SE Nature Notes for w/e July 12th
15 July 2010
Portsmouth & Portsdown
On Tuesday a silver-studded blue butterfly was netted and identified on Portsdown. The first record since one in 1963. They had been common prior to the 1890s. The closest site where the species is known is in the New Forest. Tuesday’s walk found a splendid white greater knapweed on Portsdown. On Wednesday evening the guided walk around the Paulsgrove chalk pit had superb views of a peregrine resting on one of the pylons i.e. at eye level from the path along the top of the pit. Earlier in the day the conservation workers had seen a peregrine bird carrying a pigeon, a stonechat and newts in the pond.
Havant, Hayling & Emsworth
Silver washed fritillaries and white admirals were seen along the avenue at Staunton Country Park on Tuesday. Similar sightings can be had in Havant Thicket. On the RSPB Islands little terns continued to prosper this week with juveniles flying and more to come. Mediterranean gulls are also doing well but some of the adults are potential predators of the terns. Common terns are having problems for an unknown reason. Swallows have nested in the little red brick pumping station opposite The Ship at Langstone. Two arctic skuas were seen harassing terns off Sandy Point Hayling Island early on Sunday 11th.
Fareham and Gosport
A honey buzzard was reported to be in the Titchfield Haven/Fareham area on 3rd. Other birds at Titchfield Haven include a whimbrel and greenshank (9th), A woodlark was seen at Hundred Acres on 7th.
Waterlooville and South Downs
A hedgehog was in a Waterlooville garden on Monday pinching cheese put out for blackbirds. A Monday walk in Creech Woods Denmead found, among other butterflies, 25 white admirals, 2 purple hairstreaks, over 100 ringlets, 17 silver washed fritillaries and possibly as many as 5 purple emperors. Similar observations were made here on Thursday. Swifts, house martins and swallows can all be seen visiting nest sites in the middle of Clanfield village. On the recreation ground off South Lane a flock of gulls was dominated by 22 Mediterranean gulls.
