Coney Meadow and Adjoining Areas (1 Viewer)

[Woodchat]

Willow Warblers atarting to trickle back through -with bright juveniles noted around Chatley and Hawford this morning.

A female-type Redstart between Mildenham and Chatley - the hedges around the small hayfields and pastures around here are often a hotspot for this species at this time of year.

A Hobby flew over Chatley area.

A Common Tern near Hawford briefly.

An adult and two well-grown Little Owls sat in the oak tree in Linacres paddocks near Egg Lane.

Up to 10 Cormorants flying around.

 

[Woodchat]

11 Glow worms found last night - with just one new one. Not the best conditions - very damp.

 

[Woodchat]

Little Egret Coney Meadow perched in tree along the river.
Female Redstart between Mildenham and Chatley.
Juvenile Little Owl Linacres paddocks.
Juv Willow Warbler Mildenham
Sedge Warbler, Reed Warblers, Blackcap, Chiffchaffs, Yellowhammer, 2 Ravens, Sparrowhawk, Buzzards.

Painted Lady, Brimstone, Holly Blue, Brown Hawkers, Southern Hawkers

 

[Woodchat]

A Tree Pipit just flew over my house and called 3 times.

 

[Woodchat]

Yellow Wagtail over Egg Lane calling.

Female Redstart at Ladywood earlier and Little Owl.

Little Grebe between Hawford and Chatley.

 

[Woodchat]

Siskin over Coney Meadow - an early one!

 

[Mary]

Siskin over Coney Meadow - an early one!

Oh, no! Must be time to start Christmas shopping!:-C

 

[Woodchat]

14 Glow worms this evening - at least two new.

Tawny Owl calling from near the allotments.

Hobby hunting over Droitwich Community Woods earlier and one seen this morning near Ladywood.

About 100 Swallows and a few Sand Martins roosted at Coney.

A few Willow Warblers around Mildenham this morning - one singing.

 

[Woodchat]

Grass Snake Species

Now that Grass Snake has been split into 2 species (Barred and Eastern), it might be worth reviewing the photos taken on the patch over the years:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40853286

Photos 3 and 4 show snakes with distinct bars but they have bright yellow around the back of the head (collar).

Apparently, the characteristics of the Barred Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica) include a greyer colouration, lack of distinct yellow collar and more obvious barring.

The ones in the photos are probably all Common or Eastern Grass Snakes (Natrix natrix) but it would be good to get an expert opinion.

 

[Brian Stretch]

Now that Grass Snake has been split into 2 species (Barred and Eastern), it might be worth reviewing the photos taken on the patch over the years:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40853286

Photos 3 and 4 show snakes with distinct bars but they have bright yellow around the back of the head (collar).

Apparently, the characteristics of the Barred Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica) include a greyer colouration, lack of distinct yellow collar and more obvious barring.

The ones in the photos are probably all Common or Eastern Grass Snakes (Natrix natrix) but it would be good to get an expert opinion.

Hi Dave,

My understanding is that it's just a reclassification and there are not two species in the UK.

The UK population (Natrix natrix helvetica) now proposed as Natrix helvetica.

Usual sloppy reporting by the mainstream media.

Brian
________________
Worcester Birding

 

[Woodchat]

Hi Dave,

My understanding is that it's just a reclassification and there are not two species in the UK.

The UK population (Natrix natrix helvetica) now proposed as Natrix helvetica.

Usual sloppy reporting by the mainstream media.

Brian
________________
Worcester Birding

Cheers Brian,

I thought the reports seemed a bit confusing regarding characteristics - I saw on-line write-ups in the Guardian and the Birmingham Mail.

They (and the BBC) did claim there are now 4 species of Snakes in the UK and the new taxon is Natrix helvetica.

As you say, could just be sloppy reporting. I think I'll do more reading. :t:

 

[Anguis]

Yes it is crap reporting and Brian Stretch is right about the reclassification

The link for the original paper is https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-07847-9

 

[Woodchat]

I should have realised the ineptitude of the mainstream media (including the BBC) - a few years ago they reported on the decline of 'Hawkfinches' (sic) in the UK. :eek!:

The following claims in the (BBC and other) articles are clearly inaccurate:

'A new type of snake has been discovered in the UK, bringing the total number of species to four.' and 'Both types of grass snake are normally found in lowland regions in the south of England.'

I don't know why the BBC don't run these press releases past Brett Westwood before they publish them - I think he still works for them and he would, no doubt, sort out the facts for them before they publish. :t:

 

[Phil Andrews]

Another article re the grass snake position https://cparg.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/new-grass-snake-species-found-in-the-uk/amp/

 

[Woodchat]

Another article re the grass snake position https://cparg.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/new-grass-snake-species-found-in-the-uk/amp/

Cheers Phil, that article is very clear.

Also, interesting that there are some introduced N. natrix in England.

I wonder if the BBC et al. would be decent enough to issue revised press releases that aren't misleading. I doubt it somehow.

 

[Woodchat]

Three Spotted Flycatchers near Chatley - in hedge with other passerines.

Adult Hobby chasing hirundines.

Common Tern over Hawford.

 

[Woodchat]

Tree Pipit just flew west near Chatley calling loudly.

 

[Woodchat]

A Tern sp. over the back of High Park about 15 mins ago - flew down the valley but too distant. Probably Common.

Other species today include singing Willow Warbler, Sedge and Reed, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Kestrels, Linnets, a few Swifts, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Heron, Raven, etc.

Brown Hare near Knight's Grove.

 

[Woodchat]

Not a bad morning so far:

2 Redstarts - a male near Blossom Farm, Chatley and another less well marked bird about a quarter of a mile away between Chatley and Mildenham.

1 Yellow Wagtail over Tapenhall.

Three Hobbies over Knight's Grove including at least one juv. Another over Tapenhall.

Little Egret over Mildenham.

 

[Woodchat]

Four Redstarts this morning - a well marked male between Chatley and Mildenham and two males and a female between Hawford and the confluence.

Common Tern fishing along the canal near Hawford and two earlier over the fishing pools.

Hobby over Hawford.

Good selection of warblers including 4+ Lesser Whitethroats, singing Willow Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats.

Two Little Owls Linacres paddocks (1 juv).

2 Brown Hares near Knight's Grove.