Natural History Notes Update, June 2008

There has been a welcome increase in the number of bird species in the village during late winter and spring. Particularly noticeable has been a partial recovery in the numbers of greenfinches, which have been scarce for about two years due to disease. Goldfinches have been particularly numerous throughout the spring. This species is now in the RSPB's list of the top ten most frequently-seen garden birds. Jays are now a frequent sight in Manor Close. These shy members of the crow family have increased in recent years and appear to extending their range. Skylarks are again occupying the fields to the north west of Manor Close and are presumably breeding there by now. Green Woodpeckers are often seen seeking ants on garden lawns.

Despite the wet winter and spring, some butterflies have survived the winter in good numbers. The Holly Blue, a common garden butterfly emerging in early April has had a better than average spring, as has the Speckled Wood. In the local countryside, the Common Blues started to emerge in mid May. Local records of butterflies can be found on the Butterfly Conservation website (Upper Thames section).

National trends due to global warming are reflected locally. Song thrushes have been singing in the winter months. Red Admiral butterflies, normally summer migrants from the continent are now overwintering in the UK due to warmer winters. One was seen by a local member of the Upper Thames branch of Butterfly Conservation on 1 January! Buff-tailed bumblebees, whose presence is usually a sign of spring, are now flying in the winter months. The growth of grass on my lawn was such that I mowed it in February - probably a month earlier than a few years ago. Frog spawn appeared in my pond on 10 March -about the same date as last year. However, it was seen in December in the south west and in South Wales. Oak leaves are now sprouting 26 days earlier than in 1950. The first Chiffchaff was seen and heard on 3 March. Lesser Celandine, a pretty plant in the wild, but a pernicious weed in gardens, is now flowering in February rather than March. In the U.K. major effects of climate change are initially being felt as less cold winters rather than hotter summers.

The heavy rain on 3 June resulted in vast numbers of slugs and snails emerging in gardens. Despite the rain, there were bumblebees taking nectar from raspberry plants in my garden. On 4 June, a Common newt and a pair of mating Damselflies were seen in and above my garden pond respectively.
Malcolm Brownsword

If you have any comments, requests or observations concerning the flora and fauna of the village, please get in touch with us, and we will include them in the next update.

Malcolm Brownsword 01235 850668
Phillip Smith 01235 850618


See also Nature walks in and around West Hagbourne which describe four circular walks in and around the village and the wildlife you might see.