WEDNESDAY 28 JULY
Another very warm day and today coupled with bright sunshine as a wedge of high pressure moved in. I decided it was a great day to try and find local butterflies and pitched up at Finemere Wood mid morning......
COPPERKINS LANE, CHESHAM BOIS (BUCKS)
A singing male YELLOWHAMMER was present in the hedgerow east of Green Park Caravan Site
WHITESFIELD COTTAGES (SP 780 181)
Successful breeding: 18 European Barn Swallows in vicinity of farm buildings
FINEMERE WOOD (SP 720 217)
Finemere Wood was part of the ancient Royal Forest of Bernwood and is now being restored and managed by BBOWT. Today, some of that management work was being carried out, a tractor cutting down all of the vegetation on rotational sides of the rides - where large numbers of butterflies were feeding (surely, late September cutting would be preferential)
Sadly, in a 2-hour period, I failed to locate any of the 5 PURPLE EMPERORS that had been sighted at the reserve since 5 July, nor any of the White Admirals.....
I did however record 16 species - Green-veined White (42), Common Blue (7), Brown Argus (3), Comma (1), Small Copper (1), Ringlet (100+), Meadow Brown (150+), Small Heath (15), Gatekeeper (200+), Brimstone (1), Peacock (2), Speckled Wood (11), Large Skipper (3), Small Skipper (3), PURPLE HAIRSTREAK (9) and SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY (5)
Birds included MARSH TIT, Blue Tit, Common Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Common Blackbird, Chaffinch, Wren, Goldfinch and Common Kestrel. Highlight was a family party of BULLFINCHES.
EDGCOTT VILLAGE (NORTH BUCKS)
Impressive numbers of House Sparrows noted with 8+ by Prune Farm entrance (SP 693 224) and 21 (including numerous fledged juveniles) just NW of the village at SP 681 230).
FOXCOTE RESERVOIR (NORTH BUCKS)
(1300-1330 hours)
Still looking great with a large exposed island of mud and nice muddy margins. There was no sign of Warren Claydon's RUFF of yesterday evening (I have managed to miss everyone of these this year so far - roll on August Dorney) but waders present did include 1 juvenile LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 2 GREEN SANDPIPERS, 2 Common Sandpipers and 203 Lapwing.
Also of note were 3 LITTLE EGRETS, 2 Grey Heron, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 15 Sinensis Cormorants, 30 Mute Swans, Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gulls, 7 Common Terns, a male Common Pheasant, 2 Stock Doves, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Blackbird and 3 Western Reed Warblers.