At least four whitethroats in the hedge along the pads footpath. They seem to be benefiting from the hedge becoming taller and thicker.

Also a hare in Arable Field.

Steve

Good numbers of red mason bees, the species that are attracted to cardboard tubes for nesting, feeding on gooseberry flowers near the Millennium Oak. There were also a number of solitary wasp species on the flowers.

Steve

A male brimstone butterfly was in Arable Field yesterday.

Steve

Two pairs of teal in School Pond this afternoon.

Steve

A female sparrowhawk was hunting by the table feeders in Fairfield this afternoon. She was fluttering in tight circles along the base of the hedge hoping to flush something – but without success.

Steve

This afternoon there were two buzzards soaring above Arable Field being mobbed by gulls and jackdaws.  A small copper butterfly was feeding on thistles  in Arable Field.

Steve

Hundreds of redwing and fieldfares flying over and going on to the reserve this afternoon.
Could be due to the recent north-easterly winds bringing them in from Scandinavia.
Steve Bullen

23 small tortoiseshell butterflies were feeding on a patch of thistles in Arable Field this afternoon.
Steve

The large patches of thistles around Pony Wood were proving a magnet for insects today. There were at least four species of bumblebee feeding from them, along with numerous hoverflies and some meadow brown butterflies.

There were also good numbers of swallows feeding over Flora Field.

Steve Bullen

Steve

A male whitethroat was singing in the northern corner of Hay Meadow this afternoon.

Steve Bullen