A
Spotted Flycatcher sallying from the treetops on the edge of the Harholt Plantation was a pleasant surprise in the morning, being a tricky species to pick up on spring passage. Two
Hobbies spent some time hawking over the plantation, where a flock of four
Grey Herons and 300
Herring Gulls flew over. A 2cy
Red Kite hung low over Coneyboro Hill and it, or another, was seen over the farm. Two
Lesser Whitethroats were singing around Harholt and Hillwood Field, while two
Garden Warblers were also singing (between the Holly Lane car park and Outwood Lane, and near the BW housing estate). Two
House Martins, a
Swallow and three
Swifts flew over the farm, while three
Pied Wagtails were seen at Legal & General and a
Mistle Thrush was near Perrotts Farmhouse. Five more
Swallows flew over Harholt and a
Tawny Owl was there.
As for butterflies, BW counts included 10
Dingy Skippers, two
Grizzled Skippers, 10
Brimstones, two
Orange-tips, two
Peacocks, five
Small Heaths, four
Common Blues, a
Holly Blue, a
Small Copper and five
Green Hairstreaks. CF had three
Peacocks, eight
Small Whites and a
Brimstone.
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| Spotted Flycatcher at Harholt |
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| Hobby over Harholt |
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| 2cy Red Kite over Coneyboro Hill |
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| Grey Herons over Harholt |
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| Blackcaps at Harholt |
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| Swift over Canons |
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| adult Buzzard |
Geoff Barter, David Campbell (photos), Duncan Jennings, Ian Pratley, Mark Stanley, Nic Tidmarsh and Woodchips
