Birds and other
wildlife recorded in June 2020
Well, mid-summer’s day
has passed, and many birds have now completed their breeding for the year –
though some species will continue with second or even third broods. This month Buzzard and Red Kites have been
spotted fairly regularly. Woodpigeons and Stock Doves are recorded on most
visits to the woods, and – for the first time this year – Swifts were seen
flying overhead (on the 8th); do look out for these iconic summer visitors
which spend a very short time in the UK and virtually never stop flying except
when they nest. Great-spotted Woodpecker was recorded – but not Green
Woodpecker – look out for these in your garden and on anthills in the woods,
and keep an eye out for their droppings: white and shaped like a question mark,
and full of black ant-bits!
The usual corvids were
seen and heard: Magpie, Jay, Rook, Carrion Crow and Jackdaw. There are Ravens
not far from here so keep a look out and listen for their “cronking” calls. Blue and Great Tits are common, and Long-tailed
Tits were seen in ones and twos - their groups will not form until after all
the breeding is over. Skylarks were recorded singing over nearby grassy fields. Several warblers were
about: Chiffchaff, garden warbler, Common Whitethroat, Willow warbler and Blackcap;
the Blackcaps were seen feeding young on the 8th. More frequently
they now remain in the UK, or in Europe over winter (rather than return to
Africa) – and this may be partly due to garden bird feeding. Nuthatches were seen
from time to time – and their schoolboy whistle heard. Wrens, Blackbirds,
Robins and Dunnocks were regularly seen – and Song Thrushes on occasions. Finally only two finch species: Chaffinch
(which are suffering a decline everywhere), and Goldfinch. And to conclude –
House Sparrows near the urban fringe of the woods.
Look out as well for
butterflies – there have been huge numbers of Meadow Browns, and a lot of
attractive Marbled Whites. Other species noted include Large Skipper, Small and
Green-Veined Whites and Speckled Woods.
Do keep an eye out for
interesting wildlife as you enjoy the woods – and do send us your records!
