Eleven members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to Alverstone Mead on 8 June, with 30 species of birds seen or heard in total.
There was bird song right from the beginning of our walk, with Blackcaps and Cetti’s Warblers in fine voice and we also had a Bullfinch calling. A dragonfly caught our attention and thankfully it settled on a bramble leaf, giving everyone good views of a female Scarce Chaser, along with a Dock Bug and several Dock Beetles. Further along the cycle track a Buzzard flew low overhead and more Blackcaps and Cetti’s Warblers sang, joined by Chiffchaffs, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Robins and Wrens.
Cetti’s Warbler Dunnock
As we left the cycle track towards the woods, several Swifts flew low over our heads, a Cormorant flew eastwards and a Common Whitethroat sang. Both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen and the usual ensemble of Great Tits, Blue Tits and Robins gathered around us by the `feeding bench’ in the woods, with other sightings of Long-tailed Tits and Chaffinches.
Swift Long-tailed Tit
Our return to the car parking area gave us more opportunities to see insects on the wing including Banded Demoiselles, Broad-bodied Chasers, Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns and a Small Tortoiseshell.
Dave Fairlamb
8 June 2025
