The Marsh Orchid is widespread in marshes and fens during the months of June and July, it is certainly plentiful on the Common. The deep purple flowers have a narrow lip and tapering spur. They like chalky soils and can be found as far north as Yorkshire. They seem to be without any smell or perhpas I have not got close enough to them. 
This particularly fine example was photographed by David Griffiths.

The Common Lizard so called , is not common to me but I saw one today sunning itself on a post on the Common. The book says they are common on light soils in the south of England and that the young are born live. They hibernate from October to late February. The photo is what they look like, next time I will have a camera.

Physical Description
Common lizards have long bodies and short legs. They have coarse scales which range from grey, brown, bronze or green on the back, and males are generally darker than females. They have a series of white spots down the flanks, which fuse to form a line, and a black line along the back. Common lizards also have numerous black spots scattered over the body. Males have orange/yellow bellies with black spots and females have cream/white bellies. Common lizards range across central and northern Europe (but are absent from the Mediterranean area) and through to northern Asia, being the most common lizard in Northern regions. They are also the only reptile found in Ireland.

As its name implies the Mayfly is usually found from May to September although the numbers found after June are very few. The Mayfly is the largest of the British up winged flies. It can have a wingspan of up to 2” and can hardly be confused with other species. It has three tails and large hindwings.The main hatch, exceedingly heavy in places, is usually confined to about three weeks varying according to area from early May to June. I have known specimen’s to hatch as late as August and I even saw one in early September last year sheltering and getting warmth on my garden wall. If you are interested the males are creamy in colour and the females a more attractive watery green. In most species the female lays her eggs a few at a time into the water by dipping her abdomen into the water while in flight. However some species lay all their eggs at one go, some stand on a rock or stone to lay eggs and some species of fly actually climb under the water to find a suitable place to secrete their eggs. In most species the female lays between 500 and 3 000 eggs but some species can produce as many as 12, 000.Towards the end of the month the weather was cold and the Mayfly were not to be seen, but there is plenty of time.

The eggs can hatch immediately or wait up to 11 months depending on the species and habitat with tropical species tending to have shorter life cycles and need less time for the eggs to mature or to wait for an optimum temperature or season. When a Mayfly nymph first hatches it is less than 1mm long and generally missing the middle tail. Mayfly adults are delicate looking insects with nearly transparent wings. Two or three tail filaments project from their abdomen. Mayflies are seen most often when they swarm for mating or come to lights at night. Adults generally do not eat, and live for only a few days. They will not live in poluted waters so love the Test at Chilbolton.

 

There are three flowers which are now in full bloom on the Common at this time of year. The first and  striking is the Marsh Marigold, caltha palustris. It is a low stout-stemmed perennial who shiny, dark green, kidney-shaped leaves are usually mottled. The flowers have five shiny and bright yellow sepals and vary greatly in size from 10 to 50 mm or more. They can be seen along the riverside and in parts of the Common where water lies. They usually last until July and it is sad to see them go.

The second common wild flower on the Common at this time of year is the Cowslip, primula. It is a low perennial with hairy leaves, contracting sharply whee they join the stalk. The deep yellow, orange spotted, bell-shaped flowers 10-15 mm are in a nodding cluster on a single stem. April to early June is the growing season and on the Common they can be found almost anywhere. The prefer old grasslands, which the Common certainly is, and avoid acid soils.

The last and most delicate of the wind flowers on the Common this month is the Cuckoo Flower,cardamine pratentis, which is a short perennial which favours wet grasslands and stream edges.It has tiny flowers which are whitish with a touch of purple or lilac. The stems have seven or nine clusters of leaves which can be eaten as a substitute for watercress although you would need to eat several hundred leaves as they are very small. It flowers from April to June and it stands out above the grass on the Common.

On the 27th April the House Martins reappeared. As you will know the House Martin is a small bird with glossy blue-black upper parts and pure white under parts. It has a distinctive white rump with a forked tail and, on close inspection, white feathers covering its legs and toes. It spends much of its time on the wing collecting insect prey. The bird's mud nest is usually sites below the eaves of buildings. They are summer migrants and spend their winters in Africa. Although still numerous and widespread, recent moderate declines earn them a place on the Amber List.

They were flying up and down the Test and even flew with a Kingfisher for a moment, it hovered and they flew around it. There must be people in the village who have them nesting under their eves but not us. They are common in and around villages and towns, and are more likely to be found in larger centres of population than swallows, their near relatives. They mainly nest on buildings, often forming colonies. Some still nest on cliffs, which would have been their breeding habitat before man. They Winteri in upland areas of Africa south of the Sahara. In the summer they are to be seen across UK, although scarce in far N and W of Scotland. Mostly associated with man, found around towns and villages. Feeds on aerial insects and so is most frequently seen in areas of mixed agriculture, near water and in the vicinity of woodland. It feeds on insicts.

Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) Is now, in late April,arriving in the village from the continent. Some do overwinter here but many jooin them. You will hear it before you see it as it is a small bird, slightly smaller than a sparrow.

It is a small olive-brown warbler which actively flits through trees and shrubs, with a distinctive tail-wagging movement. Less bright than the similar willow warbler and readily distinguished by its song, from where it gets its name. Picks insects from trees and also flies out to snap them up in flight.

Where does it live? Likes deciduous and mixed woodland, stands of trees, parks and mature gardens where there is thick undergrowth. Likes damp woodlands, parks and gardens. Where to see it   Lowland woodlands, parks and large gardens. What does it eat?Insects. What does it sound like?A monotonous 'chiff, chaff...' song; call 'hueet'. When to see it  All year round, but most arrive in late March and depart in August and September. Similar speciesto the Willow warbler, Wood warbler

March and April form the peak of the hail season and here at Chilbolton we have had a few heavy and dramatic bursts of localised hailstorms. We even had a few flakes of snow last week mixed up with the rain. The heavy rain has lifted the water level in the Test by a couple of inches so much so that the shingle bank by the little bridge has been underwater for the first time in several months. There are many dead trout in the river, dead after the efforts of spawning. I saw a fox run off with one the other evening, I hope it does not bury it in your garden.

Thanks to Robin Glyn here is a list of the birds you might see around Chilbolton and some who you will certainly not see on the Common.

SEABIRDS - UNLIKELY TO IMPOSSIBLE   Fulmar Gannet Kittiwake Arctic Skua Little Auk Puffins Rock Pipit - coastal   MOORLAND  BIRDS - EQUALLY UNLIKELY   Red Grouse     NOT IN THIS AREA - highly unlikely   Roseate Tern Corncrake Red-necked Phalarope   POSSIBLE IN THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTY??   Hen Harriers - some in the New Forest and southern parts of the county Bewick's Swans - some winter at Slimbridge and a few in Ringwood area? Whooper Swans - some winter at Slimbridge Pink-footed geese Greylag Geese White-fronted Geese - some winter at Slimbridge Waxwings - nearest I think have been in Southampton and Oxford but very rare Firecrest - some in New Forest area further south Tree Sparrow - possible in localised colonies Common Redstart - some in New Forest area Wryneck - rare anywhere but possible in New Forest occasionally???? Sand Martin - possible in localised colonies Tree Pipit - possible in New Forest ?? Turtle Dove - New Forest area     UNLIKELY IN THIS AREA   Golden Oriole Corn Bunting Quail Ring-tailed parakeet Golden Plover Black Tern Cattle Egret Hoopoe   POSSIBLE IN HAMPSHIRE COASTAL AREAS, ESTUARIES, CERTAIN LAKES ETC.   Common Tern Arctic Tern Little Tern Black Tern on passage??? Grey Plover Curlew Sandpiper Ruff Redshank Oystercatcher Shelduck (Other waders) Little Ringed Plover?? Little Egret   Probably in the winter. Pin-tail Duck Shoveler Garganey Gadwall   Some Geese also in winter ??     DUCKS COMMON IN HAMPSHIRE   Mallard Tufted Duck.    DUCKS  UNCOMMON IN  THIS PART OF HAMPSHIRE   Mandarin Duck  now established in UK but not in this area? Ruddy Duck  as above.     PASSAGE MIGRANTS - possible but unusual in  Chilbolton.   Wheatear Osprey Green Sandpiper Stonechat?? Black Redstart   WINTER VISITORS  to North Hampshire   Fieldfares - regular Redwings - regular Bramblings - occasionally.   FAIRLY RARE BUT CAN BE SEEN IN OUR AREA   Red Kite - permanent localised sites such as Upton. Hobby - regular localised sites on lakes.

If anyone sees rare birds please let me know.

From my office window, I often see the Pied or Water wagtail, a little black and white bird with a long tail that bounces up and down all the time.Unmistakable with its bold black, grey and white plumage and long, frequently wagged tail. Male (illustated) has black back, while females is slate grey It feeds on lawns, roads and at the waters edge. When I see it is around a puddle in the roadway looking to see what it can eat. The cowpats on the Common attract it, as the midge is its favourite food. Wagtails will guard their own pat and only in the cool of evening will they abandon their miniature territories, and flock together to share the search for food. The conversion of so many farms to unmixed arable land and the disappearance of farm ponds have led to a drop in their numbers but here by the Test they are still common.

They have a brisk, babbling song in the spring and again in the autumn whilst their regular call-note is a loud chissick. They have the most undulating flight of all the British birds.  

Unmistakable with its bold black, grey and white plumage and long, frequently wagged tail. Male has black back, while females is slate grey.

One of the largest roosts in this country (situated in a Kentish reedbed) has held over 5000 birds in September. Some roosts are occupied all-year with the largest numbers between August and March when residents and migrants roost together. Others are used only in autumn, or spring and autumn.

Commercial greenhouses have been favoured among buildings as wagtail roosts — and as nesting sites. Again traditional, over 30 years is the longest known period of occupation. There are several advantages in using such sites. Under glass the birds are sheltered from rain and wind. There are even observations, during very cold conditions, of close rows of hundreds of wagtails perching on the actual hot-water pipes.

But when an enemy can enter, the greenhouse acts as a death trap. At one site a cat killed over 50 birds. At another little owls wreaked havoc. To the majority of nurserymen, pied wagtails are hardly welcome because they foul tomatoes, and chrysanthemums and carnation blooms.

 

 

January/ February.

Nick Richard who is a farmers son and a keen observer of what is going on around us in nature here in Chilbolton and Wherwell has written this great piece which I hope everyone will read. All I can add is that the warm days in early February fooled a frog/toad into spawning in a mud pool along the Test.

This is the time to be alert for the signs of winter having turned the corner. Although increasing day length is almost imperceptible to us the plants and animals around us are far more attuned to these changes. The turn of the year is symbolised by different things for different people. Whether it is the first snowdrops or the eerie calls of the vixens, the turn of the year is an interesting time for anyone with a passion for wild life.

January is the month to listen for on of the year’s eeriest sounds. Foxes, although vocal amongst themselves, are largely quiet throughout the year. However now is the time to listen for vixens crying, setting out their territorial and reproductive intentions for the year. Some other mammals to take note of are the squirrels, still very active in such a mild winter, and the water voles. Although secretive these delightful little creatures will be seen reinforcing territorial boundaries and as spring approaches we can expect to see increasing activity from this, the quintessential British aquatic mammal. Their poor eyesight makes them easy for the cautious observer to approach. Look out for ‘vole lawns’, small patches of tightly grazed grass around the entrance to burrows. This is a sure sign of occupancy.

Beware hedgehogs! If you have been thinking of burning a long established pile of brushwood perhaps you could hold fire. If you must burn now please take the time to ensure that there is not a hedgehog hibernating in your heap. This prickly character will repay your thoughtfulness now by devouring countless slugs and snails in the warmer months. Can a gardener afford to lose such a precious ally.

The cold blooded year is only a few weeks away. Although our reptiles and amphibians are currently in hibernation they are all benefiting now from the measures they took in the autumn to survive the cold times. Take care not to damage the precious spring time hot spots or you will surely jeopardize the chances of adult and young grass snakes in the spring. If you can avoid turning your compost heap for a couple of months you will certainly aid the survival of several of grass snake and slow worm generations. Avoid digging too deep in the garden for fear of exposing the hibernating toad to his greatest enemy, the icy blast. Pond bottoms are also best left undisturbed to allow the specialised life of the ooze to best survive the hardships of winter.

In the rivers the trout and salmon have spawned and their eggs will begin to hatch in the coming weeks. The hatching time is dictated by water temperature and the relatively mild winter will produce an early hatch this year. The spring weather will need to be consistent to allow large numbers of early hatched fry to prosper. Anglers and naturalists alike will have their fingers crossed.

Although salmon have been seen locally in small numbers this autumn, the low water of 2004 is the probable reason for there being only a small number of salmon this far upstream.  Certainly redd (spawning site) counting suggests that the majority of fish have spawned further downstream this year. The excellent runs of salmon nationwide add weight to this thought. It is not unusual for migratory fish to spawn where conditions dictate. In low water years the New Forest sea trout cannot pass up the forest streams and are forced to spawn in the main river.

Chilbolton and its surrounds offer a staggering array of avian habitats in a relatively small area. Within 30 minutes walk of our church we can explore chalk stream, pond, down land, scrub woodland, wetland, mature deciduous woodland, and urban landscapes. There can be few regions that offer this diversity in such an accessible range. This not only allows us to observe a wide variety of birds and animals, it also allows us to see the difference in behaviour of the rural animal and its streetwise counterpart. Try approaching within 50 metres of a woodpigeon on a field of wheat. This same fearful individual will take bread from your bird table with you not 5 metres away but will flee at the first sight of the human form when feeding in the country. The same observations can be made about foxes, garden birds and even the wary magpie.

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Starting in the river valley there are a huge number of species to be aware of. Common sightings will include coot, moorhen, dabchick or little grebe and heron. Those familiar with their harsh shrieks will be more likely to spot the area’s resident kingfishers and snipe. More secretive still, but probably more numerous that most people imagine, woodcock are to be seen in damp, wooded areas and I have even seen curlew on two occasions on the common (I’ve no idea where they came from).

Our most exotic and recent winter bird of the wetland is the little egret. Its history is debatable in the UK but its beauty and its welcome are a assured. Snowy white and shaped like a small heron, it is unmissable. The numbers are low in the immediate area but keep your eyes peeled on any area of water meadow. If you look you will  see one this winter. You can’t miss them if they are there.

For me there are two other birds to look out for in wet areas. A prolonged cold spell will force the water rail to move to running water. Very easily overlooked as an odd looking moorhen, these birds love wet ground but need running water when the meadows are frozen. The second “local special” is the gadwall, often dismissed as a generic “duck”. These drab ducks, very like a female mallard as a distance, are best distinguished by their white belly when in flight.  They are shy compared to the common mallard but are well worth the effort of finding them. Numbers of resident gadwall in the UK have increased over recent years but their numbers peak in mid winter.

On the down land, be on the lookout for numerous winter visitors. Some of the finest spectacles are offered by the golden plover, the lapwing and the fieldfare but keen observation may offer views of “charms of goldfinches” as well as greenfinch, linnet, and the odd hawfinch or bullfinch. The titmouse family is well represented and all may be seen in woodland on the chalk downs. It will also pay to be aware of increasing activity amongst the down land hares. Their annual “madness” is fast approaching and it sis far form unusual to find leverets this early in the year. It is wrong to dismiss hares as a purely spring spectacle.

Both the woodland and the garden bird watcher will be aware of the growing hunger of the woodpigeon, the only bird I’m aware of that has been known to successfully rear young in every month of the year in the UK. At this time if year they will even visit urban bird tables, whilst their rural cousins remain as unapproachable of the most nervous antelope. In the woodland the keen observer will notice some of the least remarkable but most attractive birds. The drably marked wren and treecreeper go about their business largely unnoticed and even the comparably gaudy nuthatch is seldom seen but the leafless winter scene renders these birds far more visible at this time of year.

All woodland birds can be attracted to a garden feeder most commonly the blue and great tits are associated with UK bird tables and feeders. However ever treecreepers, nuthatches, woodpeckers (all three British species), bullfinches, greenfinches and even hawfinches can be tempted given the right feeds and location.

Chilbolton lacks the urban feel but one of it’s commonest birds of prey is quickly becoming an urban species The sparrowhawk is one of the primarily reasons for songbirds roosting in the most inaccessible thorn thickets, this being the only environment in which they cannot hunt effectively. Many will suggest that the protection of the sparrowhawk, once hunted as vermin, is a possible factor in the decline of songbird numbers. Even so, dusk or roosting time is a period of nervous activity and shuffling.

With no towering steeple we do not have Salisbury’s peregrine falcon, but as their numbers increase so will their distribution, just look at the recovery of the buzzard in southern England and the human-assisted resurgence of the red kite. Watch this wildlife space!

Since the initial writing of this piece I am pleased to report that sightings of woodcock in the low angled light of dusk are increasing over areas of wet woodland and that the two curlew on the common are still occasionally to be seen.

I realise that I have not really touched on some areas but there is a whole wildlife year to go.

Thanks Nick for telling us what is going on around us. I looked up the RSPB notes on the Egret and here they are:

Egretta garzetta

The little egret is a small white heron with attractive white plumes on crest, back and chest, black legs and bill and yellow feet. It first appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and first bred in Dorset in 1996. Its colonization followed naturally from a range expansion intro western and northern France in previous decades. It is now at home on numerous south coast sites, both as a breeding species and as a winter visitor. It is included on the Amber List as rare breeding species.

Where does it live? Breeding

Little egrets are wetland birds with a preference for lowland shallow waters, especially along coasts and estuaries. They nest communally, often alongside the nests of other herons and associated wetland species. Colonies are located in reedbeds, wetland scrub and in trees near water, up to a height of 20m.

From my window I see one most days but occasionally a pair are seen.

 

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Otters

It looks like the Test around Chilbolton now has otters. I am led to believe this is the case as in September of last year I spoke to a lady on the small bridge who said she thought she had seen an otter on the bank a short way up-stream. Then earlier this month I found a freshly killed trout of about 2 lbs in the grass 25 feet from the river below the little bridge. It had a bite-sized chunk taken out of its neck just below the gills.

	a poor 'photo of a boned and eaten fish, everything was eaten.

Finally, this week I was on the stretch of the Test just down stream of the long bridge. In the middle of the river at this point there are two small islands, on the down river island I saw the remains of two trout, which had been stripped and eaten by something I know not what, but otter is my guess. Later that day students and a lecturer from Sparsholt Agricultural College were carrying out a survey of fish stock on this stretch, they saw the evidence on the island and confirmed that there were otter about. In the past decade the otter population has increased by 76% and there are around 13,000 in Britain. Also in the river at this point, I also saw two large salmon of 5 lbs weight. This is quite a rare sighting so far up river in the Test.