Another walk with Michelle, this time late morning until early afternoon. Similar, just the usual Turtle Doves , Linnets etc. and the following larger dragonflies:
Emperor
Migrant Hawker
Brown Hawker
Common Darter
Swifts notable by their absence. Both at Fowlmere and in the garden. I didn’t hear them last night (though did the night before) but then I was in a deep sleep.
Later in the afternoon, this Migrant Hawker flew inside the house.
The Swifts left about a week ago, but at least two birds roosted in the house last night. I not sure they were there from nightfall as I didn’t here them at bed-time, but they certainly woke me in the early hours. Numbers lower in the last few days locally.
A walk around Fowlmere shortly before dusk produced three Barn Owls on the nestbox: An adult with two fully fledged young birds. A Hobby was also hawking above the mere.
A couple of Turtle Doves and an Emperor Dragonfly was about it, and the Common Rosefinch was still just down the road. Some half decent photos though…
The torrential and continuous rain eventually stopped around 6pm so I ventured into the garden with Tom to take part in the Big Butterfly Count. Four species…
Also, an Emperor Dragonfly.
Was passing with Michelle and Tom so decided to pop-in for second views of the Common Rosefinch and allow them a look.
An amazing find! A Common Rosefinch in Melbourn! News was very slow to be released but after an initial dip with Tom and Marcus Kohler, the three of us returned in the evening when it had been re-found. Not the most exciting of individuals (obviously first-summer male; it was constantly singing) but a new bird for Tom only a mile or so away from home. A couple of photos by James Hanlon can be found here and here.
A Yellow Wagtail and a good number of House Sparrows were also seen whilst searching for the Rosefinch.
A late afternoon visit. Pretty much the same selection of birds as last time: Turtle Dove (family party), Kingfisher (pair). Also a Grey Heron and a Buzzard. Nine Hares were in an adjacent field.
A short visit (first for ages) first thing. Blustery conditions but a Turtle Dove family party showed nicely by the hide and the first Kingfisher for ages was seen. A (probable) Bank Vole was also noted as well as a Migrant Hawker.
Went for a walk with the family along the whole length of Fleam Dyke between Balsham and Fulbourn. Hard work! Seven miles in the midday sun. Some nice chalk plants were seen such as Lady’s Bedstraw and Clustered Belflower as well as a good number of butterfly species: Essex Skipper, Common Skipper, Small White, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, and Painted Lady.