May 12th 2011

With the barometer dropping and the wind increasing the pond recorded gusts of over 50mph briefly so not surprising that a group of 4 Ringed Plover arrived at the pond while we battled our way along farborough bank with another 2 seen on my way back. Only a Common Tern was out in the centre while Yellow Wagtail and Hobby made an appearance near the country park.
I managed to find shelter from the wind and despite the limited amount of sunshine this morning butterflies seen were 2 Grizzled Skipper, my first for the year Dingy Skipper at the pond, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Small White, Green-veined White and a very accommodating Common Blue.



Dingy Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue by Bob Hazell

Other birds seen were 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler and plenty of Whitethroats plus Pyausta aurata and one very interesting micro that eluded us.
I tend to take Blue Tits for granted but they are certainly versatile when it comes to nesting sites around the reservoir with one raising young in an old House Martins nest much to the annoyance of last years tenants and others have been found in a security camera, boat trailer and a life belt holder.

Richard