Heatwave Emperors

This spring / summer's sunny weather continued through June, with temperatures hitting the 30s on a regular basis.

A significant UK influx of Quail took place during the month and while I was was perhaps unlucky not to find my own, despite a number of evening walks in good local habitat, luckily one was discovered not too far away near the village of Weston. I popped over on 27/06, not hoping for much in the heat of the day, but luckily I managed to hear it a number of times not too far from the road. I headed back that evening and again sang from a neighbouring field, though more distantly. Really worth the effort for what is a really tricky local bird.

The consistant, reliable hot weather meant that butterflies were very much on the agenda, particularly as we moved towards peak time for all the local woodland specialities. Unsurpringly given the weather, species were emerging on the early side and so it was no surprise that the first Purple Emperors began to emerge well before the month's end.

Keen to see my own, I headed to Bucknell Wood on 21/06 for a prolonged search. Luck was on my side and I was treated to an excellent showing of 2 pristine males down on the tracks. What a treat!

Also caught up with my first Silver-Washed Frits of the year.

Elsewhere, I visited Ardley Quarry fairly regularly as the site offers the chance for interest with birds, butterflies or dragonflies! Marbled Whites appeared in force in early June, while the Poppies put on a good show - they've been everywhere this summer! Birding oddities here included a Marsh Tit (14/06), a pair of Pochard (05/06) and a group of 5 Ringed Plover (09/06). While the lagoon is still going strong, the main quarry lake was filled in by mid month, as again the site evolves in line with the live quarry workings. A shame as it always had potential to pull in something of interest and produced a few passage waders during the last couple of years.

Garden mothing didn't produce anything too mad, however always nice to show the kids regular Elephant Hawkmoths, as well as a single Small Elephant Hawkmoth on 18/06. An Azure Damselfly around the pond was new for the garden on 14/06.

Sunny Dorset

Had a lovely 5-day family holiday down in east Dorset, at Rockley Park on the edge of Poole 25/05-29/05. Luckily, our time away coincided perfectly with a heatwave - temperatures in the mid 20s celcius throughout!

By chance we were staying no more than 4 minutes walk from a little gem of a heathland reserve, Ham Common. 

The reserve (a former clay quarry) is home to all 6 UK reptile species, as well as ample Dartford Warblers and Nightjars. The weather during the week couldn't have been any more perfect for Nightjarring and on a couple of evenings after kiddies bedtime, I got to enjoy the weird and wonderful sights and sounds of at least four birds, with several incredibly close fly-bys.

Reptile-wise, for the most part it was pretty tricky, as it was so hot so early and throughout the day too. However, an earlier morning visit to Ham Common on 28/05 did produce 3+ beautiful Sand Lizards (at least 2 males + a female) in a particular area down in the quarry. They were quite elusive but with a bit of patience, I was able to enjoy some lovely views. A real treat!

Both from the Ham Common reserve / viewpoint and from our nearby caravan, the views over Poole Harbour were impressive. Birds encountered through the week included a couple of Osprey sightings, Whimbrel, a random group of 4 Common Scoter (3m, 1f), Oystercatcher, Med Gulls, and Sandwich Terns.

Ham Common was rich in insect life and as well as numerous Painted Ladies, part of this year's impressive infux, there were also several Green Hairstreak, my first of the year. Dragonflies were very much in evidence too, with my first ever Scarce Chasers, as well as numerous Broad-bodied Chasers.

May goings on

May was generally very warm, clear and largely uneventful on the bird front. But a few local year ticks did appear with a lovely trio of Cattle Egrets and 3 Egyptian Geese in the Mid Cherwell. Ardley Quarry also held it's usual, reliable run of Tundra Ringed Plovers, much like 2025.

May in the local Woods is always enjoyable and this year was no exception. They are the main sites for a number of locally scarcer species and so always worth a few visits.

Spotted Flycatchers are one such species with my first one on 09/05 and at least 4 on 23/05. Firecrest territories numbered 3, which was pretty good going. Siskins were generally about, as they have been at this time for a number of years, suggesting them as an established breeder, though without evidence for now. In Bucknell Wood I also heard my first Cuckoo for a few years, which was good news! There were a number of Willow Warbler territories, though perhaps a bit down on the previous year.

Our garden is always a source of enjoyment, with the knack of throwing up the odd surprise. Migrant Painted Lady and Hummingbird Hawkmoth made appearances, as is the norm most years. Large Red Damselfly was a new Odonata for the garden, seen regularly around the pond. Birds of interest were few and far between, however a Peregrine making several evening appearnce was cool to see.

 

Away from our local area, Yoesden Bank nature reserve in Buckinghamshire is a bit of a favourite of mine, nestled away down narrow country lanes in the heart of the Chilterns.

It holds a nice selection of chalkland butterfly species and is my go-to to look for the stunning Adonis Blues. On the very warm afternoon of 31/05 I spent a lovely couple of hours enjoying a number of these beauties, as well as an early, very fresh Dark-Green Fritillary, Grizzled Skipper and a few Small Blues too.

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