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Around the Heath - Autumn 2008 / Spring 2009

Petersfield Heath Nature Notes - Spring and Summer 09

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JULY
In early July the Common Tern and Sandpipers begin their return journeys from the breeding grounds and every year the pond sees small numbers of both species throughout the month and 2009 showed no departure from this trend. Two unexpected visitors at this time were a Little Grebe and a Mandarin which I last saw here in September 2008. Two Mute Swan cygnets mysteriously vanished leaving no trace. In the last days of the month a single Cormorant appeared daily at the pond. It is unusual to see them at this time of the year. To round off July I recorded an Oystercatcher, another wader returning south, a Little Egret and a family of Spotted Flycatchers over on the Heath.

AUGUST
The only change in the first week or so was the arrival of two more Mandarins but their stay was short-lived and all had left within a fortnight. A pair of Great Crested Grebes hatched a single chick and being secretive birds it was a while before it appeared on open water. It generally hitched a ride on its parents back and called incessantly for food. You may well have heard it calling while walking round the pond but not realize from whence it came. At the end of the month the Canada Goose flock returned from their late summer sojourn to moult. I counted a large flock of 179 birds this year. Not a record but greater than recent years. The lone Greylag Goose is still attached to this flock.

SEPTEMBER
A small number of Cormorants were coming to the pond so there must be plenty of fish available to them. The Little Egret reappeared, plainly attracted by this food source and it also explains why the Great Crested Grebes bred this year. A Lesser Black backed Gull, 4 Shoveler and 4 Tufted Duck in one visit was a good indicator that summer would soon be just a memory although the weather was still quite pleasant at this time. Three more Great Crested Grebe juveniles flew in from elsewhere to become residents and another Little Grebe sighting brought the month to a close.

In the 2008 report I wrote that the Painted Lady butterfly had made an unprecedented invasion to our shores in 1996. Well, lightning does strike twice, as this beautiful insect repeated the feat during late May/early June this year and in greater numbers than previously. On both occasions I have asked myself why. There were certainly good weather conditions for the journey but that would also favour other migrant such as the Red Admiral and Clouded Yellow but they arrived in less than average numbers. So the jury is still out. Over the summer our resident butterflies prospered in the agreeable weather, finding it not too hot or cold at anytime. The Speckled Wood was on the wing throughout the season showing no break between the different generations. The majestic Peacock had its best year since I’ve been recording at the Heath with 46 individuals counted more than double the previous best. Lets hope next year is just as favourable.

Alf Smallbone

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