Wandle Conference

 

Had a good day on 19th June at the Wandle Conference where I did a talk and presentation about the farmlands 'The Sleeping Giant of London's Natural World'. Other interesting talks about other developments in the generation of the Wandle Valley Regional Park.  

Juvs and bugs

Juvenile Chiffchaff- three to four pairs on the farm 

Shelduck young- orginally 10 but only 3 seen today. The second breeding record for the farm. Quite a few Lapwing chicks around too today and a total of 14 Mute Swan young from three pairs. 

Freyer's Pug (?) 

Buff Ermine (First record for Beddington as far as I can tell)

Buff-tip 

Epiblema cynosbatella (another first for the farmlands according to my records)

Common Blue Damselfly

 

Still not quite high summer out there, bit grey today and lots of stuff keeping its head down still. The temperatures are still fairly low particularly at night but there is a bit more moth action now.

A few day flying moths are evident with Cinnabars, Burnet Companions, the odd Grass Veneer and pyralids flying around. A few Common Blues and a few damselflies and the first Black-tailed Skimmers. The moth trap has had up to 8 moths recently- not great but better than the last few weeks.

 More young passerines around with flocks of young tits, Garden Warblers are feeding young in the south east and one pair of Shelduck have got young.

Could do with a bit of sun to give things a boost.

Azores Pelagic 2013- last spaces available

Swinhoe's Petrel recorded on 2012 pelagic 

Monteiro's Petrel - endemic to the Azores

Zino's Petrel (Harro Muller) recorded on 2012 pelagic and featured in Bob Flood's latest episode of North Atlantic Seabirds:

http://www.scillypelagics.com/Multimedia_ID_Guide_SP_PTER.html

Barolo's Shearwater 

Common Dolphin (Gareth Knass)

Still a couple of places left on this years boat.

Dates are from September 1st to 6th and the cost is £688 plus international flight (around £300) .

More here and also other trip extension options:

http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/azores-pelagic-expedition-2013.html

If you are interested in joining please email: ian@azoreschoice.com
or myself on littleoakgroup@btinternet.com

Mile Road Bridge Planting

Before 

During 

During 

After

 

Spent today planting some mini-habitats on Mile Road as part of the on going improvements. We planted a woodland glade made up of foxgloves, ferns, vincas and primulas and we also planted a semi-shady bee and butterfly wildlife habitat by the entrance. 

Toadflax Brocade

Toadflax brocade 

Meadows- coming along well by the hide

 

Latest addition to the Beddington Farmlands moth list is this Toadflax Brocade which was in the moth trap a couple of nights ago.

Pretty quiet on the bird front.



Insect Emergence

Reed Warbler flywatching 

Broad-bodied Chaser 

Common Blue

 



More sun today and a big emergence of insects and flowers. Meadow buttercups are out as are the accompanying Flower Beetles, Swollen Thighed Beetles, Red-headed Cardinal Beetles, Rustic Sailor Beetles and Pollen Beetles. The first Common Blues on the mound, Burnet Companion and a few other butterflies- Green-veined White, Large White, Peacocks and the first couple of Small Skippers.
The Mute Swans on the Southern Lake are down to five young from six.

A hint of Summer

Juvenile Long-tailed Tit- first ones of the season 

The wildflower meadow by the hide 

Rustic Sailor Beetle in the moth trap last night 

Eristalis sp? A common hoverfly in the rank vegetation on 100 acre 

Grey Dagger- last night there was a bit of activity in the moth trap with 2 Knot Grass, 2 Heart and Dart and 1 Common Pug 

Ichneumon suspiciosus

 

Finally a couple of days that feel a bit like summer resulting in a burst of activity. 100 acre is full of Green Dock Beetles and Nettle Taps and lots of capsids and hoverflies amongst the neetles and hemlock. Good numbers of caterpillars in the nettles too.

The yellow rattle is now flowering by the hide and the meadows are looking pretty good.

Lapwing chicks are out on 100 acre, a Garden Warbler singing there, 2 pairs of Shelduck, a small group of Gadwall around, 2 Teal, a couple of Shoveler yesterday, good numbers of Swift with 200+ in the week and 20+ House Martins. Still a few Swallows moving through in the week. Looks like Sand Martin might be breeding in the Horse Field.  2 Kestrel, Peregrine and Hobby hunting over the farm in the week and one or two Buzzards on several days. Still plenty of singing going on.

 

Remarking on the local abundance of biodiversity today and reflecting on our good fortune considering the state of nature report that made the headlines this week regarding the decline of biodiversity over many parts of the nation.