Blakehill Wildlife 2007

Blakehill Wildlife 2007

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 2006 report. Where observers’ names given, they refer to last quoted date only. Un-named sightings by RG. Thanks to all who sent me records – please keep it up!

"TTV" refers to the BirdAtlas Timed Tetrad Visit which was carried out on 14/17 November – the figure is for the number of individuals counted during the two hours of the visits, which were carried out in the part of the reserve in SU09 tetrad Q and in Stoke Common Meadows.

Birds

Number of species now 101.

Mute Swan Pair on water-logged part of site with Black-headed and Common Gulls on 11 Feb – not surprisingly the first for Blakehill - then 2 on 15 Apr (Paul Darby)

Canada Goose Heard over, 1 Aug (First Blakehill record)

Mallard Occasional visitor all seasons

Goosander 3 males and a female flew over NW 3.45pm on 3 Dec (new to Blakehill.)

Red-legged Partridge Resident but relatively rarely seen. 1 on 10 Jan (Bob Shiret), again 20 Mar. Pair seen 28 July, with a possible juv. nearby which was only glimpsed. Pair 18 Oct, 1, 10/17 Nov.

Pheasant Common resident, breeds

Cormorant Occasionally seen overhead

Grey Heron Occasionally seen in flight.

Hen Harrier One "ringtail" flew steadily across site pursued by Crows at 4.15pm on 29 Sept – eventually it shook them off and soared away to the SW. The first definite, long awaited, record! (Though see 2005 report for record of possible Montagu’s).

Sparrowhawk Resident. Display seen over Blakehill Farmhouse area, 27 Jan. TTV - 1

Common Buzzard Resident. 3 seen on 13 Jan.; on 3 Mar very pale individual flew over site - all white underparts apart from darker flight feathers and small carpal crescents (recalling pattern of Short-eared Owl!); occasionally seen feeding on ground. 2 pairs regularly seen over/on site in summer; 3 quartering site harrier-fashion on 13 Nov. TTV - 1

Kestrel Resident. 2 pairs present. 3 on 11 Apr, 1 hunting birds E. of site, 15 May - a few minutes after a Hobby was seen doing the same thing. 4 mobbing Buzzard in tree, 7 Aug., max. c.7, 29 Aug. TTV - 1

Merlin Winter resident. First winter period: Male and female present 7 Jan (Dave Lee),one on post 10 Jan., then no more sightings until 23 Feb when male on fence NE of site; possibly same bird seen near there on 25 Feb (Brian Danby); one, probably female, present for at least half an hour on 6 Mar (Ken Cypher); one on post 7 Mar.; both male and female perched on posts near car park 14 Mar. male perched in small tree, near Chelworth Entrance, 25 Mar.

Second winter period: Series of records in 3^rd week of Nov. – male on 17^th , 21^st and 24th perched on posts, and female actively pursuing small birds, 23^rd (John Grearson). In December a female in E. of site photographed by Bob Shiret, 11 Dec, 2 on 16 Dec., incl. f. carrying prey (Dave Lee), one perched on fence by roadway 22 Dec., and finally one on post 26 Dec.

Hobby Summer visitor. 1 insecting as it flew NE 28 Apr. 1 hunting birds low over E. of site, 15 May, 1 insecting over E. of site, 1 June, 1 insecting 28 July, 1, soaring, 12 Sept.

Peregrine Wanderer. 4 records, all in winter this year. Adult on ground, centre of site, flew off to W. on 23 Feb. (Also seen on ground when eating a pigeon on 23 April 2004, but prey not noted this time.) Juv. flew N. on 5 Nov., apparently disturbing flock of 30 Rooks! One attacking Sparrowhawk briefly before flying off N. at 4.00pm on 22 Dec. One seen 25 Dec. may have been same as 22 Dec bird (Douglas Stinton).

Lapwing Occasional visitor. One feeding on ground on 24 Oct – a rare sight at Blakehill - and 7 on 16 Dec (Dave Lee).

Dunlin A strange record of one which flew up from field towards the N. at 4pm on 7 Nov – a fairly dry field, currently swarming with Starlings and winter thrushes (First for Blakehill).

Common Snipe Winter visitor. 1, 10 Jan; 5 on partially frozen water-logged Pool Ground, 7 Feb. 1 flushed three times by hunting Barn Owl, 13 April.

2, 6/18 Oct, 4, 5 Nov., 1, 14 Nov., 12, Stoke Common Meadows, 17 Nov., 14, Stoke Common Meadows, 21 Nov. (Bob Shiret), and 10 flushed near the car park by farmworker’s dog on 11 Dec (Bob Shiret).2, 26 Dec., 1, 29/31 Dec (Bob Shiret and RG). Probably always present in winter but elusive. TTV - 13

Jack Snipe 1, Stoke Common Meadows, 17 Nov.

Curlew Spring visitor. 2, Stoke Common Meadows, on 22 March (Paul Hill/ Rob Nicholls), 1 on 10 April (Bob Shiret), 2 on 25 May, and 1 flying west on 29 June.

Green Sandpiper 1 identified of 3 waders seen fleetingly overhead before they disappeared behind trees, flying west, 8 August (First Blakehill record).

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. Occasionally seen on site with farm stock especially in wet weather. 100 LBB Gulls seen on ground, 26 Dec. (Ken Cypher).

Great Black Backed Gull 1, 4 Aug (Ken Cypher) and 7 Aug. (John Booth) (First Blakehill record).

Stock Dove Resident. Common at all seasons. TTV - 3

Wood Pigeon As Stock dove. TTV - 20

Collared Dove Resident. Mainly seen near Leigh entrance.

Cuckoo Summer visitor. All records given. First heard 15 Apr (Sarah Stebbing) (earliest ever at Blakehill), 19 Apr (Brian Danby), calling near Chelworth entrance 28 Apr/1 May, 2 calling 4 May, 1 seen, 12/16 May, 2 calling 25/31 May, and 1 heard calling near Chelworth entrance, 1 June, the last record for the year.

Barn Owl Resident – definitely bred this year, but very seldom seen – all records: I male hunting on misty morning of 13 April, one on 9 July (Bob Shiret), 1 male, photographed by Douglas Stinton, 25 Nov. – all in same area.

Little Owl Scarce resident. Heard calling from trees near main entrance on 2 Feb, but, as usual, not seen. 1 heard, Leighfield Lodge Farm, 3 Aug. Then from N. of site: 2, 1 Sept: ad seen perched on fence, another bird calling from tree, 2, 12 Sept: ad. plus juv. perched on fence posts, former was mobbed and chased by a Robin, 1, 13 Sept.: 1 perched on fence post. Finally 1, heard, 6 Oct, w of site. 

Short-eared Owl Passage migrant and irregular winter visitor. No records in the first winter period, for the first year since regular watching began in 2004, probably due to "vole-crash". Two sightings in second winter period, one flushed and seen in headlights briefly at 4.30pm on 22 Dec., and another sighting at around the same time of the afternoon, on 26 Dec. by A N Other (per Trevor Stinton).

Swift Summer visitor. Occasionally seen, May - July, particularly on overcast, stormy days, taking insects low over the site. Last this year 2 on 8 Aug.

Green Woodpecker Resident. Apparently increasing. All records: 1, 7/27 Mar in vicinity of Chelworth entrance, Singles on 6 Apr (Trevor Stinton), 11 Apr (Brian Danby), 12 Apr, and 2 on 13 Apr. I heard 29 June. Juv., 23/24 July (Bob Shiret & RG), ad. with 2 juvs, 28 July, 1, 3/4 Aug (Ken Cypher & RG), 1, 22/27/29 Aug, 18/26 Oct. and 22/24 Dec.

Great-spotted Woodpecker Resident. Occasionally seen flying over site and heard from trees, at all seasons. In afternoon of 14 Mar, pair at Chelworth entrance/Purley farmhouse, the male drumming. Drumming again, 30 Mar. 2 on 22 Aug. was the only multiple sighting in second half of year.

 Sky Lark Resident/?passage migrant. The most numerous bird at Blakehill during the breeding season. In 2003 Stephen Edwards calculated 53 pairs breeding. First singing 10 Jan – 1 day earlier than last year. Very good numbers present all over the site in the breeding season, as usual - rough estimate of between 50 – 75 singing males – no apparent change from previous years. Heard singing on several dates in October, with 2 singing on 18^th. Song also heard on 29 Nov by John Booth. TTV - 11

Sand Martin Vagrant. 1 flying N. 11 Apr. 3, 11 July, 2, 25 July

Swallow Summer resident/passage migrant. 2, 12 Apr, 7 W. on 17 Apr. During shower on 30 May, 34 fed together low over site. Young with ads. on 19 June, east end. C. 20, east of site, 18/26 Sept., c.80 steadily moving S. 22 Sept. A few still on the move 29 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. In first winter period no flocks larger than c. 5 – first heard singing on 14 March and again on 24 March, from top of bramble bush! c.6, 9 Apr, 70 on 11 Apr (John Grearson) the highest count to date at Blakehill, in song 11/13/17/20/28 Apr, then none noted till one singing 5 June. 1 with food for young on 16 June. Probably 4 singing males, 19 June. 2 singing, east, 29 June, and two birds in flight were probably an adult and juv. 2 singing, 10 July, 1 singing 11 July. Then none till family of 4, east of site, 29 Aug / 4 Sept. First migrants over on 10 Sept, c.10 on 12 Sept. C.20 on site 22 Sept/6 Oct. and similar number east of site 26 Sept. Flock of around a dozen or so present to end year, seen feeding around cattle hay pen on 1 Dec. TTV - 15

Yellow Wagtail Passage migrant. 1 flying steadily N, 17 April, 1, 26 Apr. (Jon Mercer), and a probable heard calling on 31 May. 1, 17 Aug., 2, 23 Aug.(John Booth via WOS website), 3 flying west, 27 Aug., 1, 13 Sept.

Pied Wagtail Resident. Present at all seasons - probably breeds –and roosts - on old buildings. Present all year, probably breeding on or near site. Sometimes feeds with cattle.

Wren Resident. Common wherever there is cover. TTV - 14

Dunnock Resident. Common in trees and hedges. TTV - 11

Robin Resident. As Dunnock TTV - 14

Common Redstart Passage migrant. 1 m. flushed at Chelworth entrance, disappeared into dense cover, 24 Apr. M. and f. both present from 23 till 31 July, (Bob Shiret, Laura Mynott and RG), one of them or an additional bird seen east of site 31 July, then m. stayed till 23 Aug. (RG & John Booth).

Whinchat Passage migrant. 1 m., insecting from post, east , 24 April, and a f. with Wheatears, 12 May. On 29 June a male was back in the east of site, near to where the 24 April bird was. It appeared to be alone, and had perhaps been displaced by the recent bad weather. 1, 28 July / 1/2 Aug (Bob Shiret & RG), 2, 4/11 Aug., 1, 17/22/27 Aug., 3, 23 Aug (John Booth via WOS website), 3, east, 29 Aug., 1, 1 Sept., 2, 10 Sept., 1, 13 Sept., 1, east, 26 Sept. Whinchats occurred in all months from Apr – Sept this year.

Stonechat Winter visitor/passage migrant. First winter period: Pair present from New Year till 7 March, with a third bird – a male – present on 17 Feb, at least.

Second winter period: 1 f/juv., east, 18 Sept., 3, incl. 1 m., 22 Sept. 1, east, with a Whinchat for company, 26 Sept. Up to 5 birds present Oct – Dec in all parts of the site (Laura Mynott, John Booth, Bob Shiret, John Grearson, Ken Cypher, Dave Lee and RG) TTV - 1

Wheatear Passage migrant. Spring records: Male on 27 Mar was 2 days later than the first bird last year. Fem. 5 Apr (Jon Mercer), 4 on 11 Apr (John Grearson), 1, 12 Apr, 2, 17 Apr, 1 20 Apr, 1 E. end 24 Apr/1 May, 2, 4/12 May, then 3, 16/19 May – the last of the spring

In autumn, 1, 25/28 July / 1/4 Aug. (Ken Cypher & RG), 2, 2/7/11 Aug. (Bob Shiret, John Booth & RG) 3, 17 Aug. 1, 23 Aug (John Booth via WOS website), then none till 2 on 22 Sept. One seen in Oct, carrying green caterpillar on 18^th, pursued by a male Pied Wagtail. Wheatears have now occurred in seven months of the year at Blakehill, Mar – May and July – Oct.

Ring Ouzel 1 seen on 10 Apr (Bob Shiret), then flushed from hawthorn beside roadway, centre of site, and flew over to Blakehill farmhouse area, 11 April (Second record – one on 22 Apr 06)

Blackbird Resident. Common in trees and hedges. Some evidence of an influx in Nov – more obvious than usual especially in open areas. TTV - 32

 Fieldfare Winter visitor. First winter period, High numbers from late Jan onwards with max of perhaps 300 on 28 Feb. As with Redwing, communal singing heard on 16 Feb. Abrupt decline in March with no more than 35 seen most of the month although 65 present E. of site on 30 Mar. Present for first three weeks of April - c.250 on 3 Apr, 50+ 5 Apr (Jon Mercer), c.75 6/11 Apr, 130 on 13 Apr, c.100 19 Apr, finally 40 on 21 Apr

The second winter period saw large numbers build up after the first, 80 on 22^nd Oct. They quickly reached three figures, with 300 on 1^st Nov (John Booth) and an estimated 750 going to roost with Starlings and Redwings on 7^th Nov. Numbers remained high through Nov. with 5-600 going to roost on 3 Dec, then many dispersed but up to 100 remained scattered around the site to the end of the year TTV – 149

Song Thrush Resident. 2 or 3 singing on site as in previous years . One still singing 28 July. Group of 5 on 6 Oct may have been migrants. TTV - 5

 Redwing Winter visitor. First winter period: High numbers during quarter – about 100 during most of Jan and Feb, with max. of c. 200 on 28 Feb. Communal singing heard 16 Feb. Roosting in Hutt Ground copse noted on 23 Feb, as in Nov 06. Numbers declined rapidly in March with c. 30 on 14 March. Then none seen till 2 on 6 Apr – the first for Blakehill in that month.

Second winter period, 2, 6 Oct, then numbers built up to 100+ in Nov when c.250 seen going to roost with Fieldfares and Starlings on 7 Nov. Still quite common to end of year with 100+ seen going to roost on 3 Dec. TTV - 62

 Mistle Thrush Scarce resident. Song heard from Leigh entrance area on 27 Jan – the first since 2005. Pair E. of site, 24 Apr/29 May.

Sedge Warbler 1, with a Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Sept. (First Blakehill record)

Lesser Whitethroat Summer resident. 1m 13 Apr, the earliest ever here, 2 singing 17 Apr, 3 singing males in May/June. Family of at least 3 seen on 24 July and 10 Sept. and birds present till 1 on 13 Sept, then none till a late bird seen on 18^th Oct, the latest ever so far.

Common Whitethroat Summer resident. 1m, 21 Apr, 6 singing males in May/June Last song heard 10 July. Family of 3, 22 Aug. Present all quarter till the last, 1 on 10 Sept.

Garden Warbler Summer visitor. 1 singing, east end of site, 29-31 May

Blackcap Summer resident. 2 singing males this year.

Chiffchaff Passage migrant/winter visitor/breeding. 1, singing, 14 Mar, 2/3 singing 24/27 Mar, including migrant in bushes by roadway on 27 Mar. 2 singing E. of site, 30 Mar. 5 singing males in June, mainly round the edges of the site. 5 on 22 Aug., 4 incl. 1 singing, 27 Aug., c.6, 10 Sept. In winter 1 on 21 Nov (2^nd winter record).

Willow Warbler Summer resident. First 9 Apr, 5 singing males in May. Juv. trying to sing on 1 Aug., 2, singing quietly 27 Aug. and heard again on 29^th.

Goldcrest Wanderer, mainly outside breeding season. 1 present 16 Feb. 1, 6/18/26 Oct / 5 Nov, 2 on 24 Oct, 1 on 14/17 Nov and 16 Dec (Ken Cypher). TTV - 2

Long-tailed Tit Resident/wanderer. 6 on 10/27 Jan in Pool Ground. 1 chasing feather at Chelworth Entrance, 30 Mar. Family party by main entrance 28 May C.8, 7 Sept. Commoner than usual in last quarter, with 12 on 17 Nov feeding under eaves of Whitworth centre the max for the site. TTV - 14

Marsh Tit Resident. 1, copse bordering SW of Stoke Common Meadows, 17 Nov.

Blue Tit Resident. Common in hedgerows and trees. TTV - 4

Great Tit Resident. As Blue Tit. TTV - 4

Treecreeper 1 on 5 Nov. and one on 16 Dec (Ken Cypher) were the second and third records for the site.

Jay Winter wanderer. Apparently increasing. TTV - 4

Magpie Resident. Common near hedgerows and trees. TTV - 9

Jackdaw Resident. Common - flocks with Rooks often seen, especially near livestock. TTV - 22

Rook Resident. Breeds Leighfield Lodge Farm. Common - as Jackdaw. TTV - 60

Carrion Crow Resident. Very common - pairs patrol all over the site at all seasons. TTV - 31

Raven Wanderer. 1 mobbed by other crows, W. of site, 23 Feb. 1, 1 Aug – sixth and seventh records.

Starling Resident. Common. Possibly breeds on buildings. C. 2000 going to roost with winter thrushes on 7 Nov TTV - 563

House Sparrow Resident. In addition to the colonies near the Leigh entrance and at Leighfield Lodge Farm, now also found at the Blakehill farm buildings. TTV - 5

Chaffinch Resident. Common near trees. C.15, mainly juvs., feeding together on the roadway in drizzle, together with juvenile Starlings, House Sparrow and Greenfinch families, 25 July. TTV - 10

Brambling 1 in flight calling W. of site 24 Oct was the second record, almost exactly 2 years after the first.

Greenfinch Resident. Common near trees. TTV - 7

Goldfinch Resident. 10, 4 Aug. (Ken Cypher), Flocks in the east :16, 7 Aug., c.50 15 Aug., c.75, 29 Aug. TTV - 13

Siskin Passage migrant/winter visitor. 1 in flight on 24 Mar., 1 in flight over Stoke Common Meadows, 17 Nov. – 3^rd and 4^th records.

Linnet Resident. Common. Breeds in bushes and hedgerows - family parties seen in late summer and autumn. 1 on 13 Jan, then no more till 4 on 14 Mar, 16 on 20 Mar., c.12 on 9 Apr, 6 E. end 24 Apr./7 May, pr. with nesting material 12 May, 3 pairs 16 May., f. with 2 young on 26 June. Family of 6, east, 29 June. 2 families, 24 July, loose flock of c. 30, 28 July (max for Blakehill to date). However, fewer seen after July – 12 on 3 Aug, and 5 on 7 Aug., then ones and twos on several dates until December, with 10 on 21 Nov (8 of them in E. of site) and finally 4 on 5 Dec., the last for the year.

Lesser/Mealy Redpoll Winter visitor. Series of records in Nov-Dec : 2 on 14 Nov, 3, 17 Nov., 2-3, 21 Nov., 1 over on 24^th Nov., 2 feeding on thistles, 29 Nov. (John Booth), and finally I over on 15 Dec.

Lesser Redpoll 1 positively identified as this species, Stoke Common Meadows, 17 Nov (not included in total above).

Bullfinch Resident. Pairs occasionally seen in bushy areas. 3 on 10 Jan, 2 pairs on 7 Feb & 1 Mar (Bob Shiret). Juv. on 10 Aug. Four or five seen on several occasions in Oct - Dec, with max for the site of c.10 on 5 Dec. TTV - 9

Yellowhammer Occasional visitor. A male on 14 Nov near the pond, first since August 06, in the same place.

Reed Bunting Resident. 1, 16 Feb, then none seen till 2 on 10 Mar and one on 24 Mar. No song heard in first quarter. 1, 6 Apr, w. of site, then no more records till a male singing, extreme E. of site, 19 June. Very obvious from late July, several juvs. seen. Present through Aug and Sept with max of 8 on 10 Sept. Continued to be numerous in Oct – Dec with at least 15 birds on 5 Dec (max for the site). TTV - 11

None of the following were seen at Blakehill this year :

Shelduck (2004), Teal (2006), Quail (2004, 2005), Fulmar (2005), Red Kite (2006), Ringed Plover (2002), Golden Plover (2003),Woodcock (2006), Common Tern (2004), Grey Wagtail (2006), Nightingale (2006), Dartford Warbler (2005), Spotted Flycatcher (2006)

For details of the following species see tables: Large and Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper

Small + Essex Skipper The two very similar species taken together: seen from 19 June – 11 Aug, max 23 on 31 July.

Small Skipper Single-brooded resident. Due to the similarity between this species and the next, only a proportion of individuals seen are identified to species, so it is not possible to give more than a general idea of their relative numbers. At least 1, east of site, 19 June then no more till July, with max of 5, 31 July.

Essex Skipper Single-brooded resident. Definitely identified Essexs: 31 July – 11 Aug, max 5, 31 July

Large Skipper Single-brooded resident. First seen, 5 on 5 June, present till 24 July, max 10 on 9 June.

Grizzled Skipper Single-brooded resident. 3, 23 May, the first multiple sighting I know of at Blakehill. A single, 5 June, was the only other record. All sightings have been in areas of short grass along the edge of the roadway between Chelworth entrance and east end of site.

Green-veined White Double brooded resident. 1, 28 Apr, 1 E. end 1 May, 3, 4 May.

Orange Tip Double brooded resident. 1, 17/28 Apr, 1 E. end 1 May.

Brown/Purple Hairstreaks Distant flying butterflies of either one of these two species were seen on 1 and 5 Aug – 7 on 1 Aug and 1 on 5 Aug (Jon Mercer)

Brown Hairstreak Single-brooded resident. Definitely identified Browns on Ash trees: 1+ on 1 Aug, 3+ on 8 Aug (Michael Sammes & RG), and 12 (max. for the site) on 11 Aug., including the first seen away from the Pool Ground area, 2 flying round the tall Ash tree beside the B4040 opposite the main reserve entrance. Also 1 nectaring on bramble blossom, 5 Aug (Jon Mercer). Still no September records.

Purple Hairstreak Single-brooded resident. Definitely identified Purples: 11 July – 8 Aug, max 7 on 28 July.

Small Copper Double/treble brooded resident. First brood: All records from E. end: 1, 1 May, 2, 7 May, 7, 23 May, 2, 1 June, 1, 5 June. Second brood 24 July – 13 Sept, max. 3 on 7 Aug and 13 Sept.

Common Blue Double brooded resident. First brood: 5, 23 May, 2, 1/5 June, 9 (8 females!), 9 June, 2 on 19 June. Second brood: 7 Aug – 13 Sept, max. 9 on 7 Sept.

Holly Blue Double brooded resident. 1 on 12 May – the first since 2004!

Painted Lady Double brooded migrant. 1, east, 1 May/5 June, 2, main area, 19/26 June, 1 on 24 July.

Peacock 1 apparently paired with a Small Tortoiseshell (!), 9 July, photographed (Bob Shiret)

Comma Double brooded resident. 1 on 19 June was the first since one in 2005 (both were at the Chelworth entrance). 2 on 4 Sept, 1 on 22 Sept.

Marbled White Single brooded resident. Seen from 19 June – 7 Aug, max 16 on 11 July.

Meadow Brown An apparently fresh individual on 22 Sept may have been from a second brood – a rare event.

Small Heath Double-brooded resident. First brood: First, 1, east, 1 May, max. 20 in the east area, 23 May, max. 29 in the main area on 9 June was the highest count since 2004, then 12 on 19 June, 2 on 26 June. Only 3 sightings of second brood – 2 on 7 Sept., 1 on 11 Aug and 13 Sept. – a dire record.

Butterflies to look out for:

[White-Letter Hairstreak A possible seen in flight near elm saplings in July (John Grearson +Michael Sammes)]

[Brown Argus A possible on 23 May – one was also suspected last year, but in neither case was the possibility of an "all brown" female Common Blue completely eliminated.]

Dusky Sallow Moth identified by Michael Sammes. 1 on 28 July, 2 on 31 July, all 3 nectaring on Knapweed.

Burnet Companion 2, east, 1 June, 1, 9 June

Dragonflies

Banded Demoiselle A f. 1 Aug (First Blakehill record).

Common Blue Damselfly Common as usual, June - August

Migrant Hawker Seen regularly 31 July – 22 Sep

Southern Hawker Seen regularly 28 July – 12 Sept.

Brown Hawker 1, 28 July / 1 Aug, 1 east of site 31 July..

The Emperor Poor year probably due to weather. A male, 9/26 June then again on 24 July.

Black-tailed Skimmer Common from 1 June. 4, incl. tandem pair 28 July, 2, east, 31 July / 7 Aug. 1 on 8 Aug was last for the year.

.Common Darter Abundant, 24 July - end of quarter

Mammals

 Brown Hare All records.

Jan: 1 on 10^th

Feb: 1 on 11^th, 3 boxing on 23rd, attracted 2 Carrion Crows who then got boxed! 1 near main entrance 28th.

Mar: 1, 7th, 2, 20th, 1 by main entrance again on 27th.

Apr: 2, 3/6 Apr, 3, 11th, 1,17th

May: 1 E. end 1/7 May, 1, 4/12 May, 2, 19th, 1, 25th, 2, 29/31 May

June: 2, 19th

July: None

August: 1, 8/10 Aug, 2, 11/17 Aug

Sept: 1, 12th.

Oct: 1, 31th

Nov: 1, 10/14/17 Nov

Dec: none

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 1 stalking 2 Mallards in the new pond on one occasion.

Roe Deer Nearly always present during the year. Max for first quarter at least 11 on 2 Feb.- also at least 8 seen on 24 Mar. 9+ on 26 Oct, 13+ on 4 Nov. the max for the year

Weasel No sightings this year

Butterfly Tables

Roadway from car park to Hutt Ground

  Blakehill Butterflies 2007 - Pool Ground

Blakehill Butterflies 2007 - East End (Chelworth Entrance to end roadway)

Robin and Marguerite Griffiths