Natural History Diary : March 2024
Monday 18th March
Only fourteen moths in the trap this morning, but two of them were Early Grey (first of the year). There were also two Limnephilus rhombicus caddis-flies. I saw my first Dark-edged Bee-fly of the year in the garden (but no butterflies today). Two Ravens were overhead at one poimt, cronking loudly.
Limnephilus rhombicus, Aston, Oxon, 18th Mar
Dark-edged Bee-fly, Aston, Oxon, 18th Mar
Early Grey, Aston, Oxon, 18th Mar
Limnephilus rhombicus | Aston, Oxon Dark-edged Bee-fly | Aston, Oxon Early Grey | Aston, Oxon
Sunday 17th March
During a sunny spell around lunchtime today a male Brimstone was in the garden. There were lots of bees feeding on nearby Sallow catkins.
Saturday 16th March
I went over to Standlake this morning. As I got out of the car at the top of Shifford Lane a Brimstone was fluttering about, and it eventually settled on some Ivy. Pit 27 was fairly quiet. Of note were two Oystercatchers, four Red-crested Pochard and three Goldeneye. The water level at pit 60 was still very high. There were many ducks, particularly Pintail (200+) and Wigeon (100+). Also two Oystercatchers, two Lapwing, two Grey Heron, one Little Egret and four Great White Egret. Passerines seen around the site were a Lesser Redpoll (first for me at this iste), a Goldcrest, at least ten singing Chiffchaffs, four singing Cetti's Warblers (I saw one of them) and a Goldfinch. Finally, as I walked past the fenced-off fishing lake, I was surprised to find a Rhea looking at me from the other side of the fence! It strolled off, completely unconcerned.
Brimstone ♂, Standlake, Oxon, 16th Mar
Wigeon ♂, Standlake, Oxon, 16th Mar
 
Brimstone ♂ | Standlake, Oxon Wigeon ♂ | Standlake, Oxon  
Friday 15th March
I went to Radley Lakes today. The Black-necked Grebe found yesterday was still present, but it stayed well offshore. A pity, as it was in breeding plumage. The usual waterfowl and gulls were present, as well as two Oystercatchers. I also heard two Chiffchaffs and a Cetti's Warbler. Bagley Wood in the afternoon was again very quiet, although I did at least see a Treecreeper.
Black-necked Grebe, Radley Lakes, Oxon, 15th Mar
   
Black-necked Grebe | Radley Lakes, Oxon    
Wednesday 13th March
After a mild night there were 56 moths in the trap this morning, but most of them were Clouded Drab, Common Quaker, Small Quaker and Hebrew Character. However, Grey Shoulder-knot and Early Reveller (aka March Tubic) were new species for the year.
Later I almost ran over a Red-legged Partridge on the road north of Aston.
Early Reveller, Aston, Oxon, 13th Mar
Grey Shoulder-knot, Aston, Oxon, 13th Mar
Small Quaker, Aston, Oxon, 13th Mar
Early Reveller | Aston, Oxon Grey Shoulder-knot | Aston, Oxon Small Quaker | Aston, Oxon
Monday 11th March
I found a Brindled Buff (aka Brindled Flat-body) in my outbuilding today.
Saturday 9th March
There were 13 moths in the trap this morning, but there was nothing of note. In the morning a Red-tailed Bumblebee was feeding on hyacinth flowers. In the afternoon I saw at least four Redwing and a Song Thrush in the horse paddock.
Redwing, Aston, Oxon, 9th Mar
   
Redwing | Aston, Oxon    
Friday 8th March
I found a tiny Garden Mompha moth in my outbuilding this afternoon. Surprisingly, this was a new species for me.
Wednesday 6th March
Only five moths in the trap this morning: 3 Hebrew Character, one Small Quaker and one Clouded Drab. An Indian Meal Moth was flying about in the house. I saw one butterfly today, a Peacock at the allotment in the afternoon.
Tuesday 5th March
An almost spring-like day for a change. I saw my first garden butterfly of the year, a Peacock. Also a Song Thrush did a bit of sunbathing in a sheltered spot.
Peacock, Aston, Oxon, 5th Mar
Song Thrush, Aston, Oxon, 5th Mar
 
Peacock | Aston, Oxon Song Thrush | Aston, Oxon  
Monday 4th March
Once the sun came out his morning, a number of Honeybees were feeding on my potted Hyacinths. I saw a Red Kite and a Carrion Crow both carrying nesting material. In the afternoon there were three male Chaffinches underneath the fat ball feeder.
Long-tailed Tit, Aston, Oxon, 4th Mar
Red Kite, Aston, Oxon, 4th Mar
Robin, Aston, Oxon, 4th Mar
Long-tailed Tit | Aston, Oxon Red Kite | Aston, Oxon Robin | Aston, Oxon