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The unusual birds recently reported have been a red kite and a common buzzard, both seen at height, but it is strongly suspected that the buzzard is breeding locally. Other notable species breeding in the area include sedge warbler and long-tailed tit. There seems, however, to be fewer swallows, house martins and swifts but they are still quite common. A pair of shellduck has bred for the second year in a row locally.
The outstanding record for the area, from footprints and droppings, is of an otter - after suggestions from several people that they have seen something unusual. The presence was detected by a naturalist from outside the area of the village, and he is, with the help of a group of locals, conducting experiments to establish the presence or otherwise of other mammals along the length of the Gypsey Race. There will be a report about this later in the summer. Both stoats and weasels have been seen with their offspring although hedgehogs seem to have been scarce.
There are records locally of increased numbers of both brimstone and holly-blue butterflies but most species have been scarce. A new moth species, the white-spotted pinion, has been recorded in the area; once again a species spreading northwards but, in general, numbers have been much lower than recently. The first records of blue-tailed damselfly have been reported and cockchafer beetles have been noted by a number of people.
Please keep records coming in, even if they are not reported here immediately.
Tony Ezard
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