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Saturday 30 May 2020

Green Lane, Holyhead Road, Kennel Lane and Bowlingreen Lane, Albrighton, Shropshire.

In search of Corn Buntings on my temporary Local Patch.

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
I started off by paying a quick visit to Green Pond where I started off the list with good numbers of
Azure Damselflies (Coenagrion puella) at least 100 or so, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).
I walked up along Elm Road and then took Green Lane up passed Windmill Lane but not before I got a brief view of a nice plumaged Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) as it was being mobbed by a couple of Carrion Crows (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone).
Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
I went passed the Windmill and on one of the telegraph poles I had the first of at least 3 singing male Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) which I was very pleased to find after getting a tip off from friends Elise and Steve O'donnel, Elise had thought she had heard one but was not sure so I thought I would check it out.
Whilst I was watching the male the female flew up as well as well, just a bit further along the lane a second bird was call from wires and at the far end of the lane a third bird was on the top of a dead tree singing.
As I walked up the Lane I also saw Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Small White (Pieris rapae) and a rather tatty Peacock (Aglais io).
I took one of the footpaths over the fields down to a large irrigation lake used by Austin Roses for their plants where I found a few Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), a single Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and a couple of Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus). 
Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).
In the same area I also had Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citronella), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis).
I walked out on to the Holyhead Road and then down Kennel Lane, on the way I found White Campion (Silene latifolia), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare),
Hedge Woundwort (Stachys sylvatica), Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and just before it joined Bowlingreen Lane I had several Rabbits (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus).
I walked up Bowlingreen Lane but saw just Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) as I spent most of the time dodging pensioners driving down the Lane thinking David Austin Roses was Open. I walked back up throught the village and then to the house.

Thursday 28 May 2020

Humphreston Farm area and Green Pond, Albrighton Shropshire.

A morning walk with Harry and then a quick visit to Green Pond.

Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum).
I walked with Harry across the A41 and up towards Humphreston Farm, on the way I saw Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Small White (Pieris rapae), Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis), 14-spotted ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata), Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum), Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum), Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) and Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria). 
Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).
14-spotted ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata).
I turned left and went along to the moat project and then across the fields back to the farm adding Hedge Woundwort (Stachys sylvatica), Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), Red Campion (Silene dioica), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis) moth caterpillar, Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), a very tatty Peacock (Aglais io), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella), Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citronella), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone).
Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis) moth caterpillar.
I turned around and walked back to the farm and the off towards the wood where I bumped into Steve and Elise and had a cht for a while. On the way and whilst being stood I heard and saw Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcerilla / Sylvia curruca), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and as I went up to thend of the road several Stock Doves (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas).
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum).
I again retraced my way back to the A41 finding Wasp beetle (Clytus arietis), Ashy Mining-bee (Andrena cineraria) and Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) before dropped back to the house. 
Hoverfly Species.
Later I went out on my own and walked up to Green Pond in Crossroads where I checked around for Dragons. There were lots, possibly 60+ Azure Damselflies, a couple of male Large Red Damselflies (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) and a single male Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa). 
Honey Bee (Apis mellifera).
There were a few other insects whizzing around but I only got a shot of a Hoverfly Species before I headed Back.
Wasp beetle (Clytus arietis).
Ashy Mining-bee (Andrena cineraria).
Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa).
Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa).
Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).
Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).
Another Hoverfly Species.

Wednesday 27 May 2020

Donington and Albrighton Nature Reserve, Albrighton, Shropshire.

A wander around the loop on the meadow.

Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) duckling.
I walked down to the pool at Donington and checked out the track along the roadside scanning the water but as usual it was quiet apart from a few Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), a single Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and several Blackbirds (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).
Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).
Over on the meadow I dropped down to the small pool by St Cuthberts well and had a walk around it adding Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Three-cornered Leek (Allium triquetrum), Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), White Clover (Trifolium repens), Ivy-leaved Duckweed (Lemna trisulca), Red Campion (Silene dioica), Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris) and Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum).
Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare).
I walked down to the smaller pool but it was quiet apart from the many Three-spined Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) rippling the water. I walked on along the woodland path finding Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella), a latish male Common Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines), Green-veined White (Pieris napi), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris).
Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo).
As I reached the next brigde I heard a lady say "ho look these a Dragonfly" so I was there in seconds and found several Azure Damsels but also two stunning male Beautiful Demoiselle's (Calopteryx virgo) which were chasing each other round the brook.
Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).
Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).
I took photographs whilst having a chat with the people there and listening to a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) in some nearby trees.
Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).
I walked up the track along side the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) hedge and saw Hedge Woundwort (Stachys sylvatica), Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Woody Nightshade / Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara), Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum), Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris), Small White (Pieris rapae), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and several Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus).
Hedge Woundwort (Stachys sylvatica).
I walked back through the village and back to the house.

Tuesday 26 May 2020

Humphreston Farm Area, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Late walk with Harry.

Only birds of note were a single fly over Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) and a Northern Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis) which flew passed me carrying a Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) in one of it's talons.

Monday 25 May 2020

Patshull Park, Badger, Beckburry, Ryton and Back.

Out on the bike again.

Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus).
I got on my bike and headed out of the village along New House Lane, on the way I started the list with Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Lesser (Curruca Zarcerilla / Sylvia curruca) and Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), a nice male Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and several singing Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis).
Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).
Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).
I crossed the Shifnal road in to Boningale and then on to the road up to Patshul Estate, as I went through the village I picked up House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and a nice male Bullfinch (Camachuelo Común / Pyrrhula pyrrhula).
Common Bluetail ( Ischnura elegans).
Common Bluetail ( Ischnura elegans).
I stopped a couple of times on the way up to the entrance to the Estate, once over looking some fields and again above a small pool adding Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Goldcrest (Regulus regulus), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla).
Dames Violet (Hesperis matronalis).
Once in the park I headed past the house and down towards Lady Barbara's Pool, on the way I heard and saw Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Greylag (Ansar Común / Anser anser) and Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis).
Wall Mason Wasp (Ancistrocerus parietum)???????
I hid the bike near the dam which divided Lady Barbara's Pool and Church Pool, I walked out on to the dam and later walked around the pool, on the way I found Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), a pair of Mute Swans (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor) with Signets. 
Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus).
I also saw Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella), Red-eyed Damselflies (Erythromma najas), Common Bluetail ( Ischnura elegans), Wall Mason Wasp (Ancistrocerus parietum),  Green-veined White (Pieris napi), Small White (Pieris rapae), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Dames Violet (Hesperis matronalis), Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis), Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), Red Campion (Silene dioica), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), White Dead Nettle (Lamium album), Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus).
Procumbent Yellow-sorrel (Oxalis corniculata).
I next checked out the Church yard but the care of the place had slipped greatly and it was only being strimmed so all the stunning wildflowers that used to grow there were lost and I only found Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) and Procumbent Yellow-sorrel (Oxalis corniculata).
I got back on my bike and continued on through the estate to the far entrance and out on to the road to Badger, on the way I saw Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citronella), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris).
Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis).
The village was so full of people I just had a drink of water before pushing on, just out of the village I heard the first Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) I had heard in the UK for some time but it was followed by another and in the end 5 in all.
I continued on through Beckburry, Ryton and then up to the Burnhill Green Road before dropping back down into the Village of Albrighton again, on the way I saw White Campion (Silene latifolia), Wood Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).
Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
I made a quick stop at Green Pool but did not add anything to the list except for Amphibious Bistort (Persicaria amphibia).