MONDAY
MAY 31
EASTNEY
BEACH
Jean and I had a Bank
Holiday walk along the Eastney prom from Fort
Cumberland to Canoe Lake. We were interested to see
the new layout out, with a two way cycle way inserted
between the car parking area and the prom. It is nice
to get the cyclists off the prom, but there is a
problem of people having to cross the cycleway to get
from their car to the prom.
But best of all were
the wonderful flowers on the beach. Why bother with
Chelsea Flower Show when nature can do so much better.
A
wonderful display of Sea Kale and Red valerian on
Eastney Beach, Portsmouth - 31 May 2010
The
yellow and white flowers of Sea Radish lined the edge
of the prom at Easteny - 31 May 2010
The
first very pretty flowers of Field Bindweed on Eastney
Beach - 31 May 2010
We also found an
unusual Geranium with tiny white flowers, which
reminded us both of Lesser Stitchwort. Fruits
downy and smooth, not ridged like Dove's-foot
Cranesbill.
I
am not sure, but think it could be Small-flowered
Crane's-bill.
HOUSE
SPARROW CALL
Caroline French
replied to my suggestion yesterday (see May 30) about
the unusual House Sparrow call that she heard in her
garden. She listened to the Jean Roche recording I
sent her but it was not what she heard. She omitted to
say that it was quite a long, drawn-out note, at a
level pitch. It was a bit like the thin, sibilant
'sssiiiiiiii' alarm call that lots of small birds
make, but instead of 'sssiiii', it was more like
'preeee' (perhaps sparrows are not capable of making
sibilant sounds?), and not such a thin sound but
certainly not a strident sound.
Caroline asked a
fellow student who is very knowledgeable about birds.
He also has heard House Sparrows making this call when
the female sparrow is inside the nest box and the male
is on top of the nest box on some sort of look duty.
He thought it was an alarm call.
SOUTHBOURNE
COPSE
John Tagg sent me a
nice photo of a female Great Spotted Woodpecker
with a juvenile (with a distinctive red crown)
poking it head out of a nesting hole in a mature Oak
tree. The nest is in a small copse in Southbourne at
Grid Ref: SU 7565 0612. John said the woodpeckers also
nested there last year. I don't know the name of the
copse, but will call it Southbourne copse. The only
access is from the public footpath from the end of
Penny Lane. There is no access from Woodfield Park
Road.
John knows the copse
well though I have not been in it for some years until
this evening when I had a walk around. It is privately
owned, but the public have always used it. There has
been a lot of new housing on the southern side of the
copse and the footpaths are well developed. The
railway is on the northern limit.
John is concerned
about what he thinks might be a proposed access road
leading from Woodfield Park Road through to the field
at the bottom of Penny Lane. What looks like a route
has been marked through the copse with orange spots on
the trees. The Great Spotted Woodpecker nest is in one
of a number of very large and mature Oak trees, many
of which ominously have numbers written on them with
the same orange paint. The woodland is interesting
with a range of flora and birds. And is clearly
valuable natural asset which needs protection. I shall
ask one of my contacts in West Sussex County Council
about what is happening.
SUNDAY
MAY 30
BSS
FISHBOURNE
I carried out the
second of the two Breeding Birds Surveys for the
square SU8404 in Fishbourne from 7.30 to 9.00. It was
a fine morning with a light wind. Plenty of birds as
usual, nothing special, though I did hear two Cetti's
Warblers for the first time ever on this survey, one
on Fishbourne Meadows and ther other near the Apuldram
Sewage Works on Appledram Lane (south). Are they
becoming almost common birds? It was good to see a few
Swallows feeding over the fields of wheat, but I would
love to see some House Martins.
Count
details
Grey Heron 1, Mallard
1, Black-headed Gull 5, Herring Gull 5, Wood Pigeon
13, Collared Dove 6, Green Woodpecker 1, Great Spotted
Woodpecker 1, Swallow 6, Wren 14, Dunnock 3, Robin 19,
Blackbird 20, Song Thrush 2, Cetti's Warbler 2,
Whitethroat 4, Blackcap 4, Chiffchaff 1, Blue Tit 1,
Magpie 5, Jackdaw 20, Carrion Crow 4, Starling 8,
House Sparrow 15, Chaffinch 9, Greenfinch 4. Species =
26. Total = 174
Spiked
Star-of-Bethlehem
The Spiked
Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum) is coming
up on the verge in Appledram Lane (south) as usual
with tall spikes as yet unopened. Last year the
flowers were fully open on June 11 when I counted 78
flowering spikes. I took photos of the verge signs
indicating this was a notable verge for wild flowers
and should not be cut. In fact, it was cut last year,
apparently by a local resident, just after I had seen
the flowers. Let's hope that does not happen this
year.
Southern
Marsh Orchids
I had a quick look at
the meadows for orchids, but none were showing. I
think they are going to be late this year, like
everything else in the plant world.
HOUSE
SPARROW CALL
Caroline French heard
a House Sparrow making a call she had never heard
before in her North Emsworth garden. It was a level
and repeated 'Prreeeee' sound, higher in pitch, and
softer than the usual chirps and cheeps. When Caroline
looked up in the sky there was a Sparrowhawk. Caroline
was sure it was an alarm call due to the Sparrowhawk
and I wondered whether House Sparrows, like Starlings,
have a different alarm for aerial predators than for
terrestrial ones?
I think what Caroline
heard was the song of a male House Sparrow. I have
listened to the recording of House Sparrow on the Jean
Roche CD and what he calls the male song sounds very
much like the 'preee' sound Caroline describes, much
softer than the usual chirrup.
BWP describe it as
follows: "Song of male is a loose sequence of basic
chirps and variants, given by unpaired male at nest to
proclaim ownership and attract female, speeding up and
becoming more excited on her approach; also given by
paired male at end of nestling period to induce mate
to start another clutch, and by males in
group-display." This differs from the familiar social
chirruping calls usually heard outside of the breeding
season particularly on winter afternoons, with a
number of birds collecting in tree and calling
together.
SATURDAY
MAY 29
BROOK
MEADOW
Water
Voles
Patrick Murphy braved
the rain this morning to walk down to the village and
then back through Brook Meadow. Delighted to see a
Water Vole having it's lunch about 10 metres north of
the south bridge on the east bank. Despite the rain
and overcast conditions managed to get a
photo.
Jane Brook spent about
half an hour in total this evening watching entranced
as a Water Vole sat eating bramble, just by the
gasometer in Brook Meadow. For about 15 minutes he (or
she!) was down at the water's edge, whilst a juvenile
coot or moorhen (not sure which)was foraging close by.
Then I went to meet up with Andy and we found the
water vole again, only this time further up the bank
sitting on the bramble. I suppose it must have been
about half past six by this time.
I also discovered a
Moorhen's nest. Slightly further up river, a pair have
created a nest in the vegetation actually in the
river. I couldn't see either eggs or young but whilst
I was watching the pair swapped sitting shifts.
FRIDAY
MAY 28
EMSWORTH
Young
Starlings
Two adults and 4 young
Starlings were on the grass in the back garden, almost
certainly from the nest in my neighbour's roof. I have
been watching the parents coming and going from the
hole under the eaves for some time and thought the
time was very close for fledging.
Mute
Swan family
The Mute Swan family
of two adults and 5 small cygnets was in the harbour
immediately beneath the quay. I checked the north
marina seawall and the Mute Swan was still on its nest
near the entrance, so they were not from that nest. I
also checked the Thorney Little Deeps where there was
no sign of any swans, so my hunch is that the Emsworth
family came from there as they have done in the past.
Other
Mute Swan news
The Mute Swan nesting
on Slipper Millpond was still on her nest on the west
bank.
As for the missing
eggs from the Peter Pond nest, the prevailing theory
is that they were taken by Foxes. This would probably
account for the egg that Pam Phillips found in her
garden in The Rookery.
Millpond
news
The Coot pair nesting
on the northern raft on Slipper Millpond have 6 chicks
in their second brood, one more than I saw earlier in
the week.
Three adult Swallows
were hawking over Peter Pond late this afternoon.
A Reed Warbler was
singing in the reedbeds in the south eastern corner of
Slipper Millpond, the first I have heard there this
year, thought it is a popular spot for them.
Plant
news
Tamarisk
is in full blossom in various locations around the
harbour. Here s some near the marina.
Bramble is flowering
on the north path on Brook Meadow. Scentless Mayweed
is out on the grass verge at the bottom of Queen
Street. Hemlock is in flower on the east side of
Slipper Millpond. Cinquefoil and White Campion are
both in flower on the old ERA track on North Thorney.
Hedgerow Crane's-bill on the marina western seawall is
as good as I have ever seen it.
Black
Mustard is flowering well on the marina seawall.
WESTBROOK
STREAM SURVEY
I donned my wellies
and walked the length of the Westbrook Stream from the
south end of Bridge Road car park to the bridge at
Victoria Road.
Narrow-leaved
Water-plantain
I was mainly
interested in the Narrow-leaved Water-plantain. I was
very pleased to find at least 30 plants, most of them
in the stretch by the car park around the Bulrushes.
As this rare plant is doing so well, this is even more
reason why the Environment Agency should not clear the
stream.
Narrow-leaved
Water-plantain is now flourishing in the Westbrook
Stream
Other
plants of interest
Sweet Plicate Grass,
Hard Rush and Remote Sedge
RALPH
HOLLINS NEWS
Today I found the
first flowers on Broad-leaved Willowherb in my garden
and close to them was a fresh spike of Common
Broomrape (flowers not yet open).
I see that John
Goodspeed's website has a list of downland flowers
(Horseshoe Vetch, Common Gromwell,etc) that make me
wish to get to Portsdown - hopefully others will enjoy
what I cannot.
WEDNESDAY
MAY 26
BROOK
MEADOW
Whitethroat
problem?
Four Blackcaps and 3
Chiffchaffs were singing on the meadow this morning,
but ominously I did not hear a single Whitethroat.
Something has happened to the Whitethroat on Brook
Meadow this year. I have heard some from time to time,
but they have not been singing relentlessly, as they
have always done in the past.
The Cetti's Warbler
was singing from the Lumley Stream.
Insects
While walking through
the Seagull Lane patch, I disturbed a pair of Small
Whites mating, but they flew to a nearby plant
still attached to each other where I got a photo.
Pair
of Small White butterflies mating on Brook Meadow - 26
May 2010
Flowering
plants
The first Goat's
Beard flower was open in the usual place on the
Seagull Lane patch. Spotted Medick, Black Medick and
Wood Dock were also flowering in this area. Yellow
Rattle is dominant on the central north meadow and
is well in flower.
There are lots of
Ragged Robin out on the Lumley area, and it
looks like a bumper crop. I also found a few
Silverweed in flower, quite unusual in my experience.
Ragged
Robin flowering well in the Lumley area of Brook
Meadow - 26 May 2010
The Celery-leaved
Buttercup, the leaves of which I found near the
south gate in the south meadow, is now in flower. The
garden Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) (or Granny's
bonnets) is in flower along the path through Palmer's
Road Copse.
Celery-leaved
Buttercup near the south gate on Brook Meadow - 26 May
2010
Grasses
and sedges
False Oat-grass was in
flower for the first time on Brook Meadow. Creeping
Bent-grass is now showing well on the edge of Palmer's
Road Car Park. Hairy Sedge and several good tufts of
Spiked Sedge are out on the north meadow.
MUTE
SWAN NEWS
1. A Mute Swan family
with 5 cygnets have arrived in Emsworth Harbour near
the quay. I suspect they are from the Thorney Little
Deeps nest, though possibly from the nest on the
marina seawall.
Mute
Swan family with 5 cygnets (probably from Thorney
Island) in Emsworth Harbour - 26 May 2010
2. I have been told
that the Mute Swan nesting again on the west bank of
Slipper Millpond has 5 eggs. She also has 5 eggs in
the previous nest which was swamped by a high tide.
There are no really high spring tides due for the next
month, so she may be lucky second time.
3. Pam Phillips told
me about the swan's egg that she found in her garden
in The Rookery. This is close to Peter Pond where the
Mute Swan recently lost its eggs and Pam wonders if a
fox may have deposited it there. Alternatively, if
kids took the eggs, they could have thrown it into the
garden. The reason for the loss of eggs remains a
mystery.
BRIDGE
ROAD WAYSIDE
I have spent a good
deal of time over the past couple of days monitoring
the waysides sites around Emsworth. Unfortunately,
many of them have been cut by the council workers,
even though it was agreed not to cut. The
communication problem between the bosses and the
workers continues.
Azure
Damselfly
I found a damselfly on
a Hemlock Water-dropwort plant which Graham Hoggarth
confirmed as an Azure Damselfly - female blue form,
normally green with extensive black, but there is a
blue form.
Female
Azure damselfly (blue form) on Bridge Road wayside -
26 May 2010
RALPH
HOLLINS NEWS
Thanks for making me
aware of Pill Millipedes (which I see have 13 body
sections compared to 11 sections for the Pill
Woodlouse that I was aware of). Another seashore
creature that I have only come across once at Fareham
Creek (but which could turn up on the Langstone
Harbour shore) is the bigger Sea Slater. They are
similar to the previous two creatures, but larger and
have 'tails' - more detail via Google. I read that
they sometimes appear in large numbers near the
tideline. A new plant which must be out everywhere and
has just appeared on my lawn is White
Clover.
TUESDAY
MAY 25
HAYLING
OYSTERBEDS
The weather was fine
and warm for this morning's wardening session on
Hayling Oysterbeds. A truly beautiful spring day to be
on the Oysterbeds. High water was at 10am so the tide
was rising.
Birds
The islands in the
lagoon were active as usual with Black-headed Gulls
and Common Terns on their nests. I spotted five
Black-headed Gull chicks on the north island. Jason
told me he had found 13 newly hatched Black-headed
Gull broods during a nest count on the islands
yesterday.
I counted 85 Common
Terns on the south island and 2 more on the north
island, with lots sitting on nests. Jason thought
there could be up to 60 pairs of Common Terns,
which is about the same as last year.
There was one
Oystercatcher sitting on each island, one by
marker C on the south island and another by marker Q
on the north island. I spotted a few more on the north
bund, though probably not on nests. A high water roost
of 50 or so Oystercatchers were on the Stoke Bay
shingle spit.
The pair of Little
Terns were on the new shingle island, with one
siting on a nest as they were last week, but sadly no
sign of Ringed Plover or Oystercatcher.
Looking across the
harbour, I could see thousands of gulls in the air
over South Binness Island, put up by 7 chaps,
including Jason, doing a nest count. Jason told me
there was a record number of Mediterranean Gulls
nesting on the islands. This is not entirely
surprising as they are absolutely everywhere this
year.
Other birds seen
during the morning were 4 Herring Gulls, 2 Little
Egrets, 1 Curlew and 3 Shelduck on the bunds. I heard
several Whitethroats singing around the reserve and a
Buzzard was calling from overhead.
Plants
The walk from the car
park to the lagoon is always interesting. All the
regular plants are now showing their leaves along this
path, including Spear Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Sea
Mayweed, Lesser Burdock, Teasels and Common Ragwort.
On the shingle beach one of the Yellow-horned Poppy
plants has a flower open. The Bittersweet (ssp.
Marinum?) is also flowering.
Soft
Brome grass growing up through the Hoary Cress on
Hayling Oysterbeds
The leaves of
Sea-lavender, Stone Parsley and Annual Seablite are
showing well on the mudflats by the south bund, and
the red and green spikes of Glasswort are poking
through the mud. Beaked Hawk's-beard (with red under
the petals) is flowering on the south bund.
Dame's-violet is now
flowering well behind the mound with both white and
pink flowers. Cinquefoil is starting to open along the
north path.
Newly flowering plants
along the Hayling Billy Line included Ox-eye Daisy,
Common Nettle, Dog Rose, False Oat-grass, Creeping
Bent-grass and Smooth Meadow-grass. So far this year I
have logged 92 species of plant on the reserve.
Ox-eye
daisies in flower on Hayling Oysterbeds - 25 May
2010
Insects
Plenty of white
butterflies were on the wing around the reserve. A
colourful butterfly flew strongly along the Hayling
Billy Line, which could have been a Painted Lady, but
it was too quick for me. I saw another Pill Millipede
and my first "Thigh Beetle" (Oedemera nobilis) for the
year.
Several
Cinnabar moths were flying behind the mound on Hayling
Oysterbeds - 25 May 2010
Other
observations
I noticed a Seal
poking its head out of the water in the main channel
north of the Oysterbeds.
A dead Rabbit was on
the Hayling Billy Line. It looked fairly fresh and not
obviously diseased.
Visitors
There was a good flow
of people walking with and without dogs and cycling
through the reserve. Those who stopped to speak were
on holiday, and were interested to hear about the
Terns.
EMSWORTH
Cetti's
Warblers
David Minns thought he
may have seen three Cetti's Warblers in the reedbeds
to the north of Peter Pond on Sunday 23 May. "A small
brown bird shot into the vegetation next to the
bridge, followed by a loud burst of Cetti's song.
After about a minute, the same or another small brown
bird (I didn't have my binoculars with me!) shot off
down the reed-lined channel towards Peter Pond. At the
division between two channels it interacted with two
other birds of the same size and 'jiz', then
disappeared out of sight down the main channel. There
were definitely three birds, and they all seemed to be
uniformly brown. I leave it at that!" This is a
fascinating sighting, probably confirming what we have
suspected for a while, that the male Cetti's Warbler,
that has been here since April 1, has a mate (or
two?).
Swifts
David Minns saw eight
Swifts swooping around from his back garden on Sat
evening (May 22), probably the same ones that come
over Bridge Road which is barely a stone's throw from
where David lives. We have had six over the houses
today.
Cuckoos
at Nutbourne
Caroline French heard
her first local Cuckoo of the year yesterday evening.
She and Ray were walking along the sea wall at between
Prinsted and Nutbourne and it was calling from
somewhere nearby to the large house to the west of the
reedbeds at Nutbourne. also heard what was probably
the same Cuckoo at Nutbourne on Saturday.
MONDAY
MAY 24
INSECT
SURVEY
Bryan Pinchen reported
on the second insect survey on Brook Meadow on Friday
21 May.
"Just thought I should
to pass on that I recorded, amongst a load of stuff on
Friday, the Nationally Scarce Snail-killing Fly
Pherbellia griseola. It is a tiny little thing
about 3mm long, and largely black, they lay their eggs
in wet habitats and the larvae feed on the snails
Lymnaea palustris. Although designated Nationally
Scarce I have found it often in both north and south
Hampshire (I believe I had the first county records
about ten years ago) and even had it earlier in the
week at a site in Somerset where I have recorded it in
each of the past three years.
I recorded a good
selection of species in general on Friday, and this
included the recently arrived bumblebee species
Bombus hypnorum - a single worker on the flowers
of Horse Chestnut at the southern end of the reserve.
It has become intermittantly widespread since first
turning up in 2001 (pp42-43 my book). Keep your eyes
peeled! I will be back in late June, and will of
course let you know beforehand.
ISLE
OF WIGHT 19-23 MAY
Jean and I spent a few
days on the Isle of Wight staying with our son, Peter
and his family in Cowes. As well as having a holiday
with the grandchidren we went around to various sites
of wildife interest. I was pleased to have several
firsts, including Glanville Butterflies and Wall
Lizards. My reports are below.
I had my laptop with
me so I was able to check my e-mails from home, so I
have also provided a summary of the local observations
I was sent during this time. We had another 9 Water
Vole sightings, plus some interesting damselflies and
a couple of Brown Hares. See below for the the local
observations and photos.
SUNDAY
MAY 23
ALVERSTONE
MEAD NR
Alverstone Mead is a
nature reserve on the upper reaches of the Eastern
Yar, owned and managed by the Wight Nature Fund. It is
well known for its Red Squirrels but we did not see
any while we were there. Starting at Alverstone we
walked along the railway track and then turned to come
back on the other side of the wetland. The first bit
along the cycle route ran along side the wetland marsh
with rushes and reedbeds. I noted Crosswort and Beaked
Hawk's-beard in flower. There was a good growth of
Marestail in the stream. I saw my first male Banded
Demoiselle of the year. Highland cattle with young
calves, rather like big dogs, were grazing the fields.
Lots of Blackcaps were singing, along with
Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting
and a Cetti's Warbler. The fluffy seeds of Goat
Willows lined the paths like snow.
Highland
Cattle with young grazing on the Alverstoke Nature
Reserve on the Isle of Wight - 23 May 2010
We crossed a bridge
and came back on the other side of the reserve, mainly
through old woodland. We passed a fine wild flower
meadow (Skinners Meadow) and went in probably the most
interesting hide I have come across, well maintained
and well used, overlooking the marshes and with lots
of feeders to attract birds. I got very good views of
a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the 5 minutes I
was there.
EMSWORTH
- back home
Peter
Pond
The Cetti's Warbler
was singing plus two Reed Warbler. No change in the
Mute Swan situation with the nest on the island
abandoned and the birds on the water.
Slipper
Millpond
The Mute Swan is still
on her new nest on the west bank of Slipper Millpond.
The new nest looks no higher than the last one and I
fear could meet the same fate.
Good news comes from
the Coots on the northern raft on Slipper Millpond,
which have produced a second brood of 5 chicks to add
to the one remaining from the first brood. There is
another Coot family with 3 chicks, but I am not sure
where they nested.
Second
brood of 5 Coot chicks on Slipper Millpond
RALPH
HOLLINS NEWS
This morning the first
Swift which I have seen this year flew over my house
in Havant around 10am and soon after midday a group of
four shot over below rooftop height. Whether these
birds are
intending to nest here
I cannot say but at least this is not going to be a
Swiftless summer as I feared.
Nothing else exciting
- Ground Elder and Feverfew are starting to
flower.
SATURDAY
22 MAY
VENTNOR
BOTANIC GARDENS
Jean and I visited
Ventnor Botanic Gardens with our son and two
grandchildren. It was much cooler at Ventnor with a
misty wind coming off the sea, like happens at
Southsea occasionally. There was no charge to go into
the gardens which was amazing. The gardens were
superb, not unlike those at Tresco, with lots of
exotic plants. Pete's work colleague Irene used to
work there as a botanist.
Wall
Lizards
The largest British
colony of Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis) live in
walls around Ventnor. Walls specially designed as a
habitat for them have been built at the Botanic
Garden, but we saw them generally around the area.
Their natural range spans mainland Europe, including
central Spain, southern Belgium, and the Netherlands.
They occur as introduced populations in southern
Britain, and also in North America.
One
of many Wall Lizards seen in Ventnor Botanic Gardens
on the Isle of Wight - 22 May 2010
Other
observations
We were fascinated to
watch the antics of the red and blue
Damselflies mating around the fish pond by the
cafe (though the children were more interested in the
exotic fish).
I noticed a Wood-rush
that I was not familiar with. I later identified it as
Southern Wood-rush.
COMPTON
DOWN
Glanville
Fritillaries
Following the possible
sighting of Glanville Fritillaries by Pema Brunet at
the Newtown Nature Reserve yesterday, my son suggested
we try Compton Down. We drove along the Military Road
which is in danger of disappearing over the edge of
the cliffs in places Strangely this is the habitat
favoured by the Glanville Fritillaries The place was
packed with visitors on their way to the beach, but I
headed for the cliff top where I very quickly found
what I had come for. There must have been about 10
Glanville Fritillaries fluttering about, rarely
venturing more than a few yards from the crumbling
cliff edge, which made getting a good photo a bit
difficult However, I had luck with one insect that
came fairly close to where I was standing and so was
able to get some nice views and photos.
One
of several Granville Fritillaries seen on the cliff
edge at Compton Down on the Isle of Wight - 22 May
2010
These are central
European butterflies that can just survive in the
warmest spots in Britain, namely in small pockets
along the south coast of the Isle of Wight, especially
on the crumbling sandstone cliffs around Compton Down.
Apparently there are about 12 permanent colonies on
the island with a few hundred individuals in good
years. The insect over winters as a caterpillar.
FRIDAY
21 MAY
NEWTOWN
NATURE RESERVE
Jean and I visited
this beautiful National Trust reserve with our 3 year
old grand daughter this morning. I was pleased to meet
up with assistant warden Pema Brunet, who I have met
on several occasions before.
Pema was excited over
a possible sighting of some Glanville Fritillaries
on the reserve that very morning. They are very
rare only found on the Isle of Wight. I said we would
look out for them, but did not see any. There were
lots of Small Heath and Common Blues on the meadows,
plus a single Small Copper. I also spotted a Cardinal
Beetle.
Small
Copper on Newtown Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight
- 21 May 2010
Cuckoo-spit
Having seen
Froghoppers on Brook Meadow recently I was interested
to find several examples of so-called 'Cuckoo-spit' on
plants, which is produced by the nymphs of the
Froghopper.
Cuckoo
spit produced by Froghoppers on Cleavers on Newtown
Nature NR on the Isle of Wight - 21 May 2010
The life-cycle of the
Froghopper is in three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
Up to 100 eggs are laid by the adult females in the
late summer into an incision made into the tissues of
the host plant. The eggs hatch into nymphs the
following spring. The nymph resembles the adult in
shape but unlike the adult has no wings and only
rudimentary legs and eyes. Crucially, it has but a
thin outer body layer, or exoskeleton, which unlike
the adult's is not covered by a waxy layer. For this
reason it needs to protect itself from desiccation.
This is achieved by surrounding itself in a frothy
mass of soapy bubbles known as cuckoo-spit. The froth
also helps to protect the developing nymph from
predators by disguising the nymph and by the
unpalatable taste of the froth. Enclosed within this
froth, the nymph moults several times before emerging
as an adult in early summer.
The mechanism for
producing the spit is as follows: The nymph feeds head
downwards with its syringe-like mouthparts embedded in
the tissue of the plant. The froth is created by the
insect excreting a fluid, the result of excess
undigested plant sap, exuding through the anus. This
sap, as it is excreted, mixes with a secretion from
the abdominal glands. Air bubbles are introduced
through a special valve on the abdomen which acts like
a bellows, and contact with the air causes the liquid
to ferment, forming the froth (or spittle). Amazing!
Birds
The only birds I saw
in the harbour which was at low tide, were an
Oystercatcher and two Redshank. A Kestrel flew
overhead We went into the public hide overlooking a
Black-headed Gull nesting island, with about 300
nesting Black-headed Gulls, some of which had newly
hatched chicks.
Wild
flowers
The real joy of this
reserve are its meadows, rich in wild flowers. The
dominant flowers were Buttercups, Red Clover, Common
Sorrel, Yellow Rattle, Ribwort Plantain, Bird's-foot
Trefoil, Field Wood-rush, Sweet Vernal Grass and
Meadow Foxtail.
A fine growth of
Green-winged Orchids were just starting to go
over on the meadow near the bird hide. Pema told me
the official count was 2,574
On the mudflats the
green spikes of Common Glasswort were showing along
with leaves of Sea-lavender and Sea Arrowgrass.
THURSDAY
20 MAY
ISLE
OF WIGHT
Golden
Hill
I paid my first ever
visit to Golden Hill Park, on the edge of Freshwater.
It was a bit difficult to find as it was not signed
and the access road goes through an industrial estate.
There is a large Victorian fort on top of the hill
which is currently being renovated into flats. The
Holly Lodge clearing is owned by the Council and is
badly in need of care and management. I gather a local
conservation group has recently been formed and with
the new housing development things should improve. The
hill is mostly composed of scrub, with Bramble and
Hawthorn dominating. There are numerous paths and a
few open spaces of grassland grazed by rabbits.
Botanically, there was
not much of interest. Bugle and Great Horsetail
dominated in some areas with Bird's-foot Trefoil also
prominent.
Afton
Marsh
In sharp contrast to
Golden Hill, this local nature reserve is very well
managed and cared for. In fact, while we were there a
chap through cutting the excellent path which goes
round the reserve. There is an equally excellent
booklet for the nature trail, giving details of
wildlife to be seen along the route. The reserve
follows the course of the lower Yar down to
Freshwater. r Bay.
I only did the
northern half of the trail, where I noted several
sedges, including Greater Pond Sedge, Pendulous Sedge,
Remote Sedge and False Fox Sedge. There was also a
prominent growth of Prickly Rhubarb (Gunnera
manicata). Water Voles are on the reserve, though I
did not see one.
Alum
Bay
I have not been here
for some years. It is now very commercial with a fun
fair and lots of food shops catering for visitors. I
was pleased to see the pink flowers of Thrift on the
cliffs along with a yellow flower which I assume was
Biting Stonecrop, though I could not get close enough
to confirm.
Headon
Warren
From Alum Bay we
climbed part of the way up Headon Warren. Excellent
views of the Needles. This is mostly heathland and
inhabitated by rabbits. Red Campion was
abundant on the paths.
I found a mystery
sedge which I was not famliar with growing around the
fortifications overlooking the bay.
WEDNESDAY
19 MAY
Carisbrooke
Castle
Jean and I are staying
on the island for a few days. We visited the castle
this afternoon, not been here for years. I found the
castle itself a bit boring, though the wildlife kept
my interest going.
Three Buzzards were
constantly soaring and calling overhead. I assume they
are common breeders on the island. I also saw two
Swifts and a House Martin feeding overhead. Jackdaws
were the main occupants of the castle, particularly in
the cafe garden, and very noisy at times.
As for the flora, the
most interesting area was the old bowling green,
though it would not be much use for that sport in its
present condition. Field Wood-rush was common on the
grassland along with good quantities of Glaucous
Sedge. Common Rock Rose was prominent around the edge
of the green. There was a lot of what I assume was
Burnet-saxifrage, but it was not in flower. The leaves
were distinctive, though the flowers appeared to be
reddish. The chalk grass habitat was right.
The walls of the
castle were decorated with Pellitory-of-the-wall,
Ivy-leaved Toadflax and Red Valerian. I found some
good flowering of Woodruff in Princess Beatrice's
garden.
An interpretation
board indicated that the castle was nationally
important for its Bats, of which nine species had been
recorded.
LOCAL
OBSERVATIONS 19-23 MAY
FRIDAY
MAY 21
BROOK
MEADOW
Water
Vole
Roy Millea saw a Water
Vole at about 17:45 on the bend between B and C on the
map. He said it looked like it was tea
time!
Insects
Graham Hoggarth had a
brief wander around Brook Meadow (10:15 to 11:30) and
saw the following:
Butterflies: 2 Holy
Blue - 1st on Lumley Road towards Lumley path, the
other in the same spot that he saw one yesterday.
Orange Tips in abundance. 2 Peacocks - did not appear
to be holding territory.
Damselflies: 3 Large
Red Damselflies (male), 2 holding territory on the
stream side vegetation near to the Divided Sedge. 2
Banded Demoiselle's (female) one in the same area as
the large red above and the other wondering around the
middle of the Meadow.
Great
photo of a female Banded Demoiselle by Graham Hoggarth
on Brook Meadow - 21 May 2010
THURSDAY
MAY 20
BROOK
MEADOW
Water
Voles
Caroline French saw
two Water Voles today in Section C: 16.30 one young
vole at exactly the same place as we saw one last
Saturday 16:45 one adult a little further upstream,
not nearly as far as the S bend.
A
young Water Vole nibbling vegetation on Brook Meadow -
Photo by Caroline French - 20 May 2010
Graham Hoggarth met a
lady on Brook Meadow who had just seen a Water Vole,
but he did not get a good look before it disappeared
into the vegetation. This was along the main straight
of the river about half way along towards the bridge.
Section B.
During this morning's
work session a baby Water Vole and (presumed) mother
were spotted in the Ems just north of the 'S' bend -
an encouraging observation which delayed path trimmers
Pam and Dave's appearance at coffee. Section B.
Insects
Graham Hoggarth had a
late afternoon wander around Brook Meadow and saw a
Banded Demoiselle, on the Bramble path. Only seen for
a couple of seconds before disappearing over the
nettle / bramble back.
Butterflies consisted
of: 1 Peacock holding territory on the bare earth
close to the Lumley
path entrance. 5
Orange-tip (male and female). 1 Small White. 1
possible Holly / Common Blue towards North West
corner, flying and feeding at speed.
Lastly attached an
distinctive beetle: Wasp Beetle ~ Clytus arietis,
located on the vegetation south of the main path (and
seat) at the top end of the southern / eastern
boundary path.
THORNEY
ISLAND
Caroline went onto
Thorney where she saw two Brown Hares near The Deeps
and a Sandwich Tern fishing over The Deeps. Caroline
also reported some very strange-looking goats on
Thorney Island!
One
of the two Brown Hares that Caroline French saw on
Thorney Island on 20 May 2010
Some
strange goats that Caroline French saw on Thorney
Island - 20 May 2010
WEDNESDAY
MAY 19
BROOK
MEADOW
Water
Voles
Robin Pottinger
reported two vole sightings today, about 12.30. First
one north of the north bridge, just short of where the
river bends east to follow the railway. Feeding on the
west bank. Haven't seen one here for two or three
years. The second one immediately north of the north
bridge, again feeding on the west bank. Definitely two
separate creatures.
Mike Probert saw a
Water Vole (red brown;? slightly less than full size)
on a ledge nibbling at water level in the west bank
north of the north bridge.
Mike also wrote to
Fran Southgate about possible Water Vole footprints
(plus poo) in the mud on the edge of the Lumley
Stream. Grid ref SU75150605. Photos also sent. Note:
we have not had any Water Vole sightings from the
Lumley Stream area this year.
Fish
Mike Probert saw an
Eel (c.18-24") swimming upstream in the River Ems just
to the N of the 'S bend' past the factory railings. He
also saw some good looking Trout (10" +; rising for
insects) seen from various points along the causeway
with a group of 6+ of a good size(10-12") about 20m N
of N bridge.
YOUNG
BIRDS
Caroline French
reported:
"Today I had a first
sighting of a single young Goldfinch and two House
Sparrows in my garden. Very pleased about the sparrows
as I didn't see a single young one last year. I have
also had a young Robin around and also two young
Dunnocks. The mother has one of the dried mealworms
that I had just put out on the lawn. I hope the young
ones learn how to drink water soon.
HAYLING
OYSTERBEDS UPDATE
Jason Crook
reported:
"It is with
frustration (inherent to the job I'm afraid) that I
have to report that both the Ringed Plover and
Oystercatcher nests (i.e. eggs) are no longer on the
new shingle island. They were OK throughout yesterday
afternoon and early evening but are gone today. Things
were obviously not right when I arrived today as
neither of the Ringed Plovers were initially present
and the Oystercatchers were just stood around preening
(pairs of birds often do this incessantly immediately
after they have lost a nest/young).
The Little Terns are
still there, on their nest/eggs, just south of the
decoys, with the male regularly coming in with fish to
feed his mate on the nest. Under special licence (for
disturbance of a schedule 1 breeding species, the
Little Tern) I spent a few minutes looking around the
area of the Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover nests to
see if I could establish a definitive reason for their
failure, but other than establish the absence of eggs
I am little wiser. As I don't wish to put off the
terns I didn't undertake a finger tip search though.
The female tern was happily back on her nest within
minutes of me leaving the island.
This does not bode
well for the Little Terns. Needless to say I have
suspicions about what may have happened and they point
strongly to an avian predator of the corvid kind! It
may have been a combination of agents of course, even
people, but I have no evidence for that. Egg
collectors would (presumably) go for the Little Tern
too. Fox is a possibility, as are rats, but I think it
would be hugely coincidental for two quite separate
nests of two different species to be targeted/found in
less than one day by a mammalian predator.
This is undoubtedly a
setback, but hopefully the ringed plovers and
oystercatchers will re-nest. The male plover was back
on the shingle bank later in the
afternoon."
RSPB
LANGSTONE HARBOUR RESERVE UP-DATE
Chris
Cockburn reported:
Hello Folks, an update
from the RSPB reserve. At least 27 Little Terns are
apparently on nests on the west side of Baker's
Island, mostly near or above the top strandline on the
shingle that extends
southwards for
approximately 200 metres from the brick structures,
but there are some on the recharged area by the No
Landing sign (and at least five within the electrified
fence enclosure joining the somewhat immobile least
tern decoys). There are also several birds
nest-scraping, so the final count should be greater
than 27 (previously, there have been up to c100 little
terns roosting on the RSPB Islands at high tide).
Males have been repeatedly and frequently returning
with food, which is encouraging. However, as is the
way of little terns, the majority have opted to nest
on locations unprotected from fox forays and at risk
of flooding from tides greater than 4.7m (and, as a
bonus, some are close to a small group of black-headed
gulls - this year is the first time that black-headed
gulls have nested on Baker's Island).
Presently, no little
terns have attempted nesting on South Binness Island,
not even on the recharged area. There are three
possible explanations for this - little terns do not
like cockle shell capped habitats; they are still wary
of the fact that this was the breeding territory for
the pair of crows which ground-nested on the island
(since the sad loss of the crows' eggs, the crows are
no longer vigorously defending this area from all
birds) or they are just contrary and determined to
become extinct.
Some Common Terns have
started nesting, but until they have all settled, it
is too early to give an estimate of numbers (but c20
pairs seem to have settled on Round Nap Island, the
smallest island on the east.
There appear to be
lots of Sandwich terns - the white 'blob' on the NE
end of South Binness Island , readily visible with
binoculars from the Oysterbeds, is the main colony -
the shingle has already turned white from the guano
and there is a distinct aroma when downwind of them.
There are
also two smaller
colonies on the shingle ridge south of the main
colony.
Numbers of
Mediterranean and black-headed gulls will not be known
until the nest count is carried out, but a reasonable
guess is 'lots of both'. One black-headed gull nest
has been built atop the black box that contains the
batteries for the remote video system - it is not
known how the chicks will get back to the nest if they
fall off the box - miniature ladders? As in many
previous years, a very pale (not albino, but very
white) black-headed gull is back in its usual place at
the southernmost point of South Binness.
Oystercatcher numbers
seem to be lower than in previous years and very few
have started nesting yet.
At least 3 pairs of
Ringed Plovers are nesting on Baker's Island, but the
one pair on Long Island has apparently failed and it
has not been possible to properly scan the beach on
South Binness (boats
never seem to stay
still).
The non-breeding Great
Black-Backed Gulls are enjoying feasting on cuttlefish
corpses, but will no doubt be thinking of tasty gull
chicks to come.
BROOK
MEADOW
Bat
Survey
Graham Walsgrove sent
the following report of the bat survey on Wed 19 May,
2010.
Sunset: 20:53. Start
weather: No cloud; very slight breeze; no
precipitation. Start temperature: 16°C Start
time: 21:12. It had been a glorious sunny, warm
day.
The walk started from
Palmers Road Car Park and included two volunteers (Pat
& Graham Walsgrove ). Soprano Pipistrelles were
first detected at the south bridge continually all
round the route, with the exception of the Seagull
Lane and railway bridge area. Just past the seat on
the causeway (timed 21:27) up to the north bridge low
frequency was picked up, 22 to 28kHz. The bats were
seen flying over the river Ems and appeared large,
flying in a figure of eight pattern (Serotines?).
These low frequencies were also picked up at the
Lumley Road railway bridge (timed at 21:58) to the end
of the cottages and from the start of Peter Pond to
the end of Lumley Road.
End time: 22:24 End
temperature: 12°C End weather: No cloud; no
precipitation, slight breeze
Both the Brook Meadow
detectors, Stag Electronics Batbox 111 and Batbox
111D, were used.
It is our intention to
ask Nik Knight if he could accompany us for the June
survey, with his recording equipment to see if we can
get a positive ID on these low frequency detections.
TUESDAY
MAY 18
HAYLING
OYSTERBEDS
It was an idyllic warm
spring morning for my regular wardening session at the
Oysterbeds.
Little
Terns
What a lovely surprise
to find the first pair of Little Terns on the new
shingle island. They were at the far end of the island
next to the decoys, which clearly have done their job!
I watched them for about 15 minutes as one bird sat
still (on a nest?) while the other came to and fro
with small fish. Lets hope this pair of explorers will
be followed by others.
An Oystercatcher
was settled (on a nest?) near to the Little Terns.
The pair of Ringed
Plovers was also on the new island, as they were
last week, with one bird on a nest while the other
stood guard nearby.
Common
Terns
There were many more
Common Terns on the main islands in the lagoon than
last week. I counted 90 mostly on the south part of
the south island, with just two on the north island.
With a few flying around, that probably meant there
were 50 or so nests, which is close to last year's
final total of 59 nesting Common Terns.
Black-headed
Gulls
The gull situation
seemed much the same as last week with about 500 birds
on the two islands, a scattering on the south island
and a mass on the north island.
Oystercatchers
There was one
Oystercatcher sitting (on a nest?) on each of the main
lagoon islands. I also saw one on the north bund of
the lagoon and another sitting on the seawall in the
northern beds. Jason told me there were probably 11
pairs of Oystercatchers in all on the reserve.
Other
birds
The only other birds
seen on the beds were 5 Shelduck on the main lake to
the north of the lagoon and 3 Little Egrets. I heard
several Blackcaps and Whitethroats as I walked around
the reserve.
Plants
There has not been
much movement on the flowering plant front since last
week. Hoary Cress is now at its best, and
smelling strongly, along the path from the car park to
the lagoon.
The flowers of
Dame's-violet are starting to open near the car
park and behind the mound, with lots more to come.
The pretty pink
flowers of Common Stork's-bill are showing well
on the mound. If you look at them closely, there are
greyish marks at the base of the two upper petals.
The large
Laburnum on the north path is a fine sight with
its bright yellow pea flowers cascading down.
Newly flowering since
last week were Creeping Thistle (in the
overflow car park) and Bird's-foot Trefoil and
Buckshorn Plantain (both on the Hayling Billy
Line). Of the grasses, I noted Soft Brome and
Cocksfoot were out since last week.
Insects
Surprisingly, few
butterflies were on the wing on such a warm day. The
only ones I saw were male and female Orange Tips (very
common this spring) and a couple of unidentified
whites.
Sitting down from time
to time enabled me to have a look for insects on the
ground using my close-focussing binoculars. What I
think was a Pill Millipede (Glomeris
marginata?) stopped for its photo to be taken.
However, an Earwig
(Forficula auricularia?) scuttled along far too
quickly and the same applied to a Hover-fly
(Helophilus pendulus?) with yellow marks on its
thorax, which flew off as I readied the camera.
Visitors
There was a good flow
of visitors, many no doubt locals, but some
holiday-makers, some of whom stopped for a chat about
the birds.
EMSWORTH
Peter
Pond
The Mute Swan pair was
back on Peter Pond as usual with the nest on the
island empty and exposed to the elements. I can see
the trampled vegetation where the egg thieves got
across to the island. I shall discuss with David
Gattrell the possibility if erecting a fence along
this section to deter future incidents.
A Little Grebe in
full summer plumage was fishing on the pond, not a
common sight on Peter Pond.
The Cetti's Warbler
was singing from the reedbeds, along with one Reed
Warbler.
Slipper
Millpond
The Mute Swan was
still on its new nest on the west bank of Slipper
Millpond.
A new Coot family was
on Slipper Millpond, a pair of adults with 3 chicks. I
am not sure where they came from. I am fairly sure
they were not from the rafts. The Coot on the southern
raft is still on her nest, accompanied by the one
remaining chick from the first brood.
There was a pile of
Collared Dove feathers on the Bridge Road Wayside
verge, clearly the result of a Sparrowhawk kill.
SPECKLED
YELLOW MOTH
Andy Brook sent me
this fine photo of a Speckled Yellow Moth which he
took in Hollybank Woods. Andy says the woods seem to
be experiencing a new flush of these attractive
day-flying moths in the bluebell glades at the moment.
NEWS
FROM VALETTA PARK
Elaine Morgan wrote to
say she found a slow worm under her front window in
Valetta Park. "I was clearing the ground because I was
due to have installed new gutters/downpipes etc.
Unfortunately I had to relocate the slow worm as it
would undoubtedly have been trodden on by the workers.
However I placed it at the end of the back garden
where I have seen other slow worms in recent times and
where there is plenty of cover with
trees/hedges/compost heaps. The blue tits - nesting in
a box on the back of the bungalow - are continuing to
feed their young in spite of gutters being ripped down
and replaced directly above their box! I did ask the
workers to avoid that section until the birds had
fledged but I expect they forgot all about it. Luckily
no harm done."
RALPH
HOLLINS NEWS
I have just had an
email from Kevin Stouse giving the location of a
singing Firecrest on the northern fringe of
Havant Thicket and thought you or others might wish to
try their luck with it.
Kevin says .."I had
day off yesterday (May 17) and did my 2 TTVS at
Rowlands and Havant thicket.
Imagine my surprise
when in Havant Thicket I found a singing firecrest, I
first heard this bird and thought of goldcrest then
thought no thats not right did a little searching and
there it was giving fab views. First one I have ever
heard singing.
Its easy to find,
heading north out of Rowlands (on the main road to
Horndean) on left just before you come to end of the
thicket is a metal 5 bar gate. Go up that track and
after about 50 yards there is a birch tree down over
the path. On your left is a thicket of yew it was
showing very well there and singing from trees in
front as well as the thicket"
INSECT
IDENTIFICATION -
see May 15
Bryan Pinchen
confirmed the Harlequin Ladybird found on May
15. He said it was one of the many colour forms, and
shows the black M shape on the pronotum quite
clearly.
As for the dark
Froghopper, Bryan confirmed it as another
Cercopsis vulnerata. "It looks like it had recently
moulted to adult and was still in the process of
colouring up, immediately after moulting the red bits
would have been off white. It may take 4-6 hours or
more for the colour to come through, much the way as
it does with ladybirds."
MONDAY
MAY 17
EMSWORTH
Cetti's
Warbler
After weeks of
listening to the Cetti's Warbler blasting out its
song, sometimes seemingly within touching distance,
but without ever getting a good view of the bird, this
morning I finally got it! Passing by Peter Pond at
about 11am I heard the bird and scanning in the
direction of the song with my bins, there it was as
plain as a pikestaff, sitting on a small branch on the
Goat Willow tree in the centre of the reedbeds. I
scrambled around in my bag for my camera, found it
eventually and, with hands shaking, zoomed in on the
bird and snapped it. I got a number of photos, none as
good as Tony Wootton's taken from virtually the same
place on Apr 16, but certainly good enough for me. The
bird stayed for not more than a minute before flying
north towards the small bridge where it sang again.
This is the 7th week that the Cetti's Warbler was been
in this area, sometimes on Peter Pond and sometimes in
the bushes on the Lumley Stream on Brook Meadow.
Peter Pond Swan eggs stolen
After leaving the
Cetti's Warbler I walked towards the town and was
surprised to see the Mute Swan off its nest on the
island on Peter Pond. To my dismay, the nest was
totally empty with no eggs. Had the cygnets hatched I
wondered? Sadly, no. I returned later this afternoon
and both swans were on the pond, swimming along
serenely as if nothing had happened. A reminder that
animals do not have human emotions. Fred Portwin rang
me later to say he was certain the eggs had been
stolen, probably by kids getting onto the island, as
has happened in the past. He could see the tell-tale
signs of vegetation being trampled down. This is a
great pity as I had high hopes for this new pair.
However, no doubt they will try again next year.
Slipper
Millpond swan nesting again
Talking about trying
again, the Mute Swan that had its eggs washed away by
the high spring tides at the end of April, has built
another nest a bit further south of the west bank of
Slipper Millpond. It is the same bird that tried
before as shown by its pink legs - ie a 'Polish' swan.
I fear the worst for this nest, as it is no higher
than the last one and this is very late to start a
nest.
Plant
news
Newly flowering on
Brook Meadow were Wood Avens and Yellow
Flag.
Common
Spike-rush, Spiked Sedge and Grey
Sedge are also showing for the first time,
bringing the total number of sedges seen on Brook
Meadow so far this year to ten.
I also found Wood
Sedge and Wood Melick along Lumley Road, the
latter for the first time in this area.
Water
Vole
I happened to meet Ros
Norton on Brook Meadow this morning and I showed her
where the Water Voles were seen on Saturday by the
Havant Wildlife Group. This evening Ros e-mailed me to
say although she did not see any Water Voles herself,
she did speak to a man photographing plants only a few
yards north of where the voles were seen on Saturday.
He said he had just seen a Water Vole there but had
not been able to get a photo. It was just after 12
noon so about same time as on Saturday. Ros kept
looking but no luck. This takes the total number of
Water Vole sightings on Brook Meadow so far this year
to 40.
HAYLING
OYSTERBEDS
Tony Wootton went down
to the Oysterbeds on Sat (May 15) p.m. and got photos
of a Buzzard being harassed by a pair of Carrion Crows
and a Common Tern flying. But best of all was a superb
shot of a Long-tailed Tit collecting grubs for young
in a nest.
RALPH
HOLLINS NEWS
A couple of new
additions to my first flowers list noticed yesterday
(Apr 16) in my garden were Wood Avens and Ribwort
Plantain. I also have a very healthy plant of Charlock
(new to my garden!) which has just started to
flower.
I am pretty sure the
plant whose leaves are shown on your website (for Sat
May 15) is Celery-leaved Buttercup but it could be the
very early stage of Wild Celery.