Toft Birds - Some Migrants Have Arrived

Chiffchaffs (images 1,3) and Willow Warblers (2,4) were singing their heads off this morning. I do hope that they both have partners and may be joined by other pairs. There was a Blackcap singing in the Allotments but no Whitethroats (hopefully still to arrive). Only a single Swallow hunting over the field and so far only one Skylark. There are no Yellowhammers or Reed Buntings but since the banks of the Brook have been cleared there isn't a habitat for them.

 Looking back at my bird sightings book for 1967 when I moved to Toft - so many birds are no longer seen/heard on my walks - Corn Bunting, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat, House Martin, Swifts, Linnets, Spotted Flycatcher, Snipe, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker etc We have gained the Red Kite!!

Willow Warbler Arrived in Toft Wood

Heard my first Willow Warbler of the year in Toft Wood this afternoon - hopefully there will be a partner for him and at least one other pair. The buds are breaking on most of the trees and shrubs though the oaks are still tightly closed. Ted approved of a late afternoon walk. The wood is 30 years old this year - doesn't seem that long ago I helped plant it on open fields.

Bee Flies, Bees and Birds in Toft

A miscellany from the last couple of days in Toft - bee flies taken at 1/800th and1/6400th second and still not quite stopping wing movement; three Andrena species of mining bees (A,nitida, A. heamorrhoa and A. cineraria); three migrant species (Chiffchaff, blackcap,Willow warbler) and a Dunnock.

 

Paxton Breeding Bird Survey and Mining Bees

Yesterday was the first Breeding Bird survey of 2024 at Paxton - a windy but warm 7am start to the walk to catch the early song was rewarded by singing Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers on our route and elsewhere Garden Warblers and Reed Warblers announced their presence while Nightingales are here singing in the private areas of the site. Later in the morning I went to look for Mining bees in a favourite location and the bramble leaves were teaming with different species - haven't identified all yet (shown are the Early Colletes female and male, ?Orange-tailed Mining Bee, Small Sallow Mining Bee, Tawny Mining Bee and Red Mason Bee

Local Birds

Some of the birds from my morning walk to Harwick Wood including very confiding Wrens and Willow Warbler. Very surprised to see a fully fledged Robin youngster when the Blackcap and Nuthatch are only just beginning their breeding. Red Kite and Linnet just for the colours!!