Birds and other
wildlife recorded in April 2025
BIRDS:
Red Kites were frequently seen and heard over the woodland. Common Buzzard was
seen, but no other birds of prey recorded. Stock Doves and Woodpigeons were
fairly frequent, but nobody recorded Collared Doves. Both Green and
Great-spotted Woodpeckers were heard and seen. Dunnocks and Robins were fairly
common. Song Thrush was heard and the species has bred, though sadly a
youngster was found deceased – probably too soon out of the nest. Blackbirds
were frequent. Three warblers were recorded: Blackcap, the first record of
Willow Warbler on the 1st, and plenty of Chiffchaffs citing their own name!
Goldcrest
and Wren were heard calling and singing, and the commoner tits were also about:
Great Tit, Coal Tit and Blue Tit – and their distant relative the Long-tailed
Tit. Blue Tit was observed investigating one of the boxes. The corvids were
represented by many Jackdaws, some Jays and Carrion Crows, but there was only
one record of a Rook; we used to have such a thriving rookery but rookeries are
often quite mobile and the birds seem to prefer to be nearer the waterway this year.
Goldfinch
and greenfinch were both recorded but there have been no notes of Chaffinch
this month.
OTHER
WILDLIFE: There are now several people systematically carrying out Gill’s
butterfly transects, which is really good. There are also individual records of
the following this month: Brimstone, Large White, Small White and Green-veined
White. Orange-tip; Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell; a very early Painted Lady;
Peacock; Comma and finally Speckled Wood.
Please
keep looking and send in your records. Even if it’s something you think is very
common, we still need to have the record!
