Birds and other
wildlife recorded in May 2021
Red
Kites were frequently seen over the woods and nearby houses and gardens (three
on the 7th), and two Buzzards also on that day. Woodpigeons and Stock Doves
were encountered on most visits. Great Spotted-woodpeckers were about, as were
most of the common corvids: Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow and Rook – these
were still around the nests on the 7th of the month but there was no activity
round the nests three weeks later.
Blue
tits and Great Tits were commonly recorded but no Coal Tits. Skylarks were
singing from nearby fields – always an uplifting sound! Some of the summer
migrants were found – plenty of singing Blackcaps, and no shortage of
Chiffchaffs. One Garden Warbler was recorded – a difficult one to separate by
song from its cousin the Blackcap – especially as towards the end of the
breeding season they mimic each other. Nuthatches whistled and called, and
Wrens, Starlings and Blackbirds were frequently recorded.
On
the 15th five singing Song Thrushes were heard – quite a record (unless it was
one bird with a sense of humour following the human recorder around the wood).
Robins and Dunnocks were regularly noted, and House Sparrows were in the areas
near to human habitation. The only recorded finch species was Chaffinch.
The
only “other wildlife” actually noted, was Grey Squirrel – six on the 15th.
