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Latest Sightings August 2011

Click on the link to send in your sightings [email-masked]

For previous months sightings see Archive

The "Area Seen" refers to the 10
sections that the Brook has been split into for monitoring purposes (see
Wildlife page under Monitoring ). .

All sightings unless stated are from personal observations by Eddie Napper

Birds

Click on any picture to see a larger image

31/08/11 The month ended with a flurry over
Area 4 today. Paul Bright Thomas was up early to see 67 Swallows mostly juvenilles flying NW at 06:30 with
a furtherv27 Rooks over at 07:00.

29/08/11 A red letter day for Area 10
today with an allmost unbelievable wealth of summer migrants seen and
photographed by Alan Rymer. In the left hand corner of the field to the
rear of Lavells Lake carpark on Sandford Lane adjacent to the Emm were
Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Whitethroat, 2 Lesser
Whitethroats, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff & 3 Blackcaps (2m,1f)
all in the same tree. In Area 5 this morning a Hobby was seen flying low west and shortly
afterwards a Sparrowhawk was seen to dive
into a flock of 20 + House Sparrows . It was
however not successfull and left empty handed. At 18:50 10 Canada Geese flew east calling. While at 19:40 a
further 36 flew NE over Area 5. These additions bring the FOTEB year
list to 79 species.

27/08/11 Summer migrants in the shape of
Blackcap & Chiffchaff were enjoying
feeding in the morning sun near Ripple stream Bridge. A juvenille Pied Wagtail . was busily feeding in the open space
in Area 5.

25/08/11 On a wet walk to work this morning
all the interest was around Kingfisher Bridge in Area 4. A Kingfisher was seen flying upstream , while a Grey Wagtail was feeding under the bridge. Nearby 2
Moorhens were hugging the bank before
disappearing into the vegetation. 3 Swallows
and 2 Linnetts were seen flying west
in Area 4 by Paul Bright Thomas.

24/08/11 2 juvenille Willow Warblers were seen today by Paul Bright
-Thomas

21/08/11 It was a day for exotica today
with a Ring-necked Parakeet flying south and
an escaped probable Colbalt Lovebird.

seen late afternoon in Area 5. A Red Kite
was also seen..

20/08/11 Drifting across Area 5 this morning
at 07:30 a Swallow and 3 Swifts going south. The Kingfisher was seen near the balancing pond outlet.

15/08/11 Sightings in Area 4 this morning at
07:30 by Paul Bright Thomas included a Linnett flying west, a female Sparrowhawk,Kingfisher a
calling Chiffchaff and a probable Willow Warbler.

12/08/11 A Cormorrant
was seen flying west over Area 5. Two Grey
Wagtail or possibly the same bird were seen this morning at
Dragonfly & Kingfisher Bridge .

10/08/11 Early evening activity tonight in
Area 5 included a Sparrowhawk being mobbed by
2 Goldfinches and 3 House
Martins with a Swift seen feeding over
the Emm for approx 10 mins before drifting south.

08/08/11 A noisy start to the morning in
Area 5 as a gang of calling Herring Gulls
flew over at 05:00 . Later a Green Woodpecker
was yaffling away on Riverside Walkand a juvenille Goldfinch was noisly calling for its mother to feed
it at garden feeders . A t 06:30 a Grey Heron
flew west with its distincitive call.

07/08/11 In Area 5 a Buzzard was seen flying W again at 06:30 this
morning mobbed by Carrion Crows . A Sparrowhawk was also being mobbed as it flew around
looking for breakfast. The Kingfisher was
seen this time near Woosehill roundabout. In the afternoon following the
rain a Pied Wagtail was picking Insects off
the grass near Rotherfield Avenue.

03/08/11 The Kingfisher
was seen again at 07:20 flying downstream under Meadow Road
Bridge in Area 4 .

02/08/11 Todays highlights were at both ends
of the day. A Buzzard was seen at 06:15
flying west in Area 5 . Goldcrest & Bullfinch
were also seen. During an "Eyes to the Skies" session from 17:00
in Area 5, at least 6 Black headed Gulls & a
Grey Heron went west. A solitary Swift
was seen feeding high in the sky. Maybe this is the last one for
the year?.

01/08/11 For the 3rd day running the Kingfisher was seen again upstream of Dragonfly
Bridge .

Insects/ Spiders

Click on any picture to see a larger image

28/08/11 With the recent rains its been
hard to find a decent Insect day. Today however was this day. In Area 5.
Moths were represented by Straw Underwing &
White Shouldered House Moth a Vapourer Moth
caterpillar was feeding off Geranium leaves. The flowers of Ivy
were providing nectar for Social Wasps including Vespula vulgaris . Hoverflies were also feeding
including Myathropa florea, Helophilus pendiuus,
Syrphus ribesii & Eristalis tenax (Drone Fly).

10/08/11 The Hornets have returned to nest in the same tree
agajn this year in Area 5.

03/08/11 An unidentified species of Hawker Dragonfly was seen at 06:30 flying around
gardens in Area 5 .

01/08/11 The new month started much the
same as the old one left with glorious sunshine, so it was no suprise
that the same butterflies were on the wing in Area 4 & 5 (Riverside
Walk Those seen included Speckled Wood, Large White,
Red Admiral, Holly Blue; Gatekeeper & Small Skipper .

Other Wildlife

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Amphibians

Coarse Fish

Mammals

Plants/Trees

22/08/11 At this time of the year
berries,hips and pods are very much in evidence. All along the brook the
heavy fruiting heads of Elder & Sloes the fruit of the Blackthorn can be seen. The bright red fruit of the
Rowan are allways popular food for Thrushes
and plump ripe Blackberries are highlights of
the season's fruitfulness.

04/08/11 On my way home tonight I noticed
that the large Willow adjacent to the Emm by
Meadow Road Bridge had obviously suffered in todays rain. I expect that
the added weight of the water proved too much for the tree and this
substantial bough had fallen off.