-thumb-1.jpg "Common Field Grasshopper")
Autumn notes from the Common 2009
September was very dry and sunny, consequently insects were still abundant with Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell and Small White butterflies observed on 5th September along with Common Darter dragonflies. A Comma butterfly was seen on 12th September as well as two Turtle Doves overflying west. Turtle Doves are becoming scarce and this is the fourth year since any ‘summered’ or bred on the Common.
A surprise visitor on 17th September was a Snow Bunting – an early visitor from Scandinavia – more typically observed on the shingle bank at Cley or Salthouse. Also seen the same day was a Kingfisher at the Newt Pond, reported by Tony Pennington.
The weather remained mild and a Slow-worm was spotted crossing a path on 19th September. Small Copper and Speckled Wood butterflies were still evident and that evening being National Moth Night a light trap was run. It was a little disappointing in that only 13 species were caught, however, they did include Light Emerald, Large Ranunculus, Angle-shades, Pale Mottled Willow and Autumnal Rustic.
On 23rd September the familiar musical ‘honking’ of the Pink-footed Geese was heard and two skeins, one of 37 and one of 21 birds headed west over the Common. These were another herald of the winter but the weather remained mild and in the evening Pipistrelle bats and nowadays what can be considered a rare sight over the Common – a Noctule bat. The Noctule is Britain’s largest bat and generally is noted about an hour before sunset, flying high and straight, punctuated by spectacular twists and turns.
September was very dry and sunny, consequently insects were still abundant with Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell and Small White butterflies observed on 5th September along with Common Darter dragonflies. A Comma butterfly was seen on 12th September as well as two Turtle Doves overflying west. Turtle Doves are becoming scarce and this is the fourth year since any ‘summered’ or bred on the Common.
A surprise visitor on 17th September was a Snow Bunting – an early visitor from Scandinavia – more typically observed on the shingle bank at Cley or Salthouse. Also seen the same day was a Kingfisher at the Newt Pond, reported by Tony Pennington.
The weather remained mild and a Slow-worm was spotted crossing a path on 19th September. Small Copper and Speckled Wood butterflies were still evident and that evening being National Moth Night a light trap was run. It was a little disappointing in that only 13 species were caught, however, they did include Light Emerald, Large Ranunculus, Angle-shades, Pale Mottled Willow and Autumnal Rustic.
On 23rd September the familiar musical ‘honking’ of the Pink-footed Geese was heard and two skeins, one of 37 and one of 21 birds headed west over the Common. These were another herald of the winter but the weather remained mild and in the evening Pipistrelle bats and nowadays what can be considered a rare sight over the Common – a Noctule bat. The Noctule is Britain’s largest bat and generally is noted about an hour before sunset, flying high and straight, punctuated by spectacular twists and turns.
In the first few days of October, Redwings, Skylarks, Song Thrushes and Starlings were on the move and Red Admirals and Painted Lady butterflies were visiting late flowering brambles. On 10th October Giles Dumore reported two Hawfinches overlying south-west. This is a new species for the Common’s records. A week later ‘Birder’ flocked to the Common as a North American thrush, a Veery, had been reported. While ‘Birders’ looked for the elusive thrush they found a Red-breasted Flycatcher and Firecrest (17th Oct) and a Yellow-browed Warbler (19th Oct)! Interesting birds continued with at least two Bearded Tits on 21st Oct and a Chiffchaff (24th Oct). A Common Snipe was feeding along the pond outlet on 31st October and as rain returned at the end of the month it promoted a flurry of fungi with Shaggy Parasol, Fly Agaric and Wood Blewit being amongst the more notable.
A Woodcock was noted on 12th November. Small flocks of finches, including 12 Goldfinches, 15 Redpolls and 20 Greenfinches were present on 20th November, along with 2 Bullfinches and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Seven Fieldfares headed west over the Common on 26th November.
With plenty of rain and only a couple of slight frosts over a dozen wildflowers remain in bloom, including Red Campion, Ragged Robin, Red Rattle and Devil’s-bit Scabious. November ended with strong winds and squally showers – maybe the frosts are just around the corner?
Francis Farrow
Hon. Warden – Beeston Common SSSI/SAC
www.beestoncommon.org.uk
With plenty of rain and only a couple of slight frosts over a dozen wildflowers remain in bloom, including Red Campion, Ragged Robin, Red Rattle and Devil’s-bit Scabious. November ended with strong winds and squally showers – maybe the frosts are just around the corner?
Francis Farrow
Hon. Warden – Beeston Common SSSI/SAC
www.beestoncommon.org.uk
Angle Shades
Shaggy Parasol