Overton Biodiversity Society

June 2013

1^st

a generally sunny day to start the month!!!

2^nd

the 'Fields and River' walk attracted 22 attendees with wildlife highlights recorded including Sparrowhawk, Skylark, Greater Celandine, Fox and Cubs, Yellowhammer, Kestrel, Orange-tip, Bombylius major, Chiffchaff, Pisaura mirablis, Bluebell, Common Blue, Buzzard, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Swallow and the obligatory Red Kite. Red Kite were also over the village and Quidhampton during the afternoon, Buzzard being seen over Polhampton and Lower Ashe and a Sparrowhawk also over the village, early evening. Great Spotted Woodpecker were still attending a nest off the Dellands track.

Right: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopus major. One of the flight feathers &mdash. something to look out for as the adults moult out the older feathers

3^rd

Lesser Black-backed Gull were on the move over the village early evening, their route, as usual, being east / north-east. Two Swift and a House Martin were more expected aerial visitors over the village centre, though now not for long perhaps.

4^th

a dead Slow Worm on a platform at Overton Station might just have been an indicator as to how long commuters have to wait!

6^th

two Red Kite were about Frost Hill / Polhampton Lodge Stud early morning.

7^th

two Red Kite and a Sparrowhawk were seen over Polhampton during the evening while a Grey Heron moved west over Hill Meadow even later in the day. No Glow Worm were seen in a brief visit to the churchyard late evening.

8^th

three Steatoda grossa were found in a porch!

Right: The bite is known to be medically significant, however without any long-lasting effects. Symptoms of bites include blistering at the site of the bite, and / or a general malady lasting for some days. A specimen, painted with blue and red stripes, was used as the spider which bit Peter Parker in the Spider-Man film.

10^th

both Red Kite and Buzzard were over the Town Meadow area late afternoon.

11^th

a Red Kite moved south over the Burley Lane area late afternoon. Both cock Blue Peafowl, one dark-winged and one pale-winged, were in Woodlands later in the day. A Pied Wagtail was near the Railway Station during the morning, this being one of the favoured roost sites noted previously.

13^st

three Brown Trout were among a feeding frenzy of 14 Mallard on The Test off Kingsclere Road, something under the water encouraging the duck to act in this manner. Swallow were still on the wing over the northern part of the village.

16^rd

Red Kite, House Martin and Swift were all seen over the village during the latter part of the afternoon.

17^th

a Muntjac moved out of Flashetts towards Little Meadow early morning. A Red Kite was seen to be 'tidying' the road near The Harrow Way, also early morning, with three in the Frost Hill area later in the day, as was a Buzzard. At least four Swift were still active over the village.

18^th

a Red Kite was over Frost Hill fields early morning. Both Song Thrush and Blackbird were making the most of the Kingsclere Road allotments during the evening. One of the Blue Peafowl was seen back in a Greyhound Lane garden, as were House Sparrow and Blackbird.

19^th

early morning saw Red Kite, Buzzard, an immature Woodpigeon, with parents, and a pair of Red-legged Partridge active about the village /Parish.

20^th

a pair of Red-legged Partridge was again jay-walking early morning near The Harrow Way. A Song Thrush was also seen during the morning, again on the Kingsclere Road allotments.

21^st

at least five Tree Bee were visiting a flowering cotoneaster in one garden. A Kingfisher following The Test crossed Kingsclere Road during the evening. A White Ermine was found at the Railway Station during the morning commute.

Right: Tree Bee, Bombus hypnorum - Picture: Doug. Kelson

22^nd

a Red Kite was over Hilltop Road mid-afternoon. A nectaring bee was noted at 05:22 in one garden!

23^rd

two Red Kite were over the western side of the village mid-morning, another moving over the centre early evening.

24^th

the White Ermine remained at the Railway Station.

25^th

the dark-winged Blue Peafowl remained about Woodlands, as anybody with ears will confirm!

Blue Peafowl, Pavo cristatus. Also known as the Common or Indian Peafowl, or Peacock

27^th

two Swift were seen over the northern part of the village, away from their more expected haunts over the village centre.

28^th

Red Kite, Kestrel and Buzzard were seen at Turrill Hill with Buzzard also being seen at Willesley Warren.

29^th

94 glowing Glow Worm were seen in the churchyard late in the day; a promising first count for the year but sure to be beaten during the society's 'Creatures of the Night' event on 5th July. Later still a Hedgehog visited gardens off Greyhound Lane.

30^th

and a very sunny day to finish the month!!! Several Red Kite were obvious over the village on the thermals that perhaps at last hinted at summer actually existing.

Contributors: Alison Hutchins, Peter E. Hutchins, Veronique Kerguelen & Stewart Woolley.