Lots of Swallows fluttering around and on overhead wires at Swains. We also get House Martins too. Swallows had first brood and sitting on more eggs, so crossed fingers.

Alex Hills, 11th July 2025

My sister-in-law Pauline may be in line for an as yet uninvented award from HBW. The first person to spot a Herring Gull fledgling in a nest in the village. It was parading itself on the roof of an unoccupied bungalow in Chestnut End where a nest is just visible near the chimney.

Ten Swifts screaming over Meadowside and flying up to the boxes this morning.

Nigel Colgate, 10th July 2025

Completed the Area 10 survey today with Angela. She can hear and identify birds much much better than me and was invaluable!

35 species in total, including a family of Blue Tits in TQ2115, a pair of Nuthatch in the New Barn Area plus a Treecreeper close to the ponds, Cetti’s Warbler and sight of a Nightingale at the Mill Stream, Swifts over Brookside Farm fields plus Reed Buntings and a late mystery returning to 2115 – a pair of raptors with dark brown upper parts in a tree near beehives. Seen only from rear – juvenile Sparrowhawk?

The personal highlight of the day, however, was my hearing “a little bread and cheese” BEFORE Angela and then duly spotting the Yellowhammer. She accepted my bragging very graciously and I feel I could now retire with some honour from birdwatching!

Tony Fitzgerald, 24th June 2025

Monday’s area walk was more about the butterflies! Plenty of Marbled Whites and Small Skippers, plus Meadow Browns, Commas and a Red Admiral. 36 species of birds including 2 Kestrels, Lesser Whitethroat, several Cetti’s and Reed Warblers, two young Grey Herons by the heronry, and 3 Little Egrets sitting in the trees showing off their plumes. Mike saw Cattle Egrets there previously, so the jury’s out as to whether the white blobs on nests hidden by foliage are one or t’other.
Thanks to Martin & Fleur, Angela, Andy & Anne and Mary F for joining me and Ezio on a breezy ramble.
Val Bentley, 24th June 2025

A Red Kite sauntered over Upper Station Road yesterday morning, and the House Martins at Bishop Park are busy feeding young. They’ve also been joined by two Swifts the last two afternoons.

Paul Cole, 18th June 2025

First Marbled White in the garden and a male Blackcap eating berries on the Amelanchia today.

Les Cheeseman, 15th June 2025

 

I walked up the Millstream this morning, and the Nightingales were there, but making a very strange peeping noise which I wonder if it’s their alarm call? below. There was a Magpie about and both Nightingales were flitting about.

Liz Taylor, 15th June 2025

Had a good Area 2 walk Tuesday with Roger, Angela Hazel and Jilly who is a new member. 38 species with many birds heard but not seen. Good numbers of Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat with a couple of Cetti’s Warblers and Lesser Whitethroats. Singing Skylarks and rather skulky Yellowhammers. One striking Mistle Thrush and singing Song Thrushes. At the end of the walk we demanded Buzzards and Red Kite and both appeared!

Nigel Colgate, 21st May 2025