Overton Biodiversity Society

August 2012

1^st

a Buzzard was over Hyde Hill Plantation late afternoon.

2^nd

at least two Kestrel were about Turrill Hill, one calling repeatedly and so perhaps a sign of local breeding having taken place, the latter bird possibly trying to encourage a parent to feed it. Two Stock Dove south-west early afternoon was a slightly more notable village record. A day of very mixed weather!

3^rd

mid-morning saw a Grey Heron heading towards The Source of The Test from the Ashe Park direction. 20+ House Martin were over the village centre early afternoon.

4^th

a Hedgehog was seen out during the day, on the track off Dellands.

5^th

both Gatekeeper and Green Woodpecker were again recorded in village gardens while a phylloscopus warbler, more than likely a Chiffchaff, was heard only — this from a bathroom!

6^th

Mallard were vocal early morning, a change from the more expected Tawny Owl and singing Robin and Blackbird.

8^th

six Yellowhammer were as road fittings north of the village, needing to be taken account of on another very mild morning.

9^th

at least six Yellowhammer were again gathering grain-reducing road material north of the village pre-dawn, all being somewhat more adept at moving out of the way of oncoming traffic than the local Red-legged Partridge. A Small Blue buttlerfly visited flowers in a garden.

10^th

early morning saw a Tawny Owl leave the churchyard area and move in to Flashetts. Further north Yellowhammer continued to gather 'grit', five+ being seen on the road to Kingsclere.

11^th

Hoverflies and a Brimstone were feeding on garden flowers in late afternoon. Three Pied Wagtail high south late in the evening may have been heading to a new roost site — has anybody see any back at the Railway Station yet? A hint of summer lingered, but with more than a hint of autumn thrown in, as 15+ House Martin were seen gathered over the village.

12^th

immature Woodpigeon were still obvious about village gardens, their lack of ringed neck and 'pin-head' look being the easiest way to age them at present. A Common Garden Spider was observed in... a garden.

Right: Green Bottle.

14^th

a Green Bottle Fly visited garden flowers.

18^th

Hoverflies visited the same garden flowers today.

19^th

a unidentified Green caterpillar was found wandering in a garden.

20^th

a Tawny Owl was on the road near Polhampton Stud early morning, needing to be swerved around — nice views though! Brimstone were again seen in village gardens, a White-shouldered House Moth, as might be expected, found in one house.

21^st

a Rosy Footman was found in a car early morning, from where it came could only be guessed. Gadwall were seen heading over Town Meadow in the pre-dawn gloom.

22^nd

the / a Tawny Owl was again on the wing near Polhampton Stud early morning.

Right: Unidentified catepillar.

25^th

a Barn Owl was on roadside signage pre-dawn, near Polhampton Stud.

26^th

a Swift was an unexpected addition and the latest recorded within the Parish, as far as is known, as it lingered with hirundines over the railway line / bridge by Hill Meadow mid-morning. A Red Kite was far more predictable, heading south-west early evening.

26^th

a 25+ House Martin over the village late afternoon was the largest gathering yet noted this year and another sign of approaching autumn.

Contributors: Alison Hutchins, Peter E. Hutchins, Veronique Kerguelen & Adam Trickett.