Friday 26 June 2015

Still checking those Montanums - and its good news!

This is the long established colony which has now increased this year from 6 flowers to what could well be 10 flowers
Thursday 25th June 2015 - Hutton Roof Complex 1400hrs to 1600hrs

Yes I set off with the intentions to check out our main Hypericum Montanum colony on Hutton Roof, with excellent results. The first I checked had increased from one to three, the second colony have increased from six to a possible ten, and the third had decreased from two to one.  So overhall the situation seems quite positive. Check the photo above which shows they are only another fortnight off flowering.

I also made gps records of two Blackcaps I had whilst I was travelling up Slape Lane towards to Fells. Past the copse which I always call "garlic wood".  No dissapointment today, maybe the ramsons have finished but you are still left with that "garlic" punjent smell in the arir which seems to linger on and on and today was no exception - quite pleasant though....

I had my first Red Admiral of the year, and also for the very first time this year a Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary actually on the wing!  still dull days with just the occasional burst of sunshine!

Also good populations of Yellow Pimpernell, Biting Stonecrop, Fairy Flax, and spreading Cow-Wheat, Angular Solomons Seal, noticed Heath Woundwort has started coming through on the sheltered lane along with multitudes of Red Campion, never seen so much Campion around.


Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary on the wing in Lancelot Clark Storth
Charcoal Burner on the ready in Lancelot Clark Storth
Some of the Red Campion to add a little colour to the blog
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Thursday June 25th 2015 - Swift observations - Main Street, Burton In Kendal between 2100hrs and 2200hrs


Last night's (25th June) activity with the Swifts on Main Street, Burton In Kendal - Please click over the sketch

This week there was only Reg and myself observing the Swifts.  As usual we started from the Burton Memorial Hall and worked through the different sites.

At the start of the evening we did manage to count at one stage up to 25 birds, some screaming follow my leader parties of up to 12 birds.  The skies were very busy tonight with birds at medium height, but occasionally coming down to lower levels.

We did not have any birds again at the Cottages near to the Post Office, however we did manage to confirm a new site this year in Cocking Yard.  In fact it was the same site which we recorded back in 2013. This now confirms both sites in Cocking Yard are being used.

Moving on to the Royal, we did not witness any activity to the rear or sides of the buildings, but did witness birds coming down to all three sites on the front left hand side lower elevation.  In fact we saw three visits to the nest site which is 4ft below the eaves on the LH side and we estimated that food was being brought to the nest site at approx a 30 minute interval.

Moving on to the Coach House and the Manor House.  Things seemed quiet with very little overhead aerial activity just occasionally you would see the screaming chasing birds going through.  However by chance we were lucky to see one bird leaving a new (for this year, but old established site) site on the front of the Manor House, and this now brings the Manor House nest sites to three separate locations (One front and 3 RH side Gable).

PLEASE CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT TO BE DIRECTED TO THE BURTON SWIFT BIRD STUDY GROUP BLOGSITE.