Overton Biodiversity Society

January 2008

1^st

Blackbird was my first bird of the year - what was yours? A Red-legged Partridge was in fields north of Berrydown Court. A grey and dull start, at least weather-wise, to the year.

2^nd

a Peregrine was seen moving east over Town Meadow late afternoon. Lesser Black-backed Gull and Grey Heron were seen moving over the village. A Winter Moth was found in Southington Close.

3^rd

the activities of Moles were obvious at Little Meadow, a string of hills being present along a fence line with others dotted about the meadow.

4^th

a male Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting gardens in Ashe Warren during the first week of the New Year.

5^th

Kestrels were seen at Turrill Hill and by The Harrow Way 'crossroads'. Many corvids were feeding on pasture at Northington Farm. A duck Tufted Duck was on the pools off Southington Lane. A Mottled Umber was found on a property in Court Drove.

Right: Mottled Umber, Erannis defolaria

This one originally caught by myself was photographed by Mike Wall

6^th

a frosty start to the day!

7^th

a mixed day of weather that included more rain.

8^th

Snowdrops were in flower at many sites about the village, particularly in the more sheltered areas.

9^th

a Kestrel moved out towards The Harrow Way, over Court Farm House, as the school emptied for the day.

10^th

dandelion, Daisy, White Dead-nettle and Primrose were already flowering; several of these having done so before the year commenced.

11^th

an early morning mist did not stop the local Robins singing.

12^th

the relatively mild weather did not encourage too much out, including locals it would seem!

13^th

a partially albinistic cock Blackbird was frequenting Woodlands gardens.

14^th

more showers during the day culminated in a hail storm mid-afternoon.

15^th

up to ten House Sparrow in a Station Hill garden constituted the largest non-roost gathering yet to be reported this year.

16^th

a Grey Heron was being regularly seen on the watermeadows at Ashe.

17^th

another light frost started the day. Two duck Tufted Duck were on Southington Lane pools. Ten+ Pied Wagtail were seen to alight on Stitch Design in a pre-roost gathering.

Right: Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba yarelli

A previous roost in vegetation at Streetwell Lodge now having moved to the paper mill

18^th

light rain fell on-and-off throughout the day.

19^th

a particularly mild start to the day, the temperature in double figures prior to dawn.

20^th

both Linnet and Greenfinch were noted in pre-roost gatherings about the village as the month progressed.

21^st

pre-roost gatherings of Starling continued to take place on the 'dead' trees at the edge of Town Meadow.

22^nd

a Barn Owl was quartering the fields of Frost Hill mid-evening. A Kestrel was off Straight Lane late afternoon. A duck Tufted Duck remained on the main pool east of Southington Lane. A huge pinkish moon finished the daylight hours.

23^rd

Lesser Black-backed Gulls were again noted circling over the village center.

24^th

a Kestrel was watched hunting from a telegraph post at Turrill Hill.

25^th

a bumble-bee sp. was unexpected, it being a cold day. Up to ten House Sparrow were again present in a Station Hill garden.

26^th

the RPSB's Big Garden Birdwatch commenced today ? what did you see? A female Blackcap appeared in a Station Hill garden, the only one to be seen about the village during the month. The same garden also held 11 House Sparrow.

27^th

a Little Egret was in Flashetts. A flock of Herring Gull was seen to move over St. Mary?s Church. A small flock of Fieldfare was by Northdown Orchard. A Grey Heron was in a field east of the sewage works, along with four cock Pheasant. Both Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were about Turrill Hill.

28^th

up to four Brambling continued to visit one lucky observer's garden. A pair of Tufted Duck was now on Southington Lane pools. Further plants in bloom included Lesser Celandine and Lesser Periwinkle.

Right: Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla

An 'orange Chaffinch' that arrives in changeable numbers during the winter, particularly in areas of Beech

29^th

the Canada Goose gaggle at Ashe had grown to 42 birds as February loomed. A flock of 105+ Jackdaw moved low south-west over the village mid-afternoon.

30^th

two doe Roe Deer were in Great North Field, that opposite Little Meadow.

31^st

a windy, wet and dull day to close the month.

Contributors: Jane Beckmann, Alison Hutchins, Bryher Hutchins, Jay Hutchins, Peter E. Hutchins, Adrian Lewis, & Margaret Rainford.