Trip reports

Langford Heathfield - 6 June 2009

Monday, 8 June 2009

The weather did little to enhance the birdwatching either and most birds on the list were added because they were heard rather than seen. Up in the canopy of the now well-leaved trees there were plenty of members of the tit family, most notable of which was a marsh tit. A nuthatch family put in an appearance and among other species heard were chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap and a garden warbler.
A goldcrest was both heard and seen together with a spotted flycatcher, probably the best bird of the day. Both green and great spotted woodpeckers were heard and one interesting encounter was with a buzzard that perched on a nearby dead tree and did not move when the group passed close by.
There were lots of common spotted orchids in bloom. However, one of the purposes of the visit was to see the butterflies that are normally very numerous at Langford Common. On this occasion, the rain seemed to have put a damper on it and it is hoped that any further visit to this beautiful piece of grass and woodland will be made in much more suitable weather.