WEEKLY SUMMARY

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Red-necked Grebe: Just one reported off the Netherlands on May 19

Sooty Shearwater: One had been reported off Flamborough Head on Jan 5 but the real 'first of the year' was off the Butt of Lewis in the western Isles on May 14

Leach's Storm Petrel: There had also been sightings of this in the first week of January but the species is only now making its real first appearance with sightings off the Butt of Lewis on May 14 and Spurn Head on May 15

Night Heron: One put in an unexpected appearance at Waltham Brooks (Pulborough) on the evening of May 17 but disappeared next day!

White Stork: Up to three 'lost birds' were wandering around southern England this week with sightings over Pulborough Brooks, East Grinstead (near Crawley), and Stockbridge in the Hampshire Test valley.

Glossy Ibis: At least one (of the two which arrived at the Pagham North Walls on May 6) was still there on May 19

Spoonbill: One or two have been seen this week in north Cornwall, the Scillies, Exminster marsh in Devon and on Brownsea Island (Poole Harbour in Dorset)

Mute Swan: The pair on the Budds Farm pools in Havant had five new cygnets on May 19 but I fear that some disaster has overtaken the Langstone Pond family which hatched seven cygnets on May 2 and was seen on May 5 taking normal precautions against Fox predation by taking the youngsters off the pond onto the open waters of the harbour. They normally spend the first couple of months in the mouth of the Langbrook stream to the west of Langstone Bridge and I expected to see them there on May 19 but only saw two adults on the harbour off the South Moors shore (I think these were unrelated non-breeding birds). Reaching Langstone village shore there was still no sign of the family but off the pond seawall there was a single Swan (seemingly a female) behaving in an agitated fashion. When first seen she was paddling fast with wings half raised as if heading to drive off an intruder (though no other Swan was in the area). She then returned to the pond sluice gate area and, in the shallow water, stood up and flapped her wings while 'yapping' (making dog like sounds which I have not heard before). Interestingly this yapping was also heard from a different female earlier this week in the Milton Lakes area of Southsea where this year's cygnets mistook an adult (thought to be one of last year's young still in the area - normally the breeding adults would have driven off last year's young before settling to raise a new family). When the mother Swan saw her cygnets following this other adult she also became vocal to call them back to her.

Greylag Goose: Among the 'remarkable' sightings recorded on the Trektellen website on May 18 was a report of 1985 Greylags in the Netherlands (1667 at one site and 318 at another) - I have no idea if such a gathering at this time of year is as unusual as it seemed to me, maybe it is just an earlier than usual moult gathering after an earlier than usual breeding season?

Pale-bellied Brent: Another report which strikes me as unusual is of 10 Pale-bellied Brent on the Lymington shore on May 14. I have the impression that the normal northward passage of these birds from the French west coast, where they have been wintering, over Devon and Cornwall and then up the west coast of England has for some reason shifted east this spring bringing more birds over the Portland area of Dorset and that a few of these birds have suffered a further eastward shift in their route which has changed their northward heading into an eastward one.

Shelduck: The first six ducklings of the year were seen on the Sidlesham Ferry Pool (Pagham Harbour) on May 15. No ducklings yet at Budds Farm pools here in Havant on May 19 where what I assume was the male of one pair was sitting patiently alone on the concrete wall and the other pair made a brief appearance on the water together as if the male had been joined by the female (who was seen having a 'wash and brush up' during a brief escape from egg sitting duty)

Red-breasted Merganser: A pair seen on the River Hamble near Warsash on May 17 were presumably very late passage birds. Birds of Hampshire remarks on an increase in the number breeding in Britain and the BTO Factsheet says that 2150 pairs bred in Britain in the 1988 to 91 period but I think these were probably all in Scotland

Honey Buzzard: Sightings were reported this week in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Kent and Hampshire (including one flying north over Havant on May 12) but these birds are not necessarily intending to spend the summer in the British Isles - they may well be off-course birds heading for Scandinavia (back in the autumn of 2000 large numbers of returning birds were windblown across south east England and, e.g., 62 flew over Beachy Head on Sep 30 giving a total of 120 over that site in eight days)

Hobby: Arrivals probably peaked this week with a count of more than 39 together over the Stodmarsh area of the Kent Stour Valley on May 19. At least one was seen flying north over Havant on May 16

Quail: One was reported in Cornwall on May 11 and that was followed by five more reports between May 15 and 19 from Sandwich Bay in Kent to the Scillies, including one in the Lewes area of Sussex and another at Tarrant Rushton in Dorset

Coot: These 'too numerous' (?) birds are now increasing their numbers with babies seen at Emsworth Slipper Mill Pond, Langstone Pond, and the Budds Farm pools this week

Dotterel: RBA News for May 12 included a count of 20 Dotterel without a site being named (so I assume this to be a UK total of reported birds). A similar report on May 15 gave a count of 11

Curlew Sandpiper: One was on the Lymington shore on May 19 after reports of 2 at a Netherlands site and one in Belgium

Wood Sandpiper: Two were on the Lymington shore on May 12 and two were in the Scillies on May 17 followed by a report of 11 in the Netherlands on May 19

Common Sandpiper: These normally turn up in ones and twos but on May 18 one Netherlands site reported 117

Red-necked Phalarope: After a report of one in Wales (Powys) on May 2 another has been seen in Gloucestershire on May 16

Pomarine Skua: This week saw a peak in their spring passage through the Western Isles of Scotland with counts of up to 600 on May 13 and 635 on May 14. On the south coast things were more usual with 2 passing Portland on May 16 and 3 passing Selsey on May 17

Long-tailed Skua: 550 went through the Western Isles on May 13

Med Gull: These seem to have changed their habits this year with a max count of just 4 at the Hayling Oysterbeds on May 19 and a comment that 10 at Titchfield Haven on that day was a 'low number'. On May 18 Rye Harbour reported the presence of 55 breeding pairs (perhaps slightly less than the 130+ individuals reported there on Apr 30 last year)

Black-headed Gull: Chicks started to hatch at Rye Harbour on May 10 but there have been no reports of young at the Hayling Oysterbeds (and distant views of the Langstone Harbour islands have shown no increase in aerial activity which would be expected when the adults start feeding young)

Little Tern: On May 19 Chris Slade was at the Hayling Oysterbeds and says that one pair of Little Terns have nested (though he does not say that he saw them or the nest - maybe he heard a confused report of the one pair of Sandwich Terns which were said to have nested there) but his version would tie in with my sighting of one adult fishing in the northernmost pool on May 2 but lack of further reports of any birds in Langstone Harbour makes it likely that no others will nest there this year. In Pagham Harbour the highest figure I have seen is a count of 31 birds there on May 10 so I doubt if more than 20 pairs will nest (probably many fewer) and at Rye Harbour the highest figure reported was 16 birds on May 7 with the comment on May 13 that windy weather was making it very difficult to catch any fish using their technique of high hovering and plunging when the water surface was churned up by the wind.

Black Tern: Although there have been a couple of inland sightings at the Blashford Lakes and one at Pulborough Brooks a sighting of one at Fleet Pond on May 18 was unusual

Turtle Dove: Although it seems that a few have returned to established sites such as Martin Down and Noar Hill it seems unlikely that this summer will bring any news to indicate a change to the pattern of declining numbers breeding in southern England. This decline has for long been associated with the shooting of birds passing over Malta but this week I saw what I believe to be a well informed comment that, while that shooting is to be deprecated, the birds which arrive to breed in Britain do not fly here via Malta but use a different route via the western Mediterranean.

Cuckoo: During the past week birds have been heard repeatedly calling around both Langstone Pond and Budds Farm pools while the first report of the bubbling call (which I understand is made by females after egg-laying) came from the Blashford Lakes on May 17. When I passed Langstone Pond on May 19 at least one Reed Warbler was singing but there was no sign of new reed growth replacing the dead reeds from last year and I think the Reed Warblers will not build their nests and become targets for Cuckoos until the new reeds are full grown.

Little Owl: I think the normal hunting technique used by these owls is to watch for and plunge on beetles and worms from low perches or even to hunt for them on the ground but I am pretty sure that they do not like to get their plumage wet moving about among wet grass on the ground so it is interesting to hear that one was seen on May 15 hovering some 25 feet up to search the ground below for prey. The observer reporting this added that he had seen this technique used only once before and that too was in rain.

Long-eared Owl: These are fairly common on the Isle of Wight where they replace Tawny Owls and this week the presence of young in one Parkhurst Forest nest was revealed by the strange squeaky calls of the young (said to resemble the noise made by a bicycle with a very rusty chain). Quite a few years back I remember hearing reports of this noise heard on the slopes of Portsdown above Portchester, and later hearing of a Long-eared corpse found on the coast road through Portchester. More recently several of these owls have been discovered as summer residents on the Downs above Brighton though I think this colony is now diminishing.

Short-eared Owl: Another eleven reports this week from sites in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset with the latest sighting being of two at the Pagham Harbour North Walls on May 19 after one on Thorney Island on May 18

Nightjar: There have been at least a dozen visual sightings of these since the first was reported at Portland on May 4 and this week we have the first report of one heard churring at 4:30 am on May 13 by a Dawn Chorus party at Woods Mill in the Arun valley

Swift: May 14 brought a gathering of 300 over the Blashford Lakes near Ringwood and on the continent one Belgian site had 7665 on May 18 so there are plenty of birds now 'house hunting' in southern England but coming up against a great shortage of suitable accommodation. I saw one party of eight birds circling and screaming over my garden at 9am on May 18 but their brief presence gives me little hope that any will nest here this year - these birds think nothing of travelling several hundred miles in a day and the eight birds I saw could have been searching an area covering several counties and possibly several countries with the channel being no obstacle.

Bee Eater: May 19 brought reports of one bird heading north over Beachy Head and another doing the same over Newhaven. May 17 brought one over the Isle of Wight and then Hayling Island. Earlier in May others were seen over Wales and Cornwall with one heard at the Lower Test Marshes (Southampton) on May 5

Woodpeckers: I recently saw photos of a Great Spotted Woodpecker enlarging the entrance hole to a Tit nest box so that it could eat the baby tits or feed them to its own young so I have much admiration for the bravery of two Dorset ringers at the Longham Lakes (Bournemouth) who held up (in their bare hands) both a Great Spot and a Green to be photographed ( see http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6tVusSZ0SQ/T7a2UHD0wPI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Jmbd7N-x7hY/s400/GRSWO-&-GREWO-RogermPeart.jpg ) without suffering injury from either beak or claw.

Sand Martin: Some 50 nest holes are already occupied at Christchurch Harbour

Red-rumped Swallow: On May 11 the RBA News reported a significant influx of these into Britain with at least 37 birds reported up to that date and this week there have been more reports from the Scillies (at least six present), Helston in Cornwall, Pegwell Bay and Dungeness in Kent, Spurn Head in Yorkshire. The image below was taken by R.Mawer and appeared in the Isles of Scilly website.

Red Rumped Swallow photo taken by R Mawer

House Martin: A late influx of these brought a report of more than 2000 over the Blashford Lakes on May 15

Meadow Pipit: At least one pair seems to be nesting on the Langstone South Moors with the male making song flights when I passed on May 19

Nightingale: A report of five different birds singing at the local Marlpit Lane site near Funtington on May 11 was confirmed by another visit on May 13 when all five were still singing

Goldcrest: A search of the Elvetham Estate at Hartley Witney near Fleet in north Hampshire on May 13 found 20 nests and a total of 82 birds present

Firecrest: Of local interest May 16 brought news of one singing on the south west fringe of Chichester (where the East Broyle housing estate meets the Brnady Hole Copse area)

Long-tailed Tit: First report of a family party numbering more than 20 birds came from the Church Norton area (Pagham Harbour) on May 15

Nuthatch: A bird heard and seen in trees along Wade Court Road in Havant back on Mar 21 seems to have stayed there to be heard again on May 16 and another bird seems to have settled in the Brook Meadow area at Emsworth with sightings there on Jan 31, Mar 14 and May 17

Golden Oriole: This week has brought another 13 reports (including three from the Netherlands) with four birds present on the Scillies on May 17

Red-backed Shrike: A male in the Scillies on May 17 was the fifth report of the year though the others were in Cornwall, Northumerland, Co Cork in Ireland and Belgium (on Apr 30)

Woodchat Shrike: One has been in the Scillies from May 8 to 17, another near Wembury (Plymouth area of south Devon) from May 13 to 15, and another in the Lands End area from May 13 to 19. One at Keyhaven in the Lymington area was only seen on May 12 and 13

Raven: On May 13 pig fields near Martin Down (south of Salisbury) held 105 Ravens

Starling: Flocks of noisy juveniles are now out seeking their own food

(Skip to Plants)

Dragonflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Black Tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum): First seen in Devon on May 16

Emperor: First seen in Cornwall on May 19

Species reported this week:

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea), Black Tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), Beautiful Demoiselle, Banded Demoiselle, Azure Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Variable Damselfly, Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue tailed Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spot Chaser, Hairy Dragonfly, and Club-tailed Dragonfly

Butterflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Small Blue: A sighting of two in the Paulsgrove Chalkpit on Portsdown on May 13 was the seventh report for the year (first seen on Isle of Wight on Apr 16 after a reported sighting there on Mar 30)

Glanville Fritillary : First of the year at Wheelers Bay (Ventnor, IoW) on May 11

Species reported this week:

Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Clouded Yellow (presumed migrants at Ventnor and Portland), Brimstone, Large- Small- and Green-Veined White, Orange-tip, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Small Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Adonis Blue, Holly Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Pearly Bordered Fritillary, Glanville Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Small Heath.

Moths:

Selected sightings this week:

Species recorded for the first time this year/season:

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0128.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0199.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0247.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0381.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0797.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1076.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1118.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1132.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1136.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1640.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1651.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1725.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1764.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1787.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1802.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1808.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1825.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1878.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1909.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1937.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1939.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1952.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1978.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1992.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2069.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2089.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2173.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2380.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2463.php

Other Insects:

Selected sightings this week:

Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata): First sightings at Durlston on May 19 plus finds of their 'Cuckoo Spit'

(Skip to Other Wildlife)

Common ramping fumitory (Fumaria muralis): My first find of this year was made under gorse on Sinah Common (south Hayling) on May 16

Annual wall rocket (Diplotaxis muralis): Another first for the year in Havant on May 14

Dame's violet (Hesperis matronalis): Newly in flower at the Hayling Oysterbeds on May 16

Sea kale (Crambe maritima): Newly flowering on shingle south of the Hayling Oysterbeds on May 16

Bastard Cabbage (Rapistrum rugosum): Lots of this in full flower on the Hayling western seawall on May 16 - for details and photos see my diary entry for that day

Field mouse ear (Cerastium arvense): Although not uncommon in inland Hampshire it is absent from the south east of the county although there is an old record of it from the Hayling Sinah Sand Dunes in 1950. As it is a large plant the size of Greater Stitchwort and forms large mats it is very unlikely to have been overlooked there in recent years but it is also very similar to the 'Snow in Summer' (Cerastium tomentosum) which grows on your left just before the blind bend leading to the harbour entrance carpark and next time I am there I intend to give that a closer look to make sure I have not misidentified it! The reason for this entry is that the plant was found this week on Beachy Head and you can see photos with Graeme Lyones blog entry at http://analternativenaturalhistoryofsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/stitched-up-like-mouse-ear.html

Upright chickweed (Moenchia erecta): Another of Graeme Lyons finds when at Cowdray (nr Midhurst) on May 13. See the second part of http://analternativenaturalhistoryofsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/saproxylic-weasel.html

Sea sandwort (Honckenya peploides): One flower of this soon to be common shore plant was open when I was at south Hayling on May 16

Lesser sea spurrey (Spergularia marina): Although the first few flowers were to be seen a month ago this has only just become a very common sight along the harbour and seaside

Round leaved cranesbill (Geranium rotundifolium): I made my first find of this on Hayling on May 16

White Clover: First flowers seen in Havant on May 19

Spring Vetch: Although I had found this in the sandy soil of Sinah Common back on May 2 it was to be found in much larger numbers on May 16

Cockspur Thorn: On May 14 I noticed one of these trees for the first time in the Havant Eastern Road cemetery in full blossom and with its distinctive large fruits and leaves at the northern end of the eastern wall

Dog Rose: First flowers of the summer near Budds Farm in Havant on May 19

Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa): Bushes in full flower along the South Moors seawall on May 19

Hogweed: Although last year's plants persisted well into this year I came on my first 'new season' plant on May 19

Early gentian (Gentianella anglica): This had started to flower at Durlston on May 18 so may well be found at the Paulsgrove Chalk Pit site on Portsdown in the near future

Yellow Rattle: Flowering on Sinah Common (Hayling) on May 16

Hounds Tongue: Flowering at Mill Hill (Shoreham) on May 16

Russian Comfrey: First flowers seen in the Emsworth Brook Meadow area on May 12

Slender Thistle: Many full grown plants (none yet in flower) around the south end of Southmoor Lane near Budds Farm in Havant on May 19

Cats Ear: One plant flowering in Havant on May 19

Hairy Garlic: Brian Fellows found this in flower at Emsworth (near Lillywhite's Garage) on May 15 but when I checked the Langstone Mill Lane it seemed that the plant there had been selectively eliminated

Southern Marsh Orchid: Among the first half dozen clusters of leaves newly present on the Langstone South Moors one small plant with hardly any leaves had put its energies in to raising a flower spike with several coloured and nearly open flowers on May 19

Hare's Foot Grass: Although I do not normally record grasses I was very impressby the way this elegant plant seemed to have extended its range when I was at Sinah Common on May 16 (with some plants on the flower-rich roundabout near the Ferry Inn where I have never seen them before)

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Black-necked Grebe: Three of these giving good value as they parade in breeding plumage at the Blashford Lakes up to May 6 - probably the same three that have been seen there intermittently since Mar 4

Squacco Heron: The bird which arrived in Somerset on May 2 was still there on May 11

Cattle Egret: One spent a little more than a day at Christchurch Harbour (May 5/6) and it or another was seen at Cuckmere Haven in Sussex on May 9

White Stork: A group of 5 which toured southern England last weekend (May 4 - 6) flew over the ASDA store in Bedhampton (Havant) on May 4. Two birds were seen at Kings Somborne in the Test valley on May 8 and a single was at Pulborough Brooks on May 11 (maybe the same bird was over Ashdown Forest area on May 13)

Mandarin Duck: A pair had 10 ducklings with them at the Weir Wood reservoir site near Crowborough on May 6 (sadly no details or photos of them leaving their tree nest without parachutes)

Honey Buzzard: Sightings reported in southern England this week are of one at Titchfield Haven on May 4; one over the Isle of Wight (Rookley) on May 5; singles in off the sea at Christchurch Harbour on May 7, 8 and 11; and one over a Bedhampton garden in Havant on May 12

Black Kite: On May 5 one flew north up the Avon valley over Ibsley (north of Ringwood) and on May 6 one arrived at The Lizard in Cornwall. On May 7 nine were seen over the Netherlands and on May 9 there were sightings over the New Forest and the Andover area.

Marsh Harrier: Nothing unusual here in England but on May 7 a Belgian site had 53 and on May 8 a Netherlands site had 40

Hen Harrier: Still being seen in southern England including one over south Hayling on May 7 (when a Netherlands site had 26)

Osprey: May 5 brought one over Ivy Lake at Chichester and on May 6 two were in the Pilsey area of Thorney Island with another over the Hamble River on May 7. May 8 brought another Thorney Island sighting and another over the R Adur at Shoreham. On May 9 one was at Weir Wood in Sussex; May 11 brought sightings at Arundel and Romsey; May 12 brough five reports from Thorney Island, Southsea, Weir Wood, Prinsted and Peacehaven.

Hobby: By May 12 the biggest flock had risen to 21 at the Exe estuary (one of these seems to have been so tired and hungry that it fell to the ground and was taken into care and fed after which it recovered enough to be released - no apparent injury). That was just one of 16 reports I picked up during the week.

Avocet: First report of a pair with chicks came from Rye Harbour on May 12

Kentish Plover: One was at Ferrybridge (Weymouth) on May 2 and 3; another was at Rye Harbour from May 3 to 6; and a male and female were at Marazion near Penzance on May 11

Dotterel: A party of 10 were at a Netherlands site on May 10

Lapwing: One bird with two surviving chicks was at Hook/Warsash on May 11 when I was surprised to see two pairs of adults (no chicks seen) at the Gipsies Plain site south of Havant Thicket. In recent years a few pairs have continued to breed here, probably feeding on insects attracted to the droppings of many ponies. On Mar 22 this year I found two Lapwing here but no Ponies were present and there were still none on May 11

Little Stint: Three were at Rye Harbour on May 5 and five were in Pagham Harbour on May 8 with one at Christchurch Harbour on May 9

Temminck's Stint: One was at Fort Victoria, Isle of Wight, on May 4 and then at Rye Harbour on May 5 and 6

Pectoral Sandpiper: One at the Exe estuary in Devon on May 9

Curlew Sandpiper: An unexpected crop of spring sightings - two were at Rye Harbour on May 5 and on May 6 one was at Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour and three were on the Pilsey sands (Thorney Island) with 5 on the Pevensey Levels. May 7 saw one in Devon (Exe estuary) and another in Poole Harbour while May 8 brought one to Pagham Harbour.

Purple Sandpiper: On May 6 14 were at Lyme Regis and 3 at Southsea Castle

Wood Sandpiper: One was on the Lymington shore from May 6 to 11 (at least)

Pomarine Skua: Peak count for the week was of 18 passing Dungeness of May 7

Arctic Skua: 14 were off Portland on May 7

Great Skua: May 7 brought 12 past Selsey

Black-headed Gull: 1039 nests were counted on the islands at the Hayling Oysterbeds this week leaving little room for other species (just one Sandwich Tern nest but no Med Gulls or Little Terns this year). The first chicks to hatch were at Rye Harbour on May 12.

Great Blackback gull: A pair have nested on a raft in the Slipper Mill Pond at Emsworth this year and Brian Fellows calculates that their young may hatch around May 22

Little Tern: No definite news of nesting anywhere so far - last year virtually every chick in Langstone Harbour was taken by a fox on the RSPB islands (and I don't think the Oysterbeds had any success), Rye Harbour reported zero productivity from the nests there and the only places where there may have been some success were Pagham Harbour and the Weymouth area where day and night human guards kept predators away (just one Hedgehog escaped detection and took a few eggs). There is nothing to indicate better success this year though there were 31 adults in Pagham Harbour on May 10 and 268 adults flew past Dungeness on May 4, maybe hoping to do better at East Anglian sites

Turtle Dove: New arrivals were reported in all the south coast counties this week and the Trektellen site told me that May 11 had brought 21 birds to the Hunstanton Cliffs in Norfolk. Locally May 11 saw two birds at the Marlpit Lane site near Funtington, one on the top of Butser Hill near Petersfield and one came in off the sea at Sandy Point on Hayling

Ring-necked Parakeet: These are uncommon in the west country so one seen at Portland on May 8 and possibly the same bird seen in south Devon on May 12 were noteworthy.

Short-eared Owl: These winter visitors are still passing through south of England sites with reports this week from Farlington Marshes, Pagham Harbour, Lymington marshes and several other sites

Nightjar: The first reports this year were from Portland and Selsey, both on May 4, and there have been seven more sightings this week though none have yet been heard to churr.

Swift: The first report mentioning birds 'screaming over the rooftops' came from the Woolston area of Southampton on May 12 and with reports of more than 1000 birds over the Longham Lakes at Bournemouth on May 10 (and 2508 at Scolt Head in Norfolk on May 11) they should now be getting down to breeding.

Bee Eater: One was reported to have been heard (but not seen) at the Lower Test Marshes near Southampton on May 5 and there was another heard only report from The Lizard in Cornwall on May 7 but support for their arrival in northern parts comes in a report of at least four seen in the Netherlands on May 7 followed by a report of two at a different Netherlands site on May 8 and of one in Wales (Pembrokeshire) on May 10

Hoopoe: One was seen at the Waitrose store at Storrington (south of Pulborough) on May 4 when another was on the Dorset coast near Swanage (and may have been the bird seen at Lulworth next day). Another report comes from the Exmouth area of Devon on May 9

Wryneck: One has been in the Scillies from May 4 to 6 and another arrived at Dungeness on May 5 when another was reported in the Netherlands

Short-toed Lark: One in the Scillies on May 4

Crested Lark: One at Dungeness on May 7

Red-rumped Swallow: In addition to a plentiful supply of normal Swallows this week has brought eleven reports of the rarer species from the Scillies, Dungeness, Helston in Cornwall and the Thanet area of Kent. Those are the reports which I happen to have picked up but on May 11 the RBA website told us that 7 new birds had been reported in the UK that day bringing the spring total of sightings to 37 so far.

House Martin: As I write this I have just had an email from Tony Tupper to say that there are now eight birds around the nestboxes on his house by the Hermitage Stream flowing through the Havant area and this reflects a recent general increase in numbers - 500 were seen at Titchfield Haven on May 5, more than 200 were at Pulborough Brooks on May 6, and 2641 were at Scolt Head in Norfolk on May 10. This is good news but must still be seen in the perspective of the overall decline of wildlife which I have seen during my lifetime - not only the loss of habitat but the disappearance of many species from our gardens and streets. When I moved into my present house back in 1967 at least 4 pairs of House Martins nested under its eaves and several pairs of Swifts arrived back at long established nest sites in rooftops of my and several other houses in the road - what's more they arrived on May 1 and left on July 31. This year no Swifts have been seen over the road and I do not expect any to nest here - House Martins may eventually appear in the sky visible from my garden as they feed on insects over the trees that line the old railway at the end of my garden but so far I have only seen them over Thorney Island, not over Havant town centre. I agree with what Barry Yates says about Cuckoos - the decline is mainly about lack of insect food, especially enough to feed the young in the nest. During the week I visited a website ( http://westfieldwildlife.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/house-martin-nests/ ) showing modern highrise flats in Turkey still having two or more House Martin nests on each one of the hundreds of windows - the reason they were there was that a plentiful supply of insects was still available within a few minutes flying time from the buildings.

Yellow Wagtail: Again the same sad story - how many will nest on Farlington Marshes this year compared to the number which did so in the 1980s (Birds of Hampshire gives a figure of 12 to 15 pairs there each year but the 2010 Hampshire Bird Report gives the status of Yellow Wagtail as "Formerly a summer visitor and common passage migrant now rare in summer...")

Nightingale: It will be interesting to see what this year's survey shows - maybe the fact that there is a survey has produced more reports of the birds than we would had seen without it but at least most of us living in rural areas can still be sure of hearing at least one singing within ten miles of their home

Fieldfare: A flock of 37 was still to be seen in the Netherlands on May 6 (and just one in Belgium on May 7)

Redwing: Two at Dungeness on May 4

Subalpine Warbler: One turned up at Portland on May 9

Garden Warbler: Portland reported the arrival of 200 on May 4 and this gave me some confidence in thinking that I had heard my first at Havant Thicket on May 11 (in the dense scrubby trees north of the Gipsies Plain and just west of the carpark area - one was also recorded at Sandy Point on Hayling that day)

Wood Warbler: As well as being back in the New Forest these have been heard at a number of unexpected sites this week - two at Buchan Country Park (Crawley), two at Christchurch Harbour, one in the Scillies and one at Church Norton (Pagham Harbour) plus Parkhurst Forest on the Isle of Wight.

Spotted Flycatcher: Another species with more reports than I would expect including 5 at Sinah Common on Hayling on May 4 and 20 at Portland on May 9 followed by 15 there on the next day

Golden Oriole: Another good crop of 13 reports this week ending with one trapped at Portland on May 11 and photographed in the hand (with the comment that this species objects to being handled!). On May 7 there were 4 together on the Scillies and the same day brought a count of 14 from one Netherlands site and a single bird at Church Norton.

Red-backed Shrike: The first two birds in mainland England this year were at The Lizard in Cornwall on May 4

Woodchat Shrike: Singles had been reported in Cornwall and the Scillies from Apr 30 to May 8 but on May 12 one was in the Keyhaven area near Lymington

Rose Coloured Starling: One was in Selsey village from May 6 to 11 at least

May Bird Races: I'm glad the practice of early May 'Bird Racing' has not died out - success requires a combination of Formula One driving skills, planning and execution to match those of the SAS, and an intimate knowledge of bird recognition plus the ability to remain good friends after a day of tension. This year I have only seen results from two teams - the 'Oven Readies' (Steve Keen, Mark Halligan and Steve Piggott) scored an admirable 143 species while Nigel Matthews and Andy Browne (with some help from Pete Durnell) managed to tick off 113 during a day on foot only.

(Skip to Plants)

Dragonflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Species reported this week:

Hairy Dragonfly (at Thorney Little Deeps), Club Tailed Dragonfly, Four Spotted Chaser, Large Red Damselfly,

Butterflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Species reported this week:

Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Wood White, Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green Veined White, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Adonis Blue, Holly Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Red Admiral, Peacock, Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Small Heath

Moths:

Selected sightings this week:

Species recorded for the first time this year/season:

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0084.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0130.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0140.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0154.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0200.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0294.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0385.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0389.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0966.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1189.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1361.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1720.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1941.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1979.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2008.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2164.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2384.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2387.php

Other Insects:

Selected sightings this week:

St Marks Fly: Brian Fellows took a photo on May 8 of a pair mating at Emsworth showing the differences between the sexes - see http://www.emsworthwildlife.hampshire.org.uk/0-0-089-st-marks-flies-mating-08.05.12.jpg

(Skip to Other Wildlife)

Adder's Tongue Fern: This was mentioned in the Durlston news for Apr 26 and gets a further mention on the Planet Thanet website on May 9 to remind me that I still haven't been to look for it at Hilsea Lines in Portsmouth or in the 'slip field' at Farlington Marshes (note that the seawall path there is undergoing vital repairs so it is impossible to make the usual circuit but there is nothing to stop you visiting the slip field close to the eastern entrance or to stop you exploring the large area north of the A27)

Celery Leaved Buttercup: Flowering in the Warblington SSSI field on May 7

Lesser Spearwort: Newly in flower at Havant Thicket on May 11

Early Wintercress (Barbarea intermedia): Seen at Brook Meadow in Emsworth on May 6 and along the seawall at Broadmarsh between the slipway and the Harts Farm Way bridge on May 10

Small-flowered Cranesbill: On May 7 I found the first flowers since Jan 12 on the roundabout outside Bosmere School in Havant (South Street)

Subterranean Clover: On May 7 I found a good show of this near the seawall in the Warblington Farm SSSI (the marshy field east of the cemetery)

Bitter Vetch (Lathyrus linifolius): Two flowering plants found in Havant Thicket on May 11 - for details and photos see my diary page for that day

Greater Birds Foot Trefoil: First mention of this for the year comes from Durlston on May 9

Silverweed: First flowers seen by me in Havant Thicket on May 11

Wild Celery: Plants were well grown but not yet flowering in the Warblington SSSI on May 7

Rhododendron ponticum: First flowers opening in Havant Thicket on May 11

Sea Milkwort (Glaux maritima): Newly in flower at the Warblington SSSI on May 7

Wild Clary: Brian Fellows found this starting to flower in the roadside grass of Christopher Way in Emsworth on May 11

Pineappleweed: First find of this in flower at Warblington on May 7

Salsify: One plant flowering on May 7 alongside Emworth Road in Havant

Lily of the Valley: The large colony of wild plants in Havant Thicket was in full flower on May 11 (for photos and location details see my Diary page for that day)

Rosy Garlic: A good show of plants just starting to flower in the ditch around the small west carpark at Broadmarsh on May 10

Yellow Iris: First flowers seen on May 5 at Budds Farm Pools and more seen in the Eastern Stream of Warblington Farm on May 7

(Skip to Endweek)

Beaver: Until this week I was under the impression that the only Beavers in the UK were those hidden away in Scotland to help the BBC keep up their ratings by boosting the number of viewers of 'Season Watch' (will we have an extra programme this year named Jubilee Watch?). Then on May 7 a photo (taken by Mark Chidwick - see http://www.kentos.org.uk/Stodmarsh/images/IMG_2356.JPG ) appeared on the Kent Stour Valley webpage of one swimming in the lake at Stodmarsh to the east of Canterbury along with the comment that the animal .. "presumably originated from the release scheme at Ham Fen" Further investigation at http://kingsdownkent.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/beavers-at-ham-fen.html showed that Beavers had been introduced to Kent in 2011 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingsdown,_Kent tells us that Kingsdown is a village (main attraction is the Black Pig butchers shop) on the East Kent coast south of Deal - the purpose of the introduction was to keep the waterways of 'Kent's fenland' open. Re-introductions into England go back to at least 2005 when they were released in Gloucestershire (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/4380276.stm which includes the interesting comment .. "Speaking at the release, land owner Jeremy Paxton said: "We now just need to leave them alone and let them get on with a bit of breeding." In 2011 another BBC article ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/13445166 ) included the fact that .. "In England, beavers are limited to private collections and enclosed conservation projects run by groups including Devon Wildlife Trust, Cotswold Water Park and the WWT Martin Mere reserve. Wales is also now set to host beavers after an absence of 900 years in an ambitious project that aims to restore the wild indigenous woodland of the past."

Seals on Thorney Island: On May 8 Barry Collins saw .. "Three Grey Seals and 13 Harbour Seals hauled up on the mudflats at low tide this morning off the southern end of Thorney Island." Grey Seal sightings are becoming more frequent along the central south coast but I think this is the first time I have heard of them joining the established Common Seal colony on Thorney.

Baby Deer: Driving east on May 8 along the Emsworth Common Road, on the uphill slope just after crossing the county bounday which follows the stream through the woods, I saw the corpse of a baby deer beside the road where the Fallow Deer regularly cross to reach the relative safety of Longcopse Hill. As I associate this spot with Fallow Deer I assumed this was one of their fawns (Roe Deer have kids, Fallow have fawns) but a little inconclusive investigation found that both species give birth in May/June and that Roe kids all have the white spotted light brown colour which the corpse had whereas Fallow fawns come in four varieties - leaving out the melanistic (black) and leucistic (white) variants the fawns can be either white spotted on light brown like the Roe (these are called 'menil' deer) or darker brown with less obvious white spots ('Common'). Another distinction when they become adult is that the Common have black around the white tail patch and have a black stripe down the tail while Menil do not have any black in the tail area (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallow_Deer ). I am still not certain which species I saw but, while I associate this area with Fallow, I think they do not normally give birth until June whereas Durlston reported the first Roe kid on May 4 (the rangers who write the daily reports on that website have to keep up an appearance of omniscience which is not easy to achieve and I see the kid was described as a fawn! - a more forgiveable error than I assume occurred last month when what I assume to have been Yellow Wagtails feeding around the feet of cattle were said to have been Yellowhammers)

Water Shrew: On May 3 one of the regular contributors to the Brook Meadow website saw what was assumed to be a Water Shrew swim across the River Ems. Brian Fellows commented that he knows of only one definite report of this species seen at Brook Meadow back in 2008 though experienced Water Vole surveyors who have visited the site have reported 'signs of the presence of Water Shrews' I am interested in this as I too have only encountered the species once in my life (years ago I found a dead specimen on the edge of Aldsworth Pond) but I have read that, while they are not common, they are widespread and can be found well away from water (not sure how true this is) and they have some unusual features. Not only are they large and aggressive (for shrews!) but they have a bold black and white contrast to their upper and lower fur, have venomous saliva, and are quite vocal when they encounter others of their own species. A good account of the species can be found at http://www.mammal.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=216&Itemid=248 Another web entry at http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/262.shtml gives more detail and warns you not to handle a live one as the venomous saliva can leave a burning pain which can last for a few days if you are bitten.

Natterjack Toad: We featured this species last week but I can't resist pointing you to another photo taken by Joe Murphy at Christchurch Harbour - this time of one with a St Mark's Fly sitting on its nose - see http://www.chog.org.uk/Sightings%20Photos/2012/May%202012/Natterjack%202.jpg

Massive slug (Limax cinereoniger): One seen in Rewell Wood near Arundel on May 5 - for details of the species which can grow to 30 cm long and has the sole of its foot divided (like Gaul) into three parts see http://idtools.org/id/mollusc/factsheet.php?name=Limax%20cinereoniger and http://www.habitas.org.uk/molluscireland/species.asp?ID=107

Basking Shark: After reports from the Dorset coast on Apr 7 and 30 the first report from Cornwall (off St Just) is of more than two seen on May 5

(Skip to previous week)

(Skip to Insects)

Storm Petrel: The rough weather at the end of April brought a report of 21 off Berry Head in Devon with one seen as far east as Hurst Beach at the west end of the Solent

Squacco Heron: The first report of this species for the year comes from Somerset where one was seen on May 2 (still there on May 4)

Cattle Egret: One remained at Wadebridge in Cornwall (at least up to May 2) and another (maybe the bird seen on the Pevensey Levels on Apr 28, after being in Norfolk on Apr 25) turned up at Lodmoor, Weymouth, on May 1.

Great White Egret: One was at the Lewes Brooks on Apr 30 and May 1

White Stork: A group of up to 44 arrived in the Netherlands on Apr 30 and maybe some of them crossed the channel to account for a grounp of 5 which did a wide tour of southern England this week appearing at Fontwell in Sussex and Portland in Dorset among other places - there was also an unconfirmed report of one by the River Test at Stockbridge.

Glossy Ibis: The single bird remained at Lodmoor in Dorset until May 2 at least. On the evening of May 4 one arrived at Pagham Harbour and joined the Herons and Egrets roosting near the North Wall, being seen there again in May 5 and being joined by a second bird on May 6

Spoonbill: The group of five were still at Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour on Apr 28 but this week they may have split up with reports of 2 at Christchurch Harbour and 2 at Middlebere in Poole Harbour. More may be on the way as Apr 29 brought a report of 26 on the French north coast (Somme estuary) increasing to 31 at Sangatte (Calais) on May 1

Mute Swan: On May 2 the Langstone Mill Pond pair had 7 healthy cygnets out of the nest and on May 5 they had taken advantage of the high tide to take the cygnets across the seawall to drop into the harbour water (I saw them at the subsequent low tide in the outfall of the Lymbourne stream which feeds the pond and on the evidence of past years they can be expected to go west under Langstone Bridge to settle in the mouth of the Langbrook Stream. Other local birds were still on their nests though the high tides very nearly washed out the Emsworth Peter Pond nest and will have got close to that on the bank of the 'island' between the two entrances to Emsworth marina. At the Thorney Little Deeps the Swan was determinedly settled on the tiny island (hardly big enough to support the nest) when I was there on May 4. I have no info on the two other local nest sites - one in the Northney marina basin and the other on Fowley Island in the harbour south of Emsworth.

Brent Geese: Any Dark-bellied birds seen from now on are almost certainly intending to stay here for the summer but on May 1 another wave of Pale-bellied birds moved north through Dorset and Devon (130 seen from Portland and 150+ seen at the mouth of the Exe in Devon)

Shelduck: Two birds seen at the Budds Farm pools on May 5, standing patiently well away from each other, were probably the males of two pairs which by now have females nesting in old rabbit burrows

Red-breasted Merganser: A few late birds have been flying east this week with the latest reports being of 4 passing Dungeness and maybe the same 4 seen at Sandwich Bay on May 2 (three went past Selsey Bill on May 1)

Honey Buzzard: There are probably several now in southern England but there presence is being kept quiet in the interests of their hoped for nesting success. News from the continent included sightings of up to 9 birds in the Netherlands on Apr 30 with further reports of one or two in Belgium on May 1 and 3

Common Buzzard: Those intending to breed in the arctic are still waiting for the Lemmings and and other prey species to have a chance to produce their first young so a report of 50 Buzzards at one Belgian site on Apr 30 may well have been of passage birds

Osprey: Apr 30 brought the first report (that I know of) of an Osprey pausing to eat a fish in the Pilsey area of Thorney Island

Red-footed Falcon: First to be reported as far north as the Netherlands was there on Apr 30

Merlin: At least two were still in the Netherlands on May 1

Hobby: Highest count of a migrant 'flock' so far is of 21 at a Netherlands site on Apr 29

Peregrine: May 1 brought an unusual report from Havant where an experienced observer saw what was probably an inexperienced falcon (last year's bird) attempt to take a domestic pigeon from the roof of his house. The Peregrine was a young male (so I should have referred to it as a tiercel - falcon is properly reserved for the larger female) and failed to kill the pigeon because the Peregrine was forced to strike obliquely from above where the Pigeon's closed wings formed a thick 'flak jacket' and a vertical stoop which might have broken the Pigeon's neck would have resulted in the Pergrine hitting the roof with a fatal impact! In last week's summary I wrote of a similar failed attempt to kill when a Peregrine attempted to take a Gadwall from the water of the River Exe and in this week's case I suspect the reason for the attempt to kill, in circumstances where the Peregrine must have known it was unlikely to succeed, were the same - the desperate need to find food for newly hatched young.

Quail: First migrants had reached the Netherlands on Apr 29 (one Quail that day increasing to three on Apr 30)

Spotted Crake: Another migrant 'first arrival' in Britain was reported in the RBA news for May 3 without a location, though it is unlikely to remain here to breed

Common Crane: One flew over Fleet Pond in north Hampshire on May 5

Black-winged Stilt: One or more birds seem to have been on a whistle stop tour of Britain since Mar 30 and that tour might have ended on May 2 when one bird landed on the roadside at a roundabout in Christchurch in Dorsert. A further sighting on May 3 at Paxton Pits near Bedford was probably of a different bird!

Black-winged Pratincole: Another traveller of this species was in Flintshire (Wales) on May 4

Dotterel: On May 4 the RBA news including one of 15 Dotterels somewhere in the Surrey area of London

Lapwing: First report of newly hatched chicks came from the Arundel wetlands reserve on Apr 28. More were seen at Rye Harbour on May 1 desperately searching for their own food in the rain without the protection of adult feathers.

Knot: I thought most of these had already left us but a surge of passage birds on May 3 brought 168 to Rye Harbour and 321 to Cap Gris-Nez across the Channel

Curlew Sandpiper: Reports of one at Brownsea Island on Apr 19 and Apr 28 have now been have now been backed up by reports from Belgium on Apr 30 with another on the French north coast on May 2 (and one at Christchurch Harbour on May 3)

Black-tailed Godwit: Hopefully the Icelandic birds which visit our south coast in the winter (and leave a substantial number of young non-breeding birds with us through the summer) are having a good breeding season in Icleand without last year's volcanic dust but the continental race birds which breed in East Anglia are ( in common with Redshank, Lapwing and Snipe) suffering very significant loss of eggs and young as their nesting areas (particularly around The Wash) have been submerged under the flood water of our 'drought'.

Bar-tailed Godwit: This week seems to have seen the peak of thier up-Channel passage. On May 1 723 were reported at one Netherlands site (with 105 passing Portland that day). On May 2 Portland had 160 passing and on May 3 Cap Gris-Nez reported a total of 673 while Rye Harbour had 230 and Selsey had 116

Whimbrel: Passage seems to be tailing off though on May 1 there was a high tide roost of 112 on Peewit Islad in Portsmouth Harbour

Wood Sandpiper: Reports from the Netherlands were of up to 7 there on Apr 29 followed by 4 on Apr 30 and another 4 on May 1. The first to be seen on English soil was at Pennington (Lymington) on May 6

Red Necked Phalarope: The first to get a mention this year was in Wales (Powys) on May 2

Pomarine Skua: There seem to be more than usual on the English coast this spring - 7 at Dungeness of Apr 29 became 22 there on Apr 30 (when Sandy Point on Hayling saw 4). May 1 brought 12 to Dungeness (plus 9 off Portland)

Arctic Skua: Selsey Bill saw 50 flying east on Apr 30 and May 1 brought a report of 21 passing Portland

Long-tailed Skua: Singles were seen on the Suffolk coast on Apr 29 and at Spurn Point on May 2

Great Skua: Numbers down this week with a max of just 15 (at Selsey on Apr 30)

Roseate Tern: Titchfield Haven had its first of the year on May 1 (three pevious UK sighting starting on Apr 14 when one flew past Selsey)

Little Tern: On May 4 Dungeness recorded 268 flying east and on Apr 30 Sandy Point had 30 around the entrance to Chichester Harbour but so far the only bird that I am aware has been near the potential nesting islands in Langstone Harbour was a lone bird fishing in the northmost pool of the Oysterbeds at high tide on May 2. Up to 17 were in Pagham Harbour on May 1 and 12 were at Rye Harbour on May 3

Turtle Dove: Excluding a couple of March sightings (which may have been wintering birds) single Turtle Doves started to arrive on Apr 13 with a major arrival which brought 20 birds to the Netherlands on Apr 30 followed by four reaching the Dorset coast on May 1 and this small stream of arrivals continued on May 2 with three more, including one heard purring in trees along Marlpit Lane near Funtington. Sadly none came back to the Thorney Little Deeps area that day and none were heard in the trees beside the Hayling Coastal path (where they were heard annually until 2001 but not since) as I rode down it.

Little Owl: May 4 brought a report that one was back 'at the usual site' near the Hayling Oysterbeds - I think the area to look for it is around the only farm gate on the east side of the Coastal Path north of the 'North Hayling Halt' carpark just south of the Oysterbeds

Nightjar: First reports for the year came from Selsey and Portland on May 4 so they should soon be back at nesting sites but are likely to remain silent and invisible until the weather improves!

Swift: On Apr 29 more than 8,000 were seen on the north coast of France and since then there have been widespread reports from southern England including one of 100 birds over the Budds Farm sewage works in Havant on May 2 (when Pulborough Brooks reported more than 500 but so far there is little indication of them settling down to nest

Alpine Swift: Singles reported in Suffolk on Apr 28, in Essex on Apr 29, Devon on Apr 30 and north Wales on May 4

Roller: Apr 1brought a confident report of one at Teignmouth in Devon

Hoopoe: This week one has been in the Weymouth Littlesea area and another at Pendeen in Cornwall. Nearer home one was in the Waitrose carpark at Storrington, not far south of Pulborough, on May 4

House Martin: Numbers have started to increase starting with a report of 5855 at the Somme estuary in northern France on Apr 29 and they are now back at nest sites in several place.

Yellow Wagtail: I have now recorded 53 reports of them for this year but an indication of how 'thin on the ground' they are nowadays is that the highest count anywhere has so far been just 34 at Reculver on the north Kent coast on May 4

Fieldfare: Following the late sighting of two in an Emsworth garden on Apr 22 I have seen three later reports with the last being of one at Folkestone on May 3

Melodious Warbler: One was singing at Dungeness on May 1 (when an Icterine Warbler was reported to be in te Bournemouth area)

Wood Warbler: These have vanished from many once regular sites in recent years but are not yet extinct and I have picked up 16 reports of them so far this year - five of them from places where they will hopefully breed

Spotted Flycatcher: The first for the year was at Christchurch Harbour on Apr 27 followed by one near Fort Widley on Portsdown on May 1 when they were seen at seven sites from Dungeness to Start Point in Devon

Golden Oriole: After an isolated first arrival at Seaford in Sussex on Apr 13 there have been 10 more sightings between Apr 29 and May 3 - the latter date brought a report of 11 birds in the Scillies. One which as seen at Reculver on the north Kent coast in Apr 30 was captured on camera and can be seen at http://www.kentos.org.uk/Reculver/images/golor0412amarc.jpg

Snow Bunting: A very late bird was still at Reculver in north Kent on May 4

Ortolan Bunting: The first in Britain this year was at Dungeness on Apr 30

Reed Bunting: One was again singing at Langstone Pond on the evening of May 5 where it has been heard sporadically since Mar 24

(Skip to Plants)

Dragonflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenia): First flying in Wiltshire on Apr 30

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) First reported in Wiltshire on Apr 30

Common Blue Damsel (Enallagma cyathigerum): First of year in Wiltshire on Apr 30

Species reported this week:

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenia), Broad Bodied Chaser, Banded Demoiselle, Beautiful Demoiselle, Large Red Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damsel, Azure Damselfly, Variable Damselfly

Butterflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Clouded Yellow: Probable migrant at Berry Head in south Devon on May 1

Painted Lady: Reports from Eastbourne, Brighton and the Isle of Wight, all on Apr 30 and May 1, indicate migrants

Species reported this week:

Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Heath.

Moths:

Selected sightings this week:

Species recorded for the first time this year/season:

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0150.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0293.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0649.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0656.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1174.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1398.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1514.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1638.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1707.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1724.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1728.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1738.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1759.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1768.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1776.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1832.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1846.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1853.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1893.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1931.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1936.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1995.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1997.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2000.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2010.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2078.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2107.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2167.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2214.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2221.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2334.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2462.php

Other Insects:

Selected sightings this week:

Rhingia campestris hoverfly: First report from Rye Harbour on May 1

Epistrophe eligans hoverfly: First report from Rye Harbour on Apr 30

Marpissa muscosa jumping spider: See http://rxwildlife.org.uk/2012/05/01/after-the-deluge/ for the report of this Epistrophe eligans.

(Skip to Other Wildlife)

Marsh Marigold: The plants in the Langstone South Moors 'orchid field' were at their best on May 5 with at least 60 plants in flower, some having well over 20 blossoms

Common Poppy: A single flower in an arable field on Portsdown seen on Apr 30 was the first of the year that I know of

Greater Celandine: First to be seen flowering was by the Billy Trail in Havant on May 2

Wild Cabbage: This is a native plant on seaside cliffs and was reported to be in flower at Durlston on Apr 24. The Hampshire Flora says that it is rare in this county but has been found on the man made chalk cliffs of Paulsgrove Chalk Pit (Portsdown Hill) so when walking through the base of the pit on Apr 30 I looked up and eventually found what might be these plants in flower near the very top of these inaccessible cliffs. I could not get near enough to see any detail but the chances are that these are successors to the plants found here in 1978 by Francis Rose and in 1984 by Paul Bowman - my mapref of SU 6384 0659 (110 metres from the east end of the south facing cliff) is apparently within 100 yards of the previous finds.

Black Mustard: Although I did not check their identity properly I think that a mass of plants coming into flower on the seawall of Emsworth Marina on May 4 were this species (which has been found here in previous years) despite the early date.

Winter Cress (Barbarea vulgaris): This had started to flower on Portsdown on Apr 30

Sea Radish: Plants just starting to flower in the Sinah Common area of south Hayling on May 2

Dames Violet: The colony growing between the north end of the 'earth mound overlooking the Hayling Oysterbeds lagoon' and the nearby Coastal Path were in bud on May 2 and should soon be in flower

Smith's Pepperwort: Found flowering on Sinah Common (south Hayling) on May 2

Swine Cress: Found flowering in Emsworth by Brian Fellows on Apr 30

Shepherd's cress (Teesdalia nudicaulis): Just one plant flowering on Sinah Common on May 2

White Campion: Flowering in various places since Apr 30 (a little later than Red Campion)

Ragged Robin: Two plants were in flower at the Langstone South Moors wet 'orchid field' on May 5

Snow in Summer (Cerastium tomentosum): This garden escape had started to flower beside the Ferry Road on south Hayling on May 2

Tree Mallow: One was in flower on the side of Slipper Mill Road at Emsworth on May 4

Cut-leaved Cranesbill: I found the first flower in Havant on May 5

Hedgerow Cranesbill: I also found the first flower of this in Emsworth on May 4

Laburnum: Started to flower on Apr 30

Spring Vetch: First flowers found in the Sinah Sand Dunes (south Hayling) on May 4

Bird's Foot Trefoil: Reported flowering at Durlston on Apr 24 and found on Portsdown on Apr 30

Kidney Vetch: Reported flowering at Durlston on Apr 29

Sainfoin: Flower buds close to opening on Portsdown on Apr 30

Bird Cherry: I saw the long white racemes of flowers hanging from a tree in Emsworth on May 4

Bur Chervil: Flowering on south Hayling on May 2

Scarlet Pimpernel: Although I saw a single flower back on Apr 5 it was not until May 5 that I found the first plant in full flower

Wall Speedwell: First flowers seen at south Hayling on May 2

Wild Clary: Reported flowering at Durlston on May 1 and will hopefully appear again in the Emsworth Christopher Way roadside around May 19 when it was found last year.

Common Comfrey: First flowers found at Brook Meadow in Emsworth by Brian Fellows on May 2

Ribwort Plantain: Started to flower locally on Apr 30

Buck's Horn Plantain: Started to flower on Hayling on May 2

Cleavers or Goosegrass: Started to flower on May 4

Woodruff: Probably now flowering in woodland - garden version flowering in Havant on May 5

Rough Hawkbit: First flowers seen on Portsdown on Apr 30

Solomon's Seal: Probably flowering in woodland - garden plants flowering on May 4

Ramsons or Wild Garlic: Flowering in the Hambrook area on May 4

(Skip to Endweek)

Natterjack Toad: I have always assumed that these were fairly small brownish green creatures only distinguished by a yellow line down the centre of the back but a photo on the Christchurch Harbour website makes them appear to have a peacock blue colour to the distended throat when croaking - see http://www.chog.org.uk/Sightings%20Photos/2012/May%202012/Natterjack.jpg

Basking Shark: After a very early first sighting this year (off Durlston on Apr 7) there has been a second report of one heading west off Portland on Apr 30 (maybe the same precocious creature coming back after visiting the North Sea??)

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(Skip to previous week)

(Skip to Insects)

Cattle Egret: One long stayer was still at Wadebridge in Cornwall on Apr 27 and RBA reported one in Norfolk on Apr 25 (maybe the one which had been in Essex ten days earlier). Apr 28 brought news of one in breeding plumage at the Pevensey Levels but there was no mention of a mate!

White Stork: Several birds had strayed into British airspace this week. On Apr 23 a party of six were over Conwy in Wales with another over Wool in Dorset that day. By Apr 26 the party of six seem to have reset their Satnavs and were heading east over Oxfordshire.

Spoonbill: Two have been in the Scillies through the week with another five settled on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour but a few are on the move - two over Dungeness on Apr 22 and one over Christhchurch Harbour on Apr 27

Canada Goose: Last week I reported that Greylags already had goslings but I could not find the reference to Canada Geese having already hatched young - I have now refound the photo of a pair with four young on Cliff Dean's website which Cliff posted on Apr 19

Pale Bellied Brent: Their passage north through the west country seems to have reached its peak this week (after all the Dark Bellied have left us on their more gently eastward passage, unlike the long flight over the unsympathetic ocean which the Pale-bellied have to make). On Apr 25 Portland reported 52 and 61 were seen in Devon (49 from Beer near Seaton and 12 at Exmouth). On Apr 26 more than 110 were seen in Dorset, presumably going north through the Weymouth area (30 over Weymouth Bay and 80+ at West Bexington near Abbotsbury)

Mallard: These seem to breed at any time in the year. In 2011 there were reports of 8 ducklings at Wakehurst Place near Crawley on Nov 6 and of slightly older ducklings on the Chichester Canal on Nov 7. The earliest to hatch last year were seen at Pulborough on Apr 5 with more here in the Staunton Country Park on Apr 7 but this year some were seen near Warash on Mar 1 with others at Alton on Mar 3 and a big family of 16 was reported in south Devon on Mar 27. This week young have been seen at Langstone Pond and on the Thorney Great Deeps

King Eider: At least one has been off north east Scotland from early January to the end of March but I was surprised to see that one was off the Wash (seen from Lincolnshire) on Apr 21 - maybe its thinking of joining the few Eiders which spend the summer on our south coast?

Bufflehead: A female or young bird was at Helston in Cornwall from Oct 29 until Mar 3 and was seen once more at Redruth on Mar 4. Now a similar bird has appeared in Lincolnshire on Apr 27

Honey Buzzard: First report for this year (of 2 birds) came from Weir Wood in north Sussex on Apr 21 and this week brings a second report on Apr 27 of a single bird seen perched in a pine tree at Breamore by the Hampshire Avon just north of Fordingbridge

Red Kite: If you happen to own a very small dog you might like to read a story in the Maidenhead Advertiser of how such a dog nearly became dinner for a Kite - see http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/News/Areas/Maidenhead/Red-kite-tried-to-snatch-my-dog-25042012.htm No doubt someone in the booming pet accessory business is already designing a re-inforced dog jacket with built in radar to trigger a smokescreen aerosol in response to any aerial attack

Common Buzzard: One Sussex birder this week voiced his pleasure that his garden (which suffered much rabbit damage in pre-Buzzard days) was now free of such damage. Sadly another Sussex birder reported that he had not detected any diminution in the number of rabbits in recent years despite the skies being full of Buzzards.

Merlin: This week has not brought an end to Merlin sightings here in the south - five were seen in Belgium on Apr 28 and singles were seen at Portland and Rye Harbour on Apr 27

Hobby: These have been arriving since early March but it is only now that we are beginning to see the first signs of them arriving in flocks - 8 were seen in the Stour valley on Apr 27

Bar-tailed Godwit: This week has probably seen the peak of their passage with 243 passing Dungeness on Apr 23 and 116 off Worthing on Apr 25 but an indication that we have not seen the last of them came with 1958 passing Cap Gris-nez across the Channel on Apr 28 (looking back to last year I see the peak at Dungeness was on May 1 with a count of 5475)

Whimbrel: These are now being seen in moderate numbers all along the south coast and in inland fields but the peak counts have been at the Exe estuary with 320 there on Apr 22 and an estimated 1000 on Apr 25, reverting to around 300 on Apr 27

Spotted Redshank: It seems a long time since we had the regular bird at Nore Barn (Emsworth) - it was last seen on Mar 9 - but this week there were still singles at Christchurch Harbour on Apr 23, at Lymington on Apr 24, and three were still on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour on Apr 27. On Apr 28 the combined count from six Netherlands sites was 53, maybe indicative of a last minute race back to their breeding sites where the females will each lay eggs in several nests, leaving several males to raise the young while they (the females) enjoy a summer holiday.

Wood Sandpiper: Another species leaving their spring passage to the last minute. I have not seen any reports from English sites yet (and maybe we won't see any until they are on their way back) but there have been four reports from the near continent since the first two or three birds were in Belgium on Apr 15 (the other three reports were all on singles in the Netherlands and Germany)

Little Gull: Their passage mainly follows the continental coast with 3669 seen at one Netherlands site on Apr 22 and 2338 at another on Apr 24 but Dungeness had 125 on Apr 25 (and Ivy Lake in Chichester had just one on Apr 26)

Black Tern: Two were seen at Sandy Point on Hayling on Apr 23 and ten were seen at Milford on Apr 25 (with 11 at Dungeness)

Cuckoo: One or two local birds turned up this week with two at the Thorney Island Little Deeps on Apr 21 (after one there on Apr 17) and one was heard in the Langstone area early on Apr 23. Apr 27 brought one to the Wade Lane area of Langstone which seems to have stayed on to be heard on Warblington Farm that same day

Short-eared Owl: Still being seen daily as they continue to move north. On Apr 23 one was in the rough grass of the Eames Farm field north of the Thorney Great Deep and on Apr 24 five were together at Newtown Harbour on the Isle of Wight. Apr 25 saw one at the Exe estuary and Apr 26 brought a report from Belgium while Apr 27 brought reports from the Adur levels and Pagham Harbour in Sussex plus Portland in Dorset and on Apr 28 one was on the Lymington marshes.

Hoopoe: One was briefly in the Fairlight area of Hastings on Apr 25

House Martin: A major arrival of hirundines on Apr 27 triggered a one hour sample count at Christchurch Harbour giving a result of 125 House Martins, 160 Sand Martins and 300 Swallows. This influx was not restricted to Dorset as I had an email later that day from Tony Tupper who lives near the Hermitage Stream running through Leigh Park here in Havant and who has had House Martins nesting in home made nest boxes on his house for the past 8 years - the email said that the first four birds had just arrived back and were checking out the nest boxes.

Tawny Pipit: The first of these less common visitors for the year was over Dungeness on Apr 26

Whinchat: The first to reach Hampshire was on Badminston Common near Clashot on Apr 27. So far I am only aware of eight birds reaching England with the first at Portland on Apr 14

Fieldfare: It seems that the report of two Redwings in an Emsworth garden on Apr 22 was a case of mistaken identity and they were actually Fieldfares. Whichever they were they did not achieve the status of last for the winter - for Redwings that currently goes to one seen on the Scillies on Apr 23 while the last Fieldfare so far is awarded to a couple of Fieldfare that were still in France (the Sangatte area of Calais) on Apr 25

Sedge Warbler: One was at last back at the Thorney Little Deeps on Apr 21 (first for the year was at Lymington on Apr 7 and one was at the Milton Lakes in Portsmouth on Apr 8)

Reed Warbler: Still none on Thorney Island though the first was at Radipole (Weymouth) on Apr 2 and one was at the Milton Lakes in Portsmouth on Apr 8

Common Whitethroat: An influx on Apr 27 brought one to Brook Meadow in Emsworth and another to a Langstone garden, almost a month after the first few reached Britain.

Spotted Flycatcher: The first and so far only report for this year is of one at Christchurch Harbour on Apr 27

Raven: A count of 52 flying over Martin Down (south of Salisbury) on Apr 28 was further confirmation of the large numbers of this species currently resident in southern England. Back on Mar 11 there was a sighting of 21 together over Beachy Head in Sussex and December of last year brought counts of a winter roost in the Cerne Abbas area of Dorset (7 miles north of Dorchester so within 30 miles of the Hampshire border) - 102 were seen heading there on Dec 5 and 147 on Dec 31. Further west in Devon a birder looking for a Black Kite at Kennerleigh (12 miles northwest of Exeter) saw 70 Raven on July 30 of 2011 and was told by the local farmer that up to 400 had been seen there though I suspect this figure included a lot of Crows)

Goldfinch: Four fledglings, now out of their nest, were being fed by their parents in an Emsworth garden on Apr 23

Siskin: Also on Apr 23 an adult was feeding two fledglings in the New Forest

Snow Bunting: One was seen in Jersey on Apr 27 and another was photographed on the north Kent coast at Reculver on Apr 28 (18 days later than the previous 'latest' there )

Ortolan Bunting: None in England but the species gets its first mention in continental reports on Apr 27 with one seen in Netherlands followed by three in Begium next day

(Skip to Plants)

Dragonflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo): First for the year in Cornwall on Apr 24

Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elgans): First for the year in Somerset on Apr 24

Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma naja): First sighting (6) in Somerset on Apr 24

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella): First sighting (10+) in Somerset on Apr 24

Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum): First of the year in Somerset on Apr 24

Species reported this week:

List as above with none of last week's three species reported

Butterflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Clouded Yellow: After a report of a probable migrant at Portland on Mar 29 another probable migrant was reported at St Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, on Apr 21

Small Blue: This had been reported on the Isle of Wight on Apr 16 and was seen again at the same site (Afton Down near Freshwater) on Apr 23 when at least one was also seen on Portland

Pearl Bordered Fritillary: In addition to sightings at Rewell Wood near Arundel and Abbotts Wood near Eastbourne where the species had emerged last week there were good numbers seen this week in Houghton Forest south of Pulborough.

Species reported this week:

Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Small Heath

Moths:

Selected sightings this week:

Species recorded for the first time this year/season:

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0005.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0129.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0590.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0608.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1973.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2003.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2006.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2029.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2060.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2064.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2068.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2102.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2441.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2450.php

Other Insects:

Selected sightings this week:

Short-haired bumble-bee (Bombus subterraneus): On Apr 26 the Rye Bay website had a link to http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/apr/26/extinct-bumblebee-uk-release which describes how bumblebee queens will be brought from Sweden to Kent this summer to re-introduce the species

Firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus) and Weevil (Liparus coronatus): See Graeme Lyons blog entry for Apr 24 at http://analternativenaturalhistoryofsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/creatures-of-shadow-and-flame.html to discover a colourful insect living beside the A27 at Worthing

Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris): First seen this year on Apr 26 in Rewell Wood near Arundel - see the Apr 26 entry at http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings.html for a photo of this relatively common heathland ground beetle which apparently holds the record for being the fastest running beetle

(Skip to Other Wildlife)

Adders Tongue Fern: First report comes from Durlston on Apr 26 - it should soon be showing on the south side of the Hilsea Ramparts east of Peronne Road in Portsmouth and also in the extreme northeast field (south of the A27) at Farlington Marshes

Garden Aquilegia: In flower at Langstone village on Apr 25

Wild Cabbage (Brassica oleracea): Seen at Durlston on Apr 24 and according to the Hants Flora it was found by Francis Rose on the chalk cliff of the Paulsgrove Chalkpit on Portsdown in 1978 but I am not aware of it being found there since

Wavy Bittercress: Normally seen in wet puddles in woodland rides I was surprised to find a substantial colony growing on my front lawn when I cut the grass after heavy rain on Apr 27

Red Campion: First flowers seen in Havant Eastern Road Cemetery on Apr 25 but now starting to flower widely

Spring beauty (Claytonia perfoliata): Found in the Hook area of Warsash on Apr 21 by the Havant Wildlife Group - presumably in flower. It should now be out under Tamarisks on Hayling's Sinah Common sand dunes.

Dove's Foot Cranesbill: First flowers seen in Havant on Apr 23

Hairy Tare: The first white flowers of this were out in Havant on Apr 25

Bird's Foot Trefoil: Not yet reported in the Havant area but out at Durlston on Apr 24

Horseshoe Vetch: Also in flower at Durlston on Apr 24

Yellow-flowered Strawberry: The first flowers to be seen at the Havant Juniper Square site since Jan 2 were out on Apr 25

Salad Burnet: First seen in flower at Durlston on Apr 24

Common Nettle: First catkin like flowers seen in Havant on Apr 25

Holly: First flowers seen in Havant on Apr 25

Portland Spurge: Reported flowering at Durlston on Apr 26

Duke of Argyll's Teaplant: The plant in the Havant Eastern Road cemetery was covered in flowers on Apr 23

Germander Speedwell: My first sight of its flowers in Havant on Apr 23 though it had been reported out at Durlston on Apr 9

Ox-eye Daisy: The first mass flowering on the A27 south facing embankment in Havant seen n Apr 25

Perennial Cornflower (Centaurea montana): First flowers open in my garden (where the plants grow as weeds) were out on Apr 27

Nipplewort: First flowers since Jan 14 were out in Havant on Apr 25

Beaked Hawksbeard: First flower seen in Havant on Apr 26

Early Purple Orchid: 80 flowering spikes seen at the Longcopse site (Hollybank Woods at Emsworth) by John Goodspeed on Apr 24

(Skip to Endweek)

Fox cubs: These usually start to appear above ground in mid-April but the first report of them that I have seen is dated Apr 24 when Dr David Tinling mentions seeing two in his Gosport garden

Marsh Frog: While checking out the Planet Thanet website for news from north east Kent I came across this excellent photo of a Marsh Frog taken by the person who runs the site but prefers to be known merely as 'Gadget'. See the photo, taken on Apr 22 by the River Stour in the Minster area, at http://www.planetthanet.org/images/2012%20folder/April%202012/April%2023rd%202012/Marsh%20Frog%2022nd%20April%202012%20Minster%20Marshes%20Thanet%20a.jpg Here in Hampshire I think the only place you are likely to see and hear these 'beauties' is in the Shatterford area of the New Forest to the west of Beaulieu Road Station

Brook Lamprey: On April 22 a party led by Dr Patrick Roper in the Brede High Woods by the River Rother in East Sussex came across one of these and took photos, one of which can be seen at http://rxwildlife.org.uk/2012/04/22/brook-lamprey/ That entry on the RX website also has a link to a Radio 4 programme broadcast on Apr 19 and still available on the BBC iPlayer - if you have 30 minutes to spare go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b01g60ft and learn more about Lampreys but be aware that the Brook Lamprey is a different species from the River Lamprey described in the first part of this broadcast (Brook Lampreys stay in the small streams thoughout their lives, River Lampreys spend much of their lives out at sea, only returning to breed - this final part of their lifecycle involves ceasing to feed, loosing their digestive system and acquiring sexual organs which they did not have until this stage of their lives)

Fungus: A fresh specimen of Dryad's Saddle gets a mention on the Durlston website this week

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(Skip to Insects)

Manx Shearwater: Numbers of these are increasing with more than 250 off Portland on Apr 19

Balearic Shearwater: Four were seen from Milford (west of Lymington) on Apr 18 and there were two more sightings of singles during the week.

Cory's Shearwater: First report for the year comes from Selsey where one was seen on Apr 21

Storm Petrel: Now being seen further east in the Channel one was seen in mid Channel south of Selsey in Apr 20

Little Bittern: First report for the year was of one in Wales (Pembrokeshire) on Apr 20

White Stork: At least two strayed over to our side of the Channel this week and there is late news of one landing on the lawn of a house in Waterlooville on Apr 7

Glossy Ibis: At least one has been in the Weymouth area since Feb 14 and one may have been lurking at the Bembridge RSPB reserve on the Isle of Wight since Jan 29 (though there were no reports from the Island between Feb 4 and Mar 15). The latest reports from Bembridge were on Apr 8 and 14.

Greylag Goose: A pair in Kent had seven goslings by Apr 18

Canada Goose: Last week I commented that the island in the Thorney Little Deeps on which a pair of Swans had built a nest looked to be too small to support the nest and this week I hear that they have abandoned it and that a pair of Canada Geese have attempted to use the nest but they too have now abandoned.

Brent Goose: A late flock of 31 flew east past Splash Point at Seaford on Apr 18 but it seems that the departure of our winter visitors is now effectively over

Pale-bellied Brent: These birds which breed in Svalbard, Greenland and Canada are still on passage and flocks of up to 150 have been seen on the Devon and Dorset coasts this week

Egyptian Goose: At least three pairs have been seen with young this week - on Apr 14 a pair had 7 goslings at the Petersfield Heath Pond, on Apr 15 there were 6 goslings at Fleet Pond and on Apr 17 a pair had 5 goslings in the Hailsham/Eastbourne area

Red Breasted Merganser: A single bird flying east past Selsey on Apr 15 is the last I know of.

Rough-legged Buzzard: What may have been the final final appearance of the Arun valley bird came from the Sussex Downs on Apr 16 when the bird was seen flying north

Peregrine: The Chichester cathedral pair were sitting on Apr 15

Honey Buzzard: First report for the year is of two birds seen over Weir Wood reservoir near Crowborough on Apr 21

Black-winged Stilt: One of at least three birds which have been moving rapidly around England recently was at Abbotsbury in Dorset from Apr 12 to 17

Dotterel: Two were back in Scotland (Fife) on Apr 16 but a group of five were still in the Netherlands on Apr 19 so there is still a chance of seeing one in southern England - the place to look for them is traditionally 'a bean field in May'

Golden Plover: A flock of 37 were at Danebury Hill near Stockbridge (Hampshire Test valley) on Apr 17

Curlew Sandpiper: First for the year (other than one found dead on a beach in the Thanet aea of Kent on Feb 7) was at Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour on Apr 19

Purple Sandpiper: Still passing along the south coast with sightings at Southsea Castle of 10 on Apr 18 and 2 on Apr 21

Bar-tailed Godwit: Spring passage is now underway - Christchurch Harbour had 32 on Apr 16 and by Apr 19 there were more than 60 in the Devon Exe estuary

Whimbrel: These too are now moving in force with 101 at the Exe estuary on Apr 18, 33 at Christchurch Harbour on Apr 20, 62 at Falmouth (Cornwall) on that day and 106+ at Topsham in Devon on Apr 21

Wood Sandpiper: First report for the year is of two seen in Belgium on Apr 15

Common Sandpiper: These are now arriving as obvious migrants with counts of 13 at Christchurch Harbour on Apr 19 and 8 at the Longham Lakes (north of Bournemouth) on Apr 20 (when two were at Sidesham Ferry Pool)

Arctic Skua: Strong winds on Apr 18 brought 65 past Splash Point in Sussex

Great Skua: A count of 288 passing Dungeness on Apr 18 was unprecedented (previous highest day total was 95)

Little Gull: With their spring passage up channel well under way many sites have enjoyed their smart breeding plumage (jet black head, scarlet legs, white plumage with a strong flush of pink on the underparts). Splash Point had the highest count of 30 on our side of the Channel (Apr 18) but one Netherlands site had 2116 on Apr 14.

Whiskered Tern: Just one report of one in the Netherlands on Apr 20

Black Tern: 118 were seen at a Netherlands site on Apr 19 and there was a possible sighting of one at Stokes Bay (Gosport) on Apr 17 which would have been the first for the English coast

Turtle Dove: These are now starting to arrive - after one at Christchurch on Apr 13 and another at Cissbury Ring on the west Sussex Downs on Apr 17 East Sussex had its first with one heard purring in the Beckley Woods area north of Hastings on Apr 19

Cuckoo: The first local bird was on Thorney Island on Apr 17 and two were photographed there together (on power lines over the Little Deeps) on Apr 21

Tawny Owl: A newly fledged bird was seen near the Woods Mill HQ of the Sussex Wildlife Trust on Apr 17

Short-eared Owl: These are still moving north through southern England. On Apr 21 three were seen at The Burgh on the South Downs south of Pulborough with two others presumably just in after crossing the channel seen at Gosport and Sandwich Bay

Swift: I already have 17 reports of these starting with one at Portland on Mar 29 and including a massive count of 73 at a Netherlands site on Apr 13. This week one reached Portsmouth (Milton Common) on Apr 17 and on Apr 21 three were at the Milton site with another six over Budds Farm sewage works in Havant.

Hoopoe: This week one was in south west Hampshire (Barton on sea) on Apr 19 and 20 while one which arrived at Sandwich Bay in Kent on Apr 17 was still there (and had turned into two birds!) on Apr 21

Wryneck: None in southern England this week as far as I know but one had got as far north as Orkney by Apr 21

Swallow: A big arrival last week (137 seen to fly north over Portland in just 30 mins on Apr 13 was indicative of the rate of arrival) brought 100 to the Heath Pond at Petersfield on Apr 14. This week 710 flew north over the French Normandie coast on Apr 19 when 110 were seen at Weir Wood reservoir in north Sussex (with 50 House Martins) and on Apr 20 there were 70 at Titchfield Haven

Meadow Pipit: 13,090 were heading north over a Netherlands site on Apr 18

Nightingale: These have been arriving in southern England since Apr 3 and two birds were back at our local regular site (Marlpit Lane near Funtington, west of Chichester) by Apr 17

Whinchat: The first to reach southern England was at Portland on Apr 14 with another (maybe the same) at Hartland Moor in Dorset on Apr 15 and another new arrival was at Christchurch Harbour on Apr 20

Fieldfare: Probably the last to be seen in southern England were 5 at Hoe Gate (near Hambledon in the Meon valley) on Apr 16 after 2 were seen in Thanet (Kent) on Apr 14

Redwing: The last I know of were in Thanet (Kent) on Apr 15

Grasshopper Warbler: It is uncommon to see one in full song with no vegetation obscuring the view so a photo taken at Reculver (north Kent) by Marc Heath is worth a look - see http://www.kentos.org.uk/Reculver/images/grawa411marc_000.JPG

Lesser Whitethroat: Excluding what was probably a wintering bird in a Cornish garden seen on March 3 the first arrival in southern England was at Lodmoor (Weymouth) on Apr 8. Since then song was heard at Rye Harbour on Apr 14 and at Farlington Marshes on Apr 19 but other than one sighting at Durlston on Apr 20 and one of three birds at Rye Harbour I am not aware of any significant influx - they should be with us soon!

Common Whitethroat: I have only picked up 23 reports so far and none seem to have reached the Havant area yet but I see that on Apr 22 there were four more reports on the Hampshire Birding site which have not yet been added to my database so if it stops raining next week we might all be able to tick the species

Garden Warbler: The first for the year was at Warsash on Mar 29 but so far I am only aware of ten more reports since then

Wood Warbler: These are thin on the ground nowadays but one was heard singing in the New Forest on Apr 19 and another was singing that day in Devon (Yarner Wood)

Great Grey Shrike: What may well be the last reports for the winter were made on Apr 16 when one was still in Hampshire (near Fordingbridge) with others in Suffolk and Lancashire.

Tree Sparrow: A reminder that there is still at small colony in the Pevensey Levels area near Eastbourne came on Apr 14 when 4 birds were seen there. I think that none breed in Hampshire nowadays.

Reed Bunting: Of local interest Martin Hampton has heard one singing at Langstone Pond on three days this April implying that I was not imagining that I heard one there on Mar 24!

(Skip to Plants)

Dragonflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Species reported this week:

Large Red Damselfly, Hairy Dragonfly and Broad-bodied Chaser

Butterflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Small Blue: I thought a report of one on the Isle of Wight on Apr 16 was the first for the year but see the two were seen at the same place (Afton Down near Freshwater) on Mar 30

Pearl Bordered Fritillary: First seen in Rewell Wood near Arundel on Apr 16 followed by others in Abbotts Wood near Hailsham/Eastbourne on Apr 20

Wall Brown: One had already been seen near Eastbourne on Apr 2 but this week brought further sightings on the Isle of Wight (Afton Down at Freshwater on Apr 15 and Bonchurch Down at Ventnor on Apr 20)

Species reported this week:

Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green Veined White, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Peacock, Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown

Moths:

Selected sightings this week:

Species recorded for the first time this year/season:

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0050.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0227.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0900.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1342.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1906.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2011.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2092.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2160.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2441.php

On Apr 17 several young caterpillars of Pale Grass Eggar moths were found at Rye Harbour and can be seen at http://rxwildlife.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/rxeggar.jpg

On Apr 19 the sporangia of Harts Tongue Fern in the Thanet area of Kent were found to have larvae of Psychoides filicivora and Psychoides filicivora feeding on them

Other Insects:

Selected sightings this week:

Harvestman (Megabunus diadema): I do not expect to see Harvestman species until summer but there is more than one species which can be found in the spring and a fascinating species with its eyes mounted in an armoured turret on top of its head was found by Gordon Jarvis in the Peasmarsh area north of Hastings on Apr 16 - see it at http://rxwildlife.org.uk/2012/04/16/15491/

(Skip to Other Wildlife)

Goldilocks Buttercup: This was flowering in Pyle Lane near Horndean on Apr 19 and you can see a photo in my diary entry for that day

Sea Campion: The first flowers of this that I have seen this year were out on the Sinah Common shore on Apr 16

Three veined Sandwort (Moehringia trinervia): First flower seen at Marlpit Lane near Funtington on Apr 19. A poor photo is included with my diary entry for that day

Spring beauty (Claytonia perfoliata): Unopen flower buds could be seen under the Tamarisks near Gunner Point on Hayling on Apr 16 and a lot was found (presumably in flower) by the Havant Wildlife Group when they visited Hook/Warsash on Apr 21.

Whitebeam: My first sight of this in flower came on Apr 19 when I visited Marlpit Lane near Funtington

Wood Avens: Brian Fellows was the first to find this in flower at Brook Meadow in Emsworth on Apr 20

Mossy Stonecrop: This was another first flowering when I visited Sinah Common on Hayling on Apr 16

Sheep Sorrel: Several people have seen this newly flowering this week since Apr 16

Thrift/Sea Pink: Newly flowering on Hayling near Gunner Point on Apr 16

Bugle: Newly flowering in the Pyle Lane area near Horndean on Apr 19

Ramsons/Wild Garlic: First report of flowering from Durlston on Apr 16

(Skip to Endweek)

Eel: On Apr 19 Brian Fellows published in the Emsworth Wildlife website a photo taken in Brook Meadow of what was described as 'a fish' in the River Ems. (See the photo taken by Malcolm Phillips at http://www.emsworthwildlife.hampshire.org.uk/0-0-105-eel-zz-river-C-bm-MP-19.04.12.jpg ) The fish is thought to be an Eel, not uncommon in the River Ems, and this made me wonder if the Eel might be on its way downstream en route to the Sargasso sea and in checking on this thought I found that this would be unlikely as the peak time for such departures is in the autumn. I also found that the number of Eels (though still vast) is in catastrophic decline, causing the Environment Agency to ban the catching of them during the period that they are en route to their breeding grounds (supposedly somewhere in the Sargasso Sea though, unlike the source of the Nile, the exact location remains a mystery). If you want to learn more about this fascinating subject go to http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/6acbbc1e-3588-11df-963f-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1slBjpmOq which has a lengthy but very readable article on the subject.

(Back to start of current Week)

(Skip to previous week)

(Skip to Insects)

Manx Shearwater: Plenty of these now in the Channel with 2000+ off Portland on Apr 9 (when 5 were off Sandy Point on Hayling) and 1 was as far east as Dungeneness on Apr 11

Balearic Shearwater: The first to be reported since January was off Portland on Apr 8

Storm Petrel: First to be reported this year (2 birds) were seen by a boat fishing off south Devon on Apr 13

Bittern: As no one has yet invented an accurate Bittern Boom locator birders in Kent are being asked by Natural England to note their own position whenever they hear a boom and also to note the direction from which the sound comes and how loud it is (as an indication of the distance). For full details go to http://www.kentos.org.uk/Stodmarsh/bitternsurvey.htm - I will not be surprised if in future years the Kent Stour valley has its own fleet of barrage balloons, each equipped with technology to relieve the birders of this onerous task) - will this be followed by harrowing accounts of the number of birds killed by flying into the mooring wires of the balloons?

Cattle Egret: Seven reports this week include six from Dorset and Cornwall plus one from the Hayling Oysterbeds on Apr 11 - the bird here was identified when it flew past the observer at close range.

Little Egret: A further check on the birds at Langstone Mill Pond on Apr 13 gave a total of 23 nests though there could have been one or two more or less as a result of some nests being hidden in ivy and others being double counted by mistake when viewing the nest island from two different viewpoints.

Purple Heron: At least one was still being seen in Devon up to Apr 10 when the last sighting was of one flying high east (followed by a new report of one in Begium next day)

Glossy Ibis: On Apr 11 RBA News carried a total of 5 reports from English sites and at least one was still at Radipole in Dorset on Apr 12 but the two birds seen on the Lymington shore on Apr 7 have not been reported since (and may include the bird which turned up at Brading Marshes (Isle of Wight) on Apr 8)

Spoonbill: Eleven reports this week come from nine different sites and suggest a fluid population. Two or three birds may be based in the Poole Harbour area but a sighting of two birds in the Warsash area on Apr 11 were probably (as with several other reports) of birds on the move

Mute Swan: Attempts at nesting by pairs at Peter Pond in Emsworth and the Little Deeps on Thorney Island seem likely to fail - although at least one egg had been laid at Peter Pond the nest seemed to have been submerged by a high tide and the island chosen as a nest site at the Little Deeps looks to be too small to support the nest (any eggs laid are likely to roll off into the water). I think Swans have to serve a long apprenticeship before being able to move up a ladder of increasingly good nest sites until they reach sites where their chances of success break even.

Brent Goose: On Apr 10 a flock of 35 was seen at Southampton Water and then at Selsey as they moved east and on Apr 13 there were still 20 birds at Christchurch Harbour but we are now reaching the stage at which sightings are more likely to be of birds staying for the summer than of late migrants (5 birds in the Fishbourne Channel of Chichester Harbour on Apr 12 are likely to stay)

Green Winged Teal: The bird that was at Farlington Marshes from Feb 23 to Mar 30 has not been seen there since but one has appeared on the 'Posbrook flood' at the north end of Titchfield Haven from Apr 7 to 14

Garganey: Several have probably now settled down to nest in southern England but a new pair was seen to fly in off the sea at Exmouth in Devon on Apr 14

Ring-necked Duck: The longstaying bird at Par (near St Austell in Cornwall) has not been seen since Apr 11 and I see that one flew east past Dungeness on Apr 12

Long-tailed Duck: Two were still at Dungeness RSPB on Apr 12

Red-breasted Merganser: Sightings are becoming rare and a group of ten in Chichester Harbour off Langstone on Apr 13 may be the last I see until autumn

Hen Harrier: One was still in southern England (Cuckmere Haven in Sussex) on Apr 11 and four were at a Netherlands site on Apr 14

Montagu's Harrier: Two sightings in Cornwall - a male was reported at St Ives on Apr 6 and a ringtail at the same place on Apr 10

Goshawk: Two were reported to have entered this country from the south via Bognor where the Borders Agency was unable to detain them on Apr 13. Interestingly the same observer had seen two very similar birds at the same place on Apr 3

Rough-legged Buzzard: The Arun valley bird was reported as still present on Apr 10 and 14

Osprey: No news yet of any interest in the nest which has been prepared for them on the Thornham Marshes landing lights but Hampshire had one arrival at Milford on sea (west of Lymington) on Apr 9 and another on Apr 11 which came in off the sea at Lymington and was probably the bird seen later that day at the Blashford Lakes. Another came in over Pagham Harbour on Apr 10

Merlin: Still passing on their way north - Christchurch Harbour had one on Apr 9 and two on Apr 11 when one was at Rye Harbour. At the end of the week one was over Selsey on Apr 12 and another over Pagham Harbour on Apr 13

Hobby: Three new arrivals in Dorset on Apr 12 and one in Kent (Folkestone) on Apr 13 - it won't be long now before they start to arrive in small flocks of 20 or more but we must wait for the dragonflies to start to emerge before that happens (last year there was a report of 45 in the Kent Stour valley on May 13 preceded by 12 there on May 8. A group of 5 came in at Sandy Point on Hayling on May 1 and 7 were seen together in Dorset on Apr 28)

Black-winged Stilt: Two or more of these seem to have been moving around in southern England recently. One had been reported in Ireland (Co Wexford) on Mar 30 but I'm pretty sure it was a different bird which headed north over the Isle of Wight on Apr 6 to be reported in Somerset on Apr 10, then at Abbotsbury in Dorset on Apr 12 and 13. On Apr 12 Lee Evans told us of one in Oxfordshire which I assume to be a different bird

Dotterel: Other than one wintering with a flock of Golden Plover that was seen at Dungeness from Jan 25 to 30 the first migrant to reach England was one at Rye Harbour on Apr 11

Purple Sandpiper: Four were at Southsea Castle from Apr 6 to 8 but they were not the last as 28 were at Christchurch Harbour on Apr 9 with 5 there on Apr 13

Snipe: First report of drumming came from the Ashdown Forest on Apr 8. This unusual sound was fairly common in the New Forest when I was young but I get the impression that it is very uncommon now - looking back to last year I can only find one report of drumming (Kent Stour Valley on June 1) among the data I recorded and in 2008 the only reports are of one or more 'displaying' at Woolmer Pond in east Hampshire on Apr 13 and two birds drumming near Burley in the New Forest on Apr 4. In 2007 the only report mentioning drumming came from the New Forest on Mar 17 (also in that year reports indicated that Snipe were still to be found breeding on the outskirts of Chichester - Clay Lane area near Bishop Luffa school). 2006 also has just one note of drumming (Kent Stour Valley on Apr 5) as has my 2005 list (Adur levels in Sussex on May 15) and the same is true for 2004 (New Forest on Apr 2 with a further note on Apr 13 of 'no drumming' at the Vyne near Basingstoke as if it was a surprise not to hear one of at least 16 birds there). The first sign of the 'old days' comes in 2003 when drumming was heard at five different New Forest sites. No reports in 2002 but in 2001 drumming was heard in the New Forest on May 15 and at Fleet Pond on May 21. Ten years earlier when Birds of Hampshire was published in 1991 the drainage of meadows was already causing a notable decline in the Hampshire breeding population ...

Whimbrel: Fifteen reports this week as passage hots up. Biggest count was of 85 at one Netherlands site on Apr 8 when Christchurch Harbour had 17. Since then two birds were at Northney (Hayling) on Apr 10 and a flock of six was over the Exminster Marshes in Devon on Apr 13. Apr 14 saw two birds (probably the same two) reported at Hill Head and Stokes Bay (Gosport)

Spotted Redshank: Lymington still had 5 birds on Apr 12 when singles were at Christchurch Harbour and in the Fishbourne Channel near Chichester

Common Sandpiper: Migrant arrivals have brought 13 reports this week with a maximum count of 3 at the Blashford Lakes on Apr 14

Arctic Skua: Now being seen daily along the south coast with a peak count of 18 on the French Normandie coast on Apr 10 (and 5 at Dungeness on Apr 12)

Great Skua: Also a daily sight with 12 at Dungeness on Apr 9 and 16 at Seaford on Apr 10

Little Gull: Numbers now increasing - peaks of only 15 at Dungeness on Apr 13 but 2116 at a Netherlands site on Apr 14

Roseate Tern: First for the year at Selsey on Apr 14

Arctic Tern: First report for the year came surprisingly from Latvia on Apr 7 and Netherlands on Apr 12

Little Tern: First reports came from the Netherlands on Mar 26 and 30 followed by a gap until Apr 10 when 3 were seen at Pagham Harbour. Apr 11 brought 6 to the Lymington shore and Apr 12 brought 2 to the Chirchester Harbour entrance (and later to Selsey). Apr 13 saw 6 at Selsey and Apr 13 brought three reports (1 at Exmouth in Devon, 2 at Stokes Bay Gosport, and 10 on the Lymington shore)

Black Tern: Four reached the Netherlands on Apr 13 and one more was reported there on Apr 14

Turtle Dove: What were probably wintering birds were in a Dorset garden (Mar 15) and beside the Centurion's Way cycle track at Chichester on Mar 21. The first migrant arrival seems to have been at Christchurch Harbour on Apr 13

Cuckoo: Eleven reports this week come from sites at Sandwich Bay in Kent to Christchurch Harbour in Dorset gving a total of 29 reports since the first on Mar 17

Short-eared Owl: Still moving north through southern England - most surprising of 11 reports this week was of 12 birds flushed out of the saltings at Newtown Harbour (IoW) by the tide on Apr 10. Last that know of came in off the sea at Exmouth in Devon on Apr 14

Swift: One was seen at Portland as early as Mar 29 and I now have 11 reports including one of 73 birds over a Netherlands site on Apr 13 followed by another of 25 birds there on Apr 14. Four reports of birds in southern England this week come from Portland on Apr 10, Christchurch Harbour on Apr 11, Cornwall on Apr 12 and Rye Harbour on Apr 14

Hoopoe: One was in the Bishops Dyke area of the New Forest on Apr 10 and 11 - it may have then moved to Christchurch Harbour where one was seen on Apr 13

Wryneck: One had reached the Scillies as early as Mar 25 but the first in southern England was in a garden at Bodiam (near Hastings) on Apr 9. The only other report was from the Netherlands on Apr 13

Swallow: A major arrival of hirundines started on Apr 12 with 40 Swallows at Dungeness, 75 at Christchurch Harbour and 80+ at Thurlstone Bay in South Devon. Apr 13 saw 2000+ Swallows passing over Lundy and 50+ over Westhampnett Lake at Chichester - also that day Portland counted 137 in one 30 minute period, 72 at Christchurch Harbour, 56 at Andover, 38 at Selsey and 36 at Sinah Common on Hayling, etc.

House Martin: Apr 13 brought 14 to Christchurch Harbour and Apr 14 saw more than 30 at Hook/Warsash

Yellow Wagtail: The number of reports was up to 17 this week but none was of more than 11 birds (local reports of 2 in fields south of Fareham on Apr 8 and one over the Highland Road cemtery in Southsea on Apr 14

Nightingale: Song heard on Apr 9, 11, 12 and 13 - maybe it's worth a trip to our local site at Marlpit Lane near Funtington in West Sussex? (Three were singing there on Apr 25 last year)

Whinchat: One was reported in Germany on Apr 8 but the first to reach England was at Portland on Apr 14

Fieldfare: A late flock of 102 birds was at Sandwich Bay on Apr 9 and 10 were at Fleet in Hampshire on Apr 12

Redwing: 257 were at a Netherlands site on Apr 9 but the last that I know of was just 1 at Durlston on Apr 11

Sedge Warbler: One was singing at Arundel back on Mar 30 and another reached the Milton Lakes in Southsea on Apr 8 but none seem to have reached the Thorney Island Deeps yet

Reed Warbler: One was at Radipole on Apr 2 and there have been 13 subsequent reports including the Southsea Milton Lakes on Apr 8 but none so far in the Langstone/Thorney area

Lesser Whitethroat: Only two reports of migrant arrivals in England so far - one at Lodmoor on Apr 8 and one singing at Rye Harbour on Apr 14

Common Whitethroat: Lee Evans knew of one arrival by Mar 24 but the first I saw reported was at Christchurch on Apr 2 since when there have been at least 16 reports with song heard since Apr 12

Wood Warbler: The first and only report is from Yarner Wood in Devon on Apr 10

Willow Warbler: Although the first reached England on Mar 14 and 15 this week saw a major widespread arrival with more than 1000 at Portland on Apr 12 and 20 in the Highland Road Cemetery in Southsea among many other sites. The arrival continued on Apr 13 to give 100 on Sinah Common (south Hayling) and 85 at Beachy Head with single birds heard singing elsewhere by most birders who were out that day

Pied Flycatcher: One among at least 11 arrivals this week was on Sinah Common (south Hayling) on Apr 13

Golden Oriole: A male was seen briefly at Seaford on the Sussex coast on Apr 13

Siskin: Early nesting brought an adult with two fledglings to feeders at Salehurst (north of Hastings) on Apr 12

(Skip to Plants)

Butterflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Dingy Skipper: First for the year at Shoreham Mill Hill on Apr 6

Duke if Burgundy: First two seen at Noar Hill on Apr 13 (the second of these was happily perched on a ladies nose)

Small Heath: First of the year at Shoreham Mill Hill on Apr 6

Local sightings at Fort Purbrook on Portsdown on Apr 13 were Green Hairstreak, Small Copper and Speckled Wood

Species reported this week:

Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green Veined White, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Holly Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Small Heath

Moths:

Selected sightings this week:

Species recorded for the first time this year/season:

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0435.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0464.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0667.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0720.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1643.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1927.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1980.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1984.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2005.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2007.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2028.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2036.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2064.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2235.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2389.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2441.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2470.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2478.php

Other Insects:

Selected sightings this week:

Caddis Fly species: One at Durlston on Apr 8 but species not named

St Marks Fly: An early sighting on Portsdown on Apr 11

Scaeva pyrastri hoverfly: An early report from Thanet in Kent on Apr 6

Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare): Also seen in Thanet on Apr 6

Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa): First report from Thanet on Apr 6

Chrysolina banksi: This beetle was found on Thorney Island by Graeme Lyons on Apr 9 - to learn about the beetle go to http://wildlifeonwheels.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/leaf-beetle-chrysolina-banksi.html but to follow Graeme's train of thought to the graffiti artist Banksy see Graeme's blog at http://analternativenaturalhistoryofsussex.blogspot.co.uk/ (and for those who overlook this entry I have included what I learnt from Graeme in my Other Wildlife section). A visit to Graeme's blog will also introduce you to a couple of other beetles which he came across at Graffham Down near Midhurst on Apr 13

Common Groundhopper (Tetrix undulata): Most people are aware of the presence of several species of Grasshopper in their local environment but few are aware of the Groundhoppers which are widespread and not uncommon (I was introduced to them by Bob Chapman when he was warden of Farlington Marshes and commented on finding them there). The Common Groundhopper was seen at Peasmarsh near Hastings and got a mention (with photo) on the Rye Bay website on Apr 14 but for more info and photos see http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/common-groundhopper-0 and to put them in context among the other Grasshoppers and Crickets that you may come across see http://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19476

(Skip to Other Wildlife)

Garlic Mustard: Brian Fellows was the first to find this in flower on one of his Emsworth Waysides on Apr 10 - very soon it will be seen everywhere

Pale Flax: I was surprised to read that this was already starting to flower at Durlston on Apr 9

Field Pansy: John Goodspeed found the first of these flowers on Portsdown on Apr 11

White Campion: First flowers seen in Emsworth on Apr 9

Lesser Sea Spurrey: First flowers on the Langstone sea wall on Apr 13

Subterranean Clover: Very early flowers found by John Norton on Apr 4 in an unexpected location (the grass around the carpark at the Bedhampton ASDA store in Havant

Common Sorrel: First flowers found in Emsworth by Brian Fellows on Apr 12

Pittosporum tenuifolium: Not a wild flower but each year I am impressed by the powerful scent which comes from the small black flowers of this tree - this week the scent stopped me in my tracks as I was walking home with a load of shopping on the pavement on the opposite side of the road from the tree.

Germander Speedwell: Reported as in flower at Durlston on Apr 9

Yellow Archangel: Escaped plants of the garden version of this lovely flower were out at the southern entrance to Hollybank Woods at Emsworth on Apr 11

Crosswort: First flowers found on Portsdown by John Goodspeed on Apr 11

Field Madder: First flowers seen in Emsworth on Apr 12

Lily of the Valley: Not yet in flower but newly found in the Hollybank Woods at Emsworth this week as a result of scrub clearance allowing light to return to the heathland on which this woodland grows. A similar patch of this native species can be seen in Havant Thicket at approx SU 716108 on the west side of the peripheral track

Ramsons (Wild Garlic): Already flowering at Durlston on Apr 13

Early Purple orchid: Already flowering at Durlston on Apr 11

(Skip to Endweek)

Otter: On Apr 9 Joe Stockwell was photographing Swallows and other spring migrants at Rooksbury Mill in Andover when two Otters (which I guess he has never seen before here on his home patch) appeared in the water. At this time of year these were probably young Otters seeking their own territories for the first time.

Weasel: Also on Apr 9 the Rye Bay website had a photo of two Weasels battling with each other but Barry Yates was uncertain whether this was a dispute between two males or the equivalent of a female Hare 'boxing' an over-attentive male. A more unexpected Weasel photo was taken at Brook Meadow in Emsworth - I don't remember hearing of any pevious Weasel sightings there though the site must provide a good hunting ground for these predators - and the animal seen was unusual in having a very dark brown coat. As it was seen on the river bank there was concern that it might discover one of the 'above water' Water Vole tunnels that gave access to a breeding chamber but the page about Water Voles on the Wild about Britain website does not mention Weasels as predators (it says .. "Cats, foxes, weasels, pike, birds of prey and adders are among the predators seeking water voles. Mink are the most serious threat to Water Vole populations, due to their ability to hunt underwater, foiling the Water Vole`s main course of evasion from threats."). I was surprised that Weasels did not get a mention - the Environment Agency page does include them, listing .. "They have many predators including weasels, stoat, polecat, mink and fox, kestrel, buzzard, harrier, heron, barn owl and short-eared owl." All sources agree that Mink, becase of their ability to enter Water Vole burrows under water, are the most serious threat to these Voles. While searching for info on this subject I learnt (from that eminently reliable source, Wikipaedia) that .. "There are also indications that the water vole is increasing in numbers in UK areas where the European otter has made a return. The otter is a predator of the American Mink."

Grey Seal: On Apr 11 one was reported at the Newtown Harbour site on the north coast of the Isle of Wight

Hedgehog: It is not unusual to hear of the owners of neat suburban gardens being woken from their sleep by persistent grunting noises coming from their lawn which turn out to come from mating Hedgehogs trying to solve the problem of how to get together when the female insists on wearing a very spiky nightdress. My impression was that mating did not normally take place until May and when I tried to confirm this the first report that I found was of a date in mid-June (see http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/mammal-forums/13780-hedgehogs-mating.html ). The report which sparked off this enquiry came from an Emsworth garden where a female Hedgehog had been provided with board and lodging (a wooden box to sleep in and tins of 'Spike's Dinner' for meals) over the past winter. During the past week her peaceful winter holiday from the cares of life was rudely interrupted by the intrusion of a male (much larger than the female) who chased her round her box for so long that in the morning the grass had been worn down to bare earth (I recall seeing a similar ring of bare earth round a tree where pair of Roe deer had run a multi-lap Grand Prix circular race)

Green Lizard: A sighting was reported from the Shoreham area on Apr 6 and if you are not familiar with this eye-catching species in the British countryside have a look at http://www.uksafari.com/greenlizards.htm A much fuller account of the history of introductions of the species to the British Isles can be found at http://my.opera.com/Ukwildlife/blog/green-lizard-lacerta-viridis-l-bilineata-in-britain An interesting sidelight brought up by a Google search concerns the construction in Brighton of houses made of old bottles and tyres - the houses are called 'Earthships' and the site where they are built is called 'The Lizard' - see http://www.findaproperty.com/displaystory.aspx?edid=00&salerent=0&storyid=20249

Basking Shark: First sighting that I am aware of for this year came from Durlston on Dorset on Apr 7

Copy of Banksy's picture of a Beetle named Withus oragainstus in the American Museum of Natural History

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Those who share my interest in the broader aspects of wildlife and the quirks of their fellow enthusiasts may be as amused as I was to see a couple of blogs to which Cliff Dean drew my attention during this week.

(Skip to Insects)

Manx Shearwater: None had been seen in the Channel until Mar 19 but by Mar 31 there were 41 off Prawle in Devon and on Apr 4 Portland reported 60

Bittern: Booming now heard regularly at Dungeness RSPB and a 'beginner' can sometimes be heard at Rye Harbour (Castle Water)

Little Egret: 18 occupied nests could be seen at Langstone Pond on Apr 2

Purple Heron: One was still to be seen at Budleigh Salterton in Devon on Apr 4 and a group of 3 had been at a Netherlands site on Apr 3

White Stork: One seen attacking a Red Kite somewhere in Sussex on Apr 3

Glossy Ibis: Two have been at Radipole (Weymouth) since Feb 29 and were still there on Apr 5. Others have been seen this week in Essex and as far north as the Western Isles of Scotland with others in Cleveland and Ireland (Co Cork)

Brent Goose: 138 were still passing Splash Point at Seaford on Apr 5 but very few are now left with us still intending to fly east. Typical of those that are left is one which flew inland to the Ardingly reservoir on Apr 4 - lost and lonely.

Egyptian Geese: When Birds of Hampshire was written in 1992 this species was classed as 'a very scarce visitor' with a very small colony established in Berkshire and a bigger one in Norfolk. Last October 174 of these geese were seen on the Hampshire/Berkshire border and this year there were 10 together at the Blashford Lakes in January with groups of half a dozen seen in Sussex (Petworth) and Dorset during February. By the end of March I already had 22 reports of the species from Hants, Dorset and Sussex and on Apr 1 two birds (maybe a pair seeking a breeding site?) flew south low over the Gipsies Plain at Rowlands Castle.

Shelduck: As the winter coastal flocks break up one or two pairs usually appear on the Budds Farm pools at Havant and try to breed there. This year there were 9 birds there on Apr 2 and it will be interesting to see how many stay there. Few find undisturbed breeding sites along the harbour shores and the majority of those that attempt to breed in south east Hants nowadays seem to do so at places five or more miles inland where the parents may find a safe site (perhaps under a fallen tree) but which gives that ducklings a five mile plus walk back to the harbours (crossing busy roads and a railway) before they can find the food they need.

Tufted Duck: On Apr 1 the number at the Blashford Lakes was given as 595 (maybe prior to a mass passage flight to breeding sites?) and on Apr 5 a pair had appeared on Langstone Mill Pond where they are not normally seen.

Honey Buzzard: The first and so far only report of one that I have seen came from Laurence Holloway seen over his Aldwick (Bognor) home on Apr 3 and until some other reports come in I will wonder if the bird was mis-identified

Pallid Harrier: Another 'first and only' report for the year was of a male over Slimbridge, also on Apr 3

Osprey: 32 reports so far this year with the first over Weir Wood reservoir in Sussex on Mar 9. No others until one reached the Devon coast on Mar 21 after which reports came in almost daily with one being seen on Mar 25 heading north over the Fishery Lake (south east Hayling) and probably about to overfly Thorney Island. On Apr 4 one was seen following the Hamble River north over Sarisbury Green

Merlin: The only report for this week is of a late bird heading north over Portland on Apr 4

Hobby: As with Osprey the first report was on Mar 9 from the New Milton area of Hampshire with no more sightings until March 23. April 4 brought the tally of reports up to 12 with separate sightings at Thurlstone Bay in Devon and Falmouth in Cornwall after one had been in the New Forest on Apr 3

Crane: The 'off course' bird that had been seen near Exeter in Devon on Apr 1 was seen again there on Apr 2

Purple Sandpiper: Just two April reports - on Apr 1 Christchurch Harbour had 22 and on Apr 6 Southsea Castle had 7

Whimbrel: Passage now warming up with eight reports this week including a flock of 12 seen in Belgium on Apr 5 (Dungeness had 4 on Apr 3)

Spotted Redshank: Still 8 on the Lymington Marshes on Mar 31 and 2 there on Apr 4

Common Sandpiper: No indication of migrant arrivals yet - the only April reports are of singles at the Arlington Reservoir in Sussex on Apr 2 and the Lower Test Marshes on Apr 5

Turnstone: Reports of 45 in Southampton Water (Weston shore) on Apr 1, 20+ on the Broadmarsh Shore at Havant on Apr 2 and 150+ at Bexhill on Apr 4 indicate a bunching up and easterly passage of these birds

Pomarine Skua: One passing Dungeness on Apr 1 was noted as early though there had been 21 previous reports (mainly from Europe) spaced out since Jan 1 (when one was at Selsey)

Common Tern: The first migrant was seen at the Longham Lakes (Bournemouth area of Dorset) on Mar 17 but we had to wait until Mar 25 for a more substantial arrival with 2 seen at Portland and 4 at a Netherlands site where the number increased to 24 on Mar 27. Five were seen at Dungeness on Mar 29 when one was at Ivy Lake in Chichester followed by one at Fleet Pond in north Hampshire on Mar 30. Latest arrival was one at Southsea Castle on Apr 6

Cuckoo: I am aware of 17 reports since the first was seen at Weymouth on Mar 17 - so far the nearest to Havant has been one at Ella Nore (near West Wittering) on Apr 5

Short-eared Owl: What may be the last of the many which have wintered in the south were seen this week. One passing through after wintering on the continent was seen at Sandy Point on Hayling on Apr 3 while the last that I know of were seen on Apr 4 at Pagham Harbour and Waltham Brooks near Pulborough.

Common Swift: Following the sighting of one over Portland on Mar 29 another has been seen over the Netherlands on Apr 2

Bee Eater: The first for the year in the British Isles was in Yorkshire on Apr 2

Hoopoe: The 24th report for this year came from Cliddesden near Basingstoke on Apr 1 followed by what seem to be reports of four different birds in Devon and Cornwall this week

House Martin: I have now seen at least 24 reports of these including sightings this week of 10 over Eastleigh sewage farm on Apr 5

Yellow Wagtail: Just three reports this week, all from Kent. On Apr 3 one was at the Oare Marshes (Faversham) and three were at Dungeness, and on Apr 4 one was in the Stour Valley (first for the year was near Arundel on Mar 11)

Nightingale: Two had been reported at Calshot (mouth of Southampton Water) on Feb 7 but I suspect this was based on mis-identified song - interestingly one was reported again in that same area as singing on Apr 3 when another report came from the Kent Stour valley (the accepted earliest Hampshire record was on Apr 3 in 1975)

Fieldfare: On Apr 1 a German site reported 2052 heading north and a small party of 96 were on Gander Down near Winchester on Mar 31 but this week 3 seen on Apr 5 near Fawley power station on Southampton Water was the biggest flock.

Redwing: Just 7 at Portland on Apr 3 (and 350 in the Netherlands on Apr 4)

Grasshopper Warbler: First for the year was in Dorset (Winspit) on Mar 28 followed by three more individuals in Dorset and then one near New Milton in Hants on Apr 5

Sedge Warbler: The first was at Rye Harbour on Mar 27 with 11 others in Kent, Sussex, Isle of Wight and Dorset before the first in Hants (Milton Common in Portsmouth) on Apr 4

Reed Warbler: So far the only report I am aware of was of one at Radipole (Weymouth) on Apr 2

Common Whitethroat: Lee Evans was aware that some had arrived by Mar 24 but the only report I know of from a south coast site was of one at Christchurch Harbour on Apr 2

Garden Warbler: Four reports so far - first was at Warsash Common on Mar 29 with another not far away in the Fareham area on Mar 30. Apr 1 brought one to Dorset and on Apr 4 one was singing in Sussex at the Arundel Wildfowl reserve.

Iberian Chffchaff: A good report from Hartley Witney in north Hants on Apr 6 - still there at dawn on Apr 7

Pied Flycatcher: The first was a female in Devon on Mar 28 followed by at least four at Portland on Mar 31. On Apr 7 two were seen in Hampshire - one at Farlington Marshes and another near the Eastleigh sewage works.

Marsh Tit: First report of one singing came from the Botley Woods near Fareham on Apr 2

Willow Tit: A photograph of one probably taken near the Hookheath Nature Reserve (north foot of Portsdown) on Apr 1 appeared that day on Brian Fellows website ( http://www.emsworthwildlife.hampshire.org.uk/0-0-0-wildlife-diary.htm ) and on Apr 3 two birds were in the Whitchurch area by the A34 north of Winchester

Linnet: Unlike other passerines which have mostly ceased to live in large winter flocks and have changed to breeding mode Linnets are still roaming the country in flocks with 221 at Sandwich Bay on Mar 29 and 325 at Christchurch Harbour on Mar 30. On Apr 5 a flock of 232 was still to be seen but up in Yorkshire. Here on the south coast they are by now generally on territory.

Twite: A group of five were still to be seen in the Thanet area of Kent on Apr 4

Hawfinch: The small flock which has been at Eastleigh Lakes since Feb 24 still had at least 6 birds on Apr 5 though they have not been reported since then

(Skip to Plants)

Butterflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Large Tortoiseshell: Apr 2 brought a third sighting at Walters Copse, Newtown on the Isle of Wight (previous sightings there on Mar 27 and Mar 30) which is somewhat odd for a butterfly famed for its tendency to roam - could it suggest that these three are different individuals but all the offspring of a migrant arriving here last year which are now emerging over a short period before flying off into oblivion (maybe the insect seen in Havant on Mar 30 was the one which had emerged on the Isle of Wight on Mar 27). To add weight to this theory that we are now seeing the offspring of last year's migrants there have also been two sightings in the Scillies on Mar 10 and Apr 1.

Wall Brown: One was seen on the East Sussex Downs on Apr 2, around a month before expected

Species reported this week:

Grizzled Skipper, Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Large Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown

Moths:

Selected sightings this week:

Species recorded for the first time this year/season:

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0714.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1661.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2029.php

Other Insects:

Selected sightings this week:

Spiders: See Graeme Lyons blog ( http://analternativenaturalhistoryofsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/my-housemate-simoni.html ) to learn that the Daddy-long-legs (Pholcus phalangioides) spider, which can be found somewhere in most houses, has a smaller transatlantic cousin which has arrived in this country with wine imported from the USA

(Skip to Other Wildlife)

Field Horsetails: Just starting to push up - first seen in Emsworth on Apr 1

Creeping Buttercup: First flowers seen on the Langstone South Moors on Apr 5

Bulbous Buttercup: First flowers seen in Emsworth on Apr 3

Yellow Corydalis: First flowers of the spring seen in Havant on Apr 2

Hedge Mustard: This was still flowering in early January and on Apr 2 I found fresh spring flowers

Honesty (Lunaria annua): Fresh flowers at several places in Havant from Apr 5

Herb Robert: Spring flowering first seen in Emsworth on Apr 1

Red Clover: First flowers seen since Feb 1 were out on Portsdown Hill on Apr 4

Spring Vetch: I could not find this when I was last on the Hayling sand dunes but Graeme Lyons found it flowering in East Anglia on Apr 1

Hawthorn: The first fully open flowers for this year were out on Apr 2 in the Havant East Street carpark on the old rail track

Red Currant: Flowers out on a self sown plant in the Havant cemetery on Apr 6

Pellitory of the Wall: First new spring flowers seen at Bidbury Mead in Bedhampton (Havant) on Apr 2

Field Maple: Flowering in the Warblington area on Apr 2

Norway Maple: First flowers seen on Mar 31 in the Chalton area north of Rowlands Castle

Horse Chestnut: First open flowers seen at the Havant Cemetery on Apr 6

Silver Birch: Catkins open at Bidbury Mead, Bedhampton on Apr 2

Ash: Flowers first noted in Havant on Apr 2. On Apr 5 I noted a male and female tree growing together on the roundabout outside Bosmere School at the end of South Street in Havant

Basford Willow (Salix alba var vitellina x Salix): Flowering at Brook Meadow in Emsworth on Apr 2

Hemlock: First flowers seen on the Marina seawall at Emsworth on Apr 5

Scarlet Pimpernell: First flowers for the year seen on Apr 5

Ivy-leaved Toadflax: First flowers since January seen on Apr 5

Thyme-leaved Speedwell: One plant starting to flower in Havant on Apr 5

Grey Field Speedwell: First flowers since January seen in Havant on Apr 5

Red Valerian: Fresh spring flowers opening on Apr 5

Corn Salad (Valerianella) species: Starting to flower in Emsworth on Apr 1 and in Havant on Apr 4. Although the commonest species used to be V. locusta I am told by Eric Clement that V. carinata is now the commonest species in south Hampshire so it is worth checking the fruit when that is available. Carinata fruits as wide as they are thick and much longer than they are wide and have a deep goove. Locusta fruits are twice as thick as wide and scarcely longer than thick with only a shallow groove.

Moshachatel: First flowers found in the Chalton area north of Rowlands Castle on Mar 31

Smooth Sow Thistle: First flowers seen on Apr 5 and I am again indebted to Eric Clement for correcting my way of distingishing Smooth from Prickly - the only factor to use is the shape of the auricles (are they pointed or rounded ignoring and backward pointing teeth on the auricles which may make them look pointed)

Meadow Foxtail grass: This had started to flower in Emsworth on Apr 3

(Skip to Endweek)

Otter: This week Devon Birding News has an account of how a birder found the corpse of an Otter which had seemingly been killed by dogs (presumably of the sort uncontrolled by dog walkers, not Otter Hounds) and subsequent entries tell you how to report any such incidents to the Environment Agency

Grass Snake: Only three reports of these that I have seen this year (all since mid March) compared to more than 20 reports of Adders (starting on Jan 8). Not sure what this tells us ...

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(Skip to Insects)

Bittern: Still reported from five south England sites this week with one at Rye Harbour attempting to boom on Mar 24

Night Heron: Four are probably still present in west Cornwall where the first was seen near St Just on Mar 12 but the party of four that arrived in north Devon on Mar 13 have not been reported since Mar 20.

Cattle Egret: The Kingston Maurward (Dorset) bird has not been reported since Mar 18. On Mar 24 Lee Evans reported one in Berkshire and another in Gloucestershire and on Mar 27 one was seen in the Exe estuary

Little Egret: On Mar 20 two individuals turned up at new inland sites (Weir Wood near Crowborough and Gatwick airport). By Mar 29 a minimum of 8 nests could be seen at the Langstone Pond site and two of the 27 birds present (with the tide out) were in trees on the mainland suggesting that all nest sites on the island were now taken.

Great White Egret: The group of six that have been at a Somerset Levels site since at least Feb 29 were still there on Mar 24

Purple Heron: First reports of these for the year come from the Netherlands and Belgium on Mar 26, 27 and 28

Spoonbill: On Mar 28 one arrived in Pagham Harbour and was still there on Mar 31 when two others turned up at the Farlington Marshes deeps. Others have been moving through the wider Havant area this week - four flew north east over Titchfield Haven on Mar 21, one was in the Warsash/Hook area on Mar 22 when three more flew east along the west Sussex coast and one was also going east off Hastings on Mar 24

Mute Swan: These are at last starting to nest - on Mar 28 an inexperienced pair were building a nest in the Emsworth Slipper Mill pool and on Mar 29 the female of the long established Langstone Pond pair was sitting.

Whitefront Goose: On Mar 27 a flock of 1680 birds was seen at a German site, presumably preparing to fly north, and on Mar 28 there may have been 2165 birds in that area

Brent Goose: Counts of departing birds were 919 on Mar 28, 770 on Mar 29 and 840 on Mar 30 but not all of these geese follow the coast - on Mar 28 a flock of 50 flew high north east over Chichester

Mandarin duck: Pairs of these tree breeding ducks are now searching for nest sites in old trees usually close to water and on Mar 24 a male was seen in a tree near the River Wallington at the north foot of Portsdown. A pair seen on that day in the Lepe country park near the mouth of Southampton Water and on Mar 27 a pair was seen at the Blashford Lakes near Ringwood

Green-winged Teal: The male which appears to be paired with a Common Teal was still in the Farlington Marshes area, seen at the 'Deeps' on Mar 30

Mallard: A female was seen with 16 tiny ducklings at a Devon site on Mar 27

Garganey: 15 reports this week including a pair on the Farlington Marshes 'Deeps' on Mar 30

Black Kite: The first report of one in southern England that I am aware of came from the London area on Mar 30

Rough-legged Buzzard: There was one confident report of the Arun valley bird as late as Mar 29

Osprey: 15 reports this week with the majority coming from Dorset, Devon and Cornwall but one flew north over south Hayling on Mar 25 and one went north over the Blashford Lakes on Mar 29

Hobby: After isolated reports on Mar 9 and 23 there were two reports on Mar 28 from Dorset and Sussex, two on Mar 29 from Cornwall and Hampshire (the Bedhampton birds) and two more from Hampshire on Mar 31 (Romsey and Ringwood areas)

Baillon's Crake: One in Ireland on Mar 24 was a first for the year in the British Isles and the more unusual for being seen in spring rather than autumn

Coot: The first nest was in use at Emsworth on Mar 25

Black-winged Stilt: One in Ireland (Co Wexford) on Mar 30

Stone Curlew: Two more migrant arrivals this week - on Mar 23 one flew north over the Worthing area, heard calling at 21:25, and on Mar 24 one was seen on the ground at Christchurch Harbour in the early morning

Little Ringed Plover: 18 reports this week including Pagham Harbour and Pulborough Brooks

Kentish Plover: A female at Slapton Ley in south Devon on Mar 30

Lapwing: During a walk round Farlington Marshes on Mar 27 I saw at least 8 birds on territitory though only three were displaying.

Purple Sandpiper: 16 were seen at Southsea Castle on Mar 30

Ruff: 11 reports this week including one at Farlington Marshes on Mar 31

Woodcock: Roding males on the heathland south of Fleet were trying to drive away the competition on Mar 25 and a late departing migrant was put up from a field of Cauliflowers in north Kent on Mar 27

Bar-tailed Godwit: The start of their spring passage was marked by a group of five flying east past Splash Point at Seaford on Mar 25

Whimbrel: Early migrants flew past Splash Point on Mar 17 and on Mar 28 the first report to mention their 'teetering' call came from the Kent Stout Valley on Mar 28

Little Gull: Numbers passing along the south coast are now increasing with 7 seen at Selsey Bill on Mar 23 and 10 at Dungeness on Mar 28. 2481 were at a Netherlands site on Mar 27 as they head towards the Baltic and Siberia to breed

Iceland Gull: The Broadmarsh area bird was still in Langstone Harbour on Mar 31 but one seen at Winchester sewage works on Mar 28 was presumably on its way north

Common Tern: These have been arriving since Mar 17 and 8 reports this week included 25 on the French coast on Mar 28, 5 at Dungeness on Mar 29 when one was at Chichester Ivy Lake. On Mar 30 one was inland at Fleet Pond

Little Tern: Just two reports both from the Netherlands (3 seen on Mar 26 and 1 on Mar 30)

Cuckoo: The first was reported from the Weymouth area of Dorset on Mar 17, a couple (maybe the same bird) were in the Eastbourne area on Mar 20, and a more regular string of reports began on Mar 24 when one was in Dorset and another in the New Forest. Mar 26 saw one on the Sussex Downs and Mar 27 brought two reports, maybe of the same bird, in the Worthing area. The latest news is of one at Bere Regis in Dorset on Mar 29

Scops Owl: One seen on the Scillies (St Mary's) on Mar 25 and again on Mar 26

Eagle Owl: One seen on the roof of a house in the Waterlooville area by day on Mar 29 was clearly used to humans, unlike the wild one seen in northern Norway on Mar 22 by two of the Three Amigos (see http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/amigo/2012/03/30/royalty-eagle-owls-and-velvet-scoters-bergen-norway/ ) on their final trip on HMS Liverpool which was back in Portsmouth for its decommissioning ceremony before I saw this post. I rather suspect that the Waterlooville bird had been seen on Mar 27 on a building close to Winchester Rail Station when it was reported as a 'Long-eared Owl'.

Short-eared Owl: Still several around this week but no reports since Mar 29 when two were in the Pagham Harbour area a day after two were seen at Farlington Marshes

Common Swift: One was over Portland on Mar 29

Alpine Swift: One had been reported at The Lizard in Cornwall on Mar 18 and this week one was over Havant on Mar 29 before one was reported over Lundy on Mar 30

Hoopoe: 17 reports between Mar 24 and 29 came mainly from Cornwall but there were sightings on the Isle of Wight and at Weymouth. On Mar 28 RBA News gave a total of 11 birds in the UK

House Martin: Swallows and Sand Martins are now being seen regularly and widely but House Martins are still scarce with a maximum 'flock' of 5 in the Romsey area on Mar 31

Tree Pipit: The first arrival that I am aware of was one in the Scillies on Mar 25 with five more seen in various Dorset sites by Mar 30 when two more were on the Lymington shore

Meadow Pipit: Thousands are currently moving north over southern England each day and they have been heard singing since Mar 27 at Farlington Marshes and Pulborough

Yellow Wagtail: Just five reports so far covering sites in Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (max count only 4)

Red-flanked Bluetail: Just one seen in Ireland (Co Cork) on Mar 26

Black Redstart: Just six new reports this week but including one at the Budds Farm site in Havant on Mar 31

Common Redstart: First of the year arrived at Portland on Mar 28 followed by five more sightings in Dorset and one at Selsey Bill this week

Ring Ouzel: 16 new reports this week including one on Mar 31 at the north foot of Portsdown (Purbrook Heath area)

Fieldfare: Still heading north with a flock of 146 near Ropley in east Hampshire on Mar 27 and 135 in the Timsbury area of the Test valley on Mar 29

Redwing: Still moving north with 31 at Christchurch Harbour on Mar 30

Grasshopper Warbler: Just one report so far of a bird heard singing in the Dorset Winspit valley on Mar 28

Sedge Warbler: First arrival was singing at Rye Harbour on Mar 27 followed by reports from Kent, Dorset and the Isle of Wight (but not Hampshire so far)

Common Whitethroat: Mentioned as having arrived in Lee Evans bulletin on Mar 24 but I still have not seen any dates or sites on the south coast

Garden Warbler: I have only seen two reports, both in Hampshire. On Mar 29 one was heard and seen on Warsash Common and on Mar 30 one was heard singing in competition (and contrast) to a Blackcap somewhere in Fareham

Willow Warbler: Portland reported the first big arrival (at least 100) on Mar 29 and on Mar 30 one was singing in trees bordering the Hayling Billy trail in Havant where it passes Lower Grove Road (Christchurch Harbour had 220 arrive that morning). Regular full song started on Mar 25

Firecrest: Of local interest Martin Hampton reported on Mar 27 that a Firecrest had been singing for the past 10 days in trees bordering the Hayling Billy trail where it passes his house in Lower Grove Road and on Mar 30 he told us it was still to be heard there

Pied Flycatcher: First arrival ( a female) was reported on Mar 28 from the Exe estuary and on Mar 31 Portland had 4 arrivals

Long-tailed Tit: First report of nest building came from south Devon on Mar 17 with another fron the Oare Marshes in north Kent on Mar 18 followed by a photo of a nest at Brook Meadow in Emsworth on Mar 29

Great Grey Shrike: A bird on Ibsley Common near Ringwood was reported to be singing on Mar 24 and on looking up the habits of this species in my old P.A.D. Hollom 'Handbook' I read that its harsh alarm note .. 'may become a Magpie-like chatter'. Searching on the internet I found a blog describing song heard in Northumberland last year - there it is described as follows .. 'I never though I would hear a Shrike sing and it sounded nothing like I had imagined. First it sounded slightly like a warbler but kept adding mimicry and sounded like a wader then a bird of prey.' A longer verbal description can be found in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Grey_Shrike

Woodchat Shrike: First of the year was in Ireland (Co Waterford) on Mar 24

Jay: One at Waltham Brooks (Pulborough) was also described as 'singing' on Mar 28

Serin: One which arrived on the Scillies on Mar 22 was heard singing there on Mar 25

Hawfinch: The saga of the Hawfinches at Eastleigh Lakeside Country Park continues with up to 5 still there on Mar 30. They were first seen there on Feb 24 and the number has varied up to a max of 12 on Mar 16 and 17

Little Bunting: One was caught and ringed at Thurlestone Bay in south Devon on Mar 19 and a second bird was also caught there on Mar 28

(Skip to Plants)

Butterflies:

Notable sightings this week:

Grizzled Skipper: First of year at Shoreham Mill Hill on Mar 24 followed by one at Magdalen Hill Down near Winchester on Mar 27 when three more were found at Rake Bottom on Butser Hill

Clouded Yellow: One nectaring on Groundsel at Portland on Mar 29. As these have at least one permanent colony in Bournemouth and are also known to hibernate in the south of England it is not possible to say if this was a migrant, an emerging resident or even one which had managed to hibernate.

Green Hairstreak: First of the year seen at Beacon Hill, Exton in the Meon Valley on Mar 29 with a second sighting at Magdalen Hill Down next day.

Small Copper: Although the first sighting was on Mar 21 it was not included in last weeks summary. Mar 21 brought a report of one in the New Forest which I at first thought was very early but on checking found that one had been found at Gosport in 2009 as early as Mar 5. This years first has been followed by a 'possible' sighting on Butser Hill on Mar 27 and a definite sighting near Lymington on Mar 28

Small Blue: Seen and photographed on the Isle of Wight on Mar 30

Painted Lady: A 'tatty' specimen seen on Mar 21 in the Rother Woods north of Hastings and one was seen at Prawle on the south Devon coast on Mar 25 - both present the same problem of origin as the Clouded Yellow

Camberwell Beauty: The Mar 28 entry on the Sussex Butterfly Conservation website has a photo of a Camberwell Beauty taken on Mar 22 at the Marley Common National Trust site (close to Fernhurst and Blackdown Hill) by the NT warden. This is more likely to be an escape or release of a locally bred individual rather than a migrant, but who knows?

Species reported this week:

Grizzled Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Large Tortoiseshell, Camberwell Beauty, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood

Moths:

Selected sightings this week:

Species recorded for the first time this year/season:

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0149.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0485.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0666.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0899.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/0900.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1116.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1200.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1255.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1362.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1365.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1366.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1645.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1660.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1661.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1662.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1834.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1858.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1883.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1919.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2005.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2015.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2019.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2063.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2260.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2289.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2306.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2425.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2441.php

For the HantsMoths info go to http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2469.php

Other Insects:

Selected sightings this week:

Oak Gall Wasp (Biorhiza pallida): First Oak Apples seen on Warblington Farm on Mar 29 - see my diary page for an account of the complex life cycle of the gall wasps which create them

Common Wasp: Queens are now emerging to set up new colonies - please don't kill them as they are very unlikely to harm you and their offspring do a lot of important pest control work

Hairy footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes): These are now active and have been reported on two websites with illustrative photos that seem to show different insects. Graeme Lyons photos at http://analternativenaturalhistoryofsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/stalker.html show an insect with a long downward pointing proboscis looking as rigid as that of a Bee Fly whereas the photos on the BWARS website ( http://www.bwars.com/Anthophora_plumipes.htm ) pointed to by Brian Banks entry on the RX website (see http://rxwildlife.org.uk/2012/03/25/hairy-footed-flower-bee/ ) show no sign of a proboscis. A search through several sources of information on this species found no mention of the proboscis shown in Graeme's picture though it is clear that this bee mainly visits plants with long tubular flower requiring a long 'drinking straw' to get at the nectar. I did eventually find a photo showing the proboscis (see http://www.flickr.com/photos/23111015@N04/6830537362/ ) and it would seem that, despite the impression given by Graeme's photos that the proboscis is rigid (as in Bee Flies) it must in fact be retractable (like that of a butterfly)

Oil beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus): These get a mention as active at Durlston on Mar 21 and provide an excuse to point you to an excellent photo of the species at http://theweekendbiologist.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/oil-beetles.html As well as looking at the photo do read the text above it describing the life of the young larvae and how it hitches an air flight to the Bees nest in which it will grow up.

More beetles, some extraordinary spiders and a huge millipede: Just some of the things Graeme Lyons has been finding recently. Do visit http://analternativenaturalhistoryofsussex.blogspot.co.uk/ and try to find out more about the species he keeps finding

(Skip to Other Wildlife)

Great Horsetail: The first signs of these were the fertile cones which had started to push up on path edges at Warblington Farm this week

European Larch: The first green leaves had appeared on a tree here in Havant by Mar 29 but with no sign of the Larch Roses still to come

Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis): I believe that this lovely spring flower is disappearing from our countryside as existing colonies are destroyed - if left more or less undisturbed it can survive but if the colony is cut down or ploughed up it has no means of reinstating itself by e.g. windborne seed. This happened to a large patch on the grass verge beside the Forestside Road running through Stansted Forest where it passes the 'Middle Lodge' close to the Avenue carpark and I have not seen any of these flowers so far this year whereas Brian Fellows has found it at Kingston near Lewes and in the Bridge Road carpark by his Emsworth home.

Chalk Milkwort: Durlston reports this starting to flower on Mar 30

Shining Cranesbill: First flowers seen at both ends of the Pook Lane footbridge over the A27 at Warblington on Mar 29

Wood Sorrel: A great show of flowers in the Longcopse Hill area of the Hollybank Woods at Emsworth on Mar 30 were my first for the year

Common Vetch: First flowers seen on Portsdown on Mar 26

Black Medick: Last year's flowers had vanished by the end of January and I saw my first new flowers for this year on Portsdown on Mar 26

Wild Cherry: Flowering in the Longcopse area of the Hollybank Woods at Emsworth on Mar 30

Wild Plum: Also in full flower in the Longcopse area on Mar 30

Flowering Currant: Now flowering at Folkestone so no doubt also to be found locally

Elder: At least one tree bearing open flowers at Farlington Marshes on Mar 27

Ox-eye Daisy: One flower fully open and many in bud on Portsdown on Mar 26

Neapolitan Garlic: One flowering plant found by Brian Fellows on Mar 30 beside the A259 main road through west Emsworth (in a ditch outside No 103 near the Brookfield Hotel)

Wild Daffodil: The usual display could be seen in the West Dean Woods north of Chichester on Mar 27

Arum (Lords and Ladies): Spathes started to open from Mar 29 onward

Early Spider Orchid: Starting to flower at Durlston on Mar 28

Hairy Woodrush (Luzula pilosa): Flowering in the West stoke area at the foot of Kingley Vale on Mar 27

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Fox: Foxes are a regular sight in the meadow between Langstone Pond and Wade Court and normally look very healthy but an extremely mangy specimen was there on Mar 29

Hare: Birders looking for the Rough-legged Buzzard in the Arun Valley near Burpham this week reported many Hares in the fields

Brook Lamprey: A couple of these were seen in the R Itchen at Avington on Mar 24. If you are not familiar with these strange jawless fish have a look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/European_brook_lamprey At the moment they are probably busy moving stones on the river bed to create a spawning bed.

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