Overton Biodiversity Society

February 2008

1^st

Long-tailed Tits had already been noted nest-building during the latter stages of January.

Right:Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus

The nest that gave them their 'old' name of Bottle Bird
These are now nesting on average two weeks earlier than they were 25 yeas ago

2^nd

a total of 19 Lesser Black-backed Gull moved towards roost over the village late afternoon.

3^rd

House Sparrows remained a regular visitor to gardens off Station Road.

4^th

Blackbirds were obvious in many gardens, the late winter / early spring movement back to northern breeding grounds perhaps already taking place; most noted being males.

5^th

Dunnocks were singing their tinny serenade from many hedgerows and even higher song posts.

6^th

Lesser Celandine were already brightening many hedgerow bases.

7^th

Canada Geese were occasionally joining the other wildfowl on the source of The Test.

8^th

Snowdrops were to be seen throughout the Parish, gardens, roadside banks and woodland edges being amongst the favoured spots to find them.

9^th

three Buzzard were again over the Town Meadow / Primary School area, two of which lingered for some time. Also in the air, later in the day, were Lesser Black-backed Gull in their pre-roost movements.

10^th

Robins though vocal early in the day were not as obvious in their winter garden retreats.

11^th

over wintering Chiffchaff remained about the wetter woodlands.

12^th

a Pale Brindled Beauty was found on an office window at the school mid-evening. Stinking Hellebore were in flower on the southern side of Whitehill.

Right: Stinking Hellebore, Helleborus foetidus - Whitehill, Mike Duffy

Possibly the first to be found in the Parish

13^th

another frosted start to a clear and sunny day. Three Red-legged Partridge were again in fields opposite Southington Close. A flight of 121+ Jackdaw moved low over the school late afternoon, when small numbers of Linnet were heading in to roost.

14^th

a Collared Dove in the east of the village had been noted on a nest since the year started.

15^th

a Muntjac and a Tawny Owl were on / by the B3400 on the Overton side of Rotten Hill early morning.

16^th

the Muntjac was again on the grass verge of Rotten Hill early morning.

17^th

a noticeably heavy frost remained in places for much of the day. A Little Egret moved off east from the garden of Southington House late morning, a pair of tufted Duck being on the main pool there. A Buzzard was seen circling over Court Drove in the wintry sun. A Great Spotted Woodpecker reappeared in gardens at Lower Ashe.

18^th

two 'roosts' of hibernating Harlequin Ladybird off Southington Lane numbered 30+ between them, a cock Pheasant was also noted roosting in poolside trees. A Buzzard was once again over the village early afternoon.

19^th

Brambling had been noted visiting a Two Gate Meadow for much of the year, the flock peaking at some 20 birds.

20^th

the partially albinistic Blackbird appeared again in Woodlands where a female Sparrowhawk excited the less mobile species.

21^st

flowering Dog's Mercury remained hidden, the green flowers not alerting many to their presence.

22^nd

after the initial burst of butterfly activity in January no further sightings had been reported by this date.

23^rd

a second partially albinistc cock Blackbird was seen in Woodlands. A Magpie was a rare visitor to a Station Road garden. Primrose were seen in flower in Court Drove whilst Long-tailed Tit were frequenting nearby gardens; the latter's ponds already holding frog spawn.

Right: Common Frog, Rana temporaria - Mike Duffy

Spring is on the way!

24^th

White-tailed Bumble-bees were out early in the day, though there was no hint of sun.

25^th

mild conditions were hinting at spring on the way, or global warming!

26^th

overnight rain left some roads partially flooded to at least dawn. A Golden Plover was heard over the Town Meadow area mid-evening. The strongest earthquake ever recorded in Britain was noted elsewhere during the latter night.

27^th

sheep were now in the field south of Southington House. A vocal Black-headed Gull over the village mid-afternoon was soon followed up by 29 Lesser Black-backed Gull moving north-east. The Tufted Duck population on the pools at Southington had grown to three whilst a Mute Swan was nearby, on The Test.

28^th

a female Blackcap, in Woodlands gardens, was the first bird noted over wintering.

29^th

the extra day to the month was not a herald of extra sightings!

Contributors: Dave Athea, David Cluett, Mike Duffy, Timi van Houten, Alison Hutchins, Bryher Hutchins, Jay Hutchins, Peter E. Hutchins, Veronique Kerguelen, & Fenella Swinscoe.