August 19th 2010

We spent a pleasant morning on Lardon Chase, Oxfordshire overlooking the River Thames as it flowed through the Goring Gap enjoying the stunning views of the countryside around here. The weather was not brilliant for Butterfly’s but Bob tracked down some Chalkhill Blues though the hoped for Adonis Blue remained elusive. Other highlights included Holly Blue, Small Heath, Silver Y, 6 Red Kite and 2 Buzzard.
On the way home we called in on the pond as earlier Max had rang to say he was having a waderfest on hensborough bank and even 6 hours later there were still 6 Common Sandpiper, 3 adult and 2 juvenile Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plover and a Dunlin between hensborough bank and the outlet.


Ruff by (top) Bob Hazell and (bottom) Max Silverman

A search of the reservoir located a juvenile Little Gull sitting among a few Black-headed Gulls some distance away while Bob found a juvenile Black-headed Gull with a yellow davic ring number AEE9 on the inlet which was ringed in Germany, so an impressive journey in such a short time.

Black-headed Gull by Bob Hazell

Other species seen before the rain arrived were female Goosander, 6 young Yellow Wagtail, 3 male Pochard, 10+ Teal, 2 Common Tern and 2 Little Egret.
As the rain continued in to the evening a Redstart was found on Bush Hill so it’s got to be worth checking the high ground over the next few days for other migrants in case they stay to feed up.
On the mothing front both Colin and Dave trapped Dark Sword-grass in the last few days but as we have been busy we have not had time to process the pictures yet.

Richard