Back to .... Homepage ---------------------------------------------------- FRIENDS OF EMSWORTH WILDLIFE This is a community web site dedicated to the observation, recording and protection of the wildlife of the Emsworth area Please send your observations and photos to Brian Fellows . . . brianfellows at tiscali.co.uk LOCAL WILDLIFE DIARY - MAY 16-31, 2010   DIARY ARCHIVES January, 2010 . . . February, 2010 . . . March 1-15, 2010 . . . March 16-31, 2010 . . . April 1-15, 2010 . . . April 16-30, 2010 May 1-15, 2010 Wildlife News Summaries . . . Fortnightly summaries of the local wildlife news RALPH HOLLINS NEWS - Ralph is not at present able to keep his web site up-dated. So, for the time being, I am including any observations that Ralph sends me on this web site. . . . MONDAY MAY 31 EASTNEY BEACH Jean and I had a Bank Holiday walk along the Eastney prom from Fort Cumberland to Canoe Lake. We were interested to see the new layout out, with a two way cycle way inserted between the car parking area and the prom. It is nice to get the cyclists off the prom, but there is a problem of people having to cross the cycleway to get from their car to the prom. But best of all were the wonderful flowers on the beach. Why bother with Chelsea Flower Show when nature can do so much better. A wonderful display of Sea Kale and Red valerian on Eastney Beach, Portsmouth - 31 May 2010   The yellow and white flowers of Sea Radish lined the edge of the prom at Easteny - 31 May 2010   The first very pretty flowers of Field Bindweed on Eastney Beach - 31 May 2010   We also found an unusual Geranium with tiny white flowers, which reminded us both of Lesser Stitchwort. Fruits downy and smooth, not ridged like Dove's-foot Cranesbill. I am not sure, but think it could be Small-flowered Crane's-bill. HOUSE SPARROW CALL Caroline French replied to my suggestion yesterday (see May 30) about the unusual House Sparrow call that she heard in her garden. She listened to the Jean Roche recording I sent her but it was not what she heard. She omitted to say that it was quite a long, drawn-out note, at a level pitch. It was a bit like the thin, sibilant 'sssiiiiiiii' alarm call that lots of small birds make, but instead of 'sssiiii', it was more like 'preeee' (perhaps sparrows are not capable of making sibilant sounds?), and not such a thin sound but certainly not a strident sound. Caroline asked a fellow student who is very knowledgeable about birds. He also has heard House Sparrows making this call when the female sparrow is inside the nest box and the male is on top of the nest box on some sort of look duty. He thought it was an alarm call. SOUTHBOURNE COPSE John Tagg sent me a nice photo of a female Great Spotted Woodpecker with a juvenile (with a distinctive red crown) poking it head out of a nesting hole in a mature Oak tree. The nest is in a small copse in Southbourne at Grid Ref: SU 7565 0612. John said the woodpeckers also nested there last year. I don't know the name of the copse, but will call it Southbourne copse. The only access is from the public footpath from the end of Penny Lane. There is no access from Woodfield Park Road. John knows the copse well though I have not been in it for some years until this evening when I had a walk around. It is privately owned, but the public have always used it. There has been a lot of new housing on the southern side of the copse and the footpaths are well developed. The railway is on the northern limit. John is concerned about what he thinks might be a proposed access road leading from Woodfield Park Road through to the field at the bottom of Penny Lane. What looks like a route has been marked through the copse with orange spots on the trees. The Great Spotted Woodpecker nest is in one of a number of very large and mature Oak trees, many of which ominously have numbers written on them with the same orange paint. The woodland is interesting with a range of flora and birds. And is clearly valuable natural asset which needs protection. I shall ask one of my contacts in West Sussex County Council about what is happening. SUNDAY MAY 30 BSS FISHBOURNE I carried out the second of the two Breeding Birds Surveys for the square SU8404 in Fishbourne from 7.30 to 9.00. It was a fine morning with a light wind. Plenty of birds as usual, nothing special, though I did hear two Cetti's Warblers for the first time ever on this survey, one on Fishbourne Meadows and ther other near the Apuldram Sewage Works on Appledram Lane (south). Are they becoming almost common birds? It was good to see a few Swallows feeding over the fields of wheat, but I would love to see some House Martins. Count details Grey Heron 1, Mallard 1, Black-headed Gull 5, Herring Gull 5, Wood Pigeon 13, Collared Dove 6, Green Woodpecker 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Swallow 6, Wren 14, Dunnock 3, Robin 19, Blackbird 20, Song Thrush 2, Cetti's Warbler 2, Whitethroat 4, Blackcap 4, Chiffchaff 1, Blue Tit 1, Magpie 5, Jackdaw 20, Carrion Crow 4, Starling 8, House Sparrow 15, Chaffinch 9, Greenfinch 4. Species = 26. Total = 174 Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem The Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum) is coming up on the verge in Appledram Lane (south) as usual with tall spikes as yet unopened. Last year the flowers were fully open on June 11 when I counted 78 flowering spikes. I took photos of the verge signs indicating this was a notable verge for wild flowers and should not be cut. In fact, it was cut last year, apparently by a local resident, just after I had seen the flowers. Let's hope that does not happen this year. Southern Marsh Orchids I had a quick look at the meadows for orchids, but none were showing. I think they are going to be late this year, like everything else in the plant world. HOUSE SPARROW CALL Caroline French heard a House Sparrow making a call she had never heard before in her North Emsworth garden. It was a level and repeated 'Prreeeee' sound, higher in pitch, and softer than the usual chirps and cheeps. When Caroline looked up in the sky there was a Sparrowhawk. Caroline was sure it was an alarm call due to the Sparrowhawk and I wondered whether House Sparrows, like Starlings, have a different alarm for aerial predators than for terrestrial ones? I think what Caroline heard was the song of a male House Sparrow. I have listened to the recording of House Sparrow on the Jean Roche CD and what he calls the male song sounds very much like the 'preee' sound Caroline describes, much softer than the usual chirrup. BWP describe it as follows: "Song of male is a loose sequence of basic chirps and variants, given by unpaired male at nest to proclaim ownership and attract female, speeding up and becoming more excited on her approach; also given by paired male at end of nestling period to induce mate to start another clutch, and by males in group-display." This differs from the familiar social chirruping calls usually heard outside of the breeding season particularly on winter afternoons, with a number of birds collecting in tree and calling together. SATURDAY MAY 29 BROOK MEADOW Water Voles Patrick Murphy braved the rain this morning to walk down to the village and then back through Brook Meadow. Delighted to see a Water Vole having it's lunch about 10 metres north of the south bridge on the east bank. Despite the rain and overcast conditions managed to get a photo.   Jane Brook spent about half an hour in total this evening watching entranced as a Water Vole sat eating bramble, just by the gasometer in Brook Meadow. For about 15 minutes he (or she!) was down at the water's edge, whilst a juvenile coot or moorhen (not sure which)was foraging close by. Then I went to meet up with Andy and we found the water vole again, only this time further up the bank sitting on the bramble. I suppose it must have been about half past six by this time. I also discovered a Moorhen's nest. Slightly further up river, a pair have created a nest in the vegetation actually in the river. I couldn't see either eggs or young but whilst I was watching the pair swapped sitting shifts. FRIDAY MAY 28 EMSWORTH Young Starlings Two adults and 4 young Starlings were on the grass in the back garden, almost certainly from the nest in my neighbour's roof. I have been watching the parents coming and going from the hole under the eaves for some time and thought the time was very close for fledging. Mute Swan family The Mute Swan family of two adults and 5 small cygnets was in the harbour immediately beneath the quay. I checked the north marina seawall and the Mute Swan was still on its nest near the entrance, so they were not from that nest. I also checked the Thorney Little Deeps where there was no sign of any swans, so my hunch is that the Emsworth family came from there as they have done in the past. Other Mute Swan news The Mute Swan nesting on Slipper Millpond was still on her nest on the west bank. As for the missing eggs from the Peter Pond nest, the prevailing theory is that they were taken by Foxes. This would probably account for the egg that Pam Phillips found in her garden in The Rookery. Millpond news The Coot pair nesting on the northern raft on Slipper Millpond have 6 chicks in their second brood, one more than I saw earlier in the week. Three adult Swallows were hawking over Peter Pond late this afternoon. A Reed Warbler was singing in the reedbeds in the south eastern corner of Slipper Millpond, the first I have heard there this year, thought it is a popular spot for them. Plant news Tamarisk is in full blossom in various locations around the harbour. Here s some near the marina. Bramble is flowering on the north path on Brook Meadow. Scentless Mayweed is out on the grass verge at the bottom of Queen Street. Hemlock is in flower on the east side of Slipper Millpond. Cinquefoil and White Campion are both in flower on the old ERA track on North Thorney. Hedgerow Crane's-bill on the marina western seawall is as good as I have ever seen it. Black Mustard is flowering well on the marina seawall. WESTBROOK STREAM SURVEY I donned my wellies and walked the length of the Westbrook Stream from the south end of Bridge Road car park to the bridge at Victoria Road. Narrow-leaved Water-plantain I was mainly interested in the Narrow-leaved Water-plantain. I was very pleased to find at least 30 plants, most of them in the stretch by the car park around the Bulrushes. As this rare plant is doing so well, this is even more reason why the Environment Agency should not clear the stream. Narrow-leaved Water-plantain is now flourishing in the Westbrook Stream Other plants of interest Sweet Plicate Grass, Hard Rush and Remote Sedge RALPH HOLLINS NEWS Today I found the first flowers on Broad-leaved Willowherb in my garden and close to them was a fresh spike of Common Broomrape (flowers not yet open). I see that John Goodspeed's website has a list of downland flowers (Horseshoe Vetch, Common Gromwell,etc) that make me wish to get to Portsdown - hopefully others will enjoy what I cannot. WEDNESDAY MAY 26 BROOK MEADOW Whitethroat problem? Four Blackcaps and 3 Chiffchaffs were singing on the meadow this morning, but ominously I did not hear a single Whitethroat. Something has happened to the Whitethroat on Brook Meadow this year. I have heard some from time to time, but they have not been singing relentlessly, as they have always done in the past. The Cetti's Warbler was singing from the Lumley Stream. Insects While walking through the Seagull Lane patch, I disturbed a pair of Small Whites mating, but they flew to a nearby plant still attached to each other where I got a photo. Pair of Small White butterflies mating on Brook Meadow - 26 May 2010 Flowering plants The first Goat's Beard flower was open in the usual place on the Seagull Lane patch. Spotted Medick, Black Medick and Wood Dock were also flowering in this area. Yellow Rattle is dominant on the central north meadow and is well in flower. There are lots of Ragged Robin out on the Lumley area, and it looks like a bumper crop. I also found a few Silverweed in flower, quite unusual in my experience. Ragged Robin flowering well in the Lumley area of Brook Meadow - 26 May 2010   The Celery-leaved Buttercup, the leaves of which I found near the south gate in the south meadow, is now in flower. The garden Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) (or Granny's bonnets) is in flower along the path through Palmer's Road Copse. Celery-leaved Buttercup near the south gate on Brook Meadow - 26 May 2010 Grasses and sedges False Oat-grass was in flower for the first time on Brook Meadow. Creeping Bent-grass is now showing well on the edge of Palmer's Road Car Park. Hairy Sedge and several good tufts of Spiked Sedge are out on the north meadow. MUTE SWAN NEWS 1. A Mute Swan family with 5 cygnets have arrived in Emsworth Harbour near the quay. I suspect they are from the Thorney Little Deeps nest, though possibly from the nest on the marina seawall. Mute Swan family with 5 cygnets (probably from Thorney Island) in Emsworth Harbour - 26 May 2010 2. I have been told that the Mute Swan nesting again on the west bank of Slipper Millpond has 5 eggs. She also has 5 eggs in the previous nest which was swamped by a high tide. There are no really high spring tides due for the next month, so she may be lucky second time. 3. Pam Phillips told me about the swan's egg that she found in her garden in The Rookery. This is close to Peter Pond where the Mute Swan recently lost its eggs and Pam wonders if a fox may have deposited it there. Alternatively, if kids took the eggs, they could have thrown it into the garden. The reason for the loss of eggs remains a mystery. BRIDGE ROAD WAYSIDE I have spent a good deal of time over the past couple of days monitoring the waysides sites around Emsworth. Unfortunately, many of them have been cut by the council workers, even though it was agreed not to cut. The communication problem between the bosses and the workers continues. Azure Damselfly I found a damselfly on a Hemlock Water-dropwort plant which Graham Hoggarth confirmed as an Azure Damselfly - female blue form, normally green with extensive black, but there is a blue form. Female Azure damselfly (blue form) on Bridge Road wayside - 26 May 2010 RALPH HOLLINS NEWS Thanks for making me aware of Pill Millipedes (which I see have 13 body sections compared to 11 sections for the Pill Woodlouse that I was aware of). Another seashore creature that I have only come across once at Fareham Creek (but which could turn up on the Langstone Harbour shore) is the bigger Sea Slater. They are similar to the previous two creatures, but larger and have 'tails' - more detail via Google. I read that they sometimes appear in large numbers near the tideline. A new plant which must be out everywhere and has just appeared on my lawn is White Clover. TUESDAY MAY 25 HAYLING OYSTERBEDS The weather was fine and warm for this morning's wardening session on Hayling Oysterbeds. A truly beautiful spring day to be on the Oysterbeds. High water was at 10am so the tide was rising. Birds The islands in the lagoon were active as usual with Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns on their nests. I spotted five Black-headed Gull chicks on the north island. Jason told me he had found 13 newly hatched Black-headed Gull broods during a nest count on the islands yesterday. I counted 85 Common Terns on the south island and 2 more on the north island, with lots sitting on nests. Jason thought there could be up to 60 pairs of Common Terns, which is about the same as last year. There was one Oystercatcher sitting on each island, one by marker C on the south island and another by marker Q on the north island. I spotted a few more on the north bund, though probably not on nests. A high water roost of 50 or so Oystercatchers were on the Stoke Bay shingle spit. The pair of Little Terns were on the new shingle island, with one siting on a nest as they were last week, but sadly no sign of Ringed Plover or Oystercatcher. Looking across the harbour, I could see thousands of gulls in the air over South Binness Island, put up by 7 chaps, including Jason, doing a nest count. Jason told me there was a record number of Mediterranean Gulls nesting on the islands. This is not entirely surprising as they are absolutely everywhere this year. Other birds seen during the morning were 4 Herring Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Curlew and 3 Shelduck on the bunds. I heard several Whitethroats singing around the reserve and a Buzzard was calling from overhead.   Plants The walk from the car park to the lagoon is always interesting. All the regular plants are now showing their leaves along this path, including Spear Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Sea Mayweed, Lesser Burdock, Teasels and Common Ragwort. On the shingle beach one of the Yellow-horned Poppy plants has a flower open. The Bittersweet (ssp. Marinum?) is also flowering. Soft Brome grass growing up through the Hoary Cress on Hayling Oysterbeds   The leaves of Sea-lavender, Stone Parsley and Annual Seablite are showing well on the mudflats by the south bund, and the red and green spikes of Glasswort are poking through the mud. Beaked Hawk's-beard (with red under the petals) is flowering on the south bund. Dame's-violet is now flowering well behind the mound with both white and pink flowers. Cinquefoil is starting to open along the north path. Newly flowering plants along the Hayling Billy Line included Ox-eye Daisy, Common Nettle, Dog Rose, False Oat-grass, Creeping Bent-grass and Smooth Meadow-grass. So far this year I have logged 92 species of plant on the reserve. Ox-eye daisies in flower on Hayling Oysterbeds - 25 May 2010   Insects Plenty of white butterflies were on the wing around the reserve. A colourful butterfly flew strongly along the Hayling Billy Line, which could have been a Painted Lady, but it was too quick for me. I saw another Pill Millipede and my first "Thigh Beetle" (Oedemera nobilis) for the year. Several Cinnabar moths were flying behind the mound on Hayling Oysterbeds - 25 May 2010 Other observations I noticed a Seal poking its head out of the water in the main channel north of the Oysterbeds. A dead Rabbit was on the Hayling Billy Line. It looked fairly fresh and not obviously diseased. Visitors There was a good flow of people walking with and without dogs and cycling through the reserve. Those who stopped to speak were on holiday, and were interested to hear about the Terns.   EMSWORTH Cetti's Warblers David Minns thought he may have seen three Cetti's Warblers in the reedbeds to the north of Peter Pond on Sunday 23 May. "A small brown bird shot into the vegetation next to the bridge, followed by a loud burst of Cetti's song. After about a minute, the same or another small brown bird (I didn't have my binoculars with me!) shot off down the reed-lined channel towards Peter Pond. At the division between two channels it interacted with two other birds of the same size and 'jiz', then disappeared out of sight down the main channel. There were definitely three birds, and they all seemed to be uniformly brown. I leave it at that!" This is a fascinating sighting, probably confirming what we have suspected for a while, that the male Cetti's Warbler, that has been here since April 1, has a mate (or two?). Swifts David Minns saw eight Swifts swooping around from his back garden on Sat evening (May 22), probably the same ones that come over Bridge Road which is barely a stone's throw from where David lives. We have had six over the houses today. Cuckoos at Nutbourne Caroline French heard her first local Cuckoo of the year yesterday evening. She and Ray were walking along the sea wall at between Prinsted and Nutbourne and it was calling from somewhere nearby to the large house to the west of the reedbeds at Nutbourne. also heard what was probably the same Cuckoo at Nutbourne on Saturday.   MONDAY MAY 24   INSECT SURVEY Bryan Pinchen reported on the second insect survey on Brook Meadow on Friday 21 May. "Just thought I should to pass on that I recorded, amongst a load of stuff on Friday, the Nationally Scarce Snail-killing Fly Pherbellia griseola. It is a tiny little thing about 3mm long, and largely black, they lay their eggs in wet habitats and the larvae feed on the snails Lymnaea palustris. Although designated Nationally Scarce I have found it often in both north and south Hampshire (I believe I had the first county records about ten years ago) and even had it earlier in the week at a site in Somerset where I have recorded it in each of the past three years. I recorded a good selection of species in general on Friday, and this included the recently arrived bumblebee species Bombus hypnorum - a single worker on the flowers of Horse Chestnut at the southern end of the reserve. It has become intermittantly widespread since first turning up in 2001 (pp42-43 my book). Keep your eyes peeled! I will be back in late June, and will of course let you know beforehand. ISLE OF WIGHT 19-23 MAY Jean and I spent a few days on the Isle of Wight staying with our son, Peter and his family in Cowes. As well as having a holiday with the grandchidren we went around to various sites of wildife interest. I was pleased to have several firsts, including Glanville Butterflies and Wall Lizards. My reports are below. I had my laptop with me so I was able to check my e-mails from home, so I have also provided a summary of the local observations I was sent during this time. We had another 9 Water Vole sightings, plus some interesting damselflies and a couple of Brown Hares. See below for the the local observations and photos. SUNDAY MAY 23 ALVERSTONE MEAD NR Alverstone Mead is a nature reserve on the upper reaches of the Eastern Yar, owned and managed by the Wight Nature Fund. It is well known for its Red Squirrels but we did not see any while we were there. Starting at Alverstone we walked along the railway track and then turned to come back on the other side of the wetland. The first bit along the cycle route ran along side the wetland marsh with rushes and reedbeds. I noted Crosswort and Beaked Hawk's-beard in flower. There was a good growth of Marestail in the stream. I saw my first male Banded Demoiselle of the year. Highland cattle with young calves, rather like big dogs, were grazing the fields. Lots of Blackcaps were singing, along with Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting and a Cetti's Warbler. The fluffy seeds of Goat Willows lined the paths like snow. Highland Cattle with young grazing on the Alverstoke Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight - 23 May 2010 We crossed a bridge and came back on the other side of the reserve, mainly through old woodland. We passed a fine wild flower meadow (Skinners Meadow) and went in probably the most interesting hide I have come across, well maintained and well used, overlooking the marshes and with lots of feeders to attract birds. I got very good views of a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the 5 minutes I was there. EMSWORTH - back home Peter Pond The Cetti's Warbler was singing plus two Reed Warbler. No change in the Mute Swan situation with the nest on the island abandoned and the birds on the water. Slipper Millpond The Mute Swan is still on her new nest on the west bank of Slipper Millpond. The new nest looks no higher than the last one and I fear could meet the same fate. Good news comes from the Coots on the northern raft on Slipper Millpond, which have produced a second brood of 5 chicks to add to the one remaining from the first brood. There is another Coot family with 3 chicks, but I am not sure where they nested. Second brood of 5 Coot chicks on Slipper Millpond   RALPH HOLLINS NEWS This morning the first Swift which I have seen this year flew over my house in Havant around 10am and soon after midday a group of four shot over below rooftop height. Whether these birds are intending to nest here I cannot say but at least this is not going to be a Swiftless summer as I feared. Nothing else exciting - Ground Elder and Feverfew are starting to flower. SATURDAY 22 MAY VENTNOR BOTANIC GARDENS Jean and I visited Ventnor Botanic Gardens with our son and two grandchildren. It was much cooler at Ventnor with a misty wind coming off the sea, like happens at Southsea occasionally. There was no charge to go into the gardens which was amazing. The gardens were superb, not unlike those at Tresco, with lots of exotic plants. Pete's work colleague Irene used to work there as a botanist. Wall Lizards The largest British colony of Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis) live in walls around Ventnor. Walls specially designed as a habitat for them have been built at the Botanic Garden, but we saw them generally around the area. Their natural range spans mainland Europe, including central Spain, southern Belgium, and the Netherlands. They occur as introduced populations in southern Britain, and also in North America. One of many Wall Lizards seen in Ventnor Botanic Gardens on the Isle of Wight - 22 May 2010 Other observations We were fascinated to watch the antics of the red and blue Damselflies mating around the fish pond by the cafe (though the children were more interested in the exotic fish). I noticed a Wood-rush that I was not familiar with. I later identified it as Southern Wood-rush. COMPTON DOWN Glanville Fritillaries Following the possible sighting of Glanville Fritillaries by Pema Brunet at the Newtown Nature Reserve yesterday, my son suggested we try Compton Down. We drove along the Military Road which is in danger of disappearing over the edge of the cliffs in places Strangely this is the habitat favoured by the Glanville Fritillaries The place was packed with visitors on their way to the beach, but I headed for the cliff top where I very quickly found what I had come for. There must have been about 10 Glanville Fritillaries fluttering about, rarely venturing more than a few yards from the crumbling cliff edge, which made getting a good photo a bit difficult However, I had luck with one insect that came fairly close to where I was standing and so was able to get some nice views and photos. One of several Granville Fritillaries seen on the cliff edge at Compton Down on the Isle of Wight - 22 May 2010 These are central European butterflies that can just survive in the warmest spots in Britain, namely in small pockets along the south coast of the Isle of Wight, especially on the crumbling sandstone cliffs around Compton Down. Apparently there are about 12 permanent colonies on the island with a few hundred individuals in good years. The insect over winters as a caterpillar. FRIDAY 21 MAY NEWTOWN NATURE RESERVE Jean and I visited this beautiful National Trust reserve with our 3 year old grand daughter this morning. I was pleased to meet up with assistant warden Pema Brunet, who I have met on several occasions before. Pema was excited over a possible sighting of some Glanville Fritillaries on the reserve that very morning. They are very rare only found on the Isle of Wight. I said we would look out for them, but did not see any. There were lots of Small Heath and Common Blues on the meadows, plus a single Small Copper. I also spotted a Cardinal Beetle. Small Copper on Newtown Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight - 21 May 2010 Cuckoo-spit Having seen Froghoppers on Brook Meadow recently I was interested to find several examples of so-called 'Cuckoo-spit' on plants, which is produced by the nymphs of the Froghopper. Cuckoo spit produced by Froghoppers on Cleavers on Newtown Nature NR on the Isle of Wight - 21 May 2010 The life-cycle of the Froghopper is in three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Up to 100 eggs are laid by the adult females in the late summer into an incision made into the tissues of the host plant. The eggs hatch into nymphs the following spring. The nymph resembles the adult in shape but unlike the adult has no wings and only rudimentary legs and eyes. Crucially, it has but a thin outer body layer, or exoskeleton, which unlike the adult's is not covered by a waxy layer. For this reason it needs to protect itself from desiccation. This is achieved by surrounding itself in a frothy mass of soapy bubbles known as cuckoo-spit. The froth also helps to protect the developing nymph from predators by disguising the nymph and by the unpalatable taste of the froth. Enclosed within this froth, the nymph moults several times before emerging as an adult in early summer. The mechanism for producing the spit is as follows: The nymph feeds head downwards with its syringe-like mouthparts embedded in the tissue of the plant. The froth is created by the insect excreting a fluid, the result of excess undigested plant sap, exuding through the anus. This sap, as it is excreted, mixes with a secretion from the abdominal glands. Air bubbles are introduced through a special valve on the abdomen which acts like a bellows, and contact with the air causes the liquid to ferment, forming the froth (or spittle). Amazing! Birds The only birds I saw in the harbour which was at low tide, were an Oystercatcher and two Redshank. A Kestrel flew overhead We went into the public hide overlooking a Black-headed Gull nesting island, with about 300 nesting Black-headed Gulls, some of which had newly hatched chicks. Wild flowers The real joy of this reserve are its meadows, rich in wild flowers. The dominant flowers were Buttercups, Red Clover, Common Sorrel, Yellow Rattle, Ribwort Plantain, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Field Wood-rush, Sweet Vernal Grass and Meadow Foxtail. A fine growth of Green-winged Orchids were just starting to go over on the meadow near the bird hide. Pema told me the official count was 2,574 On the mudflats the green spikes of Common Glasswort were showing along with leaves of Sea-lavender and Sea Arrowgrass. THURSDAY 20 MAY ISLE OF WIGHT Golden Hill I paid my first ever visit to Golden Hill Park, on the edge of Freshwater. It was a bit difficult to find as it was not signed and the access road goes through an industrial estate. There is a large Victorian fort on top of the hill which is currently being renovated into flats. The Holly Lodge clearing is owned by the Council and is badly in need of care and management. I gather a local conservation group has recently been formed and with the new housing development things should improve. The hill is mostly composed of scrub, with Bramble and Hawthorn dominating. There are numerous paths and a few open spaces of grassland grazed by rabbits. Botanically, there was not much of interest. Bugle and Great Horsetail dominated in some areas with Bird's-foot Trefoil also prominent. Afton Marsh In sharp contrast to Golden Hill, this local nature reserve is very well managed and cared for. In fact, while we were there a chap through cutting the excellent path which goes round the reserve. There is an equally excellent booklet for the nature trail, giving details of wildlife to be seen along the route. The reserve follows the course of the lower Yar down to Freshwater. r Bay. I only did the northern half of the trail, where I noted several sedges, including Greater Pond Sedge, Pendulous Sedge, Remote Sedge and False Fox Sedge. There was also a prominent growth of Prickly Rhubarb (Gunnera manicata). Water Voles are on the reserve, though I did not see one. Alum Bay I have not been here for some years. It is now very commercial with a fun fair and lots of food shops catering for visitors. I was pleased to see the pink flowers of Thrift on the cliffs along with a yellow flower which I assume was Biting Stonecrop, though I could not get close enough to confirm. Headon Warren From Alum Bay we climbed part of the way up Headon Warren. Excellent views of the Needles. This is mostly heathland and inhabitated by rabbits. Red Campion was abundant on the paths. I found a mystery sedge which I was not famliar with growing around the fortifications overlooking the bay. WEDNESDAY 19 MAY Carisbrooke Castle Jean and I are staying on the island for a few days. We visited the castle this afternoon, not been here for years. I found the castle itself a bit boring, though the wildlife kept my interest going. Three Buzzards were constantly soaring and calling overhead. I assume they are common breeders on the island. I also saw two Swifts and a House Martin feeding overhead. Jackdaws were the main occupants of the castle, particularly in the cafe garden, and very noisy at times. As for the flora, the most interesting area was the old bowling green, though it would not be much use for that sport in its present condition. Field Wood-rush was common on the grassland along with good quantities of Glaucous Sedge. Common Rock Rose was prominent around the edge of the green. There was a lot of what I assume was Burnet-saxifrage, but it was not in flower. The leaves were distinctive, though the flowers appeared to be reddish. The chalk grass habitat was right. The walls of the castle were decorated with Pellitory-of-the-wall, Ivy-leaved Toadflax and Red Valerian. I found some good flowering of Woodruff in Princess Beatrice's garden. An interpretation board indicated that the castle was nationally important for its Bats, of which nine species had been recorded. LOCAL OBSERVATIONS 19-23 MAY FRIDAY MAY 21 BROOK MEADOW Water Vole Roy Millea saw a Water Vole at about 17:45 on the bend between B and C on the map. He said it looked like it was tea time! Insects Graham Hoggarth had a brief wander around Brook Meadow (10:15 to 11:30) and saw the following: Butterflies: 2 Holy Blue - 1st on Lumley Road towards Lumley path, the other in the same spot that he saw one yesterday. Orange Tips in abundance. 2 Peacocks - did not appear to be holding territory. Damselflies: 3 Large Red Damselflies (male), 2 holding territory on the stream side vegetation near to the Divided Sedge. 2 Banded Demoiselle's (female) one in the same area as the large red above and the other wondering around the middle of the Meadow. Great photo of a female Banded Demoiselle by Graham Hoggarth on Brook Meadow - 21 May 2010 THURSDAY MAY 20 BROOK MEADOW Water Voles Caroline French saw two Water Voles today in Section C: 16.30 one young vole at exactly the same place as we saw one last Saturday 16:45 one adult a little further upstream, not nearly as far as the S bend. A young Water Vole nibbling vegetation on Brook Meadow - Photo by Caroline French - 20 May 2010 Graham Hoggarth met a lady on Brook Meadow who had just seen a Water Vole, but he did not get a good look before it disappeared into the vegetation. This was along the main straight of the river about half way along towards the bridge. Section B. During this morning's work session a baby Water Vole and (presumed) mother were spotted in the Ems just north of the 'S' bend - an encouraging observation which delayed path trimmers Pam and Dave's appearance at coffee. Section B. Insects Graham Hoggarth had a late afternoon wander around Brook Meadow and saw a Banded Demoiselle, on the Bramble path. Only seen for a couple of seconds before disappearing over the nettle / bramble back. Butterflies consisted of: 1 Peacock holding territory on the bare earth close to the Lumley path entrance. 5 Orange-tip (male and female). 1 Small White. 1 possible Holly / Common Blue towards North West corner, flying and feeding at speed. Lastly attached an distinctive beetle: Wasp Beetle ~ Clytus arietis, located on the vegetation south of the main path (and seat) at the top end of the southern / eastern boundary path. THORNEY ISLAND Caroline went onto Thorney where she saw two Brown Hares near The Deeps and a Sandwich Tern fishing over The Deeps. Caroline also reported some very strange-looking goats on Thorney Island! One of the two Brown Hares that Caroline French saw on Thorney Island on 20 May 2010   Some strange goats that Caroline French saw on Thorney Island - 20 May 2010   WEDNESDAY MAY 19 BROOK MEADOW Water Voles Robin Pottinger reported two vole sightings today, about 12.30. First one north of the north bridge, just short of where the river bends east to follow the railway. Feeding on the west bank. Haven't seen one here for two or three years. The second one immediately north of the north bridge, again feeding on the west bank. Definitely two separate creatures. Mike Probert saw a Water Vole (red brown;? slightly less than full size) on a ledge nibbling at water level in the west bank north of the north bridge. Mike also wrote to Fran Southgate about possible Water Vole footprints (plus poo) in the mud on the edge of the Lumley Stream. Grid ref SU75150605. Photos also sent. Note: we have not had any Water Vole sightings from the Lumley Stream area this year. Fish Mike Probert saw an Eel (c.18-24") swimming upstream in the River Ems just to the N of the 'S bend' past the factory railings. He also saw some good looking Trout (10" +; rising for insects) seen from various points along the causeway with a group of 6+ of a good size(10-12") about 20m N of N bridge. YOUNG BIRDS Caroline French reported: "Today I had a first sighting of a single young Goldfinch and two House Sparrows in my garden. Very pleased about the sparrows as I didn't see a single young one last year. I have also had a young Robin around and also two young Dunnocks. The mother has one of the dried mealworms that I had just put out on the lawn. I hope the young ones learn how to drink water soon. HAYLING OYSTERBEDS UPDATE Jason Crook reported: "It is with frustration (inherent to the job I'm afraid) that I have to report that both the Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher nests (i.e. eggs) are no longer on the new shingle island. They were OK throughout yesterday afternoon and early evening but are gone today. Things were obviously not right when I arrived today as neither of the Ringed Plovers were initially present and the Oystercatchers were just stood around preening (pairs of birds often do this incessantly immediately after they have lost a nest/young). The Little Terns are still there, on their nest/eggs, just south of the decoys, with the male regularly coming in with fish to feed his mate on the nest. Under special licence (for disturbance of a schedule 1 breeding species, the Little Tern) I spent a few minutes looking around the area of the Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover nests to see if I could establish a definitive reason for their failure, but other than establish the absence of eggs I am little wiser. As I don't wish to put off the terns I didn't undertake a finger tip search though. The female tern was happily back on her nest within minutes of me leaving the island. This does not bode well for the Little Terns. Needless to say I have suspicions about what may have happened and they point strongly to an avian predator of the corvid kind! It may have been a combination of agents of course, even people, but I have no evidence for that. Egg collectors would (presumably) go for the Little Tern too. Fox is a possibility, as are rats, but I think it would be hugely coincidental for two quite separate nests of two different species to be targeted/found in less than one day by a mammalian predator. This is undoubtedly a setback, but hopefully the ringed plovers and oystercatchers will re-nest. The male plover was back on the shingle bank later in the afternoon." RSPB LANGSTONE HARBOUR RESERVE UP-DATE Chris Cockburn reported: Hello Folks, an update from the RSPB reserve. At least 27 Little Terns are apparently on nests on the west side of Baker's Island, mostly near or above the top strandline on the shingle that extends southwards for approximately 200 metres from the brick structures, but there are some on the recharged area by the No Landing sign (and at least five within the electrified fence enclosure joining the somewhat immobile least tern decoys). There are also several birds nest-scraping, so the final count should be greater than 27 (previously, there have been up to c100 little terns roosting on the RSPB Islands at high tide). Males have been repeatedly and frequently returning with food, which is encouraging. However, as is the way of little terns, the majority have opted to nest on locations unprotected from fox forays and at risk of flooding from tides greater than 4.7m (and, as a bonus, some are close to a small group of black-headed gulls - this year is the first time that black-headed gulls have nested on Baker's Island). Presently, no little terns have attempted nesting on South Binness Island, not even on the recharged area. There are three possible explanations for this - little terns do not like cockle shell capped habitats; they are still wary of the fact that this was the breeding territory for the pair of crows which ground-nested on the island (since the sad loss of the crows' eggs, the crows are no longer vigorously defending this area from all birds) or they are just contrary and determined to become extinct. Some Common Terns have started nesting, but until they have all settled, it is too early to give an estimate of numbers (but c20 pairs seem to have settled on Round Nap Island, the smallest island on the east. There appear to be lots of Sandwich terns - the white 'blob' on the NE end of South Binness Island , readily visible with binoculars from the Oysterbeds, is the main colony - the shingle has already turned white from the guano and there is a distinct aroma when downwind of them. There are also two smaller colonies on the shingle ridge south of the main colony. Numbers of Mediterranean and black-headed gulls will not be known until the nest count is carried out, but a reasonable guess is 'lots of both'. One black-headed gull nest has been built atop the black box that contains the batteries for the remote video system - it is not known how the chicks will get back to the nest if they fall off the box - miniature ladders? As in many previous years, a very pale (not albino, but very white) black-headed gull is back in its usual place at the southernmost point of South Binness. Oystercatcher numbers seem to be lower than in previous years and very few have started nesting yet. At least 3 pairs of Ringed Plovers are nesting on Baker's Island, but the one pair on Long Island has apparently failed and it has not been possible to properly scan the beach on South Binness (boats never seem to stay still). The non-breeding Great Black-Backed Gulls are enjoying feasting on cuttlefish corpses, but will no doubt be thinking of tasty gull chicks to come. BROOK MEADOW Bat Survey Graham Walsgrove sent the following report of the bat survey on Wed 19 May, 2010. Sunset: 20:53. Start weather: No cloud; very slight breeze; no precipitation. Start temperature: 16°C Start time: 21:12. It had been a glorious sunny, warm day. The walk started from Palmers Road Car Park and included two volunteers (Pat & Graham Walsgrove ). Soprano Pipistrelles were first detected at the south bridge continually all round the route, with the exception of the Seagull Lane and railway bridge area. Just past the seat on the causeway (timed 21:27) up to the north bridge low frequency was picked up, 22 to 28kHz. The bats were seen flying over the river Ems and appeared large, flying in a figure of eight pattern (Serotines?). These low frequencies were also picked up at the Lumley Road railway bridge (timed at 21:58) to the end of the cottages and from the start of Peter Pond to the end of Lumley Road. End time: 22:24 End temperature: 12°C End weather: No cloud; no precipitation, slight breeze Both the Brook Meadow detectors, Stag Electronics Batbox 111 and Batbox 111D, were used. It is our intention to ask Nik Knight if he could accompany us for the June survey, with his recording equipment to see if we can get a positive ID on these low frequency detections. TUESDAY MAY 18 HAYLING OYSTERBEDS It was an idyllic warm spring morning for my regular wardening session at the Oysterbeds. Little Terns What a lovely surprise to find the first pair of Little Terns on the new shingle island. They were at the far end of the island next to the decoys, which clearly have done their job! I watched them for about 15 minutes as one bird sat still (on a nest?) while the other came to and fro with small fish. Lets hope this pair of explorers will be followed by others. An Oystercatcher was settled (on a nest?) near to the Little Terns. The pair of Ringed Plovers was also on the new island, as they were last week, with one bird on a nest while the other stood guard nearby. Common Terns There were many more Common Terns on the main islands in the lagoon than last week. I counted 90 mostly on the south part of the south island, with just two on the north island. With a few flying around, that probably meant there were 50 or so nests, which is close to last year's final total of 59 nesting Common Terns. Black-headed Gulls The gull situation seemed much the same as last week with about 500 birds on the two islands, a scattering on the south island and a mass on the north island. Oystercatchers There was one Oystercatcher sitting (on a nest?) on each of the main lagoon islands. I also saw one on the north bund of the lagoon and another sitting on the seawall in the northern beds. Jason told me there were probably 11 pairs of Oystercatchers in all on the reserve. Other birds The only other birds seen on the beds were 5 Shelduck on the main lake to the north of the lagoon and 3 Little Egrets. I heard several Blackcaps and Whitethroats as I walked around the reserve. Plants There has not been much movement on the flowering plant front since last week. Hoary Cress is now at its best, and smelling strongly, along the path from the car park to the lagoon.   The flowers of Dame's-violet are starting to open near the car park and behind the mound, with lots more to come. The pretty pink flowers of Common Stork's-bill are showing well on the mound. If you look at them closely, there are greyish marks at the base of the two upper petals. The large Laburnum on the north path is a fine sight with its bright yellow pea flowers cascading down. Newly flowering since last week were Creeping Thistle (in the overflow car park) and Bird's-foot Trefoil and Buckshorn Plantain (both on the Hayling Billy Line). Of the grasses, I noted Soft Brome and Cocksfoot were out since last week. Insects Surprisingly, few butterflies were on the wing on such a warm day. The only ones I saw were male and female Orange Tips (very common this spring) and a couple of unidentified whites. Sitting down from time to time enabled me to have a look for insects on the ground using my close-focussing binoculars. What I think was a Pill Millipede (Glomeris marginata?) stopped for its photo to be taken. However, an Earwig (Forficula auricularia?) scuttled along far too quickly and the same applied to a Hover-fly (Helophilus pendulus?) with yellow marks on its thorax, which flew off as I readied the camera. Visitors There was a good flow of visitors, many no doubt locals, but some holiday-makers, some of whom stopped for a chat about the birds. EMSWORTH Peter Pond The Mute Swan pair was back on Peter Pond as usual with the nest on the island empty and exposed to the elements. I can see the trampled vegetation where the egg thieves got across to the island. I shall discuss with David Gattrell the possibility if erecting a fence along this section to deter future incidents. A Little Grebe in full summer plumage was fishing on the pond, not a common sight on Peter Pond. The Cetti's Warbler was singing from the reedbeds, along with one Reed Warbler. Slipper Millpond The Mute Swan was still on its new nest on the west bank of Slipper Millpond. A new Coot family was on Slipper Millpond, a pair of adults with 3 chicks. I am not sure where they came from. I am fairly sure they were not from the rafts. The Coot on the southern raft is still on her nest, accompanied by the one remaining chick from the first brood. There was a pile of Collared Dove feathers on the Bridge Road Wayside verge, clearly the result of a Sparrowhawk kill. SPECKLED YELLOW MOTH Andy Brook sent me this fine photo of a Speckled Yellow Moth which he took in Hollybank Woods. Andy says the woods seem to be experiencing a new flush of these attractive day-flying moths in the bluebell glades at the moment. NEWS FROM VALETTA PARK Elaine Morgan wrote to say she found a slow worm under her front window in Valetta Park. "I was clearing the ground because I was due to have installed new gutters/downpipes etc. Unfortunately I had to relocate the slow worm as it would undoubtedly have been trodden on by the workers. However I placed it at the end of the back garden where I have seen other slow worms in recent times and where there is plenty of cover with trees/hedges/compost heaps. The blue tits - nesting in a box on the back of the bungalow - are continuing to feed their young in spite of gutters being ripped down and replaced directly above their box! I did ask the workers to avoid that section until the birds had fledged but I expect they forgot all about it. Luckily no harm done." RALPH HOLLINS NEWS I have just had an email from Kevin Stouse giving the location of a singing Firecrest on the northern fringe of Havant Thicket and thought you or others might wish to try their luck with it. Kevin says .."I had day off yesterday (May 17) and did my 2 TTVS at Rowlands and Havant thicket. Imagine my surprise when in Havant Thicket I found a singing firecrest, I first heard this bird and thought of goldcrest then thought no thats not right did a little searching and there it was giving fab views. First one I have ever heard singing. Its easy to find, heading north out of Rowlands (on the main road to Horndean) on left just before you come to end of the thicket is a metal 5 bar gate. Go up that track and after about 50 yards there is a birch tree down over the path. On your left is a thicket of yew it was showing very well there and singing from trees in front as well as the thicket" INSECT IDENTIFICATION - see May 15 Bryan Pinchen confirmed the Harlequin Ladybird found on May 15. He said it was one of the many colour forms, and shows the black M shape on the pronotum quite clearly. As for the dark Froghopper, Bryan confirmed it as another Cercopsis vulnerata. "It looks like it had recently moulted to adult and was still in the process of colouring up, immediately after moulting the red bits would have been off white. It may take 4-6 hours or more for the colour to come through, much the way as it does with ladybirds." MONDAY MAY 17 EMSWORTH Cetti's Warbler After weeks of listening to the Cetti's Warbler blasting out its song, sometimes seemingly within touching distance, but without ever getting a good view of the bird, this morning I finally got it! Passing by Peter Pond at about 11am I heard the bird and scanning in the direction of the song with my bins, there it was as plain as a pikestaff, sitting on a small branch on the Goat Willow tree in the centre of the reedbeds. I scrambled around in my bag for my camera, found it eventually and, with hands shaking, zoomed in on the bird and snapped it. I got a number of photos, none as good as Tony Wootton's taken from virtually the same place on Apr 16, but certainly good enough for me. The bird stayed for not more than a minute before flying north towards the small bridge where it sang again. This is the 7th week that the Cetti's Warbler was been in this area, sometimes on Peter Pond and sometimes in the bushes on the Lumley Stream on Brook Meadow. Peter Pond Swan eggs stolen After leaving the Cetti's Warbler I walked towards the town and was surprised to see the Mute Swan off its nest on the island on Peter Pond. To my dismay, the nest was totally empty with no eggs. Had the cygnets hatched I wondered? Sadly, no. I returned later this afternoon and both swans were on the pond, swimming along serenely as if nothing had happened. A reminder that animals do not have human emotions. Fred Portwin rang me later to say he was certain the eggs had been stolen, probably by kids getting onto the island, as has happened in the past. He could see the tell-tale signs of vegetation being trampled down. This is a great pity as I had high hopes for this new pair. However, no doubt they will try again next year. Slipper Millpond swan nesting again Talking about trying again, the Mute Swan that had its eggs washed away by the high spring tides at the end of April, has built another nest a bit further south of the west bank of Slipper Millpond. It is the same bird that tried before as shown by its pink legs - ie a 'Polish' swan. I fear the worst for this nest, as it is no higher than the last one and this is very late to start a nest. Plant news Newly flowering on Brook Meadow were Wood Avens and Yellow Flag. Common Spike-rush, Spiked Sedge and Grey Sedge are also showing for the first time, bringing the total number of sedges seen on Brook Meadow so far this year to ten. I also found Wood Sedge and Wood Melick along Lumley Road, the latter for the first time in this area. Water Vole I happened to meet Ros Norton on Brook Meadow this morning and I showed her where the Water Voles were seen on Saturday by the Havant Wildlife Group. This evening Ros e-mailed me to say although she did not see any Water Voles herself, she did speak to a man photographing plants only a few yards north of where the voles were seen on Saturday. He said he had just seen a Water Vole there but had not been able to get a photo. It was just after 12 noon so about same time as on Saturday. Ros kept looking but no luck. This takes the total number of Water Vole sightings on Brook Meadow so far this year to 40. HAYLING OYSTERBEDS Tony Wootton went down to the Oysterbeds on Sat (May 15) p.m. and got photos of a Buzzard being harassed by a pair of Carrion Crows and a Common Tern flying. But best of all was a superb shot of a Long-tailed Tit collecting grubs for young in a nest. RALPH HOLLINS NEWS A couple of new additions to my first flowers list noticed yesterday (Apr 16) in my garden were Wood Avens and Ribwort Plantain. I also have a very healthy plant of Charlock (new to my garden!) which has just started to flower. I am pretty sure the plant whose leaves are shown on your website (for Sat May 15) is Celery-leaved Buttercup but it could be the very early stage of Wild Celery.