Overton Biodiversity Society

July 2009

1^st

bats continued to be present about Waltham Court, only rain stopping their visits.

2^nd

late evening saw 15 Glow Worm glowing in and about St. Mary's Churchyard.

3^rd

at Sapley House a 'wave' of caterpillars crossing the lawn proved to be Painted Ladies, the first larvae recorded since the invasion in late May.

4^th

a Horse Chestnut at Parsonage Farm was showing signs of infestation by the Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner. A Buzzard had taken to the ground at Town Meadow, presumably searching for invertebrates. A Yellowhammer was seen south of Dellands. The 18th week of the Garden Moth Scheme produced yet further additions for the year, in the form of Scarce Footman, Short-cloaked Moth and Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix. A Garden Tiger Moth was found in a Woodlands garden. A Painted Lady settled briefly in Poyntz Road. A Buzzard was over Lower White Hill.

Right: Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner, Cameraria ohridella (Photo: Peter E. Hutchins) - A Horse Chestnut leaf showing the mining of the larval moth.
This species was discovered in Macedonia in the late 1970's and since then has spread rapidly to other European countries. It was first discovered in Britain at Wimbledon in 2002, but possibly had arrived the previous year, as it was quite plentiful. It is thought that the species may be expanding partially due to accidental transportation by man, either by road or rail. It has now been found quite extensively in the south-east of England. The larva mines the leaves of Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) causing noticeable brown blotches, often many to one leaf. There is however, a similar-looking fungus which can cause confusion.

5^th

Cut-leaved Germander was flowering in good numbers at Micheldever Spoil Heaps, as was Viper's Bugloss, where a drop in the wind and some sun allowed five+ Silver-washed Fritillary and four Scarlet Tiger on to the wing. A Hobby, with Swallow prey and entourage moved east over Sapley House late afternoon, the gardens there still holding several hundred larval Painted Lady and a Common Newt. A Red Kite moved west over the village mid-afternoon, another being seen at Lower White Hill. Little Meadow played host to six Harlequin and a Seven-spot Ladybird while, just across the road, the revamped allotments added a further 113 Harlequin, 34 Two-spot, three Ten-spot and two Cream-spot Ladybirds. One of the latter was also rescued from a car windscreen as it headed up Overton Hill. Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea was in flower on White Hill.

6^th

the first heavy rain for many weeks fell late afternoon. A Red Kite was again over Lower White Hill. A Shark, fortunately only a moth, was newly caught overnight in Woodlands.

Right: The Shark, Cucculia umbratica (Photo: Peter E. Hutchins),Woodlands - Named after the 'tuft' of scales that is said to resemble a shark's dorsal fin

7^th

two Red kite drifted south-west over Woodlands. Knot Grass was new for the year in mothing circles.

8^th

17 female Glow Worm were giving their all in St. Mary's Churchyard late evening. A Whimbrel, or more, was heard moving over the same site at 23:00, the first record for the Parish perhaps? To hear what members of the O.B.S. heard try this link: www.xeno-canto.org/europe/recording.php?XC=25106. A Little Owl was vocal at Court Farmhouse late evening. A Red Kite drifted north from Sapley Lane early evening, six Lesser Black-backed Gull being seen to head south-west over Red Lion Lane at the same time. Several Painted Lady were still to be seen about the village. A nest of Common Wasps was found in Little Meadow, much to the displeasure of both the occupants and finder!

9^th

two Hedgehog visited Kerchers Field gardens whereas two Green Woodpecker preferred Southington Lane lawns. The micro-moths Timothy Tortix, Ethmia dodecea and Agriphila straminella were newly located for the year.

10^th

a Red Kite was over Winchester Street, Overton early evening. 'Loads' of Painted Lady were noted between Dellands and Lower Whitehill during the evening, two Skylark and a Yellowhammer also being noted there. Black Arches was a new moth for the year, being seen on a flat in Poyntz Road.

11^th

a Red Kite and singing Skylark were over Overton Hill early afternoon, making the most of the rain stopping for a while. 20+ Swallow remained about Lower White Hill, to at least this date.

12^th

two Red Kite were over the village shops while 100+ Painted Lady were in the Dellands / Lower Whitehill area with a further c.five off Red Lion Lane. A Grey Squirrel visiting bird feeders in Bridge Street was a rarely noted species about the village.

13^th

24 Glow Worm were seen to be lighting up the churchyard. Both Skylark and Song Thrush were in good voice about the village. A Swift was seen to visit a possible nest site in Bridge Street during the evening. A Green Woodpecker visited garden lawns in Kerchers Field. Light Grey Tortrix was the latest moth addition for the year.

14^th

a Little Grebe was on The Test off Southington Lane late evening. Silver Y and Dingy Footman were among moths new for the year in Woodlands.

15^th

two Green Woodpecker paid a visit to Kerchers Field lawns. 220+ corvids, Rook and Jackdaw, moved north-east over Town Meadow mid-evening. Scalloped Oak was yet another moth new for the year.

16^th

Spruce Carpet was another addition to the moth list for 2009.

17^th

a Maple Prominent was the first of the year to be noted, another moth!

18^th

19 Glow Worm were still trying to find a friend in the churchyard late evening. Two Red Kite drifted north 'along' Station Road early afternoon, not lingering long — not all surprising considering the number of scarecrows about the village! Privet Hawk-moth, The Shark and Scalloped Oak were the best of Woodlands mothing. Strimming of churchyard grass commenced, notwithstanding the Glow Worms!

19^th

a Red Kite was seen from Lower White Hill. Privet Hawk-moth continued to visit overnight lighting in Woodlands.

20^th

Painted Lady continued to visit village gardens. The Red Kite remained about Lower White Hill where two Grey Heron were also on the wing. Euzophora pinguis was yet another addition for the mothing year. A Lesser Black-backed Gull moved low east mid-evening.

Right: Euzophora pinguis - A rather local species, occurring in the southern half of Britain, chiefly among ash (Fraxinus), the foodplant. The larvae burrow into the bark, and can eventually kill the tree if present in numbers.

21^st

c.20 Glow Worm continued to smolder in the churchyard.

22^nd

a Red Kite was over Lower White Hill, a Buzzard being seen just north of here. A verge north of the village held 20 Common Broomrape, Red Bartsia, Golden Melilot and Crow Garlic; these plants in turn attracting Long-winged Conehead, Dark Bush-cricket, Silver Y, White Plume Moth and Marbled White.

Right:Crow Garlic, Allium vineale - Also known as Wild Onion

23^rd

a Bridge Street garden was graced with Painted Lady, Gatekeeper, Peacock and Large White; the latter perhaps however not so welcome! Sallow Kitten and White-spotted Pug were further moths seen for the first time this year.

24^th

Swallow, House Martin and Swift were all still about the village, but for how much longer? Keep an eye / ear open for these and please note down your last sighting. Gothic, Clouded Border and Epinotia brunnichana were new for the year in Woodlands, a male House Sparrow attending the moth trap early morning! A Lime Hawk-moth larva was found in a Pound Road tree.

Far right: Gothic, Naenia typica (Photo: Jay Hutchis) - An uncommon species, though possibly under-recorded
Right: Silver / Grey Sedge, Odontocerum albicorne (Photo: Jay Hutchis) - One of the many caddis attracted to the light placed out for moths

25^th

a Little Owl was about Town Meadow / Woodlands mid-evening while a Sparrowhawk was seen nearby. A Sand Martin joined seven Lapwing and four Grey Heron at The Source of The Test.

26^th

a buddleia by the Methodist Church held 20+ Painted Lady and five Peacock. A large bracket fungus was found off Silk Mill Lane. Lime-speck Pug and Acrobasis consociella were the latest additions for the year in Woodlands. A Buzzard was over Lower White Hill.

Right: Lime-speck Pug, Eupithecia cetaureata (Photo: Peter E. Hutchis), Woodlands - One of the more readily identifiable pugs

27^th

Mother of Pearl and The Magpie were the new moths noted about the village today, Painted Lady remaining ever more obvious about gardens while one buddleia at the school held eight. Several pipistrelle sp. were making the most of those insects attracted to light during the evening over Woodlands gardens. A Black-headed Gull headed west over Silk Mill Lane late morning.

28^th

a party of Crossbill were heard over the High Street are early morning, part of the influx taking place in many parts of Britain, while a Red Kite drifted over mid-morning. The Little Owl was again vocal and showy about Woodlands mid-evening, once more heading off towards Town Meadow. An immature Robin was seen in Bridge Street gardens, one of very few reported this year. Catoptria pinella was another addition on another quiet night of mothing.

29^th

Tinea semifulvella was new for the year, two Catoptria falsella otherwise being of most note in the Woodlands moth 'trap'.

30^th

a Pale Prominent was the latest mothing addition, being joined by a 14-spot Ladybird in the early morning trap run.

31^st

two Little Egret moved high west over the church mid-evening, the first 'late year' birds noted in the Parish. A Hobby circled high over The Old Rectory late morning, a Buzzard having moved south through there minutes earlier. At least seven Swifts remained over the village mid-evening — for how much longer though?

Contributors: Jane Beckmann, Alison Hutchins, Bryher Hutchins, Jay Hutchins, Peter E. Hutchins, Veronique Kerguelen, Jane MacKenzie, Ken MacKenzie, Valda Stevens, Adam Trickett & Janet Wigney.