Rushbeds Wood and Lapland Farm

Great walk with Peter today through Rushbeds Wood and Lapland Farm. The highlights for me were; my first singing Chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita) of the year, a beautiful patch of Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage (Chrysosplenium oppositifolium) by a streamside and a single male Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) butterfly. We also spotted two deer - Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) – and flowering Primroses (Primula vulgaris) towards the southern edge of the wood.

Lea Park, Thame, Oxfordshire

Another sign of spring this morning; European Common Frog (Rana temporaria) – spawn in our garden pond.

Sunday March 21st 2010 - Lea Park Thame Oxfordshire

Second butterfly of the year - 1 Peacock (Inachis io)

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) - March 15th 2010 c.11:30 GMT

Spring has arrived! First butterfly of the 2010 spotted flying the hedge line along the B489 in Buckinghamshire beyond Gallows Hill (near Ivinghoe Beacon at c. SP 972 174) - ♂ Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).

Rushbeds Wood & Lapland Farm - 14:30 to 15:45

An afternoon walk in light rain. Very wet under foot with ditches and stream full.

Not a great deal to be seen, just relatively common birds. Blackbirds much in evidence with a few Wood Pigeon, Wren, Carrion Crow, Jay and Jackdaw. Various Tit species heard; though, did enjoy watching a party of Long-tailed Tits around the woodland edge of Lapland Farm. Best bird of the walk was a Nuthatch. The bird was fairly low down at the edge of the ride from the car park to the centre of the wood.

I may have seen another more interesting species; though, the view of both specimens too fleeting to be sure - Woodcock! Brown jobs bursting from the wood floor with a fast twisting flight heading deeper into the wood. However, no views that would allow me to be sure of the identification but I have seen at least one in this area before during winter.

In addition to the above, 2+ Muntjac and a Grey Squirrel.

Thame (Oxfordshire) - at home

Bird watching from home and in bed! 8 Red Kite soaring over the house. We have now put the remains of the Xmas Turkey on the garage roof!

Thame (Oxfordshire) - at home

A first in our garden! Around 09:00 we spotted a female Sparrowhawk on the back grass just below the feeders. She was plucking a victim and making it ready for her breakfast.