Keith Balmer, one of the Bedfordshire County Recorders for butterflies, has produced an excellent website providing information about the 36 butterfly species resident in Bedfordshire, plus two regular migrants. Species that are occasionally seen but are not believed to breed in the county have been omitted.
The distribution maps relate to Bedfordshire. The site also contains extensive information about eaxh species of butterfly and photographs to aid identification.
BIRDS
MAMMALS
INSECTS
Apidae
Lepidoptera
Hymenoptera
Odonata
(All sightings by Harry Appleyard unless otherwise advised)
Ring-Necked Parakeet by Harry Appleyard, Tattenhoe Park 1 May 2016
Wood Warbler by Peter Garner, Linford Lakes NR, 2 May 2016
Bank Vole by Harry Appleyard, Shenley Wood 28 April 2016
Female Parasitic bee, Nomada ferruginata, by Peter Garner, Thornborough and Coomb Community Woodlands, 2 May 2016
Male Parasitic bee, Nomada ferruginata, by Peter Garner, Thornborough and Coomb Community Woodlands, 2 May 2016
Green-Veined White by Harry Appleyard, Howe Park Wood 2 May 2016
BIRDS
(Apart from our pair of Black-winged Stilts – see separate News item!)
Howe Park Wood
Tattenhoe Park
(Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park sightings by Harry Appleyard)
MAMMALS
Muntjac in and around Howe Park Wood (Harry Appleyard)
LEPIDOSAURIA
Grass snake by Martin Kincaid, Linford Lakes NR,24 April 2016
INSECTS
Lepidoptera
Odonata
Large Red Damselfly by Harry Appleyard, Tattenhoe Park 20 April 2016
ANGIOSPERMS
Ramsons in flower at Bradwell Abbey and Stony Stratford Nature Reserve
A pair of Black-Winged Stilts, Himantopus himantopus, have been seen at Floodplain Forest NR at Manor Farm on Sunday morning, 24th April. This photo was taken of one:
Black-winged Stilt by Mark Appleton, Floodplain Forest NR 24 April 2016
The birds were seen to mate several times. If this leads to breeding here, and it is successful, it will be only the fourth recorded successful breeding of this essentially Mediterranean wader in Britain. The last two were in 2014 near Chichester in Sussex and in 1987 in Norfolk. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for another breeding success here this year.
Keep your eyes on this website for the latest news on these exciting rare birds in our area!
AMPHIBIANS
BIRDS
Male Blackcap by Harry Appleyard, Tattenhoe, 17 April 2016
[HA]INSECTS
Small White by Harry Appleyard, Tattenhoe, 17 April 2016
MAMMALS
Hare Tattenhoe Park in January 2016 by Harry Appleyard
PLANTS
Grass Snake by Harry Appleyard, Tattenhoe, 15 April 2016
REPTILES
[HA = Harry Appleyard]
[LD = Lewis Dickinson]
[MK = Martin Kincaid]
Meadow Flowers by Tony Hisgett. (CC BY 2.0)
It is well documented that significant losses in semi-natural grassland occurred across Europe during the second half of the twentieth century. However, comparatively few studies have investigated and quantified the fate of large numbers of individual grassland areas. This is important for understanding the causes of decline, and consequently establishing new policies to conserve and restore lost habitats. This study addresses this problem; GIS was used to compare historic survey data collected between 1960 and 1981 with two contemporary spatial datasets of habitats in England. The datasets included the Priority Habitats Inventory 2013 and the Land Cover Map 2007 and this was undertaken for different types of semi-natural grassland across England. Considerable decreases occurred across the different grassland types, with a loss of 47% of studied semi-natural grasslands sites in England over 32–53 years. Of this, the majority of grassland was lost to conversion to agriculturally-improved grassland or arable cultivation, 45% and 43% respectively. Changes to woodland and urban areas were also evident, but on a much smaller scale. Sites receiving statutory protection as a Site of Special Scientific Interest were found to have retained more grassland (91%), compared with non-protected sites (27%), thus highlighting the effectiveness of this aspect of current conservation policy in England, and the need for this to continue in the future.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Fate of semi-natural grassland in England between 1960 and 2013: A test of national conservation policy
The long awaited Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton is at last nearing completion – at least in terms of its build. The Parks Trust’s contractor has been on site since October 2015 installing the 2.5km of footpaths as well as bridges, boardwalks, fences and three bird hides. Progress has been severely delayed by the extremely wet winter, with no less than four major floods. However, I’m pleased to say that we can now allow people access to the western half of the new nature reserve while the contractor completes work elsewhere on site.
For those members with long memories, Mike Street, former Wildlife Conservation Officer with The Parks Trust, first spoke to the Society about his vision for this site back in 2001. The quarrying operation finally began in 2007 and was completed in 2014. However, even while mineral extraction was still ongoing the worked areas had been colonised by insects and birds and the site soon gained a reputation as one of the best in Buckinghamshire for breeding and passage waders. Lapwing, redshank, ringed and little ringed plovers and oystercatcher have all bred and many rarer waders, wildfowl and passerines occur on passage. The larger islands have seen a healthy population of nesting common terns in the last year or two. As I write, there are still some wintering wigeon, pochard, teal and goosander on site but most of these will soon disappear with the spring weather. A summer evening visit will be rewarded with the site of many bats, including common pipistrelles, Daubenton’s and the impressive Noctules.
Two of the three hides are now open to the public and give excellent views of the landscape and its wildlife (the third hide should be open in April). You will notice that there is little screening between the hides but some reed screening will be installed in the near future. A long term solution will be the planting of a native mixed hedge between the hides which will take place later this year.
There is still a great deal to do with tree planting, reed planting, more fencing and a wildflower meadow to restore over the next twelve months. We plan to introduce grazing animals some time in 2017 and hopefully this will include Konik ponies as well as cattle.
If coming by car, you can park at either Manor Farm Court (click here for a map)Floodplain Forest Open Paths off Wolverton Road or otherwise Haversham Road car park, near to Wolverton Railway Station (click here for a map). The site can also be accessed by walking along the Grand Union Canal from Old Wolverton and descending the steps by the Iron Trunk.
We will have a society walk here on the evening of 9th August 2016 but you may not wish to wait that long before you pay the site a visit. If visiting in the next few weeks, please bear in mind that machinery is still operating on site and look out for the signs and hazard fencing showing which areas are out of bounds. You will still be able to see plenty of wildlife and the whole site will soon be open to explore! There will be plenty of opportunities for Society members to get involved in recording the biodiversity of the site in the months and years ahead.
The Parks Trust have provided this map of the site..
Look out for another update in the very near future.
Martin Kincaid
Visit the members’ gallery for larger versions of the pictures.
Pictures from top to bottom:
Entrance sign by Peter Hassett
Number 1 hide by Peter Hassett
General view by Peter Garner
Number 2 hide by Peter Hassett
Redshank by Peter Garner
Redshank by Peter Garner
Little Egret by Peter Garner
Lapwing by Peter Garner
Grey Heron by Peter Garner
Reed Bunting by Peter Garner
Green Sandpipers by Peter Garner
I recently spent a wonderful week on the southern part of the Island of Mull with my daughter and her partner who is an RSPB warden and has an incredible knowledge of birds. We stayed in a lovely cottage with views across the sea to Staffa, Colinsay and Dutchmans Cap etc. The week was full of great wildlife sightings including 20 plus sightings of hen harriers, 14 golden eagles and 17 sea eagles, plus a wonderful view of a snipe drumming tail feathers extended to create that amazingly evocative humming sound.
We didnt see many otters apart from one amazing view of a mother and older cub playing together on the rocks about 20 metres away. However one cold damp morning we decided to go down to the local beach for a morning dog walk and just inside a gate we found to our dismay a perfectly formed but lifeless baby otter. As we looked on sadly I noticed the minutist twitch of one of the half opened eyes. I picked the cub up and cuddled it inside my coat to try and warm it up – no response at all. Meanwhile we had met some locals who invited us into their home and spent the next half hour trying to contact someone from the Mull Otter Group but to no avail. Eventually the local wildlife crime officer supplied them with a mobile number and soon our otter rescue lady was rushing over from Tobermory with a supply of bright pink rehydrate solution.
The otter cub perked up after being given rehydration solution
We could now see that the cub was breathing more deeply and after two syringes of rehydrate which she swallowed she started to open her eyes and look more alert, but still there was absolutely no movement in her floppy limbs. She was bundled into a cat crate and disappeared off in the car and that was the last we saw of her.
Two days after rescue and she is looking much healthier.
However two days later I received an email from the lady with the wonderful news that Gribun our cub was doing very well indeed and was soon to be sent off to the SSPCA who had another little 13 week old cub who needed a friend. This week came more good news, that the cub has settled happily with her playmate, after a bit of grumpiness, and they are both doing well. They will be kept together at the centre with minimal human contact for a year, after which they will be released into the wild.
Apparently otter mums bear their cubs in holts that are up to three miles inland and at about 7 weeks of age they move them to a holt nearer the sea. Maybe this little cub got separated from her mum on this journey and became dangerously weak and dehydrated.
We feel incredibly privileged to have been involved in the rescue of such an exquisite creature and to have held her little furry body and examined her leathery black paws and needle sharp teeth – wow!! It’s so good that it had a happy ending as well, although she would have been better off gambolling in the loch with her mum like the other cub we had seen earlier in the week.
Ps Apparently the otter cub who was rescued after the floods in MK recently ended up in Tiggywinkles rescue centre and it is also going to be sent up to Scotland for release, as there are more suitable habitats for it up there. So a happy ending for both orphans!!
The article and photos were kindly supplied by Julie Lane
BIRDS
Green Woodpeckers, Howe Park Wood (11th April)
Sightings by Harry Appleyard
Bucks Bird Club at Manor Farm/Floodplain Forest NR 10th
Cetti’s Warbler, Little Ringed Plover (sightings from Peter Garner – full list below)
Manor Farm Friday 8th April am
Little Ringed Plover (x2);Oyster Catcher; Snipe; Redshank (several); Shoveller (x2); Green Woodpecker (x2); Goosander (x2); Cetti’s Warbler; Blackcap
Stony Stratford Reserve Friday 8th April pm
Oyster Catcher (x2); Snipe (3); Shoveller (x2); Bullfinch (x2)
Encouraging numbers of lapwing displaying at both sites.
Sightings by Joe Clinch
MAMMALS
INSECTS
Lepidoptera
Full list of birds seen on Bucks Bird Club visit to Manor Farm/Floodplain Forest NR, Sunday 10th April, led by Peter Garner:
Great tit Blue tit Wren Willow warbler Blackbird Robin Tufted duck Gadwall Magpie Canada goose Crow Wood pigeon Little ringed plover Pied wagtail Mallard Redshank Coot Lapwing Pheasant Sand Martin Cormorant Buzzard Moorhen Little egret Reed bunting Great crested grebe Oystercatcher Teal Sparrowhawk Cetti's warbler Starling Blackcap Grey wagtail Chiffchaff Greenfinch Goldfinch Mute swan Chaffinch Great spotted woodpecker Long tailed tit Little grebe
INSECTS
Brimstone by Harry Appleyard, Howe Park Wood 2 April 2016
Common Lizard by Harry Appleyard, Rammamere Heath 13 March 2016
REPTILES
AMPHIBIANS
Common Toad by Harry Appleyard, Howe Park Wood 23 March 2016
BIRDS
Male Wheatear by Harry Appleyard, Tattenhoe Park 1 April 2016
Willow Warbler by Harry Appleyard, Tattenhoe Valley Park 2 April 2016
Swallow, Tattenhoe Park (2nd April) [HA]
MAMMALS
[MK][HA = Harry Appleyard]
[MK = Martin Kincaid]
BIRDS
Common Scoter by Peter Hassett, Mount Farm, 29 March 2016
Common Scoter by Peter Hassett, Mount Farm, 29 March 2016
The 5 pairs of Common Scoter were seen on Caldecott South Lake on 22 March 2016. The solitary immature female Common Scoter arrived at Manor Farm on 29 March. Some record shots are included.
BIRDS
All sightings by Harry Appleyard
LISSAMPHIBIA
MAMMALS
INSECTS
Lepidoptera
In the What’s About news items for the 16th and 23rd February 2016 we advised you that a Ferruginous Duck and a Dipper had been seen in Milton Keynes.
The Bucks Bird Club (BuBC) produce an excellent monthly bulletin for their members. The March edition contains articles on both of these rare visitors to Milton Keynes. The BuBC have kindly agreed that the Society can publish these articles on our website:
This photograph of the disputed adult Ferruginous Duck at Caldecotte Lake shows off its rear undertail white feathers, one of its key identification features at distance as well as its high forehead. Photo – Andrew Moon
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca is a scarce duck at the best of times with only ten or so records from Bucks. However the possibility of escapes from wildfowl collections cannot always be discounted. This rather smart drake turned up at Caldecotte Lake on 5th February 2016 found by Keith O’Hagan. It stayed there for several days and then moved to Mount Farm Lake on 12th February. It then proceeded to move between the two lakes periodically. The bird showed all of the identification features of a Ferruginous Duck, however a few of our experienced birders in Bucks felt this was more inclined to be an escaped bird. However, not much could be pinpointed to this, perhaps too good to be true getting the vote. It was drifting around a Black-headed Gull for some time, which either suggests watch out for a very interesting hybrid or it was just looking for friends, choosing this bird rather than closer related birds such as Pochard or Mallard, which doesn’t necessarily make it tame. While the origins of many scarce ducks is often unknown, this individual was rather wary at times and was un-ringed, so perhaps suggesting a wild origin, and what’s wrong with a ‘too good to be true’, being true on occasion, at the right time of year and when a small influx of other birds have been seen around the UK in February. The natural location of breeding birds is in East Europe and beyond, with a few regular localised wintering populations in Central France. Perhaps this one favoured BreExit! The Bucks records committee will decide in due course whether to accept as a wild bird or a potential escapee. Still a beautiful bird and one well worth publishing here and as seen by many.
This photograph of a scarce bird for Bucks proved to be a much sought after Dipper (also known as White-throated Dipper) which has not been seen in Bucks for many years. Thanks to this opportunistic photographer for recognising this wasn’t just any bird and for sharing this image with us to help aid its identification as a valued record. Photo – Sarah Mckeeman
Reports of a Dipper (White-throated) Cinclus cinclus in north Milton Keynes was more conclusive and brought out bird searching fever after being reported by a non-birder but keen photographer Sarah Mckeeman. This single photo of the bird was taken on its favourite rock on Loughton Brook, near Bradwell and blog-posted on Sat 13th February, probably one of only a few locations in this part of Bucks, where the bird could have found some pleasure in habitat that it would normally seek in more northern streams and rivers of the UK, or gushing brooks in Devon or Wales. No doubt the same bird seen again shortly after, but this time located in the Emerson Valley Park stream in Furzton near a footbridge very close to V3 Fulmer Street. Adam Bassett, who was seeking the bird at the time, came across Sarah and a friend whilst looking for the bird, who shared the image seen here with him. This being the case she was delighted to learn of the rarity of the image she had captured but more importantly had collected a record for Bucks, not seen since 1994. Other birds have been seen over preceding years but only ones and twos over each decade. It would appear from this valued photograph that the bird is of the nominate form, the continental Cinclus c. cinclus. Most birds in the distant past have been migrants, as the more resident two UK sub-species birds of West Scotland c. hibernicus and rest of Scot/North and West England and Wales c. gularis tend to stay local. Both of these forms have a slightly more rusty brown belly, whereas the birds from the continent are known as Dark-bellied. In Sarah’s own words: “Walter and I were stalking the kingfisher that lives along this piece of river. We were at the brick bridge than runs under the west coast main line. This bridge has a wooden bridge that lets pedestrians through. We were walking back south and out of the corner of our eyes, saw a bird flying fast and smoothly just above the water to under these bridges. We both looked at each other and for a second as it looked like a black kingfisher in flight. Anyway, next thing we knew, it flew back past us again, to the stepping stones in the water. Curious to see what it was, we started clicking away, light was pretty poor and we daren’t get any closer as we didn’t want to spook it. A couple of times it flew back to the bridge, then back to the stones. We lost it after that” Alas, it was not seen again at these locations although some intrepid Bucks birders trod miles just in case.
I would like to thank the BuBC and especially Tony Hardware for their assistance in the production of this article. I recommend that you check out their website and consider joining the group.
INSECTS
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly at Rammamere Heath (13th – HA)
Buff-tailed Bumblebees active throughout MK now.
Peacock butterfly and Greater Bee-fly – Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (14th – MK)
Common Lizard by Harry Appleyard, Rammamere Heath 13 March 2016
REPTILES
Common Lizards seen basking at Rammamere Heath (13th)
BIRDS
2 Redshank on Willen Island (14th – MK)
Oystercatcher pair on top of Sand Martin Bank, Linford Lakes NR (12th)
Woodcock – Rushmere Country Park (13th – MK)
Tawny Owls calling at Woughton on the Green (13th)
Pintail – a pair still at Linford Lakes NR (14th)
Chiffchaffs heard calling at Linford Lakes and Caldecotte Lake
(HA) = Harry Appleyard
(MK) = Martin Kincaid
FLOWERS/PLANTS
Common Dog Violets – Linford and Shenley Woods (MK)
Cowslips and a few Bluebells – Howe Park Wood (MK)
Rosettes of bee orchids emerging at Willen Lake and Newport Pagnell (MK)
Danish Scurvygrass beginning to flower along grid roads (MK)
AMPHIBIANS
Common Frogs by Harry Appleyard, Howe Park Wood 01Mar16
Common frogs in ponds at Howe Park Wood and Westcroft ponds (MK) (HA)
Great Crested and Smooth Newts at Hazeley Wood (4th March – MK)
Any toads spawning yet??
BIRDS
Oystercatcher pairs at Stony Stratford, Manor Farm, Linford Lakes and Gayhurst. (MK)
8 Common Snipe and 1 Green Sandpiper on island at Stony Stratford Reserve (6th – MK)
A few Goldeneye still at South Willen Lake (4th – MK)
Sparrowhawk male at bottom of garden, Oldbrook (5th – Helen Wilson)
Redwings and Fieldfares gradually heading north. (MK)
Siskins – Tattenhoe Park and Howe Park Wood (HA)
Skylarks singing above fields in Tattenhoe Park and near Oakhill Wood (HA)
INSECTS
Red-Tailed Bumblebee – Howe Park Wood (Thurs 3rd) (HA)
MAMMALS
Roe, muntjac and more possible wild boar tracks in Oakhill Wood (Sun 6th) (HA)
(HA) = Harry Appleyard
(MK) = Martin Kincaid
BIRDS
3 Pintail, 1 Black Swan, 2 Oystercatchers – Linford Lakes (27th Feb)
Goosanders, Lapwings, Snipe and 1 Oystercatcher – Stony Stratford N.R. (Michele Welborn – 29th)
Herons nesting at Willen Island, Furzton Lake and Linford Lakes.
Yellowhammers and Red Kites – Tattnehoe (Harry A – 28th)
Stonechat – Stanton Low (27th)
PLANTS
Colt’s Foot, Lesser Celandine, Danish Scurvygrass, Common Dog Violet, Primrose, Marsh Marigold in flower at Stony Stratford Nature Reserve (26th Feb)
Bluebells in flower at Howe Park Wood (Harry Appleyard)
INSECTS
Lepidoptera
Red Admiral in Tony Wood’s back garden, New Bradwell (24th)
Hemiptera-Heteroptera
Water Scorpions and Lesser Waterboatmen found during pond dipping session – Linford Lakes (29th)
FLOWERS
Common Dog Violets – several in flower at Linford Wood (22nd – MK)
Colt’s Foot in flower throughout Ouse Valley
Blackthorn in blossom – Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (18th)
Cowslips in flower – Howe Park Wood (17th – MK)
Hawthorn coming into leaf throughout MK
AMPHIBIANS
Common Toads spawning at Howe Park Wood ponds (21 – Harry Appleyard)
Frogs and spawn in ponds at Westcroft, North Willen, Linford Lakes and Linford Wood (20-22)
Great Crested Newts under refugia – Hazeley Wood (18th – Parks Trust staff)
BIRDS
Ferruginous Duck still at Caldecotte Lake (South)
DIPPER – confirmed sighting in Loughton Brook, Furzton (16th – Andy Harding)
Merlin – hunting over Stanton Low (20th)
10 Goosander, 1 Little Owl – Manor Farm, Old Wolverton (20th – MK)
Chiffchaff singing at Westcroft ponds (22nd – HA)
2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Raven – Pineham Park (22nd – MK)
MAMMALS
Pipistrelle bat flying over Teardrop Lakes at dusk (22nd – MK)
BIRDS
Ferruginous Duck – now at Mount Farm Lake, Bletchley (Martin Kincaid, 15th)
Dipper – one in Loughton Brook near Bradwell Abbey (Justin Long, 14th)
5 Goosander – Stony Stratford Nature Reserve (Michele Welborn, 13th)
3 Stonechat – Manor Farm (Martin Kincaid, 13th)
Bittern – Linford Lakes (Martin Kincaid, 12th
MAMMALS
Badger at Howe Park Wood (Harry Appleyard, 10th)
Chinese Water Deer – Pineham Park
INSECTS
Brimstone butterfly – Willen Lake (Martin Kincaid, 15th)
Buff tailed Bumblebee – Howe Park Wood (Harry Appleyard, 12th)
Mole Fortress by Julie Lane
Whilst walking down near the river Ouse recently, in an area which can occasionally flood in very wet conditions, I found this huge molehill which was about 100 wide x 60cms high! According to our knowledgeable members this is a mole fortress, so I decided to search on the internet to find out more about this interesting phenomena which I had not heard about before and I thought I would share my findings with you.
Moles sometimes build huge molehills weighing over 500 kg. Usually they contain a network of tunnels, a nest chamber lined with hay and caches of earthworms. The worms have their heads bitten off and remain immobile in a tangled ball. They act a store of food for when the mole cannot obtain food from its tunnel system, for example during periods of flooding or freezing temperatures.
The vast majority of molehills are relatively small and without internal structure but on occasion moles construct these large and structured mounds called fortresses which are commonly found in areas with a high water table which are liable to flooding. When the waters rise the mole can retreat from the waterlogged tunnels and take refuge within the fortress. There it can remain, dry in its nest and sustained by the stores of worms, until the waters recede.
Fortresses also feature in shallow soils lying on a hard substrate. Moles prefer to make their nests deep in the soil where temperatures are relatively stable and for most of the year rather higher than at the surface. Moles living in thin soils cannot dig deep nests and a fortress may offer a degree of insulation to the mole asleep in its nest.
Fortresses are built with the soil excavated from tunnels that would have been dug anyway but there is a considerable extra cost in moving this large quantity of soil to one central point.
Word and picture by Julie Lane
BIRDS
MAMMALS
INSECTS
FUNGI
View Members Photos in the Gallery if you would like to see larger pictures.
Ferruginous duck at Caldecotte Lake by Peter Garner
Ferruginous and Tufted duck at Caldecotte Lake by Peter Garner
Tree Bumblebee at Howe Park Wood by Harry Appleyard
FLOWERS
BIRDS
MAMMALS
All sightings by Martin Kincaid
BIRDS
Treecreeper in Howe Park Wood by Harry Appleyard
MAMMALS
FLOWERS
BIRDS
Red Kites – Bletchley and Tattenhoe (Harry Appleyard)
Mammals
FLOWERS
Red Kite by Peter Hassett
Reintroductions are commonly used to mitigate biodiversity loss. One prominent example is that of the Red Kite Milvus milvus, a charismatic raptor of conservation concern. This species has been reintroduced across the UK over the last 25 years following its near extinction after centuries of persecution. The species was not expected to recolonize urban areas; its historical association with human settlements is attributed to scavenging on human waste and refuse, a resource now greatly reduced on the streets of modern European cities. However, the species has become a common daytime visitor to a large conurbation centred on the town of Reading, southern England, approximately 20 km from the first English reintroduction site. Given a near-absence of breeding and roost sites, we investigated foraging opportunities and habitat associations that might explain use by Red Kites of this urban area. Surveys of discarded human foods and road-kill suggested that these could support at most 13–29 Kites per day. Face-to-face surveys of a cross-section of residents revealed that 4.5% (equivalent to 4349 households) provided supplementary food for Red Kites in their gardens. Using estimates of per-household resource provision from another study, we calculated that this is potentially sufficient to feed 142–320 Kites, a substantial proportion of the total estimated to visit the conurbation each day (between 140 and 440). Road transects found positive associations between Red Kites and residential areas. We suggest that the decision made by thousands of householders to provide supplementary food for Red Kites in their gardens is the primary factor explaining their daytime abundance in this urban area.
Click here to read the link to read the rest of the article
This link will take you to an article we published in March 2015 on Red Kites in the urban environment.
Julian Lambely has provided photos of an Otter spotted at Foxcote reservoir on 10 Jan 2016 at 11:30. The otter was diving some distance from the hide repeatedly before retreating to the bank to feed.
Bill Parker has reported on the North Bucks Birders site:
It showed very well this morning for about 10-15 minutes at about 11:45 hrs in the SW corner of the reserve (just to left of hide), diving frequently and then eating whatever it was catching on the surface (probably small fish or crayfish). At about midday, it caught a larger fish and swam with it towards the bank where it was lost to view behind reeds.
Clearly it is not put off by human disturbance, as there were close to 25 people in the hide at times this morning for BBOWT’s winter birdwatching event. At the time it was seen, there were about a dozen people … but they were still making a fair bit of noise!
As previously reported, scattering wildfowl (which are now in much better numbers) are a good indication of its presence … it was how it was first found this morning.
If we’ve wetted your appetite for otters (group groan) you can see more posts on our website:
Great Photos of otters
The one That Lived to tell the tale
Linford Lakes Nature Reserve
Firecrest at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve
Firecrest at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve
Firecrest spotted and snapped by Society Member Janice Robertson at Linford Lakes on Wednesday 9th December
Brian Eversham has produced a guide to identify British Slugs. Click ere to download the PDF file.
BIRDS
Woodcock in Linford Wood (4th Dec)
Goldeneye (2 male, 2 female) at South Willen Lake (7th Dec)
Starlings still murmurating at Willen Lake North
Ring Necked Parakeet – seen at Walton Lake today (8th)
Sightings Martin Kincaid
Egyptian Goose over Tattenhoe Park (Friday 4th)
Siskins – Oakhill Wood
Lesser Redpolls – Oakhill Wood and Kingsmead Wood
Marsh Tits – Oakhill Wood and Oxley Park
Red Kites – Bletchley and Tattenhoe
Sightings Harry Appleyard
MAMMALS
Roe Deer tracks in Oakhill Wood (Harry Appleyard)
INSECTS – Lepidoptera
Red Admiral flying on Redway @ Tongwell (4th – Steve Brady)
Brimstone male in Bancroft Garden (8th – Brian & Val Ellis)
BIRDS
Starling murmuration still at Willen Lake North – attracting Sparrowhawks (Ann Strutton)
2 Ravens over Linford Lakes (26th)
Stonechat at Linford Lakes (26th)
Sightings Martin Kincaid
2 Mistle Thrushes by River Ouse (27th – Brian & Val Ellis)
Large groups of Fieldfares in and around Tattenhoe Park
Red Kites – Bletchley and Tattenhoe
Sightings Harry Appleyard
MAMMALS
Roe Deer reported from Linford Wood (27th)
Water Shrew found under wooden board at Linford Lakes N.R. (29th)
Sightings Martin Kincaid
BIRDS
Redwings – St.Giles Church meadow and Tattenhoe Park
Fieldfares – Tattenhoe Park
Lesser Redpolls – Tattenhoe Park
Siskins – St.Giles Church meadow, Tattenhoe
Red Kite – Tattenhoe
Common Buzzard – Water Spinney, Tattenhoe
Tawny Owl calling – Howe Park Wood (Sunday 22nd)
Sightings Harry Appleyard
MAMMALS
Daubenton’s bats still roosting under M1 bridge at Pineham – probably now safe to say they are hibernating here
Roe Deer buck at Elfield Park (20th)
Otter seen from Far Hide at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve. Also a Weasel crossing road into reserve (24th)
Sightings Martin Kincaid
BIRDS
5 Common Snipe outside bird hide at Willen Lake (7th – MK)
Barn Owls hunting over Stanton Low Fields (9th – MK)
Merlin reported from Leckhampstead (8th)
Black Redstart at Broughton (8th)
SNOW BUNTING reported over CMK this morning! (10th)
Mistle Thrush – St.Giles Church meadow, Tattenhoe
Redwings and Fieldfares – Tattenhoe
Siskins – St.Giles Church meadow, Tattenhoe
Lesser Redpolls – Tattenhoe
Yellowhammers – Tattenhoe Park
Red Kites – West Bletchley, Westcroft and Tattenhoe
Sightings Martin Kincaid & Harry Appleyard
INSECTS
HYMENOPTERA
Buff-tailed Bumblebee queen Bombus terrestris – Stanton Low fields (9th )
ORTHOPTERA
Oak Bush-cricket – 2 females at Campbell Park Pavilion (6th)
FUNGI
Beefsteak Fungus Fistulina hepatica on mature ash in Linford Wood (6th)
Insectile and Fungal sightings – Martin Kincaid
The revelation that the UK’s oldest tree is showing signs of switching sex has sparked much excitement in the world of horticultural science. The Fortingall yew (main image) in Perthshire, Scotland, having apparently spent 5,000 years as a male tree, has suddenly produced female berries. So what is going on?
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Can trees really change sex?
BIRDS
(all Harry Appleyard)
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
ODONATA
Common Darters – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
ORTHOPTERA
Sightings Martin Kincaid and Harry Appleyard
PLANTS – ANGIOSPERMS
Harebells still in flower at Stonepit, Great Linford
A map has been produced of Starling Murmurations.
This map will be updated with sightings of Starling Murmurations throughout the UK. These are just the actual roost sights and not groups of Starlings flying overhead. If you see any murmurations at roost sites, then please let us know, thank you
Source: Starling Murmurations In The UK
You may also like to read Paul Manchester’s excellent description and video of murmurations in Wolverton in 2014
Royal Fern found close to lake, Stockgrove Country Park (MK – 18th)
Field Poppy still in flower along grid roads.
Fleabane still in flower, North Bucks Way (MK – 19th)
Common Darter dragonflies flying at Tattenhoe (Harry Appleyard) and Willen Lake (MK)
Feathered Thorn moth in trap – Gordon Redford’s garden, Newport Pagnell (GR – 18th)
Roesel’s Bush-crickets still stridulating at Linford Lakes (MK – 20th)
Raven seen at Little Horwood (HA – 17th)
2 Stonechats reported from Manor Farm pits (19th)
4 Green Sandpipers and 3 Black Swans at North Willen Lake (MK – 20th)
Redwing numbers building up across MK
2 Brown Hares at Oakhill Wood (MK – 20th)
2 Common Pipistrelles found in bat box, Linford Lakes N.R. (MK – 16th)
Common Pipistrelles and Noctule bats at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton (MK – 20th)
Sightings Martin Kincaid (MK) and Harry Appleyard (HA)
BIRDS
1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Red Kite and 2 Buzzards at Little Linford Wood (11th)
2 Green Sandpipers and 1 Dunlin at Manor Farm quarry (12th)
Redwings – Tattenhoe
Siskins – Tattenhoe
Lesser Redpolls – Tattenhoe and Oakhill Wood
Skylarks – Tattenhoe
Grey Wagtails – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
MAMMALS
2 Dormice, 1 Pygmy Shrew and numerous Woodmice found in boxes – Little Linford Wood (11th)
Roe Deer seen on edge of Little Linford Wood (Dormouse Group members).
Water Shrew at Linford Lakes N.R. (12th)
American Mink at North Willen Lake (Phil Marsh – 11th)
LEPIDOSAURIA
3 Slow Worms – Elfield Park (9th)
2 Grass Snakes – Walton Lake (11th)
AMPHIBIA
Common Toads – Tattenhoe Park
Common Newt – Tattenhoe Park
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Comma butterflies – Tattenhoe
HYMENOPTERA
Hornets – Howe Park Wood
ODONATA
Southern Hawker – Howe Park Wood
Migrant Hawkers – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
TREES
Fantastic autumn colours along grid roads now. H5 between Willen Lake and City Centre is particularly good.
Scarlet Oaks in Campbell Park.
Sightings Martin Kincaid and Harry Appleyard
One of the rarest and most endangered British butterflies lives on Dunstable’s doorstep. It is called the Duke of Burgundy and every spring people come from other parts of England to see it at Totternhoe Quarry and on Dunstable and Whipsnade Downs. Come and hear Sarah Meredith from Butterfly Conservation tell us all about this fascinating little butterfly and what is being done to keep it alive and well in our area.
The attached PDF file shows the poster for the event.
BIRDS
Lesser Redpoll ringed at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (3rd)
2 Ravens, Marsh Tits at Stowe Gardens (4th – M Kincaid)
Tawny Owl calling at Hazeley Wood (7am on 4th Oct)
Goldcrests – 2 in Paul Lund’s Garden in Bancroft (2nd )
Long-tailed Tit – 5 in Paul Lund’s Garden in Bancroft (6th)
Remaining sightings Harry Appleyard:
Spotted Flycatcher – St.Giles Church meadow (30th Sept)
Stonechat – Tattenhoe Park (2nd October)
Swallows – Tattenhoe Park (3rd October)
Redwings – St.Giles Church meadow, Tattenhoe
Siskins – Tattenhoe Linear Park
Lesser Redpolls – Tattenhoe Linear Park
Ravens (x3) – Tattenhoe Park (1st October)
Tawny Owls calling – Howe Park Wood
MAMMALS
Daubenton’s bats still roosting in pipes under M1 at Pineham (5th Oct)
Hazeley Wood Mammal Survey – Sat 3rd/Sun 4th Oct:
Pipistrelle bats
Badger, Fox and Muntjac deer captured on trail cameras (Paul Lund/Tony Wood/M Kincaid)
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Red Admiral, Comma, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Small White still on the wing. (Sightings Martin Kincaid)
COLEOPTERA
7-spot, 22-spot, 24-spot, Orange and Harlequin ladybirds recorded at Hazeley Wood (Martin Kincaid/Helen Wilson).
ODONATA (Sightings by Harry Appleyard)
Emerald Damselflies – Tattenhoe Park
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
FUNGI
Giant Puffballs Calvatia gigantea at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton (30th Sep) (Martin Kincaid)
BIRDS
Redwing – St.Giles Church orchard, Tattenhoe (29th Sept)
Lesser Redpolls – Tattenhoe
Siskins – Tattenhoe
Meadow Pipits – Tattenhoe Park
Red Kites – Tattenhoe
Tawny Owls calling – Howe Park Wood and St.Giles Church orchard
MAMMALS
Brown Hare – Tattenhoe Park
INSECTS
ODONATA
Emerald Damselfly – Tattenhoe Park
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
Brown Hawkers – Tattenhoe Park
Red-eyed Damselfly – Tattenhoe Park
Blue-tailed Damselflies – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
Common Blue Damselflies – Tattenhoe Park
Emerald Damselflies – Tattenhoe Park
LEPIDOPTERA
Brimstone – Tattenhoe
Peacock butterfly – Tattenhoe
Commas (Commae?) – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
(All above sightings by Harry Appleyard)
Hummingbird Hawkmoth in Paul Lund’s garden in Bancroft, 28th Sept. Paul took these photos of it:
Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Front view
BIRDS
Swifts – Oakhill Wood
Common Snipe – Tattenhoe Park
Red Kites – Tattenhoe Park
Tawny Owls calling – Howe Park Wood
(Sightings from Harry Appleyard)
MAMMALS
Brown Rat – Tattenhoe Linear Park (this national rarity reported by Harry Appleyard!)
INSECTS
ODONATA
Emerald Damselfly – Tattenhoe Park
Blue-Tailed Damselfly – Tattenhoe Park
Common Blue Damselflies – Tattenhoe Park
ORTHOPTERA
Speckled Bush Cricket ovipositing by Giffard Park Footbridge
Speckled Bush Cricket Laying Eggs
(Orthoptera Steve Brady, identified by Paul Lund, Odonata Harry Appleyard)
BIRDS
Flock of 12 Siskins and Tawny Owl at Hazeley Wood (5th – MK/Carol Watts) and Siskins at Tattenhoe (Harry Appleyard)
Meadow Pipit – Oakhill Wood (HA)
Tawny Owl – Howe Park Wood (HA)
Greenshank at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton (6th – Ashley Boleons)
Red Crested Pochard female at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (5th )
Late Swifts still being reported!
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Small Heaths – Kingsmead Wood and Tattenhoe Park
Red Admiral – St Giles Church orchard
Painted Lady – Tattenhoe Park
Hummingbird Hawkmoth in Paul Lund’s garden in Bancroft
ODONATA
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood
Brown Hawkers – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
Emperor Dragonflies – Tattenhoe Park
Common Blue Damselfies – Tattenhoe Park
Blue-tailed Damselfly – Tattenhoe Park
(All insect sightings Harry Appleyard except for Hummingbird Hawkmoth)
MAMMALS
Weasel at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (3rd, Martin Kincaid)
1 Short tailed vole and 1 Fox recorded on Hazeley Wood Mammal Survey (6th, Martin Kincaid/Carol Watts/Di Parsons)
LEPIDOSAURIA
50+ Common Lizards (adults and juveniles) at Stockgrove Country Park (MartinKincaid/Helen Wilson)
Grass Snakes at Stony Stratford Nature Reserve and Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard).
FUNGI
Fly Agaric, Dung Roundhead and Common Earth-ball among the fungi at Rammamere Heath (5th)
Corinna has kindly supplied a link to a fascinating article about how magpies are perceived:
Magpies, wherever they live, haunt folklore. Sometimes they appear as a sinister omen, but equally often as a friend. In the UK, a lone magpie is considered especially ominous and it is commonplace to voice a respectful enquiry as to the health of its wife and children. Conversely in China and Korea magpies are seen as bringing good luck.
Click on the link to read the article in full: In defence of magpies
Wikipedia has the following entry about the nursery rhyme referred to in the article
One for Sorrow is a traditional children’s nursery rhyme about magpies. According to an old superstition, the number of magpies one sees determines if one will have bad luck or not.
There is considerable variation in the lyrics used. A common modern version follows:One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret,
Never to be told
Perhaps someone would like to write an article explaining how the Magpie was chosen as the symbol for the Society?
BIRDS
Spotted Flycatchers – St Giles Church orchard (Tattenhoe) and Tattenhoe Park
Pair of redstarts – St Giles Church meadow (27th August)
Coal Tit – Howe Park Wood
MAMMALS
Badger – Howe Park Wood
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Brown Argus – Kingsmead Wood
Small Heaths – Tattenhoe Park
Red Admiral Tattenhoe Park
ODONATA
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood ponds
Brown Hawkers – Howe Park Wood ponds
Emerald Damselfly – Howe Park Wood ponds
All information provided by Harry Appleyard
MAMMALS
Badger reported in daylight at Stonepit Copse, Great Linford – 21st Aug. Another seen by Harry Appleyard in Howe Park Wood
Noctule bats in bat boxes at Kingsmead Spinney – 21st Aug.
Roe Deer – Elfield Park, 22nd Aug.
BIRDS
Green Sandpipers at Manor Farm Quarry, Stony Stratford N.R., Linford Lakes and Willen Lake.
Common Sandpipers at Linford Lakes and Willen Lake.
Greenshank at Manor Farm Quarry (20th Aug)
Pair of Ravens at Tattenhoe Park – Harry Appleyard, 23rd Aug.
possible Goshawk seen at Gayhurst Wood – Chris Coppock, 23rd Aug.
Red Kites x 2 Bletchley (Harry Appleyard)
Tawny Owl – Howe Park Wood (Harry Appleyard)
INSECTS
ORTHOPTERA
Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Common and Ruddy Darters on wing at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (22nd Aug)
LEPIDOPTERA
Silver Washed Fritillary still flying at Oakhill Wood (19th Aug)
(all data Martin Kincaid, Biodiversity Officer, Parks Trust unless otherwise stated)
Migrant Hawker dragonflies now in most local woodlands.
Small Copper butterfly across Milton Keynes
2 late White Admirals seen at Little Linford Wood by Tony Wood (12th August) Very late records suggesting a rare second brood.
MAMMALS
2 Dormice, 1 Pygmy Shrew and 18+ Brown Long-eared bats in boxes at Little Linford Wood (16th)
3 Noctule Bats hunting over North Willen Lake (18th)
30-40 Daubenton’s Bats at Pineham (11th)
BIRDS
Osprey over Great Linford allotments (Dudley James – 15th)
Peregrine pair very active at Stadium:MK all week.
Maximum of 16 Green Sandpipers at Willen Lake (17th)
2 Little Owls, 1 Greenshank at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton (17th)
3 Juvenile Spotted Flycatchers, Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (Martin Kincaid – 18th)
Small flock of Siskins reported from LLNR on 16th.
(Information provided by Parks Trust Biodiversity Officer Martin Kincaid)
White Admiral photographed by Tony Wood
Climate change research reveals species most at risk.
“Wasps, bees, ants and southern species including Dartford warbler and emperor dragonfly are likely to benefit from climate change in England. Further north and in the uplands, breeding birds such as curlew and our much-loved cuckoo, damp-loving mosses and liverworts will be put at great risk by rising temperatures, according to new research out today.”
Click on the link to read the rest of the article Bees and ants to flourish while the cuckoo flounders – Press releases – GOV.UK
The National Biodiversity Network have produced the iRecord Grasshoppers app to help you identify the grasshoppers, crickets, earwigs, cockroaches and stick-insects that you see or hear, and to record sightings to support their study and conservation.” Click on the link above to read more. Those of you who do not possess one of those shiny new smartphones may like to use the national Orthoptera Recording Scheme. Their website has plenty of useful information about grasshoppers and crickets, as well as identification information, recordings of their calls, distribution maps, etc. You can also use their website to submit your sightings, which will be verified before being added to national (and eventually county) records. This was a scheme that Paul Lund and Mike LeRoy promoted during their excellent talk on Orthoptera to the Society in September 2013. iRecord is a very promising records scheme launched by the National Biodiversity Network three years ago. Click here for more details. “to support online collection and collation of high quality biological recording data”. It has the considerable benefit that reported sightings are automatically checked to avoid errors and are open to verification by experts. iSpot is brilliant in helping people find out about the identification of species they have photographed, but iSpot, in contrast to iRecord doesn’t currently add these to national or local records, though they are working on that.” Many thanks to Mike LeRoy for providing the text for this article.
All sightings by Peter Hassett
Houghton Regis Gravel Pits
Green veined white
Black-tailed skimmer
Chiltern Gentian
Chiltern gentian
Chalk hill Blue
Chalkhill Blue
Clouded Yellow
Marbled White
Aston Rowant Nature Reserve
Silver–spotted Skipper
Silver-spotted skipper
Silver spotted skippers in copula
Frog Orchid
Red-tipped Clearwing by Peter Garner at Wolverton Mill. 28Jul15
One of our new members, Peter Garner, has managed to photograph a Red-tipped Clearwing moth at Wolverton Mill on 28Jul15. It was found in a clump of thistles on the northern side of the A5 bridge at SP791410.
This is probably the first record of this moth in Milton Keynes.
All sightiong fromn Harry Appleyard unless stated otherwise
BIRDS
Red Kites – Tattenhoe
Siskins – Tattenhoe and Oakhill Wood
Green Sandpiper – Tattenhoe Park
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
White Admirals – Oakhill Wood and Shenley Wood
Silver Washed Fritillaries – Howe Park Wood and Oakhill Wood
Hummingbird hawk moth – Peter Hassett’s garden 16th
ODONATA
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood
Ruddy Darters – Howe Park Wood
Black tailed skimmer female at Woburn woods on 21st July (Andy Walker)
All sightings by Harry Appleyard
INSECTS
LEPDOPTERAS
ANGIOSPERMS (FLOWERS)
Sainfoin flowering in meadow outside Howe Park Wood (HA)
Wood Vetch plentiful in woodland ridge, Campbell Park (MK)
Pyramidal Orchids at Howe Park Wood, Lodge Lake, Elfield Park, Blue Lagoon (HA/MK)
Bee Orchids everywhere! Especially plentiful at Stonepit, Great Linford.
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Small Skipper, Marbled White, Meadow Brown and Ringlet now on the wing throughout MK.
Purple Hairstreak, North Bucks Way (24th June – MK. Earliest ever record)
White Letter Hairstreak – New Bradwell (25th June – Adrian Cadman)
Chimney Sweeper moths at Shenley Wood (24th – MK)
Six belted clearwing moths came to pheromone lures at Howe Park Wood (27th June – Darren Seaman/MK)
HEMIPTERA- HETEROPTERA
Water Stick Insect Ranatra linearis in pond at Tattenhoe (25th – HA, who took the pic below)
Water Stick Insect, Ranatra linearis
ODONATA (all these records HA)
Emperor Dragonfly – Oakhill Wood
Common Darters – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
Brown Hawker – Howe Park Wood
Black-tailed Skimmer – Hazeley Wood
Beautiful Demoiselle (?) – Hazeley Wood
BIRDS
Peregrine pair with one well grown chick at Stadium:MK (28th June – Mike Wallen)
Goosander with 2 young – Olney (28th – Mike Wallen)
Cuckoo still calling & 2 Hobbies – Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (24th – MK)
Several pairs of Common Tern nesting on Willen Island (27th – MK)
Siskin – Tattenhoe (HA)
Red Kite – Tattenhoe (HA)
MK = Martin Kincaid (HA)
HA = Harry Appleyard (HA)
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Wood Whites (55+) at Salcey Forest
Large Skipper at Linford Wood
Red Admiral at Linford Wood
Marbled White at Linford Lakes NR
Click on any of the pictures for a larger image.
Seen in Brian and Val Ellis’s garden at Morton’s Fork:
15/06/22 Painted Lady and Brimstone
A pair of Wood Whites mating in Salcey Forest, by Peter Hassett 16Jun15
Red Admiral at Linford Wood by Peter Hassett 16Jun15
Large Skipper at Linford Wood by Peter Hassett 16Jun15
BIRDS
Red Kite – Tattenhoe
Hobby – Tattenhoe Park
Peregrine – Granby (all Harry Appleyard)
Common Terns with 3 chicks at Stony Stratford N.R. (15h, MK)
2 Black Terns, 1 Mediterranean Gull at Summerleys Nature Reserve (14th)
Barn Owl reported from Bury Field, Newport Pagnell (9th June)
Kingfisher Broughton Brook 9th June (Julian Lambley)
MAMMALS
Fox Broughton Brook 9th June – Julian Lambley
INSECTS
ODONATA
Emperor Dragonflies – Tattenhoe – Harry Appleyard
LEPIDOPTERA
Large Skippers – Tattenhoe
Painted Lady – Tattenhoe
Dingy Skipper – Tattenhoe Park
Brown Argus – Tattenhoe Park
Small Coppers – Tattenhoe (all Harry Appleyard)
Hummingbird Hawk-moth in Wolverton Garden – 10th June, Eddie Edwards
Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Heath and Dingy Skipper butterflies – Sandhouse Quarry – 10th June, MK/Helen Wilson
Painted Lady – Stony Stratford Nature Reserve – 15th June, MK.
Small Blues out at Stonepit, Great Linford – 11th June, Janice Robertson
COLEOPTERA
Wasp Beetle Clytus arietus – in conservatory in Oldbrook – 11th June, MK
PLANTS – ANGIOSPERMS
Bee Orchids out at Elfield Park, Stonepit and Linford Lakes Nature Reserve.
Wild Thyme coming into flower at Stonepit (15th June)
As Steve is on holiday, I have produced a summary of sightings since his last report on 26May15. It would be nice to receive more reports from members of the Society.
BIRDS
01Jun15 Turnstone – Willen Lake South, Willen Lakes Robert Norris (BBC)
02Jun15 Blackcap feeding a fledgling in Sherwood drive in Bletchley Dave Essame (NBBR)
LEPIDOPTERA
29May15 Humming bird hawk moth – Olney Julie Lane
07Jun15 A full survey of Salcey Forest by D.Goddard and D.James produced 94 Wood Whites. Most of the activity around the Piddington crossroads – (BNBC)
07Jun15 Red Admiral was seen egg laying in Salcey Forest – (BNBC)
BBC – Buckinghampshire Bird Club
BNBC – Bedfordshire & Northamptonshire branch of Butterfly Conservation
NBBR – North Bucks Birding
A helpful video from the BTO to help you tell the difference between a House Martin, Swallow or Swift
Marsh Fritillary at Cerne Abbas, Dorset by Ian Kirk
ANGIOSPERMS
Horseshoe Vetch, Kidney Vetch, Common Broomrape, Globularia vulgaris in flower at Stonepit Field. Fine display of Ramsons in Stonepit Copse (24th). (Martin Kincaid)
INSECTS
ODONATA
Broad-Bodied Chasers – Tattenhoe Park
Four-Spotted Chasers – Tattenhoe Park (both Harry Appleyard)
LEPIDOPTERA
Burnet Companion, Mother Shipton and Small White Wave at Stonepit Field (24th).
Common Heath, Clouded Border at Sandhouse Lane Quarry (also 14 spot Ladybird) (25th)
6 x Wood Whites at Salcey Forest 22nd (Julie Lane)
Common Blue Butterflies – Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard)
Small Heath – Kingsmead Wood (Harry Appleyard)
BIRDS
2 Tawny Owl fledglings at Howe Park Wood.
Pair of Garganey, pair of Little Ringed Plover, 3 Barn Owls, Cuckoo at Linford Lakes (24th) Osprey through on 25th.
Little Ringed Plovers observed mating and preparing nest scrapes at Manor Farm Quarry (23rd)
Oystercatcher and Common Terns nesting at Stony Stratford Nature Reserve.
(above all Martin Kincaid)
Marsh Tit – Oakhill Wood (Harry Appleyard)
Cuckoo – Oakhill Wood (24th May) (Harry Appleyard)
Hobby – Oakhill Wood (24th) (Harry Appleyard)
A great white egret at Summer Leys 21/5/2015 (Julie Lane)
21/5 : 2 Grey Partridge : Little Linford Wood (Rob Hill, Bucks Birders)
20/5 : 2 Garganey : Linford Reserve, Linford GPs.Long staying pair. (Rob Hill, Bucks Birders)
19/5 : Goosander : Manor Farm Quarry. Female over east. Presume one of the Olney birds.
(Rob Hill, Bucks Birders)
Goosander : Manor Farm Quarry. 19th May
Bluebells by Jim Champion
Sussex Wildlife Trust have produced a handy guide on the differences between native and foreign bluebells on how to spot the difference between native and non-native Bluebells. Click here for more information.
BIRDS (any information about anything else most welcome!)
The Peregrine pair are sitting on eggs at Stadium:MK!
Curlew Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper among the many waders at Manor Farm Quarry.
Tawny Owl on eggs at Howe Park Wood (seen by several members on recent Society trip)
Nightingale still present at Blue Lagoon Nature Reserve as of 9th May. Singing well between car park and edge of lake.
Swifts now arriving in huge flocks. Well over 100 present at Willen Lake North on 9th May.
Arctic Terns on passage at Willen and Linford Lakes.
Spotted Flycatchers seen at Stony Stratford NR and Linford Lakes in past week.
Thanks to Martin Kincaid for this information.
Whilst on holiday this Easter walking the south coast path I came across this kittiwake in trouble. Whilst I couldn’t really do anything to help the poor bird other than move it off the path away from marauding dogs, I noticed it was ringed and sent the details in to the BTO. A few days ago I received this information (see below) about the bird which was really interesting. Kittiwakes spend their winters out in the Atlantic often as far away as the Grand Banks so maybe this bird was on its way back to breed on Scilly and got into trouble. It was easy to go on the BTO’s website and complete the form and good to get the information back from them. At least they can use this information and the bird’s life was not entirely wasted.
Ringing Scheme: London Ring Number: ET70368 Species of bird: Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)
This bird was ringed by RSPB as age at least 3 years, sex unknown on 16-Jul-2010 time unknown at St Martins, Isles of Scilly, UK
OS Map reference SV9416 accuracy 0, co-ordinates 49deg 58min N 6deg 16min W accuracy 1.
It was found on 28-Mar-2015 time unknown at Branscombe, Sidmouth, Devon, UK
OS Map reference SY2088 accuracy 0, co-ordinates 50deg 41min N 3deg 8min W accuracy 0.
Finding condition: Sick or injured: fate unknown
Finding circumstances: Found Sick
Extra Information: Unable to fly
Some interesting facts discovered from BTO ringing data….
Oldest bird – Manx shearwater, 50 yrs 11 months
Furthest travelled – Arctic Tern from Wales to Australia 18,000 km
Strangest recovery – Osprey ring found in stomach of a crocodile in The Gambia!
Julie Lane
BIRDS
(all data from Harry Appleyard)
Garden Warblers – Tattenhoe Park
Red Kites – Tattenhoe
Lesser Whitethroat – Howe Park Wood
Sedge Warbler – Howe Park Wood
Wheatear – Whaddon
Raven – Oakhill Wood
House Martins – Manor Farm
Common Terns – Manor Farm
Red Kite – Manor Farm
INSECTS
(data from Harry Appleyard, Brian Ellis and Paul Lund)
LEPIDOPTERA
Holly Blue – Oakhill Wood (Harry)
Red Admiral – Oakhill Wood (Harry)
Cinnabar moth Tyria jacobaeae – Bancroft (27th – Paul)
Eggs of Brimstone butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni and Orange tip Anthocharis cardamines are on their food plants in Paul’s garden.
Speckled Wood, Male and Female Holly Blue (Brian)
ODONATA
Large Red Damselflies – Tattenhoe Park and Howe Park Wood – Large Reds have been out for a couple of weeks now (Harry).
In partnership with Aylesbury Vale District Council, Bucks Bird Club and local volunteers, a nesting platform was installed after two peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) were spotted flying around the town centre in 2007. Click here to read more…
BIRDS
1st Cuckoo heard by Di Parsons – Heath & Reach, 19th April
Peregrine x2 at Stadium:MK (just signed up for the Dons)
3 Lapwing nests at Stony Stratford Nature Reserve
Wader passage in full swing at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton. In the past week, Avocets, Curlew, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwit, Ringed Plovers and 6 Redshank.
Most warblers now back including Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers and Willow Warblers.
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Holly Blue, Speckled Wood and Orange Tip butterflies on wing.
COLEOPTERA
Great Diving beetles Dytiscus marginalis common in ponds at Linford Lakes.
HYMENOPTERA
Sawfly (Possibly Abia lonicerae)
ALL OTHER LIFE FORMS
MAMMALS
Roe Deer seen at Elfield Park and Shenley Wood (both 17th, Parks Trust staff)
Water Shrew found under tin – Linford Lakes (Martin K, 15th)
LEPIDOSAURIA
Grass Snakes – Tattenhoe
BIRDS
Sand Martins investigating nesting bank at Linford Lakes.
Up to 4 Barn Owls hunting over Stanton Low fields at dusk.
Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Swallows now throughout MK.
2 Redshank, nesting Oystercatcher – Stony Stratford Nature Reserve (13th)
INSECTS
COLEOPTERA
Water Ladybird Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata found while clearing pond at Atterbury (1st April)
HYMENOPTERA
Large numbers of queen bumblebees investigating ditches in Howe Park Wood (13th April – M Kincaid/M LeRoy)
LEPIDOPTERA
Orange Tips and Small Toprtoiseshells seen in Brian Ellis’ back garden, Blue Bridge (9-10th April)
Exactly 100 butterflies (mostly Peacocks) counted on transect at Little Linford Wood – Julian Lambley
Holly Blues out at Kew Gardens! (12th)
DIPTERA
Bee Fly Bombylius major abundant in sunshine in Blakelands
ALL OTHER FORMS OF LIFE
LEPIDOSAURIA
3 Adders at Stockgrove Country Park (11th – Di Parsons)
WILD FLOWERS
Good displays of Wood Anemone out in local woods now. Bluebells emerging in Howe Park and Shenley Woods.
Cowslips out at Linford Lakes, North Willen, Blue Bridge etc.
Rosettes of Early Purple Orchid at Howe Park Wood (13th)
BIRDS
Peregrines mating at Stadium:MK
Blackbird chicks well developed in nest at Blakelands (Steve Brady)
Kestrels nesting in box at Passenham
Linnets – Tattenhoe Park
Yellowhammers – Kingsmead
First Swallow of the year at Linford Lakes (Harry Appleyard, 27th)
Many waders at Manor Farm quarry including 1 Ruff, 2 Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers. Also a Wheatear (29th)
2 Female Goosanders and 1 Male Goosander seen on Great Ouse, and flitting along the bank nearby a Grey Wagtail just 500 metres from Wolverton Mill. Further up, a Little Egret and happily a good number of Mallards. Brian & Val Ellis 24th
MAMMALS
Water Shrew and American Mink at Linford Lakes (Harry/Martin 27th)
Otter reported from Stony Stratford (26th)
“REPTILES”
(technically Lepidosauria – “Reptilia” is no longer generally accepted by zoologists as a valid taxon)
Grass snakes seen at Tattenhoe, Walton Lake and Linford Lakes.
2 Adders at Rammamere Heath (Di Parsons)
WILD FLOWERS
Common Dog Violet in flower throughout Milton Keynes
Wood Anemone in Linford Wood
First Bluebell in flower at Howe Park Wood! (Harry Appleyard, 26th)
Lots of Celandine on the banks of the Great Ouse at Wolverton Mill and WhiteViolets alongside the canal. Brian & Val Ellis 24th
Mike Killeby has written an excellent article describing his investigations into the Harvestmen in the woods of Milton Keynes. Click on the Publications menu to read all about. it.
Please read this very descriptive account kindly provided by Paul Manchester of the amazing Starling murmurations in Wolverton:
“I have been watching the starling murmuration near to the V5, H2 roundabout on most evenings over the last 10 days, it has become addictive. I would say they have been in equally large numbers every night, I can’t say how many birds are flying, but it is a lot. I think they instinctively roost together in order to keep warm and there is safety in numbers. Previously they have roosted in three different sets of conifer trees around the roundabout. Usually I have watched them from the area of grass opposite the Wolverton health centre, as it is away from the noise of the traffic. You can hear the noise of all the wings beating. At times they appeared like a swarm of bees, other times like a truly massive swirling cloud. They turn and swoop, sometimes splitting into two or three groups. Then the separate groups come back together like colliding galaxies. Towards the end of their display as it comes close to roosting time the Starlings seem to fly faster and faster. As they all turn together they intermittently form dense ripples constantly changing within the cloud of birds. They fly more and more franticly until it becomes too dark, then they suddenly they descend to roost in waves of tumbling birds.
One night I stood next to the conifer trees that they had all roosted in, and the noise of chirping was incredible. Then a few of them decided to leave that tree and fly back across the road to where they had roosted the previous night. Those few birds became a stream of birds leaving these trees for the conifer trees across the road. Then it became a river of birds that flowed for about five minutes until these trees had emptied of birds. Now all the starlings were all across the road in the other set of conifer trees. I think they must have realised the first trees they roosted in were too exposed, so they went back to where they had roosted on the last night.
What more can I say, you have to see it, it was awesome!”
The murmuration can be viewed from Woodland View off Gloucester Road and from open ground alongside Franklins Croft opposite Wolverton health centre. Sighting have been reported around 17:50-18:30.
A video of the Wolverton murmuration recorded by Paul can be viewed here
Starling Murmuration, Wolverton, 14Mar15 by Martin Kincaid
Starling Murmuration, Wolverton, 14Mar15 by Martin Kincaid
Starling Murmuration, Wolverton, 14Mar15 by Martin Kincaid
Starling Murmuration, Wolverton, 14Mar15 by Martin Kincaid
Some updates:
20Mar15 The number of startling is estimated as 20-30,000.
24Mar15 Paul Manchester advised that there are fewer starling now and they are spreading out more.
BIRDS
Stonechats – Tattenhoe Park (Since 7th)
Red Kites – Tattenhoe and Westcroft
Siskin – Howe Park Wood (8th)
AMPHIBIANS
Common Frogs – Howe Park Wood and Westcroft
Smooth Newt – on Railway Walk, Great Linford (19-15hrs, 11th)
INSECTS – LEPIDOPTERA
Brimstones, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and Commas – Tattenhoe (7th)
PLANTS
Common Whitlow grass, Germander speedwell,Hairy bittercress – all in flower, March 7th
INSECTS
Peacock butterfly – Tattenhoe Park (Friday)
AMPHIBIANS
First Smooth Newts and Great Crested Newts of the year found at Elfield Park (23rd Jan) Martin Kincaid
BIRDS
Yellowhammer – Tattenhoe Park ( Harry Appleyard Friday 23rd)
Red Kite – Emerson Valley (HA – Saturday 24th)
Marsh Tit – Tattenhoe Park (HA -Sunday 25th)
Fieldfares – Tattenhoe Park
Bittern at HESC (Mike LeRoy – 25th)
Pair of Stonechat still showing on fields approaching HESC (Michele Welborn)
9 Common Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe at Stony Stratford Nature Reserve (MK – 23rd)
Up to 3 Great White Egrets reported from Summerleys Nature Reserve.
1 Shelduck and 7 Goosander – Manor Farm (23rd)
