Paul's Birding Diary

Monday 31st May 2010 Two Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries (above) were at Burnt Log, Forest of Dean, today. Also several Common Blues , a Green-veined White , a Speckled Wood and a Broad-bodied Chaser . Birds of note were a Wood Warbler , two Tree Pipits , a Siskin and a distant Cuckoo calling. Another Tree Pipit was at Moseley Green on the clear-fell area opposite The Rising Sun.

Sunday 30th May 2010 This somewhat tattered Pearl-bordered Fritillary was at Chedworth Nature Reserve this afternoon. Also c6 Common Blues , c5 Dingy Skippers , a Green-veined White , a Comma , a Peacock and a Red Admiral .

Friday 28th May 2010 I carried out my early breeding survey for the BTO Atlas on SO51F at Redbrook in the Wye Valley this morning. A total of 34 species were recorded, the highlights being a Spotted Flycatcher (above) in Bunjups Wood, and a pair of Dippers flying up and down the main street in Upper Redbrook as they carried food to their nest. At least nine Banded Demoiselles were along the Wye. At Boys Grave car par in the afternoon, a pair of Spotted Flycatchers were present, the male in full sing for a period.

Thursd ay 27th May 2010 I managed to get to WWT and back in my lunch hour today to see the SPOONBILL on the Top New Piece (photos) ; well worth it.

Sunday 23rd May 2010 Above: Dingy Skipper A scorching hot sunny day, with temperatures reaching 29 o c, and a visit to Stinchcome Hill for butterflies produced c15 Dingy Skippers , two Grizzled Skippers , two Green Hairstreaks , two Brown Argus , c6 Common Blues , a Holly Blue , a Small Tortoiseshell , three Brimstones , two Speckled Woods , c30 Small Heaths , a Comma and a Small White . Also numerous Forester moths and a Burnet Companion . On the bird front, just two Whitethroats and a Skylark were noted. Below: Brown Argus, Grizzled Skipper, Forester and Burnet Companion Below: the view from Stinchcombe Hill

Saturday 15th May 2010 This Lesser Whitethroat (above) posed nicely for me as it sang near the Holden Tower at WWT Slimbridge this morning. A Yellow Wagtail was still with cattle on the Tack Piece, but the high tide was very quiet. A visit to the Prestbury Hill Bill Smyllie reserve late morning produced seven Duke of Burgundy butterflies (above) and a Green Hairstreak (below) , plus a Peacock , six Speckled Woods , two Orange Tips , Small Whites and Large Whites . Birds included three singing Tree Pipits . Also, less glamourous, were hundreds of St. Mark's Flies ( Bibio marci) on the wing:

Friday 14th May 2010 A Cuckoo at Hockley Hill was the highlight of my early morning BBS survey at SO7713 around Clarke's Farm, Hardwicke, this morning. A Sedge Warbler at the pond near Madam's End Farm was an interesting record and good numbers of Whitethroats and Yellowhammers were noted, plus a Lesser Whitethroat and a Brown Hare . A quick visit to WWT Slimbridge at lunchtime produced a Whinchat at Middle Point but other than that things were pretty quiet at low tide. A Yellow Wagtail was on the Tack Piece amongst the cattle.