July 2009

The weather in the southeast continued under the influence of a zone of high pressure over Scandinavia, which kept Atlantic lows at bay, as far as the southeast was concerned, with exceptionally hot, dry conditions and little wind, until the 3rd, when rainfall before dawn heralded a change. Atlantic troughs moved east across the British Isles but most of the rain fell elsewhere. An Atlantic high followed bringing more settled conditions from the 9th-10th but further Atlantic depressions then brought a few showers, but rarely any heavier rain, in the southeast, interspersed with lengthy dry spells. Temperatures varied from a high of around 25°C to just below 20°C. An Atlantic high settled over the British Isles at the end of the month but a few showers and some heavy rain fell.

Cumulus clouds soon cleared early on the 1st and the temperature rose quickly during an early morning visit, when just 41 species were noted in the three hours. At the reservoir, the pair of Moorhens still had all four chicks but on the lake the Little Grebes’ latest nest appeared to have sunk. Two Turtle Doves continued to sing, with one within the alder coppice territory performing a display flight; one of the ‘Tanyard’ Lesser Whitethroats was again collecting food for presumed fledglings, though none was seen, and the Spotted Flycatcher was seen within the ‘kissing gate’ territory.

Only a brief mid-morning visit was possible on the 2nd, following a TTV north of Headcorn. It was hot and dry, with a welcome northeast breeze, which brought some cloud cover towards the end of the visit, when two adult Mediterranean Gulls circled higher and higher over the reservoir before disappearing NW, followed by four BH Gulls. Three more flew N and one was present at the reservoir. A Grey Heron flew low E but in the heat relatively little song was heard and few passerines were seen, though the pair of Skylarks was seen to drop down into the 'reservoir' wheat field.

Following overnight rain, it was misty and overcast during the visit on the 3rd, with a southwesterly breeze and occasional breaks in the cloud later. An adult and a juvenile Grey Heron fed at the reservoir, before being disturbed and a well-grown juvenile Woodpigeon was seen – eight days earlier than the twenty three-year mean. A Barn Owl was perched beside the nestbox again and one of the old orchard pair of Turtle Doves performed a display flight and attempted to mate. At least six fledgling Green Woodpeckers called from their respective territories and a mixed feeding flock of at least 30 birds, in the lone Scots Pine and nearby oaks, comprised Great, Blue and one or two Coal Tits, a Nuthatch, a Treecreeper and a few Chaffinches.

It was sunny and dry, with little wind, during the visit on the 4th, becoming hot later. The juvenile Grey Heron provided photographic opportunities at the reservoir and later by the lake, and the Barn Owl was again visible in the barn. A male and a female Kestrel were present in the Deer Park.

Common Whitethroats were present in five of the eight or nine territories and two well-grown fledgling Coal Tits fed in the trio of pines by the lake but no new species of fledged young were seen. Two fox cubs provided some entertainment.

Following overnight rain, the 5th was mainly cloudy and dry during the visit, with occasional sunny breaks and a light southwest wind. A flock of 13 Herring Gulls flew NW and one S, with one LBB Gull NE and just three single BH Gulls were seen. A late brood of Common Whitethroats had fledged by the reservoir and a juvenile Blackcap was seen in the same area, while a Skylark sang from dock in the wheat field.

Three Jays proved frustrating by not providing sufficiently good views to be aged, though more plaintive calls than usual did suggest juveniles may have been involved. The Boughton Place Spotted Flycatcher was seen on the fence again but the ‘kissing gate’ birds are proving elusive and no Goldcrests have been seen since mid-June.

A moderately strong southwest wind blew during the visit on the 6th, chasing variable amounts of cloud across the sky, with occasional sunny breaks and showers later in the morning. A Kingfisher made a brief visit to the reservoir, from which the juvenile Grey Heron again flew, and a brood of eight plus one Tufted Duck ducklings was also present – two days earlier than the mean date. In the Deer Park, a panic call from a Starling drew my attention to a falcon that swooped after it, failed in its mission and glided away from me, rapidly disappearing behind oaks. Its apparent size and weight indicated that it was probably a Peregrine, rather than a Hobby but it has to remain ‘one that got away’. There was similar frustration in the spruce copse, where an adult Goldcrest, that was seen briefly, joined a second bird and both simply disappeared, without providing an opportunity to confirm the age in order to assess the breeding status. 

It was mainly cloudy during the early visit on the 7th, with a moderate southwest wind and occasional sunny periods. Four adult Mediterranean Gulls flew N, four single Lesser Black Backs either flew SW or visited the reservoir and returned NE, a similar number of single Herring Gulls was noted, plus an adult, with the first juvenile bird from the Parkwood breeding colony, that flew WSW, and about five BH Gulls flew over. The duck Tufted Duck and her brood of nine had apparently moved from the reservoir to the lake, where there was also another brood of just four ducklings. A male Common Whitethroat carried food to a presumed second brood in the southeast corner territory of the reservoir; there was no sign of any Goldcrests but the ‘Kissing Gate’ Spotted Flycatcher was seen again. It was fascinating to watch a ‘croak’ of tiny frogs, no longer than 6mm, making their way between the lake and the marsh. Showers followed, with a thunderstorm late in the afternoon.

It was overcast and cool during a brief early visit on the 8th, with showers commencing as I drove away. Another brood of four recently hatched and extremely active Tufted Duck ducklings appeared on the lake, where the earlier broods were still present, though the nine may have become eight – their constant diving made it difficult to count them accurately.

A possible third Spotted Flycatcher territory was discovered in the northwest corner of the lake oaks, where I was pleased to locate one by hearing its call; and another pair of Stock Doves was accompanied by a fledgling. Poles for a new orchard, that will replace the reservoir arable, were being unloaded and the change of habitat will represent a loss, particularly during the breeding season.

The sky was almost cloudless during the visit on the 9th, when a light westerly blew and a Common Tern visited the reservoir briefly, where a fourth brood of just two Moorhen chicks was also present. A fourth brood of six Tufted Duck ducklings was in addition to the nine and two fours still feeding actively on the lake. Three family parties of Common Whitethroats and two of Chiffchaffs were noted and a lone Linnet called as it flew W over the Spindlewood orchard.

.

In addition Gatekeeper and Essex Skipper were photographed and added to the annual butterfly list.

In similar weather on the 10th, only an hour-long visit was possible, but it coincided with the welcome sight of a male Sparrowhawk flying low into the alder coppice by the reservoir, only the third since May 1st. It was unusual to see three BH Gulls resting in the recently cut paddock, one of the Common Whitethroat families was still active by the reservoir and one of the ‘kissing gate’ pair of Spotted Flycatchers was busy feeding and preening. Later, a migrant Willow Warbler was seen in the rarity hedge and the first Small Coppers and a Migrant Hawker were also noted.

It was cloudy, with a light drizzle at times early on the 11th, when there was little song and relatively few passerines were obviously present. Five, two and one adult LBB Gulls flew in a southerly direction, two BH Gulls visited the lake, two other singles flew over and a total of 10 Herring Gulls also flew S over the Deer Park. A Lesser Whitethroat gave one burst of song from near the fisherman’s car park, a Turtle Dove ‘purred’ from the same area, a Skylark sang briefly and one new Moorhen chick was fed by one parent, while the two recently hatched chicks were seen nearby. Two newly hatched Moorhen chicks were also seen on the lake, where nine, five and four Tufted Duck ducklings were noted.

Rain overnight continued as light drizzle until around 8.30 am on the 12th, when the westerly wind cleared the cloud cover and eight species of butterfly were identified in the warm sun, including the first Brown Argus, a Common Blue and two more Small Coppers (photo above). Two Six-spot Burnets were also seen (photo below). A fisherman’s bread attracted an adult LBB Gull and a flock of at least 30 BH Gulls, including several juveniles, to feed over the reservoir, or rest in the adjacent paddock.

Two Turtle Doves sang from their respective territories, a well-grown family party of Song Thrushes were present in one territory and adults sang from at least five other territories, but few other species sang. A mixed feeding flock, that moved among the lake oaks, included three Treecreepers and a Nuthatch, a pair of Spotted Flycatchers, two Chiffchaffs, a good number of Great and Blue Tits and a few Long-tailed Tits.

It was fine and dry, with warm sunny periods and a light westerly wind on the 13th, when the first fledgling Greenfinch, a well-grown bird, was seen by the Spindlewood orchard – a week earlier than the mean fledging date. Three Cormorants, that flew SE and two that flew NE a little later, were the first for the month, a flock of 20 BH Gulls visited the reservoir briefly and five single Herring Gulls flew either NW or NE. A gathering of at least 15 Magpies was also noted. Two Goldcrests, one certainly an adult, were glimpsed in the spruce copse and the first Grey Wagtail for the month, a juvenile, was seen along the western feeder stream for the lake, where the presence of a fully-fledged visiting Little Grebe was not appreciated by one of the local pairs. Several calls were heard from a second brood of Blackcaps, in the Peens Lane ‘kissing gate’ territory, where the hen bird seen carrying food. A Lesser Whitethroat was also seen, on the edge of the alder coppice, and two Moorhen chicks played with a feather on the reservoir island.

The 14th was chosen for the monthly census and it was still, with a bright half-moon shining brightly as cloud dispersed. Strangely, cloud appeared to be behind the moon. A moderate strength southwesterly got up around 9.00am and some dark clouds scudded overhead but, apart from a few drops of rain around 11am, it remained dry. Once again not one Tawny Owl called and the Barn Owl was also absent, which was disappointing. However, a Grey Heron called as it flew from the lake before dawn and a lone Cormorant flew S later. At around 5am a total of 194 Jackdaws flew into the Deer Park along the Greensand Ridge from the east.

Recently fledged Goldfinches were seen in the garden of Boughton Place, about a week later than the mean date, and shortly before 9am the 49th species, a Kestrel was noted. No Rooks had been seen and there was no sign of yesterdays Goldcrests or Grey Wagtail and it was shortly before noon when a Skylark finally showed to make it 50 species for the census, two below the July mean. Other possible additions might have included Sparrowhawk or Swallow, but both were scarce. The Jackdaw numbers boosted the bird total to 613 compared with the July mean of 582.

The weather on the 15th was dominated by a strong southwesterly wind, which brought showers and little sun during the early visit, when a juvenile GC Grebe on the reservoir was a surprise visitor, that didn’t stay long. The windy conditions meant that little song was heard and relatively few passerines were seen. Two well-grown juvenile Kestrels, one of each sex, were observed as they ‘played’ in the Deer Park – a week later than the mean ‘fledging’ date – and the juvenile Grey Wagtail reappeared at the lake. 

A thick mist cleared by around 8am on the 16th, when it became warm, with little cloud and just a light southwesterly breeze. A juvenile Grey Heron flew from the reservoir, where just one BH Gull and at least six Common Whitethroats were noted but it remained quiet for most of the visit. Single Spotted Flycatchers were present in their respective territories and a group of three Jays once again kept well hidden, so fledged young are yet to be seen. Only a ninety-minute visit, in showery conditions, was possible on the 17th, when a juvenile Grey Heron flew from the lake and a surprisingly early autumn Common Gull flew S. A pair of Spotted Flycatchers was present in the lake oaks territory but very few passerines were seen or heard.

After overnight showers, it was bright and windy on the 18th, when the first Common Sandpiper of the ‘autumn’ visited the reservoir and a male Sparrowhawk flew into the Deer Park. A Turtle Dove sang from the Alder coppice territory but then flew off NE. A welcome four pairs of Spotted Flycatchers were seen and two possible territories were not visited. One of the four had fledged at least two young – nearly a week later than the mean date – and in a territory thought to have been deserted!  They can be extremely elusive during the breeding season. Later, Mary Tuckey confirmed that one bird was also present in the Boughton Place/Churchyard territory. A juvenile Grey Wagtail was seen again, by the lake, and at least two Goldcrests caused further frustration at the spruce copse, where only brief glimpses were possible.

Fluffy cumulus blew over early on the 19th but an increasingly strong southwesterly brought dark rain clouds and a heavy shower fell as the visit ended, around 10am. Another pair of Spotted Flycatchers had fledged young and the juvenile male Kestrel perched in the spruce copse for a while, but there was no sign of any Goldcrests and a lone Jay wasn’t seen well enough to age. Three Yellowhammers flew from the reservoir wheat field into the Wierton Hill hedgerow but they too disappeared before ageing was possible. A Barn Owl perched by the nest box – the first sighting for two weeks – a Turtle Dove sang from the old orchard and another flew NE over the reservoir.

It was sunny and warm, with little wind during the visit on the 20th, when butterflies featured more than birds. Eleven of the fourteen species probably present were seen, including the first Purple Hairstreak, a female, which provided a photo opportunity (above). A Turtle Dove sang and performed a display flight over the alder coppice territory, the Barn Owl was again perched by the nestbox and the juvenile Grey Wagtail was present along one of the lake feeder streams.

There was an overcast sky for much of the visit on the 21st, when a few light drops of rain fell and the sun eventually broke through, towards the end of the circuit, around 10am. It was interesting to see juveniles of two different species perched alongside each other. A male Sparrowhawk flew by the reservoir and a lone Cormorant flew ENE. It was a little frustrating to have only a distant view of a Cuckoo, a presumed juvenile, having a brownish plumage, as it was the first for this month. Single adult Spotted Flycatchers were present in three territories, including the one by the church and a feeding flock comprised the usual species, Chaffinches, three tits, Treecreeper, Nuthatch and a Chiffchaff.

A moderate southwesterly blew on the 22nd, carrying a variable number of mainly cumulus clouds across the area, but it was warm out of the wind. As no feeding flock was located, relatively few small passerines were seen and a far smaller range of species was noted during the visit, however, a Barn Owl flew into and out of the nestbox and calls of young may just have been heard. A Purple Hairstreak was present in the same area but didn’t oblige photographically.

There was a light shower early on during the visit on the 23rd, but it was dry thereafter, with little wind and a mainly overcast sky. It was essentially another quiet visit, though it was interesting to see seven BH Gulls resting on the muddy fringe of the reservoir, where a wader or two would be preferred. Two Swallows that flew NW were my first for a fortnight and there has been no sign of the Skylarks for a week. A few Six-spot Burnets provided photo opportunities, as did another Small Copper.

Between heavy showers, around 6am and 8.30am, a dry visit was just possible on the 24th, when a few sunny periods were experienced. A thunderstorm and heavier rain fell in the afternoon. Another brood of four Tufted Duck ducklings appeared on the reservoir, from which eight Canada Geese flew and later another four flew NW. At the lake, two newly hatched Moorhen chicks were being fed and the three broods of nine, five and four Tufted Duck ducklings were still present. An adult Treecreeper fed a recently fledged young and a presumed second brood of young Blackcaps was present just northwest of the spruce copse.

It was dry and sunny on the 25th, with little wind during the visit, when the first Reed Warbler for the year – number 99 – was present by the reservoir, where there were also 10 Canada Geese. As with the first reservoir brood of Tufted Duck, four ducklings that appeared on the lake, with ‘mum’ (above), were presumably yesterday’s reservoir brood, having made the tricky journey successfully.  Along the track south of the sheep pasture, several Dunnocks, Common Whitethroats and a possible Reed Warbler were somewhat agitated by the presence of a weasel, but all disappeared rapidly, once the weasel became aware of my presence. The Purple Hairstreak again perched distantly - some seven metres away - but the Red Admiral was much more obliging. Bob saw and heard a Willow Warbler singing and Mary Tuckey saw the churchyard Spotted Flycatcher and two Goldcrests in the large yew, with a feeding flock of Great and Blue Tits and Chaffinches.

It was mainly overcast, with a light southeasterly wind on the 26th, when the 10 Canada Geese were still present at the reservoir, where a juvenile and two adult LBB Gulls circled around, presumably looking for an opportunity for the youngster to learn how to take Moorhen chicks, but they were being kept well hidden by the adult Moorhen pair. Two Turtle Doves were seen and heard singing and at least two Jays were heard calling in three different localities, but none showed.

Very heavy rain fell during the morning of the 27th, with showers and sunny intervals in the afternoon. It was cloudless and sunny as the sun rose on the 28th but cloud spread over after 9am, with just sunny periods thereafter. A Grey Heron flew from the reservoir island, as a Cormorant flew NW and a family party of Jays, which included at least three juveniles, confirmed successful breeding. At least six Common Whitethroats were seen but the high point of the visit was the sight of a Whimbrel flying SW over the Greensand Way wheat crops. Light rain fell early on the 29th, followed by sunny periods, a Hobby flew SW and some 15 Swifts, about a dozen Swallows and a House Martin flew S. The two juvenile Kestrels used the updraft along the northern edge of the Deer Park to hone their flying skills, a Turtle Dove sang and performed display flights south of the reservoir, five Spotted Flycatchers were present but no warblers were seen. Following heavy rain overnight, it remained dry during the visit on the 30th, with cloud cover and a strong, cool southwest wind. A mixed feeding flock by the reservoir included LT Tits and a Treecreeper, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Spotted Flycatcher; earlier, five Chiffchaffs had flown across the marsh, accompanied by LT Tits. Four Canada Geese flew over but the visit highlight was an adult male Peregrine, which flew W over the barn.

By the end of the month a total of 70 species had been recorded, three below the July mean and, with Reed Warbler the only addition, the annual total reached just 99, six below the end of July mean. Just forty species had been noted as having bred successfully, with 23 earlier than the mean, six within the mean week and nine later, which will be the poorest-ever breeding season in terms of species numbers, though there maybe further evidence. Tawny Owl presumably bred, though no young were seen or heard, Little Grebe, Barn Owl and Skylark appear to have failed, no young Pheasants or Turtle Doves have yet been seen and Goldcrest may or may not have fledged young, within the area.