August 2017 |
|
31st. Lots of passerine migrants at Chipping Sodbury Common, including the juvenile woodchat shrike, 5 whinchats, 2 redstarts, 2 spotted flycatchers, and a lesser whitethroat. I arrived to watch the shrike from a distance with a group of friendly and considerate birders. The bird fed distantly in an undisturbed manner over a wide area. It wasn't long before it was chased around by men with big lenses however. 29th. Osprey (returning for 10th year?) and juveniles of ruff and pectoral sandpiper, Shapwick Heath. Up to 11th. Day-flying moths around Lucie's house included this feathered footman. Some moths whizzed around at high speed, and I couldn't work out what they were for some time. I eventually spotted one that landed - it was a male gypsy moth, a defoliating pest species. Butterflies included sliver-washed and Queen of Spain fritillaries, purple hairstreak and grizzled skipper. Blue-winged grasshopper and a funnel web spider's home. Around Lucie's house. Up to 14 wild boar on the manure pile now. |