Overton Biodiversity Society

February 2007

1^st

up to two Tawny Owls were heard in Woodlands early morning.

2^nd

belated news was of a Barn Owl just to the north of the filtration pools on 14th January.

4^th

a Sparrowhawk paid a visit to a Kerchers Field garden, along with its prey!

5^th

Goldfinches were particularly prominent in the trees of The Green. Hebes and violets were noted in bloom.

6^th

16 Canada Geese, 11 Gadwall and a pair of Mute Swans were on the pool at Ashe House.

Right: The Test, Ashe - Note the swollen state of the river as it passes out of the grounds of Ashe House

7^th

a Little Owl was in the grounds of Court Farm House and 45+ Meadow Pipits joined the regular Pied Wagtails on the school field late in the day. The early morning was particularly cold, -6.6°C being recorded on the western outskirts of Basingstoke!

8^th

another notable fall of snow took place during the night and early morning. A Little Egret was in trees by the filtration pools early afternoon. 14+ Lapwing were in fields at the top of White Hill.

9^th

more snow appeared mid-morning.

10^th

Coal Tit was noted in a Station Road garden.

12^th

a Buzzard was showing well, on the ground, by Ashe crossroads.

13^th

a Nuthatch noted in a Lordsfield Garden garden was the first there in 25 years!

17^th

a bumble-bee was noted in a Station Road garden, where House Sparrows continued to perform.

18^th

leading a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust walk from Ashe to Flashetts, and back, saw two Little Egrets, two Buzzards, singing Skylark, fly-over Linnet and Siskin, spawning Frogs, three Roe Deer and thousands of Snowdrops as some of the more memorable highlights.

Right: Out enjoying the Parish!

19^th

a pair of Long-tailed Tits were trying, unsuccessfully, to enter the bedroom of some Southington members most mornings.

22^nd

both Mute Swan and Canada Geese remained at Ashe House pool, being readily seen from the B3400 on passing.

23^rd

the Court Farm House / St. Mary's Church Little Owls failed to show for a visiting birder.

Right: Through the 'scope'! - Just a few of the birds currently using the increased water at Ashe House. What can you see?

24^th

an Indian Meal Moth became the first moth of the year identified in the Parish.

Right: Indian Meal Moth Plodia interpunctella (Photo: Mike Wall)

25^th

Lesser Black-backed Gulls continued to make their way north-east over the village late in the day.

26^th

Lungwort was now blooming in the 'wild', in Bridge Street, whilst Coltsfoot was showing by Lordsfield Gardens. The plume moth, Emmelina monodactyla, appeared on a bathroom window early morning.

27^th

small numbers of geese remained at The Source of The Test. A very uninspiring day, with rain again helping flood local roads and fields.

28^th

the strong winds saw corvids 'enjoying' the extra buoyancy over the village, though perhaps note the heavy rain, hail and thunder that accompanied this at times. A Long-tailed Tit visited a Lordsfield Gardens garden.

Contributors: Ed. Beckman, Jane Beckman, David Cluett, Mike Duffy, Jay Hutchins, Peter E. Hutchins, Margaret Rainford, Dr. Sue Johnson, Veronique Kerguelen and Brian Rickwood.