Overton Biodiversity Society

September 2017

1^st

a Tree Pipit was the most notable of avian migrants, being present in the Hop fields south of Jackson's Copse later in the morning. Of other migrants noted both Blackcap and Chiffchaff were heard in song. Sainfoin joined Chicory, Lucerne and Tansy-leaved Phacelia in bloom in fields off Turrill Hill where Red Admiral, Comma, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell and Large White were on the wing; the whites, Speckled Wood and a Brimstone being seen about The Harroway. Two Red Kite over Harveys Field were thought to be the same as those seen over fields by Pond Close later in the morning, a further adult being seen over the Woodlands / Town Meadow area pre-noon. A Kestrel was on a roadside telegraph post at Southley Farm mid-afternoon, Dark Mullein in flower there and a flock of 22 Lesser black-backed Gull lingering on one of the yet-to-be-cleared CarFest fields. Both Large and Small White were seen to be still laying on nasturtium leaves, previous laying now resulting in robust larvae making the very most of this readily available food source. Charms of Goldfinch were still seen to be feeding about the dog-field on Overton Hill.

Right: Sainfoin, Onobrychis viciifolia. A high protein forage crop

2^nd

13 Canada Geese moved low west over the village early evening, when House Martin were still to be seen foraging overhead.

3^rd

both Swallow and House Martin were again seen over the village, in the near continuous rain and totally grey-clouded sky; truly autumnal weather, at last.

4^th

a Hummingbird Hawk-moth was an early evening visitor to at least one garden, preferring the flowering Phlox there. Later in the evening a Tawny Owl was again heard about the Two Gate Meadow area. The 65+ House Martin feeding over Town Meadow during the evening attracted in a single Swallow - both Red Kite and Grey Heron being seen to move over as the flock was watched. Also moving over during this period were a total of 27 Lesser Black-backed Gull and four+ Pied Wagtail.

Right: Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Macroglossum stellatarum — Picture: Mike Wall. www.hantsmoths.org.uk

5^th

a now regular Green Woodpecker was found to have made the most of one lawn early morning, signs of its ant-based activities being all too obvious.

6^th

a male Kestrel was seen moving off from a hedgerow at the Turrill Hill dog field. Bullfinch were again seen, and heard, about the scrubbier areas off Southington Lane.

7^th

two Red Kite, several Bullfinch and vocal Wren and a Nuthatch were about The Harroway. About The Test, between Bridge Street and Station Road one+ Kingfisher, two Blackcap, four Chiffchaff, one in song, three Shoveler and two Teal were most notable early morning, 19+ House Martin being overhead where a Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron and two Meadow Pipit moved over.

8^th

early morning about Turrill Hill saw a pair of Raven, two Yellow Wagtail, four Swallow, two Meadow Pipit and 61 Lesser Black-backed Gull on the move. The fields there attracted five Red Kite, 13 Stock Dove and small numbers of Pheasant in to feed, the Tansy-leaved Phacelia field being under plough, the flanking hedgerows adding a Willow Warbler and nine Chiffchaff and a pair of Sparrowhawk, the latter performing acrobatically with the local corvids.

9^th

the Tawny Owl was again vocal pre-dawn at Two Gate Meadow. More obvious, or at least being seen, were the Common Darter about Ashe and several of both Red Admiral and Small White.

10^th

a Muntjac and two of both Brown Hare and Roe Deer were seen during the evening in the Nutty Bottom area, as were a pair of hunting Buzzard. Meadow Pipit continued to move over in small numbers, both north and south, as did Swallow and House Martin. The Two Gate Tawny Owl was again verbal early morning.

11^th

hedgerows and fields north of the mill proved productive, drawing in Southern Hawker and Common Darter, Comma, several Speckled Wood and many Small White, Red Kite, of course, being seen overhead whilst Yellowhammer were more mobile.

12^th

a morning visit to Polhampton produced many Wren, two Comma and, again, many Small White.

13^th

a Chiffchaff was in song off Southington Lane.

19^th

Chiffchaff were noted in David's Wood, perhaps southbound migrants, perhaps birds preparing to overwinter in the Parish.

20^th

a further Chiffchaff was heard, this time on the eastern outskirts of the village.

21^st

a flock of insectivores hunting over The Source of The Test numbered c.50. Other birds looking for prey included two Red Kite and a Kestrel. Red Admiral, Large and Small White were all seen on the wing. Shaggy Ink-cap was just one of the many fungi now evident about the Parish.

Right: Shaggy Ink-cap, Coprinus comatus — Picture: Deb Heath

23^rd

a Chiffchaff was heard in song in Two Gate Meadow. Further butterfly sightings included Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and Small White. Two Red Kite were low over the fields at Lower Ashe, Bullfinch being nearby. A charm of Goldfinch was again seen to visit gardens on the eastern edge of the village.

24^th

Skylark were in song over fields now containing just stubble. A Chiffchaff was again seen in a Two Gate Meadow garden.

25^th

the Chiffchaff remined about Two Gate Meadow gardens, as did both Coal Tit and Dunnock, Blue Tit becoming ever more evident there. The disused cressbeds at Polhampton attracted 100+ hirundine during the afternoon, these primarily Swallow.

26^th

the foraging Blue Tit flock frequenting Two Gate Meadow once again held a Chiffchaff.

27^th

a mobile flock of nine Pied Wagtail was on the Overton Hill football fields.

29^th

a female Noble False Widow was found in a bedroom!

Right: Noble False Widow, Steatoda nobilis — Picture: Bryher Hutchins

30^th

House Martin, Skylark and Red Kite were all seen, and heard, moving over the village during the latter part of the afternoon. A Buzzard was again seen over the woodland at Lower Ashe.

Contributors: Deb Heath, Alison Hutchins, Bryher Hutchins, Peter E. Hutchins & Mike Wall.

Return to the list of reports