Lockdown update - April 29

The last few days have been tough. Yesterday's wash out was followed by further showers today, so not only did this cut off the insect supply and dissuade me from doing much wandering about, it also reminded me of what I could be missing. Rainfall = birds, but only if you can get to a reservoir, or gravel pit, or even Morton Bagot.

Arctic Terns, Whimbrels, Dunlins, Bar-tailed Godwits are probably crawling all over the premier Midland birding sites. Maybe even a rarity or two.

Our garden does not hold the same potential. Nevertheless, as the rain cleared this afternoon, I added a new bird to the garden lockdown list. A pair of Common Swifts which circled high overhead. I was chuffed.

Common Swift

Twenty minutes earlier, one of the local Peregrines also flew over.

Peregrine

My only wandering got me to Castle Nurseries for provisions and didn't add anything new.

Nevertheless, thanks to the Swifts, the garden lockdown and the general lockdown list both moved on:

57. Common Swift      and   65. Common Swift     .... respectively.

The moth trap is going out tonight, and this post will be concluded tomorrow morning.

And here we are: it was hardly worth it. Just two moths shivering on the fence; a Swallow Prominent and a Lesser Swallow Prominent (nice moths), and none at all in the trap. It contained a Common Wasp and a caddis-fly of the usual large orange species (whatever it is).

Some more cracking moths

It was cloudy overnight so the moth trap seemed like a good idea.

I woke up to something of a Pug-fest, counting 11 Brindled Pugs and 5 Oak Tree Pugs in and around the trap. The main prize was resting on the fence. An absolutely stunning Alder Kitten, the first I have ever seen.

Alder Kitten

Meanwhile a very dark moth in the trap was clearly worth further investigation. It turned out to be an Iron Prominent. I didn't catch one last year, but it did feature in 2018.

Iron Prominent

The remaining moths included two more that were new for the year; Muslin Moth, and Pale Mottled Willow, and three Light Brown Apple Moths which haven't featured photographically yet this year, until now.

Muslin Moth

Pale Mottled Willow

Light Brown Apple Moth

Also present were a Brindled Beauty, a Powdered Quaker, a Swallow Prominent, and two Shuttle-shaped Darts.

Inevitably there was some by-catch, and as well as the usual caddis-flies etc I caught a single bee. I am currently identifying it as a worn Red Mason Bee, but have hung it out on Twitter in case I am wrong. I find that bees are a nightmare to identify, even at point blank range and half asleep.

Red Mason Bee

Red Mason Bee

I also caught four or five bugs, which my research suggests are the very common Harpocera thoracica.

Harpocera thoracica

Moth lockdown list:

28. Alder Kitten
29. Iron Prominent
30. Pale Mottled Willow
31. Muslin Moth

Lockdown benefits

I know its horrible and all that, but at least lockdown forces you to try things you vaguely intended when you could go anywhere, but didn't.

During our more reflective moments at Morton Bagot, Dave and I used to rue the lack of deep water (obviously) and of hill tops over which migrants might fly. In the distance, towards the north-west, I could see a hill with a trig point on it. We must go there one day, we said.

The hill in question is roughly half way between Morton Bagot and my house, and the Ordnance Survey map suggested it might be called Skilts Common.

So this morning I set out on a mission to find the soon to be famous migration hotspot. Actually I had barely left the bottom of our road before a burbling warble stopped me in my tracks. One cake too many? No it was a Garden Warbler. This would be borderline mega at Morton Bagot (not annual there), so I was determined to see it. The hedge running up to the poplar plantation was full of singing Blackcaps, and at least one Lesser Whitethroat, and eventually I saw all of these including the Garden Warbler. Too challenging for the camera though.

I dragged myself away and continued past Badger's Nursery to the churchyard, from where I headed up the hill towards Skilts Common. Here I found a singing Whitethroat and it was more co-operative.

Whitethroat

The top of the hill revealed farm buildings and horse paddocks, but no Wheatears. A Blackcap was delivering a highly mimetic song, causing me to spend a considerable time trying to see it. It was indeed just a Blackcap.

Turning south I reached the trig point field, from where the views were excellent.

Then I found what I suspect was the old Skilts Common, an area of common land which was dripping with Whitethroats.

I can't believe I've lived in Redditch for fifteen years without any inkling that this place existed. Of course I'll probably find nothing noteworthy here, but there's got to be a chance.

Dropping down the hill a little way I found some more significant habitat, a small pool.

A scan revealed a few geese and two lockdown ticks; Little Grebes and Coots. Not too earth-shattering I know, but who knows what else might drop in here.

Little Grebes

There is a reason that this photograph presents such a distant image.

That's a shame

On the other hand, a short way further on was a swing gate indicating that the footpath led into the field, alright just the edge of the field, but its a start.

The one boring part of the walk was the last bit, which followed the main road back to Mappleborough Green. At least it gave me a second look at the pair of Red-legged Partridges.

Red-legged Partridges

The lockdown list advanced as follows:

62. Garden Warbler
63. Little Grebe
64. Coot

But still no Wheatears.

A good night's mothing, quality over quantity

A rather grey morning greeted me for a change, and having seen a Swallow Prominent sp fluttering in the trap last night I was quite excited to see which one I'd caught.

It turned out I had caught both species; Lesser Swallow Prominent and Swallow Prominent. These two are tricky to tell apart, and last year I thought one of three Swallow Prominents might be Lesser, until someone put me right.

Lesser Swallow Prominent

Swallow Prominent

The key difference unless you can see the underwing, is the length of the white pennant-shaped mark along the top of the wing. But Swallow Prominents do vary a bit, so can catch you out.

Another long awaited lifer was waiting for me on the fence; a Powdered Quaker.

Powdered Quaker

It was noticeably larger than the only Common Quaker I caught. Also on the fence were two Lunar Marbled Browns, with a third in the trap.

Lunar Marbled Brown

A tiny moth on the perspex looked likely to be something good, and also a headache to photograph and identify. I think it is Dyseriocrania subpurpurella which is another lifer.

Dyseriocrania subpurpurella

Also in the trap was a lovely Brindled Beauty which was certainly new for the year.

Brindled Beauty

Also in the trap was my first Tachystola acroxantha of the year. This is a very common micro though.

Tachystola acroxantha

And concluding the year-ticks was a very fresh Shuttle-shaped Dart.

Shuttle-shaped Dart

The remainder were two Brindled Pugs, a very worn Chestnut which had me tweeting its picture (just in case), and a Clouded Drab, which I've just realised I hadn't recorded since lockdown, so its picture is going up, and I'm adding it to the list.

Clouded Drab

So the lockdown moth list advances as follows:

19. Lunar Marbled Brown - 3 - nfy
20. Powdered Quaker - 1 - nfg
21. Dyseriocrania subpurpurella - 1 - nfg (subject to acceptance by my peers)
22. Lesser Swallow Prominent - 1 - nfg
23. Swallow Prominent - 1 - nfy
24. Brindled Beauty - 1 - nfy
25. Tachystola acroxantha - 1 - nfy
26. Shuttle-shaped Dart - 1 - nfy
27. Clouded Drab - 1

A brief note on birds: two Swallows flew over, and a Green Woodpecker called while I was playing with the moths.

Lockdown update - April 24

I've stuck to the garden since my last posting, and its been pretty tough going.

Today's big sit produced only 28 bird species, none of them unexpected. The highlight was a brief visit to our apple tree by a Chiffchaff, while some of the regulars are getting pretty relaxed about Lyn and I sitting in the garden all afternoon.

Woodpigeon bathing

Yesterday a party of 14 House Martins hawked insects high overhead. I did also manage to add a species to the garden lockdown list. Late yesterday evening I was loitering outside dreaming of Whimbrels and Common Scoters flying over, when I heard a Moorhen doing just that.

So that's Garden Lockdown List:

April 23

56. Moorhen

As for other creatures, the majority of butterflies seen have declined to land, but one that did settle was a Small White. Not a lockdown tick though.

Small White

The moth trap goes out tonight, but in the meantime I caught a couple of new common ones on the kitchen window.

April 22

17. Brimstone Moth

April 23

18. Light Brown Apple Moth

I should be catching plenty of these through the Spring and Summer.

Lockdown update - 21 April

It's late April, the sun continues to shine, and the wind remains easterly. Perfect for birding, but not so great here in balmy Redditch.

Cast your mind back to last Sunday when I set out on an expedition to see what I could find on the farmland beyond our suburban district. It was a good morning, and one thing I didn't mention was that I had a half decent bird from the garden that day. OK it was just another singing Willow Warbler, but it remains the best bird for garden since the weekend.

The 21st was supposed to be another big sit day, and I did manage to give it a good deal of attention, all for a distantly calling Green Woodpecker, two Swallows, and three House Martins. A displaying Sparrowhawk the day before had been wrapping it's white undertail covert feathers around to give a ring-tailed Harrier-like white rump impression. Calm down, it was small, just a Sparrowhawk.

I did attempt a short walk towards Henley, but there was more traffic than on Sunday and I didn't see anything new. Another Lesser Whitethroat singing unseen from a distant hedge the nearest to a highlight.

Actually no, the highlight was a Red Admiral seen in our Close. It later flew over the garden.

April 21 - Garden lockdown list (butterflies)

8. Red Admiral

Red Admiral

This lockdown listing is getting complicated. I now have two parallel lists; Lockdown and Garden Lockdown. If I start adding butterflies to the lockdown list, then I should include last week's Speckled Woods. So that would mean butterfly lockdown list:

8. Speckled Wood
9. Red Admiral

Are you keeping up? I'm not sure I am.

Fortunately moths present no such dilemma, the trap is in the garden and that's that. It went out overnight and I caught three moths; none of them new for the year; Twin-spotted Quaker, Hebrew Character, and Early Grey.

How about other stuff? I found that rare thing, an identifiable bee, in the utility room a few days ago, and photographed it before letting it out.

Ashy Mining Bee

The Ashy Mining Bee (I have also seen it called Grey Mining Bee) is quite a smart beast.

This morning a tiny beetle was crawling along the doorframe. I have no idea what it was, but will be seeing if some research gets me any answers.

Spider Beetle - Ptinus sexpunctatus

In fact I am fairly sure it was a Spider Beetle. The species apparently preys on Red Mason Bees (and there are tons of them in the cavities in our brickwork).

Lockdown Plan B - Mappleborough Green

After three weeks diligently recording wildlife from my garden I have decided I need to redefine the challenge. I am in danger of missing out on Spring, my favourite season.

The impetus came from a stroll to Castle Nurseries last week to buy vital supplies (bird seed). The route took me along an attractive pathway past a stand of impressive poplars leading to the A435, which was strangely quiet. A pair of Red-legged Partridges sauntered across the road. I could see the potential.

So this morning I repeated the journey but then headed east along the A4189, also much quieter than usual. The farmland bordering the road was obviously the source of some of the birds I have been recording from the garden. Skylarks sang, a pair of Linnets twittered at me, and a Kestrel circled. This was more like it.

A ten minute walk from the house

About 100 metres further on was a footpath which led me north-west back towards the main road. A pair of Speckled Woods were the first of the year.

Speckled Wood

The path took me past a small garden pond containing a Moorhen, not on the lockdown garden list, and led me to a singing Mistle Thrush, so far unavailable from our garden.

Mistle Thrush

One or two Swallows and a House Martin complimented the five Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, and nine Blackcaps which were singing across the whole of my route. After a short walk along the A435 I reached a path which took me through a pretty churchyard. At least two Goldcrests were singing from the yews, and the church itself supported an established Jackdaw colony.

Jackdaw colony

Beyond the churchyard was large ploughed field which sloped upwards towards Skilts Common. A Lesser Whitethroat rattled its simple song from the hedgerow on the far side. I continued upwards until I reached what the map described as a "reservoir". Actually it was just a fenced off fishing pool owned by Astwood Bank Angling Club.

There was obviously no access, but I could see enough of the pool beyond the fence to learn that it would not be adding too many birds to my list. It's still water though.

The field provided me with a couple of lockdown mammal ticks; a Roe Deer and a rather unhealthy looking Rabbit.

Rabbit

There were no Wheatears on offer, but the first of two Whitethroats sang (the second was back at the poplar plantation and I managed a brief glimpse of it). A Raven croaked, and a Buzzard soared. All felt well with the world.

If only it was.

For the benefit of list lovers, my lockdown bird list advanced thanks to the following additions:

56. Red-legged Partridge
57. Moorhen
58. Mistle Thrush
59. Goldcrest
60. Lesser Whitethroat
61. Whitethroat

For the purists who might think I should stick to my garden, it remains on 55.

Friday April 17 - Lockdown update

Following a few days of light easterlies most of the action has been diurnal.

Starting with birds, I commenced my big sit in the garden at around 06.15 on Friday morning, and eventually accumulated 35 species. These included two that were new for the lockdown list; an Alba Wagtail which flew north at around 10.00, and four Black-headed Gulls, which headed north-east. Normally I would call a Pied Wagtail a Pied Wagtail, but as any birder knows, the middle of April is in the middle of the White Wagtail's spring passage peak as they head back to Iceland. It is not possible to separate White from Pied with any confidence on a fly-over view of its belly (even if it did look white) so I'm recording the wagtail as Alba.

The bird's garden lockdown list is now:

54. Pied/White Wagtail
55. Black-headed Gull

The morning was also enlivened by some other fly-overs. A Red Kite, the third since lockdown (or maybe the same bird thrice) flew east, another Redwing, a Peregrine, and a couple of Meadow Pipits also bombed past.

Red Kite

The only summer migrants to make themselves heard were a Chiffchaff, and at least three Blackcaps  perhaps all now on territory. One of the two Nuthatches which I can hear each morning actually flew over the garden, apparently heading for it's rivals territory. Robins, Woodpigeons, House Sparrows, and Great Tits have all demonstrated that they are breeding nearby by appearing with food or nesting material in their beaks.

Great Tit

Regarding butterflies, I've added three species:

April 16

6. Small White
7. Holly Blue

April 17

8. Green-veined White

Only the Green-veined White paused to allow a photograph.

Green-veined White

Moths: The trap caught not a single moth last night despite a little rain. Perhaps it was too cold, although six degrees isn't too bad. I didn't discover it, an Early Grey, until mid-afternoon on 18 April.

Finally, I'm having a few issues with Blogspot (or maybe my computer has a virus) and you may not be able to see some of the photographs. If that happens, try clicking on the image and it should appear. I am trying to find out what is going wrong.

Tuesday April 14 - Lockdown struggles

I knew this day would come, the signs were there last week. Yes I've hit the wall. The birding ticks have dried up.

After a slightly promising start on Saturday while I was counting my bumper crop of moths, recording a Peregrine and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, it all went pear-shaped. The warm weather slipped away, to be replaced by a brisk north-easterly and I retired indoors to a couple of days of old films and box-sets.

On Tuesday morning I emerged just after dawn for my official bird-watching day, and sat around all morning for a total of 30 species, none of them new. The best of the rest were a couple of early morning Redwings heading north-east, and a Herring Gull (only my second since lock-down).

Goldfinch

After Sunday the breeze dropped and the days were a bit warmer. Nevertheless it took until Tuesday to finally add a new butterfly to the lock-down list: a Large White.

April 14

5. Large White

As for moths, not much better I'm afraid. On the night of 14/15 April I caught just four moths as the temperature dropped to two degrees. They were a very worn Brindled Pug, a worn Chestnut, a Small Quaker, and a Common Quaker.

Chestnut

April 14

16. Chestnut

On Monday Lyn and I were sitting out as the day warmed a bit, and were rewarded with a second appearance of the Wood House Mouse from behind the shed. I say Wood Mouse, I'm a bit concerned about its greyness. It could be a House Mouse. More research required. There was some difference of opinion among experts, but the mammal recorder has said it was a House Mouse.

House Mouse

I have of course been dabbling in other things I know nothing about.

Among last weeks catch of moths were two Caddis-flies. I have previously learnt that the big orange ones cannot be safely identified from photographs, but I did have a go at the smaller, patterned one. This has been confirmed as Brachycentrus subnubilis.

I don't know anything about the species, except that I got an irecord alert saying it was out of the expected range for the species, followed by a confirmation from an expert that it was one. They seem to be found in Leicestershire, so I suspect they are just under-recorded and not rare.

Eventually I started photographing solitary bees, despite telling myself not to bother. The following are, I think, Gooden's Nomad Bee, Chocolate Mining Bee, and Bronze Furrow Bee. PS thanks to Des J for urging caution on the identification of the Nomad Bee in particular.

Gooden's Nomad Bee

Chocolate Mining Bee

Bronze Furrow Bee

Unfortunately the zoom on my P900 does not seem to be as good as that of my old Canon Powershot,  so I may need to have a rethink. I have asked for help from experts, but the photos may not be sufficient to confirm the identifications.

However, and I am updating this ten days later, Matt Smith from BWARS has confirmed that all three identifications are correct.

Speaking of rethinks, if the next couple of days fail to produce any new birds, I may need to incorporate some lock-down strolling up the road to keep myself in the game.