Sunday 21st June to Saturday 27th June
The last full week in June has just elapsed and one might normally start to contemplate returning migrant waders and indeed a few are starting to be seen around Oxfordshire. However the fact that there is no flood water makes this rather unlikely on the Meadow so we have to be content with what we have.
Good news is that all three lapwing chicks are still alive and thriving. Tuesday lunchtime the two lapwing parents and the three chicks were easily seen on the dried up floods by Trap Ground allotment gate. A crow which got too close was quickly seen off in no uncertain terms by the two parent birds. There's been a general increase in lapwing numbers with another 14 birds at the north end of the flood area. I took a walk across the flood mud and surrounding grass and was amazed at the amount of insect life about. This explains the good number of birds present: a young skylark was seen, lots of juvenile and adult pied wagtail and huge numbers of wood pigeons. This abundance of insects is of course also good news for the lapwings. The three chicks were last seen on Saturday evening back at the north channel (MBG).
One of the three lapwing chicks © Adam Hartley
One of the parent birds looking on © Adam Hartley
I am only just starting to appreciate what a great place Burgess Field is for butterflies. There have been some new species flying this week: Ringlet, Marbled White and Meadow Browns all flitting about in the tall grasses. The ringlets look stunning when they first emerge, having a beautiful purple sheen to their brown colouring though this soon fades.
Ringlet: showing off the rings from which it is named © Adam Hartley
Ringlet with open wings © Adam Hartley
A resting Marbled White: these proved very difficult to photograph as they don't seem to settle very often.
© Adam Hartley
A Meadow Brown, unfortunately with closed wings © Adam Hartley
Good news is that all three lapwing chicks are still alive and thriving. Tuesday lunchtime the two lapwing parents and the three chicks were easily seen on the dried up floods by Trap Ground allotment gate. A crow which got too close was quickly seen off in no uncertain terms by the two parent birds. There's been a general increase in lapwing numbers with another 14 birds at the north end of the flood area. I took a walk across the flood mud and surrounding grass and was amazed at the amount of insect life about. This explains the good number of birds present: a young skylark was seen, lots of juvenile and adult pied wagtail and huge numbers of wood pigeons. This abundance of insects is of course also good news for the lapwings. The three chicks were last seen on Saturday evening back at the north channel (MBG).
One of the three lapwing chicks © Adam HartleyOne of the parent birds looking on © Adam HartleyI am only just starting to appreciate what a great place Burgess Field is for butterflies. There have been some new species flying this week: Ringlet, Marbled White and Meadow Browns all flitting about in the tall grasses. The ringlets look stunning when they first emerge, having a beautiful purple sheen to their brown colouring though this soon fades.
Ringlet: showing off the rings from which it is named © Adam HartleyRinglet with open wings © Adam HartleyA resting Marbled White: these proved very difficult to photograph as they don't seem to settle very often.© Adam Hartley
A Meadow Brown, unfortunately with closed wings © Adam Hartley