03/09/2010 by Graeme J. Smith.

A Male SOUTHERN HAWKER…

…on the edge of the North Lawn at Hayter while trying to count Swallows

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Trims Green

          Arriving at Blount’s Stonepile early on (42P), all before 0630 Hrs, 25+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls plodding North accompanied by only a single Black-headed Gull… numerous Pied Wagtail and Chaffinch over including at least 2 Yellow Wagtail with star of the show a WHEATEAR on the black fence that has been so kind.  With little time to spare we made one more stop at Lysander/Morris entrance (41T) and added a further minimum of 2 Yellow Wagtail calling from the direction of the feeding cows.

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Hayter, Spellbrook (west)

          Butterflies were sparse with the exception on Speckled Wood with a top site count of 5… others were Small and Large White which are fairly common at the moment… bird numbers on the up, Starling (50+), Greenfinch(c.20), Goldfinch (c.40) and Chaffinch (12-15), Pied Wagtail (6 or 7) all suddenly in fine numbers moving around in small parties before work suggesting roost activity.  1 YELLOW WAGTAIL hidden between the Pied on the roof was easily best bird.

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Bypass Butterfly Stop

          A good haul of butterflies with a few goodies not seen in Spellbrook earlier, including at least 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 1 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 female Small Blue, 1 stunning Red Admiral and at least 3 BROWN ARGUS.

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My only butterfly pic to make the cut today,

Brown Argus at the Bypass stop

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A selection of pics from Steve E, now getting used to his superb new bit of kit…

…Comma, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell.

To see more of his pics, follow this link:

Steve E’s Online Gallery

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02/09/2010 by Graeme J. Smith.

A poor record shot of BROWN ARGUS on the Bypass

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Trims Green

          A great highlight from our usual two stops with a WHINCHAT** on the black fence next to Blount’s Stonepile - 42P.  Only my 4th around Stortford.  Also Kestrel on posts from our other stop at the Lysander Park/Morris Farm entrance - 41T

Hayter, Spellbrook (west) - 41Y

          4 Great Black-backed Gulls over North at dawn… but everything else was almost forgotten during my teabreak when an OSPREY** flew over South… not my first from Hayter land but one of those birds it’s great to see away from their breeding grounds.

Bypass Roundabout Butterfly Stop

          Parking on the edge of the most Northern bypass roundabout in this 2 Km square (around 300 yards North from Butler’s Hall) kicked of well and finally produced some butterflies on our 3rd attempt… 5(+) Small Blue, 2 BROWN ARGUS, 1(2) Small Tortoiseshell, 2(+) Large White, at least 5 Small White, 1 Speckled Wood and a Peacock.  2 HOBBY took no time to pass overhead West continuing my best pile of good birds in ages.  Early up tomorrow in the hope of more goodies.

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01/09/2010 by Graeme J. Smith.

Swallows at Hayter

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Trims Green (Blount’s Stonepile to Lysander/Morris entrance) - 42P + 41T

          A thick mist prevented us from ticking anthing at distance and nothing overly interesting chose to come within earshot from our two most frequented stops along the Trims road… lots of Lesser Black Backed and Black-headed Gulls heading North, usual Linnet, Yellowhammer Etc

Hayter, Spellbrook (west) - 41Y

          6 (+) Red-legged Partridge on North-west Field, Kestrel perched on wires at the NE edge of North Field, Common Buzzard, an Immature Male SPARROWHAWK low over West, and a superb HOBBY giving Steve and I a decent, if not rather short, views of this bird trying to out manoeuvre the hoards of Swallows that have chosen to gather on the wires over the East edge of North Field.  4 Birds of Prey in one day at Hayter kept me smiling, reward indeed

Exnalls - 42P + 42K

          Good numbers of Linnet, Yellowhammer and Common Blue Damsels and Darters although the butterflies stole the show with both BROWN ARGUS and SMALL HEATHS found relatively quickly amongst the still-numerous Common Blues, single Meadow Brown.  Also a Grey Heron trying to find a spot to land despite our presence and a probabale southern hawker not ticked due to observer incompetance… *sigh* dragons may yet take me some time to get to grips with P.S. A Golf club employee appeared today and asked us to keep to the edges of the path, the fences were damaged/vandalised? a few weeks back and they’re keen to look after this little gem This sounds like one great spot that may stay just as it is and should continue to entertain… but from the path

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[all photos below by Steve E]

Small Heath

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Meadow Brown

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Brown Argus

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