Nature Notes April/May 2026
Date Published: 05-06-2026
For the majority of April it was wet and windy, changing to a
very dry, hot period for most of May.
SIGHTINGS
Birds (seen or heard): Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls,
Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Buzzards, Magpies, Jay, Grey
Heron, Wood Pigeon, Great Spotted Woodpeckers,
Sparrowhawk, Stonechat, Siskin, Tree Pipit, Chiffchaff,
Blackcap, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Wren,
Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Dunnocks, Mallard Ducks, Chaffinch,
Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels.
Insects: Flies, Buff-tailed Bees, Wasps, Velvet Ants, Midges.
Butterflies/Moths: Brimstone, Large White, Small Blue,
Peacock, Red Admiral, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Silver Studded
Blue, Species of day flying Moths.
Dragonfly/Damselfly: Small Red, Common Blue, Beautiful
Demoiselle.
Plants in flower/berry: Common Broom, Garlic Mustard,
Allium, Yellow flag Iris, Wood Avens, Blackberry, Distant
Flowered Sedge, Buttercups.
Pond life: Whirlygig Beetles.
Two pairs of Mallard Ducks were seen on the water stream at
the back of Hazel Drive and Kingfisher Creek.
NATURE FACT
The Tree Pipit arrives in the U.K. from their wintering grounds during
April/May. The species is very much a bird of woodland edge
and open clearings with isolated trees, from which the males
launch themselves into their impressive displays. First flying
high into the air before parachuting earthbound, whilst all the
time singing their beautiful song. The U.K. population fell
sharply at the end of the 20th century and the species is now
on the Red List.
Recordings by C Wilcox K |Wilcox
