May 252015
 

The most exciting local news concerns a very late Barn Owl nest in YACWAG’s Littlewood reserve. This was discovered by volunteer warden John Croxton at the end of September and five owlets were duly ringed by Chris Sperring MBE from the Hawk & Owl Trust early in October.

The persistent rain mid month was a major concern but we believe that at least four of  the young survived this and hopefully will have fledged by the time that you read this. It has been a great year for our owls: this nest box has  already produced two Tawny Owls and then Stock Doves nested in it. Three species in one season must be some kind of record.

Staying with owls a trip to the sea wall during the very high tides produced a lovely Short Eared Owl, no doubt on migration.  A flock of 40 Goldfinches was less impressive but a welcome sight after reports of few of these birds in gardens.

A Peregrine was seen (unsuccessfully) chasing a curlew at the old Kenn estuary and another was feeding on a pylon near Yatton where it successfully saw off two Ravens that were coveting its kill.

Wheatears were still to be seen along the estuary in good numbers mid month with hundreds of Meadow Pipits on their way south. Four clouded yellow butterflies was a nice sight as well.  There seems to be a few more Grey Wagtails around this autumn, perhaps reflecting a more productive breeding season: Sheila Naish saw one in her garden and there was another on Stowell’s buildings viewed from Wemberham Lane with some Pied Wagtails.

A Kingfisher caused a surprise when it flew out over the road near The Bridge Inn and another was by Wemberham rhyne : this species has also had a productive year. Kestrels too seem more abundant ound Kenn Moor for the same reason and at least one stonechat was back on winter territory there by the 23rd.

Jill and I visited Chew Valley Lake to see a Great Skua.  This brute of a bird was living on a Coot a day and had probably been driven inland by bad weather. Certainly ex-hurricane Gonzalo played a major part in 305 Great Skuas being recorded of the North Cornwall coast.

Trevor Riddle 01934 835208

PS – MEGA – Eleanora’s Falcon seen over Bullocks Farm, Kingston Seymour 26th Eleonora's falcon (credit GOB).JPG-550x0

 Posted by at 8:00 pm

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