Blakehill Wildlife 2004

My disabled wife and I have been fortunate to gain access to Blakehill WWT Reserve for wildlife recording since September 2003. This is the record of our visits during 2004. We visited the site forty four times during the year, clocking up a total of 52.75 hours. Because of the need to keep the wheelchair on a firm smooth surface, all observations were made from the tarmac roadway, usually between the T-junction in the NW of the site and Leighfield Lodge Farm area to the south, and also from the stretch between the T-junction and the Chelworth entrance.

A few records are included from before September 2003, on visits during Open Days at the site, and there are also one or two records from other observers who are named, or the source given. All dates refer to 2004 except where the year is given.

We hope that this record of sightings from 2004 will provide a basis on which future recording at Blakehill can be built.

Abbreviations: CWP - Cotswold Water Park

f. Female

m. Male

juv. Juvenile (usually born the same year)

imm. Immature (any plumage other than adult)

Status descriptions refer to Blakehill only.

Shelduck Vagrant. Only record, one flew low over and landed near one of the farms S. of the site - presumably from CWP, 9 May

Mallard Occasional visitor. Pair on 1 Feb. landed near the pond, W. of site.

Quail Migrant/Vagrant. Only record, one (or two?) calling repeatedly from three different places on both sides of roadway, but not seen, 9 June. Hayfields are not normal Quail habitat.

Common Pheasant Resident, breeds. Family party of 5 seen in N. of site, Nov., also recorded in W. of site.

Grey Heron Occasional visitor. Seen regularly over the site between Feb. and April, 2 on 28 Mar.

Cormorant Vagrant. 2 N. over site, probably CWP birds, 12 Dec.

Sparrowhawk Resident. Both sexes regularly seen, probably bred in trees near Leigh. Sometimes perch on fence and isolated posts in the open.

Common Buzzard Resident. Regularly seen in flight and sometimes perched. Probably breeds locally. Max. 4 on 31 Mar.

Kestrel Resident. Regularly seen. In July 1 or 2 birds always present hunting for small animals exposed by haymaking. Probably breeds.

Merlin Passage/winter visitor. All records:

2003: 1, 27 Nov. (Stephen Edwards); 1 m., 9/26 Dec.

2004: 1, perched in hawthorn beside roadway then flew low over site to fence post, 19 Mar; 1 f. perched on post in middle of site, then flew off in pursuit of small bird, probably a Meadow Pipit, stooping at it persistently until both birds disappeared beyond the ruined Blakehill farmhouse, 28 Mar; 1 imm. perched on fence, 6 Nov;

1 m. flying with Short Eared Owls, 26 Nov.; 1 m. perched on fence posts, 3 Dec. - was this male accompanying the Short Eared Owls on passage S.?

Hobby Wanderer. Breeds fairly nearby. Only record, one soaring with Buzzard over site, 8 Sept. 2002.

Peregrine Wanderer. Three different birds: 1 ad. carrying prey (pigeon sp.) to centre of site, where it "mantled", plucked, and started to eat it. Two crows were briefly attracted, but they soon thought better of disturbing it, 23 Apr.; 1 first summer immature carried prey to post in centre of site, 9 Jun.; 1 juvenile soaring over site then stooped to W. 30 Oct.

Ringed Plover Vagrant. Only record, one flying over calling, 8 Sept. 2002.

Golden Plover Migrant/vagrant. Only record, 14 feeding, centre of site, then flew off N., 4 Oct 2003.

Lapwing Non-breeding visitor. A few seen over the site on several occasions. Max. 35 flying NW. on 12 Dec., may have been cold weather movement.

Common Snipe Passage/winter visitor. Three records, all in latter part of year, 1 S. over site, 20 Oct.; 1 heard over, 30 Oct.; at least 2 over, 3 Dec.

Black Headed, Common, Lesser Black-backed, Herring Gulls Daily commuters over site, even a few imms. at the height of breeding season. Rarely seen on the ground: on 16 Jan six large gulls loafing on centre of site were 3 ad. Herring, 1 ad. Lesser B-b and 2 first winter birds that could have been either species.

Common Tern Vagrant. 1 ad. SW over N. end of site, 24 July - perhaps from CWP.

Stock Dove Resident. Common on site, all seasons, all areas.

Wood Pigeon Resident. Common at all seasons.

Collared Dove Resident. Flock of c. 25 at Leigh entrance area all seasons.

Cuckoo Early summer resident. Two males called intermittently from 17 Apr. - 19 Jun. A third bird, probably f., seen 23 Apr. 1 chased by a pair of Meadow Pipits across centre of site, 19 Jun. - presumably parasitising that species.

Short-eared Owl Spring and early winter passage migrant. Records as follows:

2000: 2, 7 Mar.; 2, 25 Apr. (Hobby, No.27, p.52)

2003: 1, 25 Nov. - 9 Dec.

2004: 1, 24 Apr. (WOS News, Bulletin 119, Aug. 04, p.27)

2, 26 Nov. - 3 Dec.

The similarity of dates of the April and November occurrences is striking. On 26 Nov. both birds flew together (with a male Merlin) over the site to the hedges W. of the roadway, then one quartered the rough grass and returned to a fence post, while the other soared high, accompanied by two crows. On 3 Dec., one was first seen flying high, then perched on a post (one of a group of four posts in the centre of the site),looking around all the time, then it flew low and fast to pounce on the other owl on the ground, after which they both flew off in opposite directions, one of them coming close to the T-junction, quartering an area of long grass. Sightings began at around 4pm on both dates.

Swift Summer visitor. Occasionally seen, May - July, particularly on overcast, stormy days, taking insects low over the site.

Green Woodpecker Summer resident. Apart from first sighting, 1 calling from trees near Chelworth entrance, 31 Mar., all the rest have been from the SW of the site near to Leighfield Lodge Farm - a f. clinging to the side of a fence post 23 Apr., also 9 May, and singles heard and seen several more times in the same area, July - Sept. None in winter.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Resident. Occasionally seen flying over site and heard from trees, N of site, at all seasons.

Skylark Resident. For most of the year, the most numerous bird at Blakehill, though particularly so in the breeding season. In 2003 Stephen Edwards calculated 53 pairs breeding. In 2004 proof of breeding was an adult carrying food to young in July, and a tailless juvenile flushed from the side of the roadway on 7 Sept. Song heard from 11 Feb (5 birds) till June, and again on 30 Oct and 14 Nov.

Sand Martin Vagrant. Only record, 2 flying E. over site, 19 Jun., perhaps from CWP colonies.

Swallow Summer resident. Breeds in some of the farm buildings and old air force buildings. Extreme dates, 17 Apr - 10 Oct. Many moving S. over the site in Sept.

House Martin Summer visitor. Like Swift mainly seen in poor or overcast weather, hawking for insects forced down to low level, but also seen moving through in autumn with Swallows.

Meadow Pipit Resident and passage migrant. A few pairs breed - song heard from 3 May - 17 July (hard to detect among the hordes of Skylarks), and adult obviously near nest on 24 July. Sang from fence post on 11 Jun. On 19 Jun. pair chased Cuckoo a long way across the site. Max. in "spring", 22 on 11 Feb., max. in autumn 50+ on 25 Sept.

Yellow Wagtail Passage migrant. Only one record, 1 flew over NE of site calling, 24 Jul.

Pied Wagtail Resident. Present at all seasons - probably breeds on old buildings.

Wren Resident. Common wherever there is cover.

Dunnock Resident. Common in trees and hedges.

Robin Resident. As Dunnock.

Common Redstart Passage migrant. One record, 1 f. or juv. in bushes beside roadway, 21 Aug.

Whinchat Passage migrant. Just 2 records in 2004, 1 m. on fence centre of site, 23 Apr.; 4 (2 ms.) with Wheatears, same area, 15 Sept.

Stonechat Winter visitor and passage migrant. The pair which arrived on 12 Oct 2003 stayed till at least 11 Feb. Different pattern to records in autumn/winter 2004: 2 on 24 Sept., 1 on 28 Sept. and 10 Oct. 2 on 20 Oct., 5 on 30 Oct., 3 on 6 Nov., then 1 stayed on site from 10 Nov to 12 Dec. They feed from fences and tall vegetation and roost in the bramble patches.

Wheatear Passage migrant. In spring, 4 present from 12 Apr to 9 May, except for 23 Apr when 3 seen. First in autumn, 5 on 21 Aug., 1 on 24 Aug and 7 Sept., and last were 2 on 15 Sept. with Whinchats.

Blackbird Resident. Common in trees and hedges.

Fieldfare Winter visitor. Small numbers present up to 31 Mar. - max. 30 on 24 Jan. First in autumn c. 50 on 30 Oct, c. 200 on 6 Nov., c.500 on 10 Nov, then few noticed till c.300 on 12 Dec.

Song Thrush Resident. Seen occasionally near bushes and hedgerows especially in W of site. Sang well during visits at dusk in Nov-Dec.

Redwing Winter visitor. Small nos. in both winter periods - max 15 on 24.Jan. First in autumn 2-3 on 30 Oct, seen regularly to Dec., max. only c.25 on 6 Nov. and12 Dec.

Lesser Whitethroat Summer resident. 1, possibly 2, pairs breeding. 2 singing 3 May, 1 heard regularly to end Jun. Calling birds, probably a family party, heard calling regularly from hedgerows in N and W of site until 21 Aug.

Common Whitethroat Summer resident. Possibly 3 pairs. 2 singing 23 Apr.,evidence of breeding: ad. feeding young 25 Jun., ad. with 2 juvs. 17 Jul. Birds present till 2 seen on 1 Sep.

Garden Warbler Summer visitor. Only record, 1 singing from bushes in extreme N of site, 23 May.

Blackcap Summer resident. Probably 1 pair Leighfield Lodge Farm - heard singing in May-Jun.

Chiffchaff Summer resident. First heard, 2 on 31 Mar. Perhaps a pair or two in trees at extreme edges of site. Last heard 15 Sep. - no winter records.

Willow Warbler Summer resident. 2 or 3 pairs breeding. First heard on 12 Apr.

Goldcrest Winter visitor. Only records, both at Chelworth entrance, singles on 26 Nov and14 Dec.

Long-Tailed Tit Wanderer. The only record is a flock of 13 near the T-junction on 12 Oct. 2003.

Blue Tit Resident. Common in hedgerows and trees.

Great Tit Resident. As Blue Tit.

Jay Wanderer. The only record is of 1 in trees in the N of the site, 6 Nov.

Magpie Resident. Common near hedgerows and trees.

Jackdaw Resident. Common - flocks with Rooks often seen, especially near livestock.

Rook Resident. Common - as Jackdaw.

Carrion Crow Resident. Very common - pairs patrol all over the site at all seasons.

Raven Vagrant. Only record, 1 on site, 4/12 Oct 2003.

Starling Resident. Common. Possibly breeds on buildings.

House Sparrow Resident. Seen only near Leigh entrance and near Leighfield Lodge Farm.

Chaffinch Resident. Common near trees.

Greenfinch Resident. As Chaffinch.

Goldfinch Resident. Small flocks often fly over site.

Linnet Resident. Common. Breeds in bushes and hedgerows - family parties seen in late summer and autumn.

Lesser Redpoll Vagrant. Only record, 1, 29 Nov 2003.

Bullfinch Resident. Possibly breeds. Pairs occasionally seen in bushy areas.

Yellowhammer Spring visitor. The only records are from the period 28 Mar - 23 May. Although male heard briefly singing on 17 Apr, did not breed on site. Appeared to be feeding on weed seeds on grassland near the Leigh entrance. 3 on 28 Mar, rising to 8 on 17 Apr, 4 on 23 Apr, then none till a single male on 23 May. None since.

Reed Bunting Resident. At least one pair, probably two, breeding in completely dry habitat. A bird or two usually present in all months of the year - on 14 Nov. 2 accompanied a Stonechat on the fence near a bramble patch on the middle of the site.

Butterflies were seen at Blakehill on 20 visits from 31 Mar. to 15 Sep. They were counted from the roadway walking S from the T-junction to the bend near Leighfield Lodge Farm, or E from the T-junction round to the Chelworth entrance. Numbers given - even maxima - are therefore always a fraction of the total present at the site. It is obviously a major site for the "commoner" grassland species.

Small Skipper First seen on 19 Jun., last on 7 Aug. Max. 30+ on 31 Jul., but some of these would have been Essex.

Essex Skipper This is very similar to the previous species, only positively identified by the black antenna tips, and only 1 was definitely recorded, on 7 Aug. As no Skippers of either species were recorded after this date, no estimate of Essex numbers can be given.

Large Skipper First seen on 9 Jun., last on 25 Jun. Max. 30 on 13 Jun.

Clouded Yellow Migrant in irregular nos. 1 on 8 Sep. 2002, 2 on 7 Aug. - only records.

Brimstone In spring, seen from 12 Apr. to 25 May, max. 4 on 23 Apr. Only 1 later record, 1 on 13 Jun.

Large White Seen on just four occasions, singles twice in mid-May, 3 on 17 Jul. and a single on 1 Sep.

Small White In spring, a few on 16 May only, then in late summer seen from 17 Jul. to 15 Sep., max c. 20 on 31 Jul. (Some were probably Green Veined)

Green Veined White Similar to Small except at close range - just 2 identified on 7 Aug.

Orange Tip Only 1 record - 1 on 16 May.

Small Copper In spring seen on 16 and 23 May with 6 on the first date. In summer seen from 31 Jul. to 1 Sep., max c.20 on 7 Aug., but there were no autumn records - in 2003, by contrast, 20+ were seen on 25 Sep.

Common Blue In spring from 23 May to 19 Jun., with max. 14 on 13 Jun., and in summer from 31 Jul to 7 Sep., with about 20 counted through Aug. (In 2003, on 15 Jun., "scores" were seen during the Open Day.)

Holly Blue Only record, 1 at Chelworth entrance, 7 Aug.

Red Admiral Only record, 1 on 14 Aug.

Painted Lady Migrant in irregular nos. In spring, seen from 9 to 13 Jun. with max. 6 on 11 Jun., otherwise just 2 singles on 14 and 21 Aug.

Small Tortoiseshell Long season but few seen - in spring from 31 Mar to 16 May, max 8 on 12 Apr., in summer from 9 Jun to 14 Aug., max. 6 on 17 Jul., then 7 to 15 Sep., just ones and twos.

Peacock In spring, from 31 Mar. to 23 Apr., max. 3 on 23 Apr. Sadly the only other record was 1 on 17 Jul.

Dark Green Fritillary Most disappointingly, the only record remains a single on 15 Jun 2003, during the Open Day.

Speckled Wood Only record, 1 on edge of the site, 7 Sept.

Marbled White First seen on 19 Jun, last on 7 Aug. Max. c.20 in latter half of July.

Gatekeeper The most abundant species of 2004 - over 500 estimated on 31 Jul. Seen from 17 Jul. to 1 Sep.

Meadow Brown Seen from 9 Jun. to 1 Sep., max 100+ on 25 Jun. Site not visited after then till 17 Jul. - so could have been as numerous, if not more, than previous species - indeed this is likely as the habitat would appear to suit it better.

Ringlet Seen from 19 Jun. to 24 Jul. Max. 30+ on 25 Jun.

Small Heath "Spring" records from 16 May to 17 Jul. Max. 34 on 13 Jun. - compare "scores" on 15 Jun. 2003. Summer 31 Jul. to 7 Sep. Max. c.30 on 7 Aug.

A few, mainly day-flying, moth species were seen, including Cinnabar and Burnet moths and Burnet Companion in June, and abundant Shaded Broad-bar in July, also the odd night-flyer such as Smoky Wainscot. Three sightings of the Hummingbird Hawkmoth were had in late summer - 17 Jul., 7 Aug. and 7 Sep., the first and last of these were of individuals settled on the roadway, allowing close-up views.

Just seven species of damsel- and dragonfly have been seen - though there might be more near the pond in the W. of the site, which we could not visit.

Common Blue Damselfly Seen from mid-Jun. to Aug., abundant in Jun.

Migrant Hawker One or two seen near the Chelworth entrance only, in late summer.

Southern Hawker Only record, 2 flying S. 25 Sept 2003.

Brown Hawker Two sightings, one in the centre of the site on 13 Jun., another at the Leigh entrance, 17 Jul.

The Emperor Commonly seen over the grass, zooming back and forth for prey - seen from 9 Jun. to 21 Aug., usually 2, with perhaps 3 individuals on 13 Jun.

Black-tailed Skimmer Seen commonly on and around the roadway from 9 Jun. to 7 Aug., usually about 5 individuals, but sometimes more, eg. c.15 on 13 Jun.

Common Darter Common as its name implies, 17 Jul. to end Sep.

Brown Hare Seen on both sides of the roadway from 31 Mar. to 30 Oct. on nine occasions, mostly singles, but there were 2 on 12 Apr and 16 May, and possibly 3 on 3 May. They were mainly seen in Mar - Jun, with just 3 singles after that, on 17 Jul., 1 Sep. and 30 Oct.

Rabbit Very common, except centre of site away from cover, Breeds near Leigh entrance - often half a dozen in view at once, all seasons.

Fox Singles occasionally seen at all seasons, with a presumed vixen and three half-grown cubs on 9 May.

Roe Deer Seen Jan. - 23 Apr. , and 1 Sep. - Dec. Maxima 12 on 11 Feb. and 8 on 3 Dec. None in May - Aug. when perhaps move to wooded areas.