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.
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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