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Sept - Oct 20th 2008
 On
the 30th September I decided that winter was just around the
corner and it was time to put the lawnmower away. Imagine
my surprise when I disturbed a large fully developed dragonfly
which proceeded to fly up and down the driveway in an erratic
way. Normally this insect emerges in June/July and needs warm
sunshine to dry out but this one had arrived on a warm but
dull day. I don’t think it will survive for long as
the next day was cold and wet. I was able to identify it as
a southern or common aeshna. Nature never fails to surprise
us:
A healthy flock of about 50 mixed finches, mostly chaffinches,
landed in the large ash tree in Forge Lane, another sign of
winter on the way when birds tend to move around in flocks
as a safety measure.
My neighbour reported seeing a single red legged partridge
in her garden and I saw one in the lane, certainly the same
one. Presumably it has been reared locally and released into
the wild for the shooting season.
The spreading of farm slurry on the back field attracted
a large number of gulls of three different species, herring
lesser blackbacked and black headed; however they soon moved
away when the food supply ran out.
The female sparrow hawk is a regular visitor to the garden
causing havoc among the resident house sparrow population.
Just occasionally it makes a successful “stoop”
and carries off its prey.
Nature in the raw;;;;.
Eric Pithers
20th October 2008
Aug - Sept 20th 2008
 I
always feel a little sad at this time of the year –
why:: Because each day I witness the departure of hundreds
of swallows and martins on their 5,000 mile journey to winter
quarters in Africa. Many will perish en route from natural
and un-natural causes, but many more will survive to rejoin
us next spring. I wish them ‘bon voyage’.
A single meadow pipit was feeding on chicken dung spread
on the farm field and a good flock of at least 30 house sparrows
were regularly frequenting the green lane hedgerows. There
is no shortage of this species in this area, unlike the overall
picture. Many more will be using our gardens as feeding grounds.
A quite remarkable sight (and sound) was of at least forty
Canada geese flying low level they were all calling in that
wild gooselike way.
A gold crest paid a brief visit to my spruce tree, obviously
feeding on large numbers of insects hiding there. The local
barn owl population has been greatly increased this year with
the successful rearing of a least five young in two owl boxes.
The kestrel continues to use the box provided by R.J. this
is for the 8th or 9th year running.
Eric Pithers
20th September 2008
July - Aug 20th 2008
 A
fragile curtain of mist hangs over the river valley as I write
these notes. It is not the sort of weather to encourage wildlife
to put in an appearance and I suspect that this has caused
the disappearance of some of our large colourful butterflies.
A few have appeared this period but these could be counted
on one hand, one red admiral, one peacock, three tortoishell
in an area where there are plenty of buddleas to attract them.
However, one very unusual sighting was a painted lady butterfly,
a summer migrant from the Atlas area of North Africa.
I was entertained by a family party of ravens at the top
of the green lane one afternoon. They really seemed to be
enjoying life chasing each other around the top of a large
oak tree. Hover as soon as I moved a little nearer they flew
off towards Oakley Hall.
Linnets have caught my eye this month, a flock of four or
five were feeding in the hedges around Norton Farm. I don’t
often see these species in this area; they prefer heathland
and gorse habitats.
The rowan tree in my front garden was laden with bright
red berries a few weeks ago but is now almost stripped bare
by resident blackbirds and starlings. They have left very
little for our visiting Scandinavian thrushes when they arrive
in October.
Eric Pithers
20th August 2008
June - July 20th 2008
 Not
a month to get excited about although as usually happens some
interesting and unexpected things have turned up. In spite
of the unseasonal weather, the bird breeding season has been
successful generally. My garden has been particularly productive,
with a wider range of species taking advantage of the excellent
shrub cover. Three pairs of blackbirds have successfully reared
young, tree sparrows have had two broods in a nest box and
wrens have bred for the first time, to my knowledge. I could
list about ten common garden birds that have all been successful
in raising families. Elsewhere in the village nuthatches have
occupied nest boxes, a species that has so far avoided my
garden. A single swift on one occasion is the only record
of this now rare species. Curlews have been seen regularly
over the back field, but no barn owls this year although they
have been successful in using the boxes. We shall probable
see some of these young later on in the year. The most exciting
occurrence of the month was the sight of three golden plover
over-flying the village late one June evening heading east.
Where are all the butterflies???
Eric Pithers
20th July 2008
May - June 20th 2008
 Near
neighbours, Bob and Norma alerted me to an unusual sighting
late one afternoon, a female sparrow hawk sitting in a corner
of their garden apparently unusually tame, or more likely,
very sick. I approached the bird very cautiously and was able
to get it to perch on my fingers, its sharp claws getting
a firm hold. It couldn’t fly although its wings seemed
undammed, but it was very emaciated and unable to eat. We
tried to feed it with a piece of raw steak mince but were
unsuccessful. Bob phoned the RSPCA hospital at Stapley where
the duty vet made a brief examination and though that the
problem was a parasitic infection. They kept it in overnight
but it did not survive.
Other local bird life has been minimal but there have been
some interesting things to write about. Four curlews were
seen in the back field, two young and two adults, probably
our resident pair from the Brand Hall meadows. They have been
mentioned in previous notes. A pair of grey wagtails is breeding
near the new road bridge. A short walk up in the green lane
was very unrewarding. Only a yellow hammer in full song made
the walk worthwhile. However, the great variety of wild grasses
was very impressive. I counted at least ten different species,
some with quite spectacular heads, a flowers pressers’
paradise. The lane has become very overgrown, almost impassable
in places, but with an abundance of red Campion.
Eric Pithers
20th June 2008
Apr - May 20th 2008
At last a little bit of excitement in the local bird
world. A phone call from a resident of Dorrington Lane brought
to my attention the arrival of a hoopoe in their back garden.
It was very approachable, feeding vigorously on the lawn,
probing into the grass with its long curved bill. Hoopoes
are fairly common in Spain and Portugal but only come to the
U.K. by accident. Undoubtedly the spell of warm south to south
east wind we enjoyed recently had blown it off course.
The month has been remarkable for its more regular birds
and butterflies. A paid of tufted ducks were on the Forge
Farm ponds, a pair of curlew were frequenting the Brand Hall
meadows most of the month and tawny owls were heard calling
in the vicinity of the church. Barn owls have taken up residence
in one of the new boxes in the Brand area and tree sparrows
are using nest boxes in and around the village.
During the warm spell, butterflies were numerous for a short
while and I saw in my garden common blues, tortoishell, peacock,
orange tips and large whites.
Bats have been very active most evenings hunting for moths
and large insects. At four have been around three pipistrelles
and a long eared.
Finally, another very unusual sighting was a shelduck, just
south of the village flying towards Oakley Lake.
Eric Pithers
20th May 2008
Mar - Apr 20th 2008
Snow on the ground, swallows overhead, overnight
frosts, it seems that global warming has gone into reverse.
Yes, swallows have been seen over and around the village,
but not until the 14th April, which according to my records
is a week later than in 2007, when they were recorded on the
6th April with house martins on the 7th.
A short walk in a cold easterly wind, produced two male
yellowhammers and very little else. Rabbits were in abundance
after an absence of nearly six months and an unconfirmed report
of a redpoll is almost certain to be correct identification.
It is about time for the cuckoo to make himself heard although
this bitterly cold weather must be a deterrent to any breeding
activity. By the time these notes appear again, someone somewhere
will have heard him.
On a more normal note, blackbirds have ignored the unseasonable
weather and nested in my garden and have produced four eggs
by the 10th April.
Eric Pithers
20th April 2008
Feb - Mar 20th 2008
As predicted, barn owls have been recorded in some
numbers this period. At the beginning of the month as many
as three were seen over and around the village. The “back”
field and Brook house meadow was the haunt of at least one
and it now remains to be seen if it is one of a pair and they
will use the new owl box.
I was entertained to a marvellous display by a pair of buzzards
over the back field early in the month. They were diving,
swooping, stooping and grabbing each other by the talons for
almost five minutes and all from the comfort of my kitchen.
They eventually moved away towards Oakley. A single lapwing
appeared on the green lane farm field, but as yet no typical
display flight. However, on my travels around I almost always
see a lapwing and I get the impression they are becoming less
rare. Another species to make a welcome return to the gardens
in Forge Lane is the song thrush. As I write a pair is collection
nesting material from the garden and a feeding anvil has been
established at the back of my garden. This is still an endangered
species so please don’t kill too many snails in the
vegetable patch.
Eric Pithers
20th March 2008
Jan - Feb 20th 2008
This
has been the year of the Scandinavian chaffinch, in other
words the brambling. Every two of three years they arrive
in the country in large numbers usually staying on the east
side of the U.K. This year they have been seen in thousands
nationwide and Norton has been included. I have received information
from all quarters of the village in gardens, generally two
or three at a time. In the seven years I have been compiling
these notes I have only recorded one or two being seen. This
year at least 10 have been reported. Other species that have
been reported in larger than usual numbers include siskins
and long tailed tits with a family party of 14 of the latter.
A pair of bullfinches was seen briefly in a garden in Napley
Drive together with a single reed bunting.
An unusual visitor to Partons Pool was a wallow tit creeping
along the water edge in search of insects. I paid a visit
to Partons Pool on two occasions during the recent cold snap
and it was most satisfying so many birds in full song. The
new bridge wall was just the right height to rest my elbows
on and support for the binoculars. The whole area looked very
inviting and sounded like a spring dawn chorus with song thrush,
blackbird, robin, wren, chaffinch and goldfinch in full song.
A great spotted woodpecker was watched drumming in a dying
tree by the river edge. It was a most enjoyable half hour
and I was reluctant to leave.
A new barn owl nest box has been put up in the vicinity
of the pool and it is hoped that many of us will have the
pleasure of watching this magnificent bird later this year
as it hunts over the back fields and along the river bank.
Eric Pithers
20th Feb 2008
Dec - Jan 20th 2008
Siskins figure prominently this month, with reports
of large numbers being recorded all over the country. These
contrasts greatly with last winter when very few were seen
and none were seen in the Norton area. Up to now several have
been seen in the Forge Lane garden and I’ve no doubt
more will be seen. This is in spite of the very unwintry conditions
prevailing at the moment – this species is usually associated
with frost and snow.
A small flock of pied wagtails were seen feeding among browsing
cattle in the “10” acre field (top of the green
lane). At least ten were counted with difficulty – there
would be many more, it’s a big field??
A phone call alerted me to a dead owl in Chapel Lane. It
was a tawny and had been dead some time. I am told that tawny’s
are often heard in that area.
A more unusual species seen near the farm ponds was a cormorant.
It took off as I approached and flew towards Oakley. This
species spends its time almost equally between the land and
the coast. They breed on the rocky cliffs.
I have been advised of a large flock of lapwings that frequent
the fields alongside the Hodnet by-pass and on a visit to
Telford Hospital I was fortunate to see them feeding on the
flooded field near the Hodnet end of the road. I estimate
that there were about one hundred. Could they be making a
come-back at last???
Eric Pithers
20th Jan 2008
Nov - Dec 20th 2007
Not a lot to comment on this month hence the shortened version
of these notes. I am also somewhat restricted in the time
I can spend looking at wildlife. However, one or two things
are worth noting. The recent severe frosts have brought in
the first large numbers of fieldfares. A flock of about 200
were feeding on the back meadow during this period. I have
also heard about barn owls being seen in the area on one or
two occasions. |I have noticed an increased in the number
of jays in the area south of the village. On my rare walks
up the green lane I have seen at least one and sometimes two.
They have been absent from that area for at least six months.
A family party of long tailed tits were in the lane hedgerows
on one occasion, at least 8 of them.
I wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful new year.
More next time I hope.
Eric Pithers
20th Dec 2007
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Oct - Nov 20th 2007
The barn owl continues to appear in and around the village
with one being seen on several occasions over the back field.
According to the T V and press this species has enjoyed a
very good breeding season with several second broods being
recorded in the country. Let’s get the Parton Pool owl
box up ready for next year as they can be early nesters. Elsewhere,
the Scandinavian invaders catch the eye. As yet, they are
only about in small numbers, but I was fortunate to have up
to 12 fieldfares in the garden trees on several occasions
but no large numbers yet. Redwings have also been around in
similar numbers on holly berries. At the moment there are
plentiful supplies of various hedgerow fruits but as the bird
numbers build up so the food will disappear. Windfall apples
will then by very welcome by these very welcome and handsome
birds. If the old belief is anything to go by, the large number
of fruits on the hedgerow bushes indicates a harsh winter
ahead.
Goldfinches also make the headlines with up to 8 seen feeding
on nijer seeds on my neighbour’s feeder. Not many greenfinches
about and no siskins yet.
The kill of a sparrow hawk was deposited on my drive one
morning. The very neat circle of small feathers plus legs
and head clearly identified the work of a hawk. The unfortunate
food supply was a male chaffinch. Starling numbers are slowly
building up with up to 200 roosting in my overgrown hedge.
Eric Pithers
20th Nov 2007
Sept - Oct 20th 2007
 “Seasons
of mists and mellow fruitfulness” (Keats), and how right
it is this autumn. As I write these notes we are enjoying
just such a spell, cold, calm, sunny. But the signs of winter
are everywhere. Fieldfares, those handsome grey thrushes from
Scandinavia have been seen around the village and we said
goodbye to the swallows and martins in early October. As far
as I know a pair of martins finally finished feeding a family
on or about the 6th October and departed almost immediately.
An unusual visitor to stubble on Norton Farm was a red-legged
partridge and two others were observed in a back garden in
Forge Lane, feeding on chick weed and grass seeds. This species
is not a native of this country but bred for shooting activities.
These two were so tame and used to people. On the continent
were they are wild they are known as French partridges. Alas,
our native grey partridge remains very scarce.
A large flock of Canada geese have built up over the summer,
with about 150 being counted on one or two occasions in the
vicinity of the Tern valley. A single raven flew low over
my head calling loudly, its harsh “croak” clearly
identifying it as I walked the DEFRA route and about 50 lesser
black-backed gulls also got up and moved a bit further away
on the winter wheat.
Barn owls continue to make prominent news with two seen sharing
an owl box on Brand Hall land (RJ) and a possible third nearby.
I hope we will enjoy their company around the village next
year as we have this.
Eric Pithers
20th Oct 2007
Aug - Sept 20th 2007
This
has been a period of marked contrast in the weather. A late
ten day “Indian Summer” with hot sunny days and
calm conditions was a welcome change after the miserable summer
of June/July. It had a marked effect upon the wildlife of
the area. A large number of butterflies appeared in the garden,
some unexpected species were seen. A single “painted
lady” was feeding on ice plants in a local garden together
with several red admirals, tortoishell speckled woods and
whites. Another rare visitor was a “comma” also
enjoying the fully flowered ice plants. Earlier this year
I had commented on the lack of large coloured ‘flies
and this late hatching has redressed the balance. Two large
dragonflies also flew around the garden for a short time.
These were almost certainly common aeshna.
The bird life during the month has been interesting. A tawny
owl was heard calling in the vicinity of the church and perhaps
more exciting was the presence of a large flock of lapwings
in the Moss Lane area on freshly ploughed fields. A rough
estimate put the numbers at about 200. Perhaps they will come
to Norton fields when the ploughing gets underway. Swallows
and martins have been departing all month but some will be
seen into October.
Another fascinating occurrence was the appearance of two
water shrews at Partons Pool. Unfortunately they were dead,
flattened on the footpath. This small mammal is the rarest
of the breeding species in Gt. Britain. Perhaps these two
were part of a breeding colony?
Eric Pithers
20th Sept 2007
July - Aug 20th 2007
We
have now entered a quiet period of the year for wildlife activity.
As we are not on a main bird migratory route there is very
little to get excited about but the signs of winter are there.
An ever increasing flock of starlings appear each evening
on their way to roost somewhere south of the village, and
I have noticed a reduction in the number of swallows and martins
in the air seeking food, and I think many of them have already
left for their winter quarters in Africa. Who can blame them???
The barn owl was still around during the first week of August,
but I haven’t seen it since. A pair of Jays are in the
vicinity of Norton Farm, and a single missel thrush flew across
the road in the same area. The over-grown green lane has given
the knapweeds and vetches the chance to flower profusely,
protected by the lank vegetation. More next month I hope!!!
Eric Pithers
20th Aug 2007
June - July 20th 2007
Nest boxes in and around the village have attracted my attention
this month.
I decided to check from the outside three boxes near the
bus shelter one afternoon and was pleasantly surprised to
find two of them occupied, one unusually so. All three boxes
were put up to attract different species, a flycatcher box,
a tit box and a bat box. The standard tit box appeared to
have been used, but the open fronted flycatcher one was empty.
It was the bat box with its narrow slot in the base that was
most amazing. As I gazed up at the base, over-flowing with
nesting material a blue tit “dropped” out. How
the law of gravity was overcome is a mystery!! News from R.J.
informed me of the excellent results from his well established
kestrel box this year. Five young have been scientifically
marked (ringed) and are probably now flying. The box was not
used last year but in 2005 a similar number was hatched. Sadly
one of that year’s young was found very recently at
Sutton on Tern with a broken wing and is unlikely to survive.
I have spent some time at Home Farm, Bellaport this month
in search of breeding lapwings and curlew without success.
However it was very satisfying to see and hear four singing
male skylarks in the course of about a mile walk of farm tracks.
Even more notable was a single corn bunting, a male as it
uttered its characteristic call flying away across a recently
cut silage field. Maybe the female was sitting on a nest nearby??
This once common farmland species is now very rare.
The swallows normally resident in the bus shelter have not
returned this year and one reason for this is possible because
the old nest was not removed last winter. They always like
to build from scratch. The jackdaws on the church gargoyle
have successfully reared two young and these have now flown.
Eric Pithers
20th June 2007
May - June 20th 2007
 We’ve
almost reached the end of the “cuckoo” season
and I have heard of two reports of the call being heard in
the village area. This is in keeping with the records for
the last two or three years, numbers decreasing all the time.
As it has been recorded in this country up to the end of June
there is still time, but it becomes less likely.
I witnessed a remarkable incident from my back door early
this month. Two adult wrens were locked in combat in an overhanging
bush when they fell to the ground still together. I was able
to pick them up, but they immediately parted company and flew
into another dense bush and I lost sight of them, no doubt
to continue the claim for territory.
A single swift flew over the bungalow on the second of May,
quite an early date and two more followed the same route two
weeks later. At least two curlews were to be heard in the
grass field for short periods throughout the period, and a
pair of lapwing looks as though they will nest in the freshly
sown maize field on Norton Farm. They can be seen from the
“DEFRA” walkway and along the same walk I disturbed
two female wheatears both on separate fence posts. They were
not around very long, probably heading for the hills and moor
lands to bread.
Eric Pithers
20th May 2007
April - May 20th 2007
 At
the beginning of this period we had a very brief spell of
winter, a sharp oven night frost, minus 2c. for two nights
brought in a final flock of our winter visitors, fieldfares.
About 50 of these handsome grey Scandinavians were feeding
vigorously in the grass meadow behind the main road. This
was on the 21st March and none have been seen since. Three
days later curlews were active in the same area but are unlikely
to breed there, too much disturbance for this timid upland
species. At least five birds were recorded. I am sure they
will settle on quieter nearby fields.
Young blackbirds and starlings were actually flying in the
first week of April. They must have hatched a month before
this, making it a very early date to nest build. On the 7th
April, two swallows flew north over Main Road, the first to
be seen this year. House martins appeared the following day;
a pair was inspecting last years nest sites in the lane. We
need rain now to provide mud to build their nests.
With the return of warm, sunny weather, a wealth of butterflies
appeared with peacock, tortoishell, brimstone, whites and
common blues being seen in a three day spell in and around
the village.
I paid a few visits to Partons Pool this month and on one
of these I found a very rare flowing marsh plant, a snakeshead
fritillary. Actually you can buy the corms of this attractive
rarity. I expect someone can answer this?? A paid of jackdaws
are building a nest behind a gargoyle on the church tower
– something to watch later when young arrive. This common
species is not often mentioned in these notes but they are
always around.
Eric Pithers
20th April 2007
March - April 20th 2007
It doesn’t look as though we shall get any real winter
weather this year. Spring flowers are in bloom with lots of
fully developed primroses and lesser celandines in the hedgerows
and catkins have been and gone. The hawthorn and blackthorn
are in leaf and the latter will soon be in flower. Frog spawn
appeared on my garden pond on the 25th February but I had
seen “frog” activity a week before that date.
Looking back to previous years this is quite an early date.
Long tailed tits have been seen in the village gardens for
the first time this winter and a common brown hare made short
work of getting across stubble ahead of me. Siskins have been
recorded on the roadside hedges south of the village. Fieldfares
are still around, but a flock of about 150 flew over the village
high on the 11th March and I think this was return migration
under way. No redwings this winter, or have I missed them???.
A common buzzard was lazily circling over the stubble on the
12th March, the first I have recorded for two month; I also
disturbed a common snipe from a wet patch in the stubble on
the same walk.
Phone calls have brought to my attention the presence of
yellowhammers in gardens locally and I thank you for entering
into making these notes more complete than they otherwise
would be.
Eric Pithers
20th Mar 2007
February - March 20th 2007
 Again
this month I enthuse over the value of the stubble field off
the green lane for wildlife. It is very rare these days to
say that you have seen a “flock” of skylarks,
but the stubble was providing something to feed on for seven
of these now rare birds. At the same time the twenty or so
meadow pipits I mentioned last month were finding something
to eat among the unploughed field. Even more surprising was
the presence of five read bunting on the edge of the stubble
field, eventually flying onto the hedge behind.
Another area of great interest was the grass meadow at the
back of Main Road/Forge Lane where at least 200 fieldfares
together with a similar number of starlings were probing into
the roots of the grass for food. Two lapwings landed briefly
then flew south.
Still no siskins reported from the places normally visited
at this time of the year, but a song thrush has turned up
in the garden after an absence of some months, also greenfinches
and a wren, also absentees this winter. A gentleman “dog
walker” kindly informed me of two goosanders seen on
Oakley Hall Lake earlier in the month. These ducks are so
distinctive that misidentification is unlikely and they were
in the right habitat at the right time.
As I write these notes, the grass meadow is receiving a
dose of farm slurry and the tractor is being followed by about
200 gulls, most of which are black-headed, with one or two
lesser black backed and herring. Rooks and crows are also
enjoying this mobile supply of food.
Eric Pithers
20th Feb 2007
January - February 20th 2007
 Its
mid winter and what have we got!! Daytime temperatures
often in excess of 50 degrees F., gales, sometimes sever with
gusts reaching 100 mph and rooks, woodpigeons and collared
doves all seen carrying nesting material. But where are the
winter migrants??. I haven’t recorded a single fieldfare
or redwing this month, normally the peak period for these
species to be seen. One or two interesting species have been
seen mainly due to the presence of a large stubble field left
unploughed for the winter and now sprouting all sorts of weeds
attracting to wildlife.
On several occasions I have walked this area courtesy of
the local farmer, in search of birdlife and have not been
too disappointed. Meadow pipits have been seen on most walks,
about twenty at the most, and a single skylark was a lucky
find as I almost stood on it, a yard of two either way and
|I would have missed it. Linnets and chaffinches were also
disturbed on many visits to the area, but only in small numbers,
usually less than ten. Plant life has been most striking with
snowdrops crocus, daffodil, all wee advanced. The first wild
garlic (ransoms) is showing through along the riverside and
lesser celandines will flower shortly together with primrose.
I was told by my son-in-law of a flock of about 35 lapwings
that over flew the Hodnet by Pass on the 19th January. I have
seen the odd one or two I the past month, but 35 would be
wo5rth making a special visit to see such a rare sight. My
next door neighbour has had up to seven goldfinches on a special
nut feeder in the garden and the local population of house
sparrows is thriving. But no buzzards or siskins reported:
where have they gone??.
Eric Pithers
20th Jan 2007
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December - January 20th 2007
 The
notes this month have relied very much on the keen eyed village
residents who very kindly inform me of what may be an unusual
occurrence. The weather has been dominated be heavy rain and
gale force winds, but still very mild for this time of the
year, not ideal conditions for wildlife and I have found very
little to record. During a brief bright spell I watched a
small flock of small birds in the vicinity of the farm pond
and picked out a magnificent male linnet in full breeding
plumage, red breast shining in the wintry sun. I presume that
the other birds in the party were linnets also. They flock
together in winter, feeding on numerous grass and weed seeds.
A phone call, alerted me to a flock of about 25 common snipe
feeding on a wet “set aside” area in the Bellaport
area and about 6 skylarks mixed in with them. Fieldfares have
been very common in the Green Lane area, and the hawthorn
berries have disappeared rapidly, the bushes changing colour
from red to brown/green. Very few redwings have been with
these large grey winter thrushes from Scandinavia, but an
influx of blackbirds occurred on the 28th November but very
quickly moved away.
Another very interesting record was given to me by a near
neighbour, a male blackcap in the garden. These warblers normally
spends the winter in warmer climates, but over the last 20
years or so increasing numbers have over wintered in the U.K.
It is likely that this species has been overlooked as the
female does not have a black cap but a brown one and easily
mistaken for a dunnock or tree sparrow. An increasing number
of blue and great tits have been using my nut feeders and
next doors have provided food for great spotted woodpeckers.
Happy New Year
Eric Pithers
20th Dec 2006
October - December 20th 2006
 As
was to be expected, the main topic this month has been the
arrival of winter visitors from Europe and Scandinavia. As
early as the fourth of November I saw the first fieldfare,
at Partons Pool. Much to my surprise it appeared to be on
its own which is unusual as they are very gregarious enjoying
the company and safety of hundreds of other fieldfares and
redwings. This happened on the tenth of November when a large
flock of 4/500 flew south over the village. I saw what I believed
to be the same group on the 12th November from the Defra walkway
on Norton Farm and could almost see where they were going
to roost, in the large pine trees by Oakley Lake.
A single female bullfinch was almost the only bird I saw
on a walk up the green lane on another occasion but a jay
was a bit more encouraging as it cluttered towards Oakley
Hall making characteristic alarm calls.
A most amazing balancing act was carried out by a male pheasant
when it landed on my front windowsill, on a width of about
four inches and stayed for a full 30 seconds looking at me
and my petrified cat. It then calmly hopped down onto the
path to feed. The pheasant in question is a regular visitor
to the front and back gardens on Forge Lane and had perhaps
sussed it out previously.
Canada geese have been very active all month, usually seen
flying along the river valley. A singly curlew flew east to
west on 8th November heading towards Brand Hall.
Eric Pithers
20th December 2006
September - October 20th 2006
 We
have enjoyed a very pleasant but short autumn this year with
mostly above average temperatures. The swallows and martins
had virtually disappeared by the first week of October, the
last date I have is the second and third of October when several
hundred were heading south. This is an early date for their
departure and I expected more later, but is hasn’t happened.
The signs of winter are upon us as I write. Four large skeins
of wild geese totalling about 150 birds were seen flying high
over the village in southerly direction, probably pink feet
from Iceland and heading for the Severn Estuary, perhaps Slimbridge
for the winter. Canada geese have been very active all month
with large skeins moving along the river valley, well over
fifty being recorded in several small groups.
 Three
or four stock doves were feeding on stubble near the farm
ponds. This small “blue” pigeon is a regular visitor
to the area. I enjoyed a pleasant minute or so watching a
pair of grey wagtails on the stepping stones occasionally
snatching a flying insect that came too near them. The starling
flocks are building up day by day and my estimate for them
is over three hundred looking for somewhere to roost. Many
have settled in conifers behind the school. I have had a report
of a green woodpecker in the vicinity of Oakley Lake. This
is an uncommon bird here but common generally. Ravens have
been calling in various parts of the village and they will
almost certainly breed hereabouts probably as early as January.
– It depends on the weather.
Eric Pithers
20th October 2006
August - September 20th 2006
It’s that time of the year when we say goodbye to our
summer visitors, the swallows and martins, and for a few weeks
the skies will seem to be empty. Then we shall have the invasion
of our winter residents, thrushes from Scandinavia and northern
Europe. The weather has been kind to our hirundines this year,
lots of hot calm, warm days which has encouraged a big increase
in the numbers and size of the insects that form their main
food source and this should help them on their long journey
to winter quarters in Africa.
Last month I referred to an unidentified moth brought to
me this has now been positively identified as a privet hawk
moth (see Norton website). While on the subject of moths,
another hummingbird hawk moth has been seen in Napley Drive,
watched for quite a long time, its long proboscis probing
deeply into flower heads for nectar whilst hovering all the
time. No doubt what it was.
A female wheatear was on the fence post on Norton farmland
by the green lane and a female yellowhammer was feeding on
“Defra” walkway. Two missel thrushes stayed briefly
on a roof top then flew off south towards Oakley. Otherwise,
bird life has been at a premium this period.
As I hand these notes in for publication, news of another
hummingbird hawk moth has been easily identified, this time
from Bellaport. This has certainly been the year to see this
rare species; no doubt the hot sunny weather has been the
main cause. Keep your eyes open, as I am sure more will be
seen, especially as we seem to be having an “Indian
Summer”.
Eric Pithers
20th September 2006
July - August 20th 2006
 The
influence of the wildlife of the extremes of weather this
period has been quite marked. Some exotic species of moth
have been recorded in the county and Norton has not been left
out. On the 7th August a humming bird hawk moth was hovering
over my honeysuckle but this was not quite the right plant,
for it quickly moved away. Most flowering plants in hot sunshine
will be visited but the favourite food plant is jasmine. I
was brought another very large moth of the hawk variety by
a resident of the village to identify and I think it was probably
a young convolvulus but as I have seen so few of this species
I was not very sure. It was taken away for identification
by an expert on lepidoptera, (butterflies and moths).
A hedgehog ventured out on to my lawn one evening, attracted
by the cat food. This has been the only one I have seen this
year. I commented on their scarcity last month. Tree creeper,
a female yellow wagtail, a female bullfinch and a nuthatch
have all been recorded in the village this period. All have
shown a marked decline over the years. Second and third broods
of house martin and swallows are safely on the wing now, busy
preparing for their long journey to Africa for the winter.
Then will come the invasion from Scandinavia of our winter
visitors.
Eric Pithers
20th August 2006
June - July 20th 2006
Are we going to have swifts breeding in the church again?
After an absence of many years, a certain amount of activity
has been observed around the tower this period. I have seen
a pair and a separate group of four wheeling about the church
on a few evenings just before dark and whilst I think it is
too late for breeding to take place this year it could be
a pointer to future years.
Most of the month has been very hot and sunny. Some days
have seen temperatures in the high 80’sF., and this
has brought about a recovery in the butterfly and moth population.
The most exciting of these has been the appearance of two
painted lady butterflies, migrants from the Atlas Mountains,
North Africa. Other notable species have included quite a
few gatekeepers, tortoishell and peacock. Quite large numbers
of silver “y” moths have appeared just before
dark, enjoying the fragrance of the buddleia.
A mink in Napley Drive was an unusual, if unwelcoming sighting.
Unfortunately these mammals are still to be seen in the river
Tern. Curlew have been regularly heard and seen this month.
At least two pairs are thought to have bred as four birds
have been seen frequently. Are we having a return to the numbers
usually to be seen some ten years ago?
Finally a question. What has happened to the hedgehog this
year? Even road casualties are strangely absent. Perhaps you
have one or more in the garden? I hope so.
Eric Pithers
20th July 2006
May - June 20th 2006
 Oystercatcher,
shelduck, redshank, curlews: are we on the coast this month.??
No, all have been seen within five miles of the village. I
was privileged to see most of those species (courtesy of Richard
Hall Hales) on a guided tour of the estate in late May. The
oystercatchers were in a field at Bellaport seen by Alan H.
They could have been a pair. You can add the lesser  blackbacked
and black-headed gulls to the above list just to add to the
costal flavour.
I
have had several reports of cuckoo calling in the vicinity
of the village this month and a red kite was seen over Betton
House flying towards Oakley Hall in early June (Beryl B.).
Butterflies are still in short supply in spite of a long hot
sunny spell. I have seen several whites of various species
also speckled wood, tortoishell and one peacock. I disturbed
a common blue in the garden during the hot spell. A pair of
robins successfully reared four young. Families of blue and
great tit now visit the nut feeder regularly and great spotted
woodpeckers have brought their young to feed with disastrous
results. One has been killed outright flying into a window
and a second one followed suit but luckily it probably survived
for it eventually flew off in a somewhat erratic fashion.
Thing
back over the period I have not recorded any warblers, whitethroats,
yellow wagtails or spotted flycatchers all normally around
at this time of the year.
Eric Pithers
June 20th 2006
April - May 20th 2006
For the third year running I have not heard the cuckoo. I
know it has been in the area but hasn’t been calling.
Four of five years ago it was difficult not to hear it somewhere
in the area in May/June. Of course there will be a few more
weeks when it could turn up. Keep listening:
The weather hasn’t been too encouraging for butterflies
but the occasional calm, sunny warm days have produced a good
hatching of orange tips, green veined whites and single tortoishell.
The female orange tip is all white so is easily confused with
other white species but is generally smaller.
A single swift over flew the village yesterday (19th) being
hurried along by a near gale force wind northwards, completing
the three species we are likely to record in the area. Swallows
and house martins appear to have had a successful winter in
Africa, judging by the numbers now filling the skies over
Norton.
Kestrels are not using the nest box of R.J. for the first
time in eight years. It has been taken over by jackdaws but
they are still in the area so must have another nest site.
Yellowhammers have returned to Green Lane to breed having
spent the winter elsewhere and I am pleased to report that
a pair of song thrushes are nesting somewhere in the back
garden of Forge Lane. This is still a rare species but is
perhaps making a welcome comeback. A male reedbunting is in
the vicinity of Partons Pool and a pair of robins have a nest
in the same area.
Eric Pithers
June 20th 2006
March - April 20th 2006
It’s the time of the year when the race to see the
first swallow/martin in the village takes place. This year
it was Graham N. who recorded one on the 6th April on the
wires near the old station. I saw my first ones (2) on wires
leading into the school on the 10th April exactly the same
place and date as last year. A single house martin appeared
low along Forge Lane later the same day. None of these sighting
were of our resident birds and they quickly moved away.
The drab colours of winter have given way to the bright greens
and whites of spring with hawthorn and blackthorn well advanced
and the white flowers of the latter making a welcome splash
of colour before giving way to their green leaves.
An interesting and unusual wildlife occurrence was told to
me by Ron L concerning a juvenile peregrine falcon found on
the doorstep of a cottage in Betton Moss lane early in the
month. The bird was captured and taken to Gentle-shaw Falconry
Centre to recover, hopefully.
A great spotted woodpecker was drumming on a tree at Partons
pool and primroses were in flower there along the river bank.
Marsh marigolds were struggling to open up; they seem to
be a bit late this year. The bright yellow flowers of lesser
celandines are everywhere now. Chiffchaffs were calling incessantly
along the river valley early in April, and I heard the briefest
of songs from a returning willow warbler at the same time.
Perhaps the most surprising slighting of all was the appearance
of a tortoishell butterfly on a cold frosty but sunny morning
in early April together with several bumblebees.
Eric Pithers
April 20th 2006
February - March 20th 2006
 March
has turned out to be one of the coldest early spring months
for many years and the number of Scandinavian birds seen in
the area has been the most I have seen for many years. At
the time of writing it is still very cold with the weather
coming from the direction of Russia but for a week now (20th
March) I haven’t seen any fieldfares or redwings –
perhaps regardless of the temperature they feel the urge to
go “home” to breed. This seems to apply to garden
birds also for during this month blackbirds and chaffinches
have been seen collecting nesting material and I know of a
completed blackbirds nest but no eggs yet.
Bert R. informed me of a single female goldcrest in his garden
in late February. Two weeks later there were two, a male and
the female in the same garden. They normally prefer conifer
plantations to breed in or any suitable tree of the pine variety
so they could stay together and select one of the many conifers
that adorn local gardens.
A pair of yellowhammers has been seen regularly near the
old station. The most surprising sighting in my garden was
a willow tit (or was it a marsh tit). They are virtually in
distinguishable unless you hear the song and that was unlikely
so early in the year. Willow/marsh tits prefer wet areas with
old and rotted alder/willow trees so the Tern river valley
is ideal for breeding. A pair of Canada geese together with
a pair of coot has taken up residence on the farm ponds on
Norton Farm.
Eric Pithers
March 20th 2006
January – February 20th 2006
A somewhat unusual month weather wise with extremes being
experienced. It has been very cold on occasions with the temperature
down to minus 6°C and up to plus 10°C. However I have
seen no real change in the pattern of wildlife activity –
we still have large flocks of winter visitors, namely fieldfares
and redwings finding plenty to eat in the fields around the
village. I have also heard that up to six common snipe were
regularly to be seen feeding on grassland at the back of the
village, perhaps on a wet area where soft mud occurs. A few
teal have returned to river valley and a small number of siskins
have been seen in the village gardens. Goldfinches have also
been very active in the gardens and widely recorded.
The most noteworthy occurrence of the period was around
the ‘set aside’ area by the farm pond where I
observed a large flock of small birds and with a little patience
was able to pick out two reed bunting, some chaffinches, but
the majority were linnets including a lovely ‘red’
male, in full breeding plumage. Walking on about half a mile
I was amazed to come across another large flock of small birds,
not the same lot, in the trees and bushes on the green lane.
They appeared to be all linnets. With the provision of the
DEFRA Countryside Stewardship walks on Norton Farm (Courtesy
of Paul Parton) there are now areas of weeds and seeds for
these sort of birds to feed on and probably explains the large
numbers seen.
A single song thrust has been around the garden for some
time after an absence of some weeks. I hope it finds a mate:::.
Eric Pithers
February 20th 2006
December – January 20th 2006
Its
mid January and the wildlife seem to have got it wrong.
Up to now a robin has been in full song for at least two weeks,
hundreds of rooks have been returning to the rookery near
Brand Hall to investigate previous nesting sites, wood pigeons
and collared doves have been seen taking nesting material
to selected trees in the garden, house sparrows have been
involved in courtship display and the nest boxes have been
inspected by both blue and great tits.
In contrast to this, there are still lots of winter thrushes
(fieldfares and redwings) to be seen on the farm fields together
with a small group of meadow pipits, (about thirty) and a
flock of mixed finches, mainly chaffinches but some greenfinches.
Three yellowhammers were in the garden in the village and
three ravens have been regularly recorded near the old railway
station. A common snipe has been disturbed on several occasions
from the farm pond. Nearer to home a female bullfinch has
been seen on several occasions in the garden and a very aggressive
pied wagtail has been bullying almost everything feeding on
the lawn. At least two kestrels are to be seen hunting over
the river valley and farmland almost daily.
Eric Pithers
January 20th 2006
November – December 20th 2005
My comments last month concerning the lack of chaffinches
and greenfinches in the gardens this winter has been commented
upon by several residents. There are plenty of them around
and the absence was only temporary for I also have about eight
in my garden now, visiting the nut feeders and wild bird seed
scattered on the lawn regularly. However, greenfinches still
appear to be below previous winter numbers. The brief severe
cold spell at the end of November did produce an interesting
species a female brambling (Scandinavian chaffinch) feeding
with the chaffinches on the lawn. It was a very brief visit
and I haven’t seen it since.
Another mystery is the disappearance of the large starling
flocks that assembled each evening at dusk around Norton Farm
– up to the end of November, a thousand or so could
be seen twisting and wheeling about before going to roost,
but since then they have gone except for about 20 or so. I
was very pleased to see two sparrows. This species is a regular
visitor to some gardens in the village but an unusual visitor
to mine. Fieldfares are a common sight on the farmland now
with up to a hundred regularly recorded and we have one in
the garden feeding on the windfall apples. It is very aggressive
and spends most of its time chasing off the resident blackbirds
instead of feeding. A family party of long tailed tits were
observed feeding in the alder trees along the river valley,
about six of them but they were so active it was difficult
to count them accurately. Here’s to a happy and successful
2006 and I hope you have enjoyed a good Christmas.
Eric Pithers
December 20th 2005
October – November 20th 2005
At the time of writing we are in the midst of a severe spell
of weather, perhaps a timely reminder of what is to come in
the weeks ahead. We have become a little complacent recently,
enjoying some very mild conditions but today the thermometer
has barely risen above freezing point, but there has been
lots of bright sunshine to partly compensate for the frost.
I expect this will have an effect on the wildlife in the weeks
ahead.
 I
have already seen two sizeable flocks of winter thrushes (fieldfares
and redwings) and four fieldfares came into the garden to
inspect the windfall apples. They quickly moved away to the
open countryside to feed on the hedgerow berries, still in
abundance. Starling numbers have also built up in recent weeks
with several hundred appearing just before dusk seeking safe
roosts in the Norton Farm area, Canada geese have also been
more evident, with a skein of 20-25 regularly flying along
the river valley. Pied wagtails have made a welcome appearance
in the lane, three or four have been seen on the house roof
tops searching among the clumps of moss that grow there for
insects. Blackbirds have returned to the garden after an absence
of a couple of months. For some unknown reason they disappeared
from the continent and Scandinavia. A pair of sparrow hawks
have been terrorising the local garden birds recently and
I have watched them sitting patiently in my birch tree waiting
to pounce on any suitable prey. During severe weather conditions
feeding birds become a little less wary and are easy prey.
Finally, at the time of writing, I have noticed a shortage
of greenfinches and chaffinches, have you ???.
Eric Pithers
November 20th 2005
September – October 20th 2005
This period has seen the coming together of summer and winter
in the natural history worlds; I have recorded swallows and
martins on several days up to now (20th Oct.) just odd ones
usually heading south.
A painted lady butterfly appeared on red valerian in a village
garden during the warm spell in early October. Normally this
resident from the Atlas Mountains of North Africa arrives
to these shores in thousands in July/August but not this year.
Both tortoishell and red admiral have been relatively scarce,
but a late hatching righted the balance.
 In
contrast to these records, a flock of about 150 fieldfares
over-flew the village on the 10th October flying high in a
southwesterly direction. It was obvious they were not stopping
in this area. A phone call from a neighbour informed me of
a bat in their kitchen. It was a pipistrelle; our smallest
species and I re-located it on the outside of the kitchen
window and left it clinging to the framework. Later in the
day it had gone. Large numbers of the big gull species, herring
and lesser black backed, have returned to freshly ploughed
fields of Norton Farm, and Canada geese have been active in
the same area. At the time of writing there are about twenty
of them. I am pleased to say that our house sparrow population
has built up to a healthy twenty or so. Generally, a steady
decline has been reported in the press overall, but not for
us.
Eric Pithers
October 20th 2005
August 21st – September 20th 2005
My attention has been drawn to the migration of swallows
and house martins for almost the whole of this period with
the peak occurring between 17th and 20th September. It has
been a good year for these species locally, with at least
thirteen occupied nests of house martins and three swallows
in the vicinity of Forge Lane. The skies seem to be empty
now, awaiting the arrival of our winter visitors, i.e. fieldfare,
redwing and starlings. The annual influx of large gulls (herring
and lesser blackbacked) occurred early in September following
the spreading of slurry on the silage fields. Some of the
lesser blackbacked will continue south to spend the winter
in the sardine rich seas off Portugal.
A very warm spell mid month brought about a large hatching
of Crane fly (daddy long legs) just in time for the hirundines
(swallows and martins) to stock up with food for the long
journey to South Africa. They also provide a valuable food
source for many other insectivorous species, especially the
 wren.
A large red underwing moth found its way into my kitchen one
evening, attracted by the light. I put it outside but some
marauding bat probable got it. Have you noticed a lack of
common wasps this summer??. I have a small nest in my garden,
but generally speaking they have been conspicuous by their
absence.
As I write these notes, large numbers of hirundines are
still heading south and I expect we shall record a few well
into October. The bird highlight of the period was the appearance
of four missel thrushes at the top of the green lane in late
August.
Eric Pithers
September 20th 2005
July 21st – August 20th 2005
This is usually the quietest time of the year for our wildlife
and this year is very typical of that. Very few birds have
been recorded, but the butterfly population has exploded into
activity. It has taken a hot sunny and calm spell to hatch
them and this occurred in August. Last month I mentioned the
lack of our large colourful species but this has now been
reversed. The most common species to be seen in gardens has
been the peacock, with some tortoishell and red admirals.
I can add to these a common blue, a large skipper and a very
bedraggled comma. What deserves a special mention is a scarce
small copper butterfly, resting for all to see on knapweed
in bright hot sun.
Two grey wagtails have been recorded in the lane, both associated
with water (garden ponds) and a heron has been causing some
concern to those with fish. A singletree pipit is the only
migrant of note this month, on a high vantage point on the
green lane. The buzzard seems to have had a successful breeding
season with three birds seen together regularly over the village
(two adults, one young). A small movement of swifts occurred
in the last week of July, with five seen heading south. I
also suspect that some of our house martins and swallows have
departed for their winter quarters whilst others are still
sitting on second and third broods. Almost another season
gone.
Eric Pithers
August 20th 2005
June 21st – July 20th 2005
 What
appeared to be a small army of large black birds were feeding
on the freshly spread slurry on the farm fields for several
days in early July. They were rooks, most of them young ones
and probably from the large rookery on the old railway line
nearby. This sudden large increase in numbers of these birds
is easily explained. The eggs were all laid at about the same
time and the young were hatched and fledged accordingly and
I reckoned there to be some 400-500 in the fields at the same
time. You can add to that number the local crows and jackdaws.
This phenomenon only lasted five days and the birds have dispersed
far and wide now. When they were in the air the sky momentarily
darkened, as they made frequent visits to and from the rookery.
A similar thing is happening to starlings. They have also
formed large flocks and these are mostly young (brown) birds
but they will stay in these flocks throughout the winter supplemented
by continental birds later on.
 In
complete contrast to these large numbers, colourful butterflies
have been very scarce in spite of some long sunny, warm spells.
A walk up the green lane in a hot sunny spell produced a few
gatekeepers, two meadow browns and plenty of whites, small,
green veined and large (cabbage). Where were the tortoishell
peacock and red admirals that should have been around under
those ideal conditions? Perhaps we shall have late broods
of these species.
A
look at the two farm ponds was a revaluation. I sat for quite
a while watching 4 or 5 large dragonflies, common aeshna,
skimming the surface and occasionally dipping in the water
to feed or lay eggs. Both ponds had a large population of
red and blue damselflies. The amount of vegetation on the
big new pond is quite remarkable and has a great variety of
species; all have come in naturally as far as I know. In three
years the pond has become a marvellous reservoir of wildlife
for the area.
An interesting observation came to me recently when I was
informed of an increase in the number of bank voles and long-tailed
field mice in a garden and this links in nicely with my comments
last month about the large brood of kestrels in a nest box.
The more food available the more birds of prey. Referring
to butterflies again, I have just had a lovely bright orange
comma settle briefly on clematis.
Eric Pithers
July 20th 2005
May 21st – June 20th 2005
 No
sooner had I sent in these notes last month when the news
of a curlew sitting on four eggs came to me. This species
is normally associated with wild moorland locations to nest
in, not a grass field beside a main road. I had a look at
the area from a distance and was rewarded with the sight of
an adult curlew on “guard duty” some distance
from the nest. I kept well away from the site so as not to
disturb them, there are too any predators hunting over the
local fields ready to grab any unprotected eggs or young.
Another
unusual nest site was of a robin with five eggs in an over
wintering hanging basket. My neighbour had lifted the basket
down to clear it out and replant for Norton in Hales Bloom
when the discovery was made. That was three weeks ago and
the young have hatched and are being fed vigorously. A swallow
chose the | 
