SS15 wildlife watching: Visit to St. Nicholas Church and surrounding areas

Friday 27 August 2021

Visit to St. Nicholas Church and surrounding areas – 27th August 2021

Date: 27th August 2021

Time: from 7:30 a.m.

Weather: dry, sunny, light/moderate wind, 12°C to 15°C

My visit this morning was successful in respect of Red Fox sightings although photo opportunities were very limited.

As I arrived in the eastern section of the cemetery, I immediately saw a Red Fox and then realised that there were 2 individuals passing through although it was impossible to photograph them as they moved between the gravestones. After a few minutes, they disappeared from view as they walked in to the boundary hedges and trees. Given that these 2 Red Foxes were closely associating with one another, I suspect that they were well-grown cubs (sub-adults).

As I approached the church car park, I had another brief view of a Red Fox as it entered the grassy strip running down to St. Nicholas Lane. By the time that I reached the edge of the car park, there was no sign of this individual.

I walked about half way down the grassy strip and then sat and waited. After about 10 minutes, 2 Red Foxes emerged from the hedge to the left and quickly ran across to the other side and disappeared from view. Again, I think these were well-grown cubs (sub-adults).

Shortly afterwards, a Red Fox walked in to view from the right, presumably one of the individuals that I had already seen. I was able to get a photo of this Red Fox.

Photo: Red Fox

In the same area, I also had a brief sighting of a Reeves’ Muntjac, my first record since 18th May 2021.

Photo: Reeve's Muntjac

My visit was reasonably productive for butterflies and dragonflies.

By the time that I had returned to the church car park, the temperature was beginning to warm up and a small white buddleia bush at the far side bathed in sunshine was attracting at least 10 nectaring Red Admirals. Another purple buddleia bush in the central section of the cemetery produced at least another 5 Red Admirals and a crab apple bush at the edge of “Hilly Road” from the church down to St. Nicholas Lane produced at least another 5 plus a single Comma and a single Speckled Wood.

Photo: car park buddleia bush attracting Red Admirals

Photo: cemetery buddleia bush attracting Red Admirals

In addition, I saw Gatekeeper (c.10), Meadow Brown (2), Large White (5) and 3 presumed but unidentified hawker species.

It continues to be very quiet with regard to birds and I only recorded 11 species.

Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs are still present for their summer residence but probably for not much longer and I certainly won’t be hearing their song again until next March. I heard 2 alarm calling Blackcaps and a single calling Chiffchaff but failed to see either species.

The only other notable records were a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying away from the church down Church Hill and a fly-over group of 9 Canada Geese heading in an easterly direction.

In another sign that autumn is here, Robins have begun singing again although only in short quiet phrases in contrast to their more robust and repeated song in spring.

Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):

Blackcap

Chiffchaff

Blue Tit

Robin

Wren

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Jay

Magpie

Carrion Crow

Woodpigeon

Collared Dove