Overton Biodiversity Society

September 2012

1^st

a male Tawny Owl was vocal about the village early morning.

4^th

both Silver Y and Light Brown Apple Moth were seen in increased numbers as they nectared towards dusk.

5^th

the first Amblyptilia acanthadactyla of the year was noted in one house.

6^th

a Silver Y was in Edward Kersley Playing Field, both Meadow Pipit and Swallow noted moving over there. Also present on the hedgerows there were good numbers of European Garden Spider Araneus diadematus, including perhaps the largest noted locally!

Right: European Garden Spider, Araneus diadematus -Also known as Diadem Spider, Cross Spider or Cross Orb-weaver. The white dots result from cells filled with guanine, which is a byproduct of protein metabolism!

9^th

both Silver Y and Light Brown Apple Moth were seen in increased numbers as they nectared pre-dusk in gardens.

10^th

Tawny Owl were noticeably vocal towards midnight. An Amblyptilia acanthadactyla was the first of the year for one local moffer.

12^th

A mother hedgehog and two hoglets stranded at the bottom of garden steps were given a lift to freedom in a Greyhound Lane garden.

14^th

One hoglet lost its way again in the same Greyhound Lane garden.

17^th

the 'conservation' verges north of the village had now been cut.

24^th

a European Garden Spider was spoted on the edge of a garden at Foxdown.

27^th

Great Spotted Woodpecker visiting feeders on the eastern side of the village had been doing so for several months. "A Tribute to Lady Guinevere. Yesterday this beautiful young kingfisher passed away. We found her about half a mile from her nest site. She had choked on a fish which had stuck in her throat. She was the most beautiful kingfisher I have ever photographed. She was so friendly, and pictured on my hide". Alan Willis.

Right: Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis. 'Guinevere'. Picture: Allan Willis.

30^th

a passage Wheatear provided exercise for a Jack Russell in fields near Jackson's Copse, several Red Kite and Buzzard also being seen about the recently ploughed fields there. Four House Martin were the most unexpected of birds over the village, several Red Kite and Buzzard lingering, at times very low, unlike the migrants. Honey-bees continued to visit garden flowers, Common Earwig also seen to be visiting blooms.

Contributors: Alison Hutchins, Peter E. Hutchins, Veronique Kerguelen, Fenella Swinscoe, Adam Trickett, Janet Wigney & Alan Willis.