Blakehill Wildlife 2021

Above: Curlews, 14th April (Bob Shiret ) 

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My thanks to the following who supplied sightings: Steve B,  Jon Beresford, Felicity Cobb,  Jacqui Cockram, Dave Collins, Jonny Cooper (JonnyC),  Neil Cowley, Jane Deacon (JaneD), John Durell (JohnD), Stephen Edwards, Nigel Gardener, Vanessa Goodall,  John Grearson, Mark Gurney, Elliot Horton, Ellie Jones, Tony Marsh, Jon Mercer, Tony Oram, Nigel Pleass, Matt Pringle, Scott Punter, Nick Rentmore, Tim Salkeld, Clive Scarlett (CSc), Bob Shiret, Nigel Sluman, Chris Snook, Dave Soons, Helen Strike,  Simon Tucker (ringer), Many Observers                                  No initials = myself

As usual this report is heavily biassed towards birds and butterflies - if you have any sightings of species from other groups I would be very grateful to receive them for 2021 or any other year past or future!

Above: Ring Ouzel, 27th April (Jon Mercer)                                                                                                                                               Brown Hairstreak, 9th August (RG)

Birds

2021 was a fairly quiet year at Blakehill with fewer unusual birds than in some recent years. The only new bird for the reserve was a Great White Egret that was seen three times in April, following the same route north-south over the Chelworth end of the reserve - perhaps it was visiting a nest, or, perhaps more likely, a good food source.  A couple of Grasshopper Warblers were heard twice in April too, the first time they have been reported here in spring although one was trapped and ringed by Simon Tucker in autumn six years ago. Other unusual birds were the reserve's third Reed Warbler in May, the  fifth & sixth Marsh Harriers  in September and December, the 6th Green Sandpiper in December, the 7th & 8th Sedge Warblers in August and September and the 8th and probably also the 9th Ring Ouzels in spring. Once again Curlews tried to breed, being regularly seen from March till late May, then a tantalising flyby in June. Merlins were seen just twice and there were no Hobby sightings for the first year since 2004.  Cuckoos also tantalised with three reports of calling, one of two birds, there were three Jack Snipe sightings, and a Short-eared Owl, the first for two years, appeared to be heading towards Blakehill on 1st November, but was sadly never actually seen on the reserve.

A = all records given.  The species order is the latest, apparently random(!) order of Birdlife International - see eg. the warblers that apparently now include the swallows and Long-tailed Tit!

Simon Tucker's Ringing Report follows the list.

Swift Summer visitor. From 1st May (SP)

Cuckoo Much declined former summer resident.1, 20th Apr. (EJ) 2, 24th Apr. (NC,NP), 1, 11th May. A

Heron  Resident. Often seen over and occasionally at the ponds

Great White Egret  Scarce recent colonist. 1, 12th/19th/23rd Apr. (RG,JohnD, JaneD, JC) - the first for Blakehill, apparently following a regular route north and south over the eastern end of the site A

Cormorant  Resident.  Frequent flyovers.

Lapwing Scarce visitor - possibly bred in 2008, not detected doing so again.  1, 12th Apr. (JM,TS), 2, 26th Dec. (JM) A

Curlew Scarce and declining breeder.  2 from 20th Mar. (ST), 3 from 10th Apr. (JM) 2 pairs from 14th Apr. (BS) 5, 21st Apr. (JonnyC). On 11th May one bird of the pair, presumably the female, was considered to have a longer than average bill, 2, 24th May, alarming, attacking a passing Raven, and displaying, east of site, displaying again 27th May. None then till 26th June when one flew low round the west side of the reserve then away towards the Water Park.

Common Snipe Passage and winter resident. 10, 29th Jan., 13, 17th Feb., Mar: 10, 5th, 11, 21st. (JM.TO).   Oct: 2, 3rd, 1, 6th/11th (JM), 18, 13th, including flock of 6 (JM) - the most since 21 on 19th Jan. 2018, 4, 15th, 12, 24th (JM). Nov: 6, 4th., 4, 13th (JM) 10, 30th. Dec: 14+, 17th, 10, 26th (JM). Also 2 at adjacent Stoke Common, 31st Dec. A

Jack Snipe Scarce winter visitor. 1, 17th Feb. and 5th Mar, both sightings in exactly the same place, the first report since Jan 2020. 1, 17th Dec. A

Green Sandpiper Scarce visitor. 1, 26th Dec over the ponds (JM) - the 6th record, second in winter.

Barn Owl  Resident.  Hunting the plateau early afternoon, 3rd Jan. 1.15 – 3.15pm at least (EH), hunting the plateau, caught a vole at 3pm then flew off  10th Jan (JM)1, 17th Jan (CS), hunting from 4pm, 21st Jan (JM) 1, 22nd/23rd Jan. (Anon.) 1, 24th Sept. (CS) 1, 6th Oct (Anon.) A

Short-eared Owl  Irregular winter resident. One flew over B4040 towards Blakehill in sunshine, 4.00pm, 1st Nov - the first in/near Blakehill since 16th Nov 2019 A (NB. Short-eared Owls have a unique history at Blakehill. They were present annually from at least 2003 (probably 2000) until 2008, peaking at a total of 14 birds in winter 2004/5, then no sightings at all from autumn 2008 until autumn 2014, from when birds were present every winter until 2018/19, peaking at 7 birds in January 2015. Since then there was just one bird staying for four days in mid-November 2019 then this year's brief sighting nearby.)

Tawny Owl  Resident. Calling 24th Sept. (CS)

Marsh Harrier Presumed wanderers from the growing population at the CWP. 1, 4th Sept. (DS), male, 23rd December - the fifth & sixth sightings at Blakehill A.

Sparrowhawk Resident, regularly seen.  Mobbed by 2 Rooks, 17th Sept (NG)

Red Kite  Resident.  1, perched, 24th Jan (JM) 1, 2nd Feb. (JM) 1, 5th/21st Mar. (RG,JohnD) 3, 29th Mar. (RG,JohnD), 1, 12th/19th/22nd/25th/27th/29th Apr. (MO) 1, 25/26th/27th  May, 2, 5th July, 1. 9th July, 2, 11th/18th July (FC,BS) 1, 12th/18th Aug. (NS,RG,JC,VG), 1, 7th/16th Sept, (RG,JohnD) 1. 3rd Oct. (RG) 1, 21st  Nov.(JM), 1, 17th Dec. A

Buzzard Breeding resident, often seen.

Green Woodpecker Resident, breeds. 1, from 14th Mar, 2 from 12th Apr., 3, 18th July (BS) juv. 12th Sept. (DS)

Great Spotted Woodpecker Resident, probably breeds. From 7th May.

Kestrel  Resident, often seen.  Pair, 19th May. (JohnD,JaneD,HS) 4, 10th Aug. (NR,JM)

Merlin Declining winter visitor.1, 25th Mar., perched by the main track then flew to plateau. The first for 12 months. (JM)  1, 30th Nov., stooping at passerines, seen twice around 3.40pm. A

Peregrine Wanderer.  1, 19th Jan, seen near the Chelworth crossroads, about half a mile NE of Blakehill (JM) 1, 21st Mar. (RG,JohnD), 1, 4th Sept. (DS), 1, 17th/26th/27th Dec. (RG,JM) A

Jay Resident. 5, 6th Oct (JM)

Raven Resident. 1, 7th May (JM) 1, 10th Aug. (NR,JM) family of 5, 24th Aug.(JM) 5, 3rd Oct., 1, 11th/13th Oct. (JM) 1, 31st Dec.

Great Tit Resident. Carrying food, 19th May (JohnD,JaneD,HS)

Skylark  Numerous resident and passage migrant. Singing from 29th Jan., Oct: 15,including one singing, 3rd, passage SW noted, 6th (JM), 40+, 11th (JM), 70+, 13th (JM),  singing, 15th, 35+, 24th (JM),  one in full song flight, 31st Dec.

Sedge Warbler  2 trapped and ringed, the 7th & 8th for the site - dates were 3rd Aug. and 12th Sept. (ST)

Reed Warbler Vagrant, presumably en route to CWP. 1 singing, 27th May (RG.JaneD) - third record A

Grasshopper Warbler Passage migrant -  a possible future breeder. 2, 16th Apr., (Anon.) 1, 21st Apr. (JonnyC) - these are the first since the only other record, one trapped and ringed by Simon Tucker on 16th Sept 2015, and the first ever in spring. A

House Martin Summer visitor. 2, 3rd Oct.

Swallow  Summer resident. First seen, 3, 1st Apr. (JM) 40+, 28th Aug (JM) 15 on the move, 16th Sept., 30+ ditto, 17th (NG) 25+, 19th (JM)

Sand Martin  Visitor from the Water Park. 2, 29th Mar (RG,JohnD), 6+ over to S,. 11th May (RG,JohnD). A

Willow Warbler Summer resident. From 1, singing, 10th Apr. (JM) 3, 19th Apr., 4, 19th May (JohnD,HS,JaneD)

Chiffchaff Summer resident. 2, 21st Mar. (RG,JohnD) 3, 25th Mar. (JM) 4, 23rd Sept. 2, 3rd Oct.

Long-tailed Tit Resident. 2, 5th Mar., 1, 7th May (JM) 6, 23rd Sept., 10+, 6th Oct (JM)

Blackcap Summer resident. First, 4th Apr. (RG,JohnD) 1, 13th Sept. (DC)

Garden Warbler Summer resident. From 30th Apr. (RG,MG) 2, 2nd May, 1, 27th May, 1, 5th June

Lesser Whitethroat Summer resident. From 3, 27th Apr., 4, 30th Apr. (RG,MG) still singing 28th June. 1, 18th Aug.(SE) family of 3, 22nd Aug., 1, 28th (JM) 1, 15th/19th Sept (Anon., JM)

Common Whitethroat Summer resident. From 12th Apr., 3, 19th/27th/30th Apr., 5, 1st May (SP) 2 family groups, 4th Aug., 5+, 10th/11th Aug.(NR,JM) 1, 22nd/24th (RG,JM) 5, 28th (JM) 1, 23rd Sept (SE)

Ring Ouzel Scarce passage migrant. 1, 27th Apr. (JM) - 8th record, first since 2019 , and another (or the same?) 1st May (SB) A

Mistle Thrush Resident. 1, 29th Mar. (JM,TO), pair, 12th Apr., 1, 2nd May, 1, 13th Oct, (JM), 1, 26th Dec. (JM).

Song Thrush  Resident and sometimes detectable passage migrant.

Redwing  Winter visitor. 2, 5th Mar., 3, 14th Mar., "several hundred" with Fieldfares, 14th Apr. (BS). Oct:  240+ moving W between 0830-0930 including a flock of c110. 13th (JM), 21, 15th, 13, 24th (JM).  Nov: c50, 4th, V large numbers grounded and in flight in the murk, 800+ including a single flock of 380+, 10th (JM),  265+, 13th (JM), c30, 19th (NG),  28, 21st (JM), 40+, 29th (JM), c12, 30th, 76, 26th Dec. (JM) c50, 27th Dec.

Fieldfare Winter visitor. 200, 21st/24th Jan (JM),  5, 14th Mar., 30+, 25th Mar. (JM), Apr: c30, 5th (NG), 80+, 10th (JM), c100, 12th (MO), 6, 13th (Anon.), "several hundred" with Redwings, 14th (BS), 100, 27th (TM).  5, 1st May (SP), c30, 2nd May (JM) - these are the first ever in May. Nov: 8, 10th (JM), 22, 13th (JM), c50, 19th (NG), 9, 21st (JM), 10+, 29th (JM), c12, 30th, c25, 23rd Dec., c50, 27th Dec.

Redstart Passage migrant, ?moulting in late summer.  Apr: 1, 10th (JM), 5, 11th - the spring record (CSc, CS), 3, 12th (RG,JohnD,JaneD), 1, singing, 13th (Anon.) - the second time this has been reported.  July: 2, 5th/9th, 1, 11th (Anon.). Aug: 2, 4th 1, 18th/22nd/24th/28th (SE,RG,JM).  3, 4th Sept. (DS), 1, 11th (DS). Fewer records in "autumn" than usual, but more in spring. A

Whinchat  Passage migrant. Apr: 1, 17th/22nd (EH,JM), 3, 23rd, 1, 24th, (NC,NP), 2,29th (JG,JM).  2, 1st/3rd May (SB, JM,NP). Aug: 1, 9th/10th/11th/12th (JM,RG,JohnD,JaneD,HelenS,NR,NS),  2, 13th (Anon.), 3, 16th (NG), 1, 17th (MP), 2, 18th (RG,JC,VG), 1, 22nd/24th/28th (RG,JM). Sept: 10 trapped and ringed, 1st (ST) (so how many birds were there in total that day?), 2, 2nd (SE), 7, 4th (DS), 1, 13th/19th/24th (RG,DC,JM,CS). A

Stonechat  Winter visitor and occasional passage, dispersal. Jan: 1, 5th/10th (JM), 2, 17th/21st/24th (CS).  2, 2nd Feb. (JM), 3, 17th Feb.   Juv., 10th Aug. (JM,NR), 1, 19th Sept. (JM). Oct: 1, 6th/13th (JM), 3, 15th, 1, 24th (JM), pair present whole of Nov. (JM,RG,NG) pair, 17th Dec. to the end of the year.

Wheatear Passage migrant. 1, 27th Mar. (Anon.), 4, 29th Mar. (RG,JohnD). Apr: 2, 4th  (RG,JohnD), 1, 10th (JM), 5, 12th(Anon.), 1, 19th., 4, 22nd (JM), 3, 23rd., 5, 24th (NC,NP), 4, 25th (JM), 5, 27th (JM), 6, 29th/30th (JG,JM,RG,MG). May: 6, 1st (SB), 4, 2nd/3rd (JohnD, JM, NP), 2, 6th (JM), 3, 7th, 1, 11th, 2, one of which possibly Greenland race, 16th (JM), 5, 19th (JohnD,HS,JaneD), f., 24th. 3, 25th (RG,JohnD).                                                       Aug: 1, 7th/9th (JM,RG,JohnD,JaneD,HelenS), 3, 10th (NR,JM), 2, 22nd., 1, 24th/28th (JM). Sept: 1, 2nd Sept., 3, 4th (DS), 1, 6th (JM), 3, 7th (RG,JohnD), 2, 10th (Anon.), 3, 11th (DS), 5, 12th (DS), 2, 13th (RG,DC), 6, 15th (Anon.), 3, 16th, 2, 19th (JM). A

Meadow Pipit Passage and winter resident, bred till 2010.  3, 2nd Feb. (JM) Mar: 15, 14th (JM) 3, 25th (JM) 7, 29th. (RG,JohnD).  Apr: 50+, 10th (JM) 60+, 12th (RG,JohnD,JaneD) 6, 19th                                                                                                                                                                                                 Sept: 1, 11th (DS) 6+, 13th/17th (RG,DC,NG) 40+, 19th (JM) 4, 23rd, 14, 27th (JM). Oct: 3, 3rd, passage SW noted, 6th (JM), 20+, 11th (JM), 50+, 13th (JM), 3, 15th, 15, 24th (JM). Nov: 2, 1st (JM), 6, 4th, 50+, 10th (JM), 11, 13th (JM), 1, 19th (NG), 2, 21st (JM), 20+, 29th (JM), 2, 30th, 11, 26th Dec. (JM), 14, 31st Dec.

Yellow Wagtail  Passage migrant, often attracted by the cattle. Apr: 1, 23rd/27th (JM,RG), 2, 30th (MG).  1, possibly 2, 2nd May (JohnD), 2, with cattle, 11th Aug. (JM), 22, with cattle, 6th Sept. (JM), heard over, 7th Sept. A

Pied Wagtails Resident, using the old and new buildings. Pair, 24th May.

Chaffinch Resident.

Bullfinch  Resident.

Linnet  Resident. 11, 5th Jan (JM) 17, 29th Jan., 1, 14th Mar., 2, 29th Mar., Apr: max 40+, 10th. (JM) carrying nesting material, 29th. (JG,JM) 8, 24th May, family of 5, 13th June (RG,JaneD, JohnD) 6, 11th July, 1, 10th Aug. (NR,JM) 6, 16th Sept., 1, 3rd/24th Oct. (RG,JM) 1, 17th/26th Dec. (RG,JM), 2, 31st Dec.

Goldfinch Resident. 4, 12th Apr. 30+, 28th Aug. (JM) c30, 13th Sept. (DC) c40. 17th Sept. (NG)

Siskin   Passage/winter visitor. 2 over to the west, 23rd December - the first since about a dozen migrants in Sept-Oct 2020. A

Yellowhammer Scarce visitor, has bred. 1, 24th Oct. (JM) & 1, 26th Dec. (JM), the first since 15th Nov. 2020, also by JM. A

Reed Bunting Resident. 2, 17th Feb., max. March: 2, 5th/25th/29th,(RG,JM,TO), max. April: 4, 12th, max. May: 2, 19th (JohnD,JaneD,HS), 2, 4th Aug., max. Sept 4, 4th (DS), max. Oct. 4, 24th (JM), 4 or 5, 29th Nov.(JM), 1, 28th Dec. (JM)

Merlin,  25th March (Jon Mercer)                                                                                                                                                Redstart, 10th April (Jon Mercer)

Blakehill Ringing Report  by Simon Tucker

Above: Curlew,  20th April & Wheatear, 12th September (Simon Tucker)

Like Red Lodge, Blakehill Farm was put out of bounds by the outbreak of avian flu at Castle Eaton for the last full month of the year.

Ringing is not carried out all year at the site.  The main focus is on Spring and Autumn migration and winter visitors.

We managed to get in 8 full and 2 truncated sessions in 2021, with the following results:

Curlew 1; Magpie 1; Blue Tit 18(4); Great Tit 8(3); Long-tailed Tit 18(6); Wren 10(5); Meadow Pipit 55; Dunnock 8(3); Stonechat 5; Whinchat 12; Robin 6(2); Wheatear 1; Redwing 39; Song Thrush 1; Blackbird 5(2); Sedge Warbler 1; Blackcap 2; Whitethroat 2; Lesser Whitethroat 1; Chiffchaff 6; Willow Warbler 2; Chaffinch 5; Goldfinch 2; Linnet 2; Starling 1; House Sparrow 6; Reed Bunting 8(1). Totals: 226 birds ringed from 27 species and 26 birds retrapped from 8 species.

The highlight has to be the Curlew, ringed by Jonny as a part of the monitoring project. The first adult Curlew to be ringed in the Braydon Forest, and the first adult ringed in Wiltshire for over 30 years. 

As a result of the leg tag we were lucky to get a few other sightings of the bird in the local area, primarily it liked the fields adjacent to Red Lodge.

That said, I was delighted to catch the first Wheatear by anyone in our ringing group since 2012. 

The Whinchat numbers were the second best for the site, maintaining the solid autumn passage numbers of this species passing through Blakehill.

Numbers of Redwing and Meadow Pipit have been curtailed by our not being able to access the site due to both the weather and, more recently, the avian flu outbreak.  The site is so exposed that any wind renders it impossible to set nets which would be safe for the birds – so we don’t.

Below: Common Snipe,  13th November (Jon Mercer)                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                          Below: Painted Lady & Brown Argus, 4th August (RG)

Butterflies

Blakehill Butterfly Transect 2021

A disappointing year for many species, probably mainly due to the cold spring and very wet spells which must have swept all stages of the insects away at times. Hope for better things next year. At least there were a few increases mainly among the hibernators and browns. For long term statistics and trends see below.

Underlining indicates a UK or Wilts BAP Species. 

Small Skipper  From 8/7 to 19/8, max 20, 29/7, IoA 41

Essex Skipper  Single identified on 22/7, no others Identified this season. IoA 1

Large Skipper From 10/6 – 22/7, max 20, 15/7, IoA 66 

Brimstone From 8/4 – 29/7, max 5, 3/6, IoA 25. First seen 4th Apr.

Large White From 22/4 – 9/9, max 3, 29/7, IoA 6 

Small White From 8/4 – 23/9, max 16, 29/7, IoA 95 

Green-veined White 20/5 – 9/9, max 7, 22/7, IoA 22

Orange Tip 8/4 – 3/6, max 6 on 15/4, 22/4 & 13/5, IoA 37 (45, 83, 0) 

Brown Hairstreak Single on 5/8, IoA 1 (0,1,3) – also one or perhaps two seen nearby at Chelworth on same date. 

Small Copper 29/7 – 9/9, max 4, 2/9, IoA 10 

Brown Argus 29/7 – 26/8, max 2, 29/7 & 5/8, IoA 5

Common Blue 3/6 – 23/9, Max 14, 19/8, IoA 55

Holly Blue Single on 22/7, IoA 1

Red Admiral 3/6 – 23/9, max 4, 16/9, IoA 19

Painted Lady 20/5 – 9/9, 7 singles, IoA 7 Also 1, 19th Aug. (Anon.)

Small Tortoiseshell 8/4 – 26/8, max 10, 17/6, IoA 36 

Peacock 1/4 - 29/7, max 6, 29/7, IoA 34 First seen 2, 29th Mar.

Comma 22/4 – 16/9, max 3, 22/7, IoA 6

Speckled Wood 10/6 – 23/9, max 8, 26/8, IoA 25 

Marbled White 24/6 – 29/7, max 105, 15/7, IoA 288 

Gatekeeper 15/7 – 26/8, max 198, 22/7, IoA 778 

Meadow Brown 10/6 – 16/9, max 257, 15/7, IoA 1051 

Small Heath 20/5 – 9/9, max 34, 3/6, IoA 150 

Ringlet 24/6 – 29/7, max 146, 15/7, IoA 321 

Butterfly transect long term trends

The fortunes of each species over the last 8 years is covered below (with some entries for earlier years.) + = increasing   - = decreasing.

  -    Essex Skipper Indices of abundance (IoA) 2014-21: 35, 50, 60, 8, 24, 23, 18, 1      Average 2014-17: 38.25 Ave. 2018-21: 16.5   -  the difficulty of identifying this species positively from Small Skipper always compromises any attempt to determine status, but even so it looks as if it is on a steady decline.

 +     Small Skipper IoA 2014-21: 110, 103, 60, 58, 149, 183, 77, 41   Average 2014-17: 82.75  Ave. 2018-21: 112.5  - the relative status of the Small and Essex Skipper is always uncertain because of their similarity in transect circumstances - but Small looks as if it has been doing well - at least until the last two years.

 n/a   Small/Essex Skipper  IoA 2020-1: 50, 84  - if these totals of unseparated individuals had been divided between the above species, the IoA would have looked even better for Small, and possibly mitigated the apparent decline of Essex.

 +      Large Skipper   IoA 2014-21: 96, 87, 99, 91, 129, 96, 109, 66    Average 2014-17:93.25   Ave. 2018-21:  100 - a very even set of results suggesting a stable population

 -      Grizzled Skipper  IoA 2014-21: 8, 3, 2, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0  Average 2014-17: 4.25  Ave 2018-21: 0  - the saddest entry in this summary - just one individual was seen since 2017, a single in flight only in the western section of the reserve in May 2020, at least one kilometre away from the eastern section where all the sightings in the first four years of this summary were.

(Clouded Yellow all records:  2002 - 1, 2004 - 2, 2005 - 1, 2006 - 7, 2009 - 6, 2013 - 15+, 2014 - 1, 2020 - 1.    As can be seen appearances of this species are getting rarer with only 2 in the last 8 years, neither of them on transect visits. Most reports have been in Sept - Oct. An extremely erratic migrant, at least in inland counties.)

  -     Brimstone  IoA 2014-17: 31, 17, 7, 19, 8, 30, 3, 21   Average 2014-17: 18.5   Ave 2018-21: 15.5 - the lack of spring visits in 2020 may be enough to cause the apparent decrease.

  +     Large White   IoA 2014-17: 1, 8, 5, 16, 41, 9, 6, 5   Average 2014-17: 7.5  Ave 2018-21: 15.25  -  the IoA in 2018 makes the difference. A typically erratic set of results for a migrant species.

  +     Small White   IoA 2014-17: 26, 27, 38, 33, 117, 96, 155, 88   Average 2014-17: 31   Ave 2018-21: 114 - an extraordinary increase between the two four year periods - no apparent explanation.

   +    Green-veined White   IoA 2014-17: 22, 7, 16, 18, 46, 10, 23, 19   Average 2014-17: 15.75   Ave 2018-21: 24.5 - modest increase helped by 2018's figures.

   +     Orange Tip  IoA 24, 20, 10, 18, 37, 83, 0, 29   Average 2014-17: 18   Ave 2018-21: 37.25  -  With a nil IoA result for 2020 due to the lockdown, the increase in the second four year period looks more modest than it should.

   +     Brown Hairstreak  IoA 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 3, 1   - a species more successfully monitored by egg searches than transects. Here they are: 13, nc, 3, 15, 29, 19, 11, 46    Average 2014-17: 10.3   Ave. 2018-21: 26.25 - these figures suggest an increase in the last few years - especially in the recent winter!

(Purple Hairstreak  All records: 2006 - 2, 2007 - max of 7, 2008 - max 5, 2009 - max 18, 2010 -1 plus one at Chelworth Ind est nearby, 2011 - 3 (the last recorded to date on the reserve itself) plus 2 at Chelworth, 2013 - 0, but 2 at Chelworth, 2017 - 0, but 1 at Chelworth, 2018 - just 1 at Chelworth, none since. Whether the  decline is genuine or just a product of lack of effort is unknown! Chelworth has been covered less in recent years but Purple Hairstreaks, even more than Brown Hairstreaks, seem to have declined there.)

(White-letter Hairstreak  All records: 2007 - 1 possible, the only report from the reserve itself, 2015 - 2 at Chelworth entrance, just off the reserve but very close, 2018 - 2 possibly 3, Chelworth. Chelworth not visited very often since 2018 so current status doubtful.)

   +     Small Copper   IoA 19, 7, 5, 49, 133, 27, 23, 8   Average 2014-17: 20   Ave 2018-21: 47.75  -  over the 8 year period the figures show an increase, thanks to the amazing year 2018, but over the longer term there has undoubtedly been a decline.

   +     Brown Argus   IoA 7, 9, 3, 22, 36, 46, 11, 5   Average 2014-17: 10.25   Ave 2018-21: 24.5  -  was continually increasing until the last two years sadly.

 +       Common Blue   IoA: 159, 238, 30, 235, 377, 318, 64, 54   Average 2014-17: 165.5   Ave 2018-21: 203.25 - encouraging figures - apparently fairly stable at least if not increasing, though the last two years have been poor.

 +       Holly Blue   IoA: 0, 2, 2, 2, 2, 6, 0, 1   Average 2014-17: 1.5   Ave 2018-21: 2.25 - unsuitable habitat for this species.

(Dark Green Fritillary  Just two records: one in 2003 and a probable in flight only, in 2015.)

(Marsh Fritillary  A singleton, 22nd May 2017, presumably a vagrant. But with the new Marsh Fritillary project in Braydon Forest this species could colonise, with a bit of habitat management.)

 -        Red Admiral   IoA: 9, 1, 19, 24, 7, 17, 8, 16   Average 2014-17: 13.25  Ave 2018-21: 12 -  same as Large White, erratic appearance due to migration rather than any more local causes.

 +        Painted Lady   IoA 2, 5, 1, 2, 2, 17, 0, 5   Average 2014-17: 2.5  Ave 2018-21: 6  -  another migrant  appearing in erratic numbers

 -        Small Tortoiseshell   IoA 150, 50, 17, 41, 24, 35, 40, 34   Average 2014-17: 64.5   Ave 2018-21: 33.25 - the decline by a half from the first four years' total has more to do with the excellent year 2014 rather than the late start to the transect season 2020, although maybe quite a few hibernating Small Tortoiseshells were missed that year. As time goes by, a year like 2014 seems to be looking less and less likely to re-occur.

 -        Peacock   IoA 34, 37, 7, 18, 9, 52, 3, 25   Average 2014-17: 24   Ave 2018-21: 22.25 - although the averages for the two periods are very similar, this masks the rather marked fluctuations undergone by this species recently, even taking into account the loss of hibernators in 2020 due to the late start to the transect visits.

+        Comma   IoA 6, 3, 3, 9, 10, 9, 1, 5   Average 2014-17: 5.25   Ave 2018-21: 6.25 - not typical habitat for this species, although conditions may be slightly improving for it with the maturing hedges that have been planted at Blakehill in the last 12 years or so. Some hibernators may well have been missed in 2020 due to the late start to the transects.

+        Speckled Wood   IoA 14, 5, 30, 20, 28, 12, 10, 22   Average 2014-17: 17.25   Ave 2018-21: 18 - same comment as for the last species, although figures don't particularly support this!

 +       Marbled White   IoA 386, 265, 150, 265, 306, 665, 257, 288   Average 2014-17: 266.5   Ave 2018-21: 379 - the excellent year 2019 is the cause of the increase in the second period. 

+        Gatekeeper   IoA 340, 341, 231, 441, 347, 819, 651, 778   Average 2014-17: 338.25   Ave 2018-21: 648.75 - these figures just show how effective habitat management can be - the maturing hedge planted about 12 years ago on section 3 of the transect makes a huge difference for this species, aka Hedge Brown.

+        Meadow Brown   IoA  858, 1213, 632, 1999, 1216, 2456, 1629, 1048   Average 2014-17: 1175.5   Ave 2017-21: 1587.25 - the increase here is less easy to explain than the Gatekeeper - indeed 2021's result felt poor but is actually better than two of the years in the first period, surprisingly. 

 +       Small Heath   IoA  165, 70, 36, 71, 166, 292, 326, 140   Average 2014-17: 85.5   Ave 2018-21: 231 - the highest increase of any species in the list -  and enormously welcome. As with Meadow Brown though it is hard to explain - something to do with less of the plateau being cut since 2014? But that change would seem to have occurred too early to be the cause of this recent increase.

+        Ringlet   IoA  251, 220, 220, 804, 551, 618, 195, 321   Average 2014-17: 373.75   Ave 2018-21: 421.25 - again I think the increase in Ringlets is due to the maturing hedge in section 3 making a difference.

Below: Small Eggar larval web, 5th June (RG)

Moths -

All seen in daytime.  In addition to the comments below, other day-flying species not seen in recent years  at Blakehill are the Forester Moth (last seen 2016) and the Chimneysweeper (last seen 2015)- all reports of both would be very welcome.

Yarrow Plume 1, 4th Aug. The second record of this species at Blakehill - as well as Yarrow it also feeds on Sneezewort and Tansy, the former of which is also common at Blakehill.

Six-spot Burnet From 22nd June

Narrow-bordered Five Spot Burnet From 22nd June. This and the previous species are annually seen in varying numbers at Blakehill, but it is not yet certain that the third species, the more local Five-spot Burnet, is found here.

Small Eggar  A larval web, 5th June. A scarce moth restricted to mainly SW England - but these webs are fairly frequently seen locally and most years we find one at Blakehill.

Bloodvein 1, 28th Aug.

Common Carpet 1, 27th May, 3, 9th Aug., 4, 18th Aug., 3, 22nd.

Shaded Broad-bar From 18th July, 30 on 4th Aug., 2, 22nd, 3, 28th, 1, 7th Sept.

Yellowshell From 22nd June

Magpie Moth 1, 4th Aug., 3, 18th Aug., 1, 28th

Straw Dot 1,18th Aug.

Vapourer 1, 22nd Aug., 1, 7th Sept.

Cinnabar 2, 13th June

Burnet Companion 1, 5th June. Good to see this day-flying grassland species, but its relative, the iconic Mother Shipton, has not been recorded here since 2018, when as many as 3 were seen together, so any sightings of that species would be welcome!

Silver Y 1, 13th June,  1, 26th July,

Marbled White Spot 1, 13th June

Middle-barred Minor 1, 13th June

Small Yellow Underwing 1, 27th May - good to see this tiny but exquisite day flying moth  is still here.  Has declined in distribution nationally by 40% in the last 40 years, but its status is uncertain because like most strictly diurnal moths it never occurs in moth traps. Feeds on Mouse-ears.

Square-spot Rustic 1, 23rd Sept.

                                                                                                                             Common Emerald Damselfly, 21st June (Jon Beresford)

Odonata

Banded Demoiselle 1, 9th July

Common Emerald Damselfly    An early sighting on 21st June (JB), a late sighting on 3rd Oct. No other sightings were reported at all!

Common Blue Damselfly At least 4th Aug,

Emperor 2, 13th June, 1, 9th July, 3, 18th July

Lesser Emperor 1, 9th Aug., patrolling the western perimeter track, the first definite record for Blakehill, though one was suspected a few years ago. A south European migrant, increasingly seen in southern England.

Brown Hawker 13th June, 2, 18th July, 5, 26th July, 1, 9th Aug.

Migrant Hawker 2, 22nd Aug., 1, 28th, 1, 7th/16th Sept.

Broad-bodied Chaser 5th June

Black-tailed Skimmer From 9th July

Common Darter From 18th July, 7, 16th Sept., 5, 23rd

Mammals

Brown Hare  2, 21st Mar, (RG,JohnD), 6, 22nd Mar. (JM) 2, 29th Mar. (RG,JohnD), 2, 14th Apr. (BS) 3, 19th Apr., 1, 23rd/29th Apr. (RG,JG,JM) 4, 19th May (JohnD,JaneD,HS) 1, 24th May, 5, 27th May (RG, JaneD) 1, 5th/13th Jun (RG, JaneD,JohnD) 1, 4th Nov. As usual virtually invisible in the second half of the year, but apparently an improvement on the last two years.

Weasel  1, 17th Dec.

Roe Deer  Always up to 20 visible on the plateau - probably many more actually present!

Below: Brown Hare, 5th June (RG)

Below: Dyer's Greenweed, 22nd June (RG)

Plants

Bee Orchid 12, 22nd June (RG,JaneD, JohnD)