Overton Biodiversity Society

January 2010

1^st

two single Buzzard were seen low over the village late morning. A male House Sparrow on a nest-box was the first bird of the year for one. -2°C was noted early evening, the light frost still not having cleared by dusk.

5^th

nine Goldfinch fed on garden Teasel and Evening Primrose in Charledown Close.

Right: Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis -Flashetts (Picture: Aaron Gee) Several large pre-roost gatherings of these have been noted at sites between Basing and Whitchurch, several hundred birds being involved.

7^th

a Red Kite was seen patrolling over Charledown Close gardens.

8^th

a male Blackcap visited Woodlands feeding stations in the lingering snow, as did a female Pied Wagtail. A Red Kite lingering overhead late morning.

9^th

two Red Kite lingering about Ashe Park mid-morning were sure to have crossed the Parish boundary in their patrols whereas two to the south of Southington mid-afternoon were already well within these borders. A Lesser Redpoll dropping to Silver Birch, appropriately, in Woodlands was the first noted this year.

10^th

two Red Kite lingered over gardens while a Fieldfare was also heard, hidden in Woodlands gardens.

16^th

a Pied Wagtail visited a Two Gate Meadow garden.

18^th

four Little Egret were at Flashetts.

Right: Little Egret, Egretta garzetta - Flashetts (Picture Alan Willis) One of several birds over-wintering in the Overton / Whitchurch area again

19^th

up to five Little Egret were at Flashetts, a Red Kite over Bridge Street and a Fieldfare again visited apples nearby. An Agonopterix alstromeriana was found inside a house.

Right: Agonopterix alstromeriana - (Picture Mike Wall) http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/newhome.htm

20^th

five Little Egret were about Flashetts. A cock Pheasant was seen on the school field with, nearby, a juvenile Sparrowhawk in Lordsfield Gardens.

21^st

a Raven moved south-west over Winchester Street, being described as "sounding like a frog". Long-tailed Tit and Marsh Tit were just two of the species recorded digitally at Flashetts. TheFieldfare in Bridge Street was now becoming a regular visitor, unlike the Grey Squirrel seen there today.

Right: Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus & Marsh Tit, Poecile palustris - Flashetts (Picture Alan Willis)

22^nd

two Little Egret were seen at Flashetts while a Kingfisher was at Qhidhampton.

23^rd

both Little Egret and Kingfisher were seen at Flashetts. Two Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Fieldfare were seen over Hazelcombe late morning. A female Tawny Owl was calling by Town Meadow very early morning, a male then being heard even further north of the B3400. A Blackcap was in the hedgerow between Waltham Road and The Green.

24^th

a probable Hen Harrier was seen moving south-west over Town Meadow. Two Red Kite and six Buzzard were over Jack Mills Lane.

25^th

a Red Kite toured the village late morning. A female Blackcap was in Lordsfield Gardens. A Field Vole continued to show well under feeders at Flashetts, as did a Marsh Tit on the easy food source. A mouse sp. was seen to run across the road at Berrydown early morning. Part of a recently hatched Woodpigeon egg was found in Pond Close, as was an Early Moth.

Right: Field Vole, Microtus Agrestis - Flashetts (Picture Alan Willis) Also known as the Short-tailed Vole

26^th

a Brambling and male Bullfinch visited a Lordsfield Gardens garden.

27^th

a December Moth and as yet unidentified larval moth came to overnight light in Woodlands. A male Blackcap was in Lordsfield Gardens. A party of six Long-tailed Tit in Bridge Street was the largest reported.

Right: Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus & Marsh Tit, Poecile palustris - Flashetts (Picture Alan Willis) Many of these are already paired and contemplating nest sites

28^th

both Blackcap and Grey Wagtail were seen in Waltham Road. Photography at Flashetts continued, with some stunning results. A Buzzard was in the Lower Ashe area and a second December Moth arrived at an overnight light.

29^th

a male Blackcap reappeared in Lordsfield Gardens. c.20 Canada Geese moved low east early evening, followed by a further five and a Pheasant was about gardens off Bridge Street.

30^th

a Red Kite was again lingering mid-morning, while a Buzzard moved through westwards.

31^st

a Muntjac and seven Roe Deer were in fields north of The Harrow Way. A pair of Blackcap was in Lordsfield Gardens while a male Blackcap lingered in one garden during the Big Garden Birdwatch. The later event also managed to include the lingering Bridge Street Fieldfare.

Contributors: Jill Aburrow, Julian Aburrow, Jane Beckmann, Aaron Gee, June Gibbs, Nigel Giffen, Helen Harden, Richard Harden,Alison Hutchins, Bryher Hutchins, Jay Hutchins, Peter E. Hutchins, Jane MacKenzie, Margaret Rainford, Valda Stevens & Alan Willis.