10, 23rd Aug.

White-tailed Bumble-bee, 19th Apr. (Anon.)

Spider - Stoke Common: Agalenatea redii 25th Mar.

MAMMALS

Fox  1, 2nd April (JM)

Badger 1, 14th Apr. (NS & MP)

Stoat  1, 23rd Jul. (JM,RS)

Others

Adder  2nd Apr. (JM) 18th May (JaneD)

Grass Snake 1, 18th Apr. (Anon.)

Slow Worm  18th May (JaneD et al.)

Plants

Bee Orchid  3, 22nd Jun (RG,JohnD)

                                                                                                            Below: Bee Orchid (with Bird's Foot Trefoil), 22nd June (RG)