Sun, Wind & Rain

Sunny and blustery with several light rain showers, 22°, fresh SW.

3 (poss 1-2 others) Spotted Flycatcher around the paddocks (1 ad & 2 juv).

The Common Redstart still present on the hill, heard calling initially and appeared for approx. 10 mins.

5 Kestrel hunting on the hill and a single Chiffchaff in the Hawthorns.

A Willow Warbler, 3+ Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and a Common Whitethroat nearby, 10 Mistle Thrush and a small flock of 24 Starling feeding in the cattle field.

A flock of 40-50 Swallow out at Lollingdon feeding in the lee of the hill and a small flock of House Martin flew through with 5 Swift. A few Swift seen by AD earlier over the hill.

Some of the Swallow were landing on the top of the hedge, presumably gleaning insects from the foliage (lack of airborne insects due to windy conditions) and some were landing on the track along with some Linnet and Goldfinch. Not sure of that reason? Maybe dust bath? Resting out of the wind? Feeding?

Mammals: Roe Deer.

Dragonflies: A Migrant Hawker seen yesterday by Alan near Bow Bridge and several Brown Hawker. Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker and Common Darter, Cholsey Marsh today.Per Alan.

Butterflies: few seen: Large White, Small White, Painted Lady (3), Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown.

Crustaceans: a Signal Crayfish seen by Alan in the brook at Bow Bridge. This is an invasive species! Signal Crayfish info

Painted Lady
 Yellowhammer
 Redstart
 Swallows
Kingfisher near the 4 Arches (courtesy Alan Dawson)


from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2019/08/sun-wind-rain.html

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