Nature Notes May 2025
Date Published: 06-06-2025
A mostly dry month with strong winds
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Carrion Crows, Jays, Magpies, Buzzards, Herring Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Stonechats, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Wren Robin, Dunnocks, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals: Fox, Mole activity, Grey Squirrel, Hedgehog, Wood Mice, Pipistrelle Bats.
Plants (in flower or berry): Celandine, Dandelions, Common Gorse, Cut-leaved Geranium, Ivy, Catkins, Buttercups, Arum Lily, Rowan, Common Vetch, Wild Cherry. Common Field Speedwell, Holly.
Insects: Flies, Midges, Buff Tailed Bees, Hover Flies, Wood Lice, Garden Spider, Ants.
Reptiles/Amphibians: Common Lizard, Grass Snake.
Dragonfly/Damselfly: Small Red.
Butterflies/Moths: Large White, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Peacock, Holly Blue, Silver-studded Blue
Pond Life: Whirlygig Beetles, Pond Skaters, Common Newts, Backswimmers.
Many species of birds have produced their first broods, some of which have fledged. It has been noticeable that the broods produced are reduced in number.
Avian Flu has been recorded on the border of Hampshire and the BCP area. If finding a dead bird, do not handle and report the finding to the British Trust for Ornithology, email info@bto.org, telephone 01842 750050.
NATURE FACT
The life cycle of Bumble Bees is squeezed into a few short months. All the members of a colony (begun by a single queen in Spring) die in autumn except for the new young mated queens, which hibernate until Spring in the shelter of a hedgerow, heap of moss or pile of leaves, normally burrowing a few inches below the surface of the soil.
Recorders: C. Wilcox K. Wilcox
