No Redstart sightings at Woolmer Pond again!

Saturday 14th May

The water level has dropped considerably from the last time we were here at Woolmer Pond.

After a successful evening last night at Creech Wood, we came down to earth with a bump and saw nothing new for the year at Woolmer Pond. I paid a visit to my Father first of all before arriving at Andy’s house around 9.30am and then getting stuck into the moths around his trap. It was a bright sunny morning and it looked as though it was going to be a very warm day.

Above, this stunning Pale Tussock moth was a nice addition to my year list and below, this Garden Carpet was my second one this week having found one at our Fareham Branch this week.   

There were a few nice moths around his moth box that included my first Pale Tussock and Common Marbled Carpet of the year; two very attractive moths and also present included 2 Common Pugs and a Garden Carpet, but I could not find anything else. I have asked Andy if he could clear his shelves as the local Spiders seem to be having a good feast on the moths!

Above, the 'teneral' form of the Common Blue Damselfly at Woolmer Pond. Below, the adult form of the same species.

Above, this Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly showed well in the Cottage garden. 

Arriving at the near deserted car park near Woolmer Pond around 10am, we made our way carefully across the road to walk through the woodland to the Pond. A pair of Blackcaps were seen flitting about in the woodland, as were several Chaffinches, Great Tits and a pair of Mistle Thrushes. Exiting the woodland, we noticed that the red flags were up and therefore the Army were using the Firing Range nearby. Grumble! A large number of Long-tailed Tits were flitting about in the trees on the edge of the woodland and both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were in song in the woods. It is just a shame that the traffic noise by the Pond can be so distracting.

Above, a Common Blue butterfly enjoying the Lesser Trefoil plants north of the Cottage. Below, my first Cinnabar Moth of the year. Not an easy individual to photograph.

I took my sunglasses as I wanted to check the sky for Raptors and Hirundines and I was glad I did. Though nothing much of note, bar one distant Red Kite, was at the southern end of the Pond and looking north, we noticed how low the water level was on the Pond. Not a great deal on the Pond except for Canada Geese, Moorhen and a few Coot. There were no waders except for the resident Lapwings at the northern end, so no nice surprises with a Common or Wood Sandpiper lurking about along the water's edge.

Above, this Common Buzzard drifted low and close as we left the Cottage garden. Below, a Red Kite also came in fairly close.  

As we neared the Cottage, Redstart was our target bird, but unbelievably, none were seen whatsoever. Frustratingly, I heard one singing distantly by the woodland to the east, but because the flags were up, there was no chance of going to view the birds. To make up for the lack of Redstarts, we got lucky with a superb female Goshawk soaring high overhead and then we watched it close her wings and stoop down at a fantastic speed to the woods below. That was only the second time I have seen this species at this location. Other Raptors seen here included a couple of Common Buzzards and another Red Kite, but no Hobbies.

The Star of Bethlehem plant showed nicely near the Pond.

A Red Admiral butterfly sunning itself on a nettle. Butterflies seemed to be at a premium today. 

Some Army Cadets were camping in the grounds of the Cottage, but they were no bother as we chilled out by the fallen large Oak and had a drink and a bite to eat. I could just about hear a male Redstart singing in the distance but there were none whatsoever in the garden this morning which was very disappointing. I really counted on them being here today too. The garden was somewhat very quiet with just a few Blue, Great and Coal Tits and the occasional Chaffinch seen. I did find my first Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly nearby and managed to grab a few nice photos of the insect. On the subject of dragonflies, there were good numbers of Common Blue Damselflies along the main path and I even found the ‘Teneral’ form of this species as we were making our way back.

Above, the delightful and underrated Goldfinch. Below, a Long-tailed Tit also by the Pond. 

The beautiful woodland at the southern end of the Pond. I found a male Pied Flycatcher one spring here many years ago and today, a few Blackcaps and other small passerines were flitting about in the treetops. The bracken below on the ground was up to three feet tall.