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Judith's Page

Last Updated: 7th May 2023

Birds and other wildlife recorded in April 2023


The occasional Pheasant was heard, perhaps celebrating an escape from nearby shooting! Red Kites were heard and seen fairly regularly overhead, with two together on the 9th. Buzzards were the only other birds of prey recorded this month, three together on one occasion.

Woodpigeon and Stock Doves were encountered on most visits, and both common species of woodpecker were recorded: Green and Great-spotted.  The regular corvids were noisily about: Jay, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and Jay.  The number of nests in the somewhat mobile rookery has varied from apparently 9 to apparently 12!


All the common tits were seen – Blue, Great and Coal and their distant relation the Long-tailed Tit. The warblers are out in force, singing loudly – many Chiffchaffs, the more delicate-sounding Willow Warbler, and Blackcaps. Garden warblers should be around, and they can be confused with Blackcaps by sound (though not in appearance). The nearby fields have had large numbers of singing Skylarks, a Swallow was seen on the nearby field too, while within the woods the Nuthatches and Treecreepers have been seen and heard. Treecreepers can be quite hard to spot!  Wrens are very common.  Starlings were also around, often being encountered nearer to the urban edges. Blackbirds are about and it is pleasing to hear the regular varied sound of Song Thrushes., three on one visit at the end of the month. Robins and Dunnocks were also reported regularly. House Sparrows also favour the urban fringe.  Finally to the finches: Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch were all recorded; nobody saw a Bullfinch?

 

The mammal count has gone up: not just Grey squirrel this month, but also Muntjac and Roe Deer, and the occasional lingering scent of Fox.

A few butterfly species were noted: Brimstone, Peacock, Orange-tip, and Small White. Other insects recorded were Dark-bordered Beefly and Red-tailed Bumblebee.

 

And of course: the Woods’ crowning glory – a wonderful display of Bluebells. Other woodland species include Dog’s mercury, Lesser Celandine and Wood Anemones.

 

Thanks to everyone who has sent in a note of what they’ve seen.


Find out what has been spotted so far this year (2023) - click here
To see what was spotted in 2022 - click here
 To see what was spotted in 2021 - click here
 To see what was spotted in 2020 - click here

or to see lists of previous sightings (2010 to 2018) - click here

 

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