Blakehill Wildlife 2005

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. Comments in italics are repeated from 2004 report.

Shelduck No records this year

Mallard Occasional visitor, less often noted than last year, but 6 flew NW on 31 Dec.

Red-legged Partridge Perhaps resident - Pair present 1 and 29 May, 16 July, 16 August, dust-bathing nr. Chelworth entrance on the last date. 3 flushed on 9 Nov., 2 on 12 Nov.

Quail Spring migrant. One calling centre of site 11 May, again on 22 May. Not heard on 13 or 17 May, so may have been a different bird. (One heard same area 9 June 2004).

Pheasant Resident, breeds. 1 –2 "pairs" - Evidence of breeding on 31 Aug – 3 half-grown young, N. of site

Fulmar One flew SW. over site on 11 Sept – during a morning of dull, cold, drizzly weather and SE wind. Only the eighth ever recorded in Wiltshire!

Cormorant Vagrant – occasionally seen in flight, probably CWP birds

Grey Heron Occasional visitor – less often noted than last year.

Harrier sp. Vagrant. One "ringtail" Harrier was present on site for an hour on 26 June during the official opening day - presumably a Montagu’s Harrier from the date (Jo Sayers).

Sparrowhawk Resident, frequently seen.Probably breeds on, or near to, site.

Common Buzzard Resident. Max. 2 pairs present on 6 Mar. Commonly seen in late summer : on 26 July carried a large prey item – probably a rabbit – to the N. of the site. 3 seen together on 6 Sept, probably family group. Occasionally seen perched S. of site on fenceposts near the ruined farmhouse.

Kestrel Resident. Bred, probably on site, family of 4 frequently seen in late summer.

Merlin Passage/winter visitor. Male perched on fence nr. to Chelworth entrance then flew off over site to W., 19 Jan.; one flew up from centre of site and away to N. –roosting at CWP? – c.3.30 pm, 9 Feb.; female on post, middle of site, flew low away to E., later seen perched in small isolated bush in open near Chelworth entrance, 6 Mar.

In autumn, m. perched in hawthorn, W. of site, 22 Oct., and seen with a Short-eared Owl, perched on a post in the centre of the site, 31 Oct. Then a series of sightings of a f. perched on post (one of a group of four), E. of site, 18 and 25 Nov., 10 and 14 Dec. – on the last date seen to fly off low to the SE. On 31 Dec. one flew to the E., then a minute or two later it - or another? - flew rapidly N. over the W. of the site.

Hobby Summer visitor. One gliding slowly W. over site was attacked by territory-holding Curlew on 29 April. Another on 27 May flew low over the whole site from N. to S., at one point pursuing a small bird, probably a Skylark, unsuccessfully.

On 12 Aug an adult chased Swallows N., one soared over centre of site on 16 Aug, probably the same bird was hunting Swallows on 17 Aug, one was catching insects high over the E. of the site on 1 Sept, and on 6 Sept 2 juveniles were stooping playfully(?) at each other and insecting. (No records in 2004)

Peregrine Wanderer. 2, probably ad. and imm., flew one after the other W. over N. end of site, c. 3.30 pm on 14 Jan. One ad. flew in to E. of site, and perched on fence post, 21 Dec. (Three records of different birds, 2004.)

Ringed Plover No records this year.

Golden Plover No records this year.

Lapwing Visitor. Usually only seen in flight, eg. 21 N. over site on 23 Jan., c. 60 NE on 31 Dec. One feeding near the Y-junction, 17 May

Common Snipe Passage/winter visitor. 1 – 2, 25 Mar. 1 flew silently right round site then landed to the W., possibly another heard calling – flushed by Short Eared Owl?

Heard only, 14 Oct.and 4 Nov. 3, centre of site, 12 Nov. 1 on 15 Nov., 5 together 10 Dec,

Curlew Spring visitor. One male present in spring.

Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull Daily commuters over site, even a few imms. at the height of breeding season. An adult Common Gull was over the site on 20 July – an early date.

Common Tern No records this year.

Stock Dove Resident. c.30, feeding on site, 23 Jan. were the max. for the year.

Wood Pigeon Resident. Common at all seasons.

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

Cuckoo Early summer resident. First heard on 17 April, same as in 2004, and two males present and calling through May, also male and female seen on a couple of occasions. On 13 May one was pursued by Swallows from the Chelworth entrance area over to the centre of the site. No June records this year, unlike in 2003/4.

Barn Owl Visitor/resident. A day-flying bird seen from mid to end May by several observers.

In autumn, one, probably male, perched on fence post at the y-junction, then flew off N., mid afternoon, 22 Oct. Seen again quartering N. of site between y-junction and main entrance at dusk, 15 Nov. and 31 Dec.

Little Owl Visitor/?resident. One heard calling SW of site on 1 Sept – the first such record. One seen perched on fence beside roadway by Trevor Stinton on 27 Nov., then heard calling from W. of the site on 31 Dec.

Short-eared Owl Winter visitor (Oct – Apr).

Present in the early part of the year(Farm staff).

2, 25 Mar., c.4.15pm, 1 hunting in full sunshine over centre of site then landed on ground, visible to the naked eye. Then another soared high, pursued by Crow, then first bird resumed hunting – soaring bird lost to view. Two on 1 April (presumed same as the birds seen on 25 March), perched in full sunshine on fence-posts, also seen pursued by Jackdaw. One on 25 April in flight over the site, continuously harassed by Crows.

In autumn, 2 on 31 Oct., quartering all over the site, apparently separate birds, never seen together. One seen, 4 Nov. around the y-junction area. 3 seen on 12 Nov., 2 together on centre of site and another to the NE.

This can be a very inconspicuous species at Blakehill – please send me all your sightings with date!

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

Green Woodpecker Summer visitor. 1, Chelworth entrance, 28 Mar., the first since Sept 04. One on 15/17 April. A juv. present in SW of site in July and August, last seen 19 Aug.

Great-spotted Woodpecker Resident. Occasionally seen flying over site and heard from trees, at all seasons. Not so many noted this year.

Sky Lark Resident/?passage migrant. 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.

First heard singing on 16 Jan and continued till end June, then again on 22 Oct . Heard singing from fence posts, and even the ground on 29 April. Feeding young on 10 June.

On 21 Sept a loose flock of c.30 flew around the centre of site then landed again – they rarely seem to gather together like this at Blakehill but usually seem to keep in territory. C. 25 on 14 Oct. After this date only small numbers were seen, but on every visit, until the year’s end.

Sand Martin Vagrant. 1 with Swallows on 20 July

Swallow Summer resident/passage migrant. Present from 15 April until end Sept. Steady passage NW on 25 April. Common throughout the summer, but breeding status uncertain. On 11 Sept a flock of at least 75 hawked insects together very low over the ground during dull, cold, drizzly weather, E. end of site. Steady passage S. seen during mid and late 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/passage migrant/winter visitor. 12 on 9 Jan was max for the first quarter, and virtually absent during colder weather in Feb/Mar.

2 or 3 present on 25 Mar, then was present and breeding but elusive during the summer - at least two pairs present. Pair carrying food, 17 May; male in "parachute" display flight, centre of site, 22 May, 20 June and 3 and 6 July. Skylarks at Blakehill imitate Meadow Pipits, or at least use Meadow Pipit-like phrases in their song, so this species is most easily heard singing later in the summer when most Skylarks are silent.

No more sightings till one adult in worn plumage seen on 12 Aug. Then autumn passage first noticed on 11 Sept with two flocks of 12 and 8 birds flying S.over site. Loose flock of at least 35 on site from 21 Sept. c.25 on 14 Oct., c. 30 on 22 Oct. Smaller numbers seen in Nov. – very few in Dec.

Yellow Wagtail Passage migrant. In spring, 6 together on 25 April, feeding with Shorthorn cattle, then flew off to NE. One flying S. calling on 5 May.

In autumn 1 W. on 17 Aug., at least one heard calling overhead on 6 Sept., and 2 S. on 21 Sept. (Only one record previous to this year.)

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

Wren Resident. Common wherever there is cover.

Dunnock Resident. Common in trees and hedges.

Robin Resident. As Dunnock

Common Redstart Autumn migrant. A female or juv. present on 28 Aug. in the isolated bushes by the roadway, centre of site, same as on 21 Aug last year.

Whinchat Passage migrant. None in spring this year. A female or juvenile on 28 Aug, a male with a female/juv. Stonechat on 1 Sept, a family group of male and 2 female/juvs on 6 Sept., and 2 female/juvs on 27 Sept.

Stonechat Winter visitor/passage migrant. 3, pair plus lone female, present from beginning of year to 4 Feb, then none seen during cold spell till 6 Mar, all 3 present to 18 Mar. On 23 Jan territorial conflict between male of pair and lone female noted – brief skirmish before they flew apart. Normally lone bird stayed some hundreds of yards SW of the pair.

A female or juv present on 1 Sept – with a Whinchat – and 11 Sept., and a male on 27 Sept with 2 Whinchats and 2 Wheatears. 3 (2 m.) present on 14 Oct. 2 on 22 and 31 Oct. M. seen again 15 and 19 Nov. Pair seen 29 Nov., f. on 30 Nov., then no further records till m. on 26^th Dec. then 3 (2 males), on 31 Dec.

Wheatear Passage migrant. Present during five months of the year. Two March records, probably of different birds. Male present 18 Mar. probably going to roost with Stonechats in the bramble patches to N. of site. Male 28 Mar nr. Chelworth entrance. Spring passage continued through April to 5 May. Max. 7 on 10 April, then single on 15 April, 4 on 21 April, 3 on 25 April, 2 on 29 April, then 4 on 5 May.

One on 7 Aug and 17 Aug, 2 on 28 Aug. and 21 / 27 Sept.

Blackbird Resident. Common in trees and hedges.

Fieldfare Winter visitor. Present throughout period till early March, no large flocks however.

First in autumn, 1 on 22 Nov., and 3 –4 in small mixed flock with Redwings, 29 Nov. 6 on 8 Dec. and a dozen or so on 31 Dec. (Max. c. 500 in autumn 2004)

Redwing Winter visitor. Present in small numbers through first quarter, till c.30 perched on hawthorn bush on 11 Mar. were probably largest no. of quarter.

First in autumn at the site, flock of at least 30 on 22 Oct. Small numbers seen from then on to end of year. 11 on 10 Dec.

Song Thrush Resident. About 4 singing males, seems to have increased this year.

Mistle Thrush Resident. Pair present and heard singing, N. of site, Feb – Mar. – the first I’ve seen at Blakehill.

Dartford Warbler Winter vagrant. Male found by Jo Sayers present 14 / 19 Jan. (at least) in N. of site, centred around the tall bramble bush - and solitary gorse bush - beside the roadway, loosely associating with the pair of Stonechats. Present again with the Stonechats on 6 / 7 Mar.- where did it – and they - go in Feb.? Blakehill would seem too sparsely vegetated a habitat for this species, which only makes it the more surprising that it came back. Another was seen (and ringed) in Swindon in early Jan., but this was a different individual because it was not ringed.

Lesser Whitethroat Summer visitor. Singing male present from 25 April until 5 May, but no further song heard so presumed left the site – one pair bred last year. However probably bred nearby - single present from 16 July to 6 Sept., with another on 17 Aug.

Common Whitethroat Summer resident. First on 21 April. At least four singing males, in widely separated areas, during the quarter. Ad. with juv. 17 June. Present to 6 Sept. (Possibly 3 pairs, 2004)

Garden Warbler None this year. (Recorded last year but not on WWT land.)

Blackcap Summer visitor. None this year – probably I pair 2004

Chiffchaff Passage migrant/winter visitor/?breeding. 1 singing 25 Mar, 2 on 28 Mar., but none noted holding territory during summer. Migrants widespread and common late Aug to end Sept. A calling bird in the W. of the site on 17 Dec. was the first winter record. (Perhaps a pair or two – 2004)

Willow Warbler Summer resident. First on 5 April. Five singing males at least. Feeding young on 10 June. Present to the end of August. (2 or 3 pairs – 2004)

Goldcrest Wanderer. Only record this year – one in the bushes at the y-junction, 31 Dec.

Long-tailed Tit Wanderer. C. 15 along hedge beside track from Leigh entrance, 12 Oct., some still present 14^th. 2-3 at Chelworth entrance, 22 Nov.

Blue Tit Resident. Common in hedgerows and trees.

Great Tit Resident. As Blue Tit.

Jay Winter wanderer. Single near Chelworth entrance, Feb/Mar. and another near main entrance, 17 Dec.

Magpie Resident. Common near hedgerows and trees. Max., loose flock of 12 + on 9 Feb.

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

Rook Resident. Breeds Leighfield Lodge Farm. Common - as Jackdaw.

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

Raven No records this year.

Starling Resident. Common. Possibly breeds on buildings. Flocks sometimes feed near livestock, esp. sheep.

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

Chaffinch Resident. Common near trees. Max.flock of 12 on 12 Aug.

Brambling Passage migrant. One flew around the W. of the site calling, 31 Oct.

Greenfinch Resident. Common near trees.

Goldfinch Resident. Small flocks feed on weed seeds especially in late summer, but seen, in flight particularly, all year.

Siskin Passage migrant. One or more heard calling over site on 4 Oct.

Linnet Resident. Common. Breeds in bushes and hedgerows - family parties seen in late summer and autumn. Pair on 25 / 28 Mar. were first seen since the cold weather of Feb – early Mar. Male singing 28 Mar. Five pairs present, feeding together in centre of site, in early – mid April. Probably most/all stayed to breed – pairs seen and heard often in summer, and two family parties noted on 19 July – one of 4 and one of 6 birds. Odd records to year’s end.

Lesser Redpoll Autumn/winter visitor. 2 over on 4 Nov. and 18 Nov. and 3 S. on 30 Nov. Heard again on 17 Dec. The first since Nov 2003.

Bullfinch Resident. Pairs occasionally seen in bushy areas. Juv. present in July- probably bred near Chelworth entrance. A f. feeding on weed seeds near main entrance, 17 Dec. 3 – 4 seen, different parts of the site, 17, 21, and 31 Dec.

Yellowhammer Occasional visitor. One flew over to the W. on 9 Nov., the first on the site since May 2004.

Reed Bunting Resident. A male on 18 Mar. was the first for the year. Two singing males, centre and W. of site in spring, plus possibly a third near Chelworth entrance, 29 April. Singing from centre of site, 6 July, juv. seen on 20 July and family group of 5 or more on 31 Aug.

In autumn, 2 on 14 Oct. and regularly seen from then till end of the year, feeding in long grass on 19 Nov. and 26 Dec. 3 on 31 Dec.

Butterflies were counted from the roadway walking S from the Y-junction to the bend near Leighfield Lodge Farm. Numbers given - even maxima - are therefore always only a fraction of the total present at the site.

2004: First seen on 19 Jun., last on 7 Aug. Max. 30+ on 31 Jul., but some of these would have been Essex.

2005 seems to have been a better, though later, year for Small Skipper.

Essex Skipper Single-brooded resident. First identified on 16 July, and numbers rose to a peak around 7 Aug, when 7 were specifically identified out of a total of just 11 Skippers. 2 on 19 Aug were the last for the year.

2004: 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.

2005 seems to have been a better year for Essex Skipper, if only because more were seen after most of the Small had finished.

Large Skipper Single-brooded resident. Four seen on 17 June, 20 on 20 June. One on 3 July and 3 on 8^th, the last for the year. Later and perhaps fewer than in 2004 - Max. 30 on 13 Jun.

Grizzled Skipper Single-brooded resident. Singles have been reported by Piers Mobsby – presumably in May/June.

Brimstone Double-brooded resident. Singles seen on 21/29 April and 1 and 27 May, then one on 7 Aug. (4 seen on one occasion in 2004.)

Large White Resident/migrant. Singles on 29 April and 27 May, then singles seen on five occasions between 16 July and 12 Aug.

Small White Double brooded resident. 6 on 5 May, 3 on 27 May and 2 on 4 June,then regularly from 26 July to 6 Sept. Max. 6 on 1 Sept. (Max c.20 on 31 July 2004)

Green-veined White Resident. None positively identified this year.

Orange Tip Spring resident. Singles on 29 April, 1 and 11 May. (Only one recorded last year, on 16 May.)

Brown Hairstreak Late summer resident. Seen on three visits, 16, 17 and 31 Aug., to site where eggs had been found in a recent winter (B. Danby). At least 6 seen on the first date, at least 5 on the other two. The butterflies are restricted to overgrown hedgerows to the W. of the site, with an abundance of Blackthorn, and are mainly seen flitting rapidly about the tops of hedgerow Ash trees, where they feed on honeydew. They are very hard to see well – on each of the visits, just one was seen properly, perched on a leaf, and even then, binoculars were necessary. They were never seen away from this location. An hour’s search for eggs here on 17 Dec was unsuccessful.

Common Blue Double brooded resident. 12 on 10 June, 4 on 20 June, then seen from 2 Aug to 6 Sept, with max. of just 8 on 12 and 19 Aug. (In 2004, max of 14, first brood, then c.20 seen throughout August. In 2003, "scores" seen on single visit in June.)

Both the above species seem to be declining at Blakehill.

Holly Blue Double brooded resident in fluctuating numbers. None seen this year. (1 in August in 2004.)

Red Admiral Migrant/resident. 1 on 20 June, then singles seen on 28 Aug and 6 Sept., then 2 on 21 Sept, and one on 27 Sept., 2 again on 22 Oct – the only butterflies seen on the last three dates. (In 2004, only one seen, in August.)

Small Tortoiseshell Resident. One on 18 Mar. then 2 on 1 April, a single on 1 May and 4 on 20 June. Seen on only five dates between 3 July and 1 Sept – max. 6 on 16 July. (Even fewer than 2004.)

Peacock Resident. Singles on 1 and 5 May then one on 26 July, 2 on 7 Aug. (Still dire fortunes for this species.)

Comma Resident. A single on 1 April was my first at Blakehill.

Dark Green Fritillary Single brooded resident. None again this year – singleton on 15 June 2003 was presumably a vagrant, but from where?

Marbled White Single brooded resident. Seen from 3 July to 12 Aug, with max. of 38 on 16 Jul. (Max. c. 20 in 2004)

Gatekeeper Single brooded resident. Seen from 3 July to 19 Aug, with max. of c.250 on 16 Jul. (Over 500 estimated on 31 July 2004)

Meadow Brown Single brooded resident. 50 on 20 June were first for the year. Seen until 1 Sept. with max of c.175 on 16 Jul. Probably similar numbers, perhaps slightly fewer, than in 2004.

Ringlet Single brooded resident. Seen from 20 June to 19 July with max of 60 on 8 July. No definite change in numbers from last year.

The second brood this year was very late and few in number – a worrying situation.

Six-Spotted Burnets, first seen on 10 June, were numerous by the time we visited on 17 June. They were accompanied by Burnet Companions – about 8 seen on both dates,but only 1 or 2 by 20 June. On the 10 June, a Mother Shipton was the first I’ve seen at Blakehill. The Six-spot Burnet Moths continued to be numerous until August, and there were numerous Shaded Broad-bars in early July. This year no migrants, such as the Humming-bird Hawkmoth, were seen.

Migrant Hawker Seen near to trees in late August – one or two only.

Southern Hawker Three were seen in July-August.(Previously, only record, 2 flying S. 25 Sept 2003.)

Brown Hawker A couple of records in mid-July.(Two, in June and July 2004)

The Emperor First seen on 20 June, and ones and twos seen until mid-July, only. (In 2004,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 Abundant from June to mid July.( In 2004: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.) – seem to have been more numerous this year but disappeared earlier.

Common Darter Abundant from 8 July to end Sept. – similar to 2004.

Brown Hare Pair on 15 Jan. and 26 Feb., 1 on 25 Mar. then up to six or more were seen together during the spring. In early May chases and boxing were seen several times, and on 11 May a Fox passed very close to some Hares and as far as could be seen all the animals totally ignored each other. In late summer however only seen on 26 July (3) and one on 6 Sept. In autumn 1 on 31 Oct. In spring much more obvious than in 2004 – when the max was only 3.

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

Weasel One seen on 22 July and 4 Oct.

Fox Singles occasionally seen at all seasons

In late summer, one was seen on 16 July, then one again on 1 Sept, a doe and faun on 11 Sept, and 2 does on 21 Sept. A couple seen through October. Numbers increased in November, with five seen towards the end of the month, then 6 on 8 Dec.

Records from other observers are followed by the observer’s name.