Shatterford (New Forest) - Saturday 27 June 2009
Tony Goddard by Sue Walker
Saturday, 27 June 2009
21 gathered at Shatterford car park on an overcast morning for a day in possibly one of the most beautiful parts of the Forest. Above us, an unseen, but very loud goldcrest was singing in the pines trying perhaps to be heard above the general hubbub. Emerging onto the heath, as a mistle thrush flew past, we noted house martins from the adjacent Beaulieu Road station colony, together with several low flying swallows and a couple of higher altitude swifts. There was a brief view for some of a passing peregrine. Approaching the railway bridge, most saw a snipe as it flew down into the bog cotton and the first of many family parties of stonechats were seen and heard, followed shortly afterwards by extended views of a male Dartford warbler as he carried food to a nestsite. The unfortunate target prey appeared to be silver studded blue butterflies that were flying in great numbers low over the heath. By now the sun had dispersed the cloud and the temperature was rising, eventually to the mid 20's Celsius. The resultant strong light enabled all to observe the bright orange legs and red eye ring of the Dartford. Meadow pipits were also feeding young and occasionally a male would take to the air to perform a song flight. Approaching the woodland, we passed through an area of willow swamp containing nesting wrens and reed buntings, plus potential food items such as large red damselflies, keeled skimmer and broad bodied chaser dragonflies. The ultimate hunter of these, a hobby, then flew past! Fleeting glimpses were had of up to 3 redstarts. This was to set the pattern for the day, as views of this lovely bird were either brief, or restricted to scaly juveniles. However, late on a male emerged from a puddle bath and gave a slightly longer view before disappearing into a pine to complete his preening. Once amongst the trees it became obvious that both great spotted woodpeckers and particularly treecreepers had enjoyed an excellent breeding season, not to mention the many blue and great tits around. This was good to see after two previously poor years. Lunch was taken in a clearing across the railway line, where a spotted flycatcher occasionally showed itself. By now butterfly numbers were increasing - mostly meadow browns, but also individual marbled white, green veined white and large white. Back out over the heath after the break, a probable dark green fritillary was added, a pair of lapwings were in flight and a high level hobby was spotted.
The post lunch session saw us initially retracing our steps, during which time a grass snake was seen by most, and siskins, which had been heard calling for much of the day, were finally located. A green woodpecker flew past the group as we tracked towards Denny wood, where silver washed fritillaries were nectaring on bramble flowers. On leaving the welcome shade of the wood, a surprise find was a purple hairstreak perched asleep on a bracken frond. The walk back across the open heath was broken to admire bog asphodel in all its golden glory.
Additional butterflies - Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper 10 species
Additional birds- Grey Heron (1), Common Buzzard, Pheasant, Black headed Gull (2 overflying), Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Starling, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch(h), Bullfinch(h), Crossbill(I overhead, calling). 48 species
Reported by Steve Oakes
