Woodoaks Farm

An early afternoon visit in mild conditions with a light breeze provided the following species of note:-
Red Kite (6), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Buzzard (4), Common Kestrel (3), Eurasian Hobby (1), Barn Swallow (7), Yellow Wagtail (18), Meadow Pipit (1 over), Common Chiffchaff (1).

                                                                   Yellow Wagtail.

 

West Hyde

A late afternoon visit in dull but very mild conditions provided me with views of a wonderful Eurasian Hobby that was hawking insects over the fields. At the far end of the long hedge a single Whinchat was noted catching insects while overhead at two Red Kite passed by.
I also noticed an individual out on the fields hunting with a Merlin but was unable to successfully identify the prey species for certain.
 

Peregrine Falcon at West Hyde

While out this afternoon following the footpath towards the South Bucks Way I noticed a female Sparrowhawk having a dual with a Peregrine Falcon. Eventually both birds went their separate ways and I watched the Peregrine for several minutes before it went into a hunting dive and disappeared somewhere over West Hyde village. A couple of record shots below.

Woodoaks Farm

A mid-afternoon visit in mild but overcast conditions provided the following species of note:-
Red Kite, Little Owl (below old orchard), Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Whinchat (2) on side of track fifty metres past manure pile, Common Whitethroat (in hedge above old orchard), Common Chiffchaff (3), House Sparrow (25 opposite grain barn), European Goldfinch (4).

                                                 One of two Whinchat at Woodoaks Farm.

West Hyde

I paid an early afternoon visit in glorious sunshine following the footpath adjacent the new quarry road leading to the south bucks way. In the long hedge I noted 2 Whinchat that were busily feeding on insects while out on the fields 7 Red Kite and 2 Common Buzzard followed the plough picking off exposed invertebrates. Later a single Common Kestrel put in a brief appearance overhead. I then turned right and followed the footpath to the "ups and downs" where I found a single Common Chiffchaff. I then decided to have a look at the M25 drainage pond that is situated close to the footpath. Near the perimeter fence I discovered a single Northern Wheatear. I then made my way into the pond area and was pleasantly surprised to find a fairly large reed bed. I noted a few immature Common Moorhen feeding among the reeds and at least 2 Common Reed Bunting were flushed. I wish I had paid a visit earlier in the year as I would expect to find breeding Reed and Sedge Warblers here. I also discovered 3 species of Dragonlfly including a mating pair of Migrant Hawker.   

                                                                     Whinchat.

                                                            Southern Hawker (female).

                                                                  Common Darter (male).

                                                        Mating pair of Migrant Hawker.

Woodoaks Farm

A brief mid-afternoon visit in dull, wet conditions provided the following species of note :-
Red Kite (3 in old orchard), Common Buzzard (1), Green Woodpecker (immature), Yellow Wagtail (c10 feeding among cattle on pasture above the old orchard), Common Chiffchaff (2 including one in song).

31-08-14 Durlston Country Park

Another early morning walk from Swanage Bay View Caravan Park to Durlston in warm, sunny conditions provided the following species:-
Northern Fulmar (1), Northern Gannet (several out to sea), European Shag (2), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (mobbed by Western Jackdaw and Rook), Common Kestrel (3), Peregrine Falcon (1), Eurasian Oystercatcher (1), Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Feral Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Sand Martin (1), Barn Swallow (71), Meadow Pipit (1),Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Stonechat (1), Northern Wheatear (6 at California Quarry), Common Redstart (female at California Quarry), Common Blackbird, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat (2), Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler (2), Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Common Raven (2), Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Bullfinch (2), Common Linnet (22 at California Quarry).

                 Above the gully at Anvil Point Lighthouse an Adonis Blue Butterfly posed for the camera.

   

30-08-14 Durlston Country Park, Dorset

An early morning walk in mild conditions provided the following species:-

Northern Fulmar (1), Northern Gannet (several out to sea),  European Shag (4), Common Buzzard (1) , Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Peregrine Falcon (1), Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake (1), Feral Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove (5), Green Woodpecker (immature), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Yellow Wagtail (4 over), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail, Sand Martin (4), Barn Swallow (10), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Whinchat (1), Northern Wheatear (4), Common Redstart (female), Common Blackbird, Common Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Raven (2), House Sparrow (8), Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch.
Later at Swanage beach 1 Little Egret made a very brief appearance while 2 Rock Pipit were noted at Peveril Point!