Nature Notes

Wildlife highlights from early June at Le Fresnot.

BIRDS

35 species observed. Turtle Dove, Cuckoo and Tree Pipit were very vocal in the field. Melodious Warbler and Garden Warbler, two very elusive species, appear to be nesting in the brambles at the bottom of the field. A pair of Redstarts (see photo) were in the garden around the cider press. Other brief highlights included Cirl Bunting, Tawny Owl, Short-Toed Treecreeper, Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Spotted Flycatcher.

WILDLIFE IN THE FIELD

BUTTERFLIES/MOTHS: The wild meadow is teaming with butterflies, with at least 70 Meadow Browns and several Red Admirals, Small Blues and Common Blues. Individuals of Swallowtail, Small Heath, Painted Lady and Small Tortoiseshell also seen. The most common and colourful of the moths were Common 5-Spot and Narrow-Bordered 5-Spot Burnets, Forester, Silver Y and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

DRAGONFLIES: 6 species were seen: White-Legged Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Golden-Ringed Dragonfly, Broad-Bodied Chaser, Common Darter and Common Blue Damselfly.

FLOWERS: Ox-Eye Daisy, Thistle, Forget-Me-Not, Bird's-Foot Trefoil, Heath Spotted Orchid, Early Orchid, Buttercup, Marsh Cranesbill, Bugle,

PONDLIFE

Plenty of Alpine and Smooth Newts, and a very vocal Edible Frog.

LOCAL WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS

On a walk near Le Fresnot, we saw Yellowhammer, Cirl Bunting, Linnet, Melodious Warbler, Whitethroat and a possible Red-Backed Shrike. In our local town of St Pierre-sur-Dives, we saw a Merlin hunting a blackbird.