More Survey Work and still no Spotted Flycatchers

WEDNESDAY 8 JULY

Determined to find Spotted Flycatchers in my Recording Area, I ventured out again fully surveying many areas I had not previously censused this summer. Alas I drew a blank but highlights included several new Yellowhammer locations, proof of breeding Coal Tit in new areas and an unexpected large flock of godwits courtesy of Gareth Luscombe.

Once again it was a day of heavy showers and warm sunshine. The wind was more northerly.

LODGE LANE PADDOCKS AND SETASIDE FIELDS, LITTLE CHALFONT (TQ 004 978 - TQ 003 957)

Common Kestrel (pair feeding young in outbuilding in Burton's Wood)
BARN SWALLOW (2 hunting over fields north of Cross Lanes Farm, with a separate pair breeding in an outbuilding near Burton's Wood)
Dunnock (2 singing males in gardens)
Common Blackbird (7 in gardens including fledged young)
Magpie (pair)
Jay (family party of 4 birds in small wood at TQ 004 958)
Goldfinch (1)
LINNET (pair - a scarce species locally)
House Sparrows (pair breeding in southernmost garden)
*YELLOWHAMMER (confirmed breeding; female feeding young in nest in hedgerow bordering the lane at TQ 005 961 with two additional singing males in fields, with one just east of Burton's Wood)

A large selection of butterflies including 21 MARBLED WHITES and numerous Meadow Brown and Ringlet.

ROUGHWOOD FARMHOUSE AND ENVIRONS (TQ 003 953)

Little of note other than Goldfinch.

GROVESPRING WOOD (TQ 003 947)
An extensive wood with both deciduous and coniferous trees; quite dense and bordered by grazing fields.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (4 individuals including juveniles)
Carrion Crow (several family parties; at least 6 juveniles)
Common Blackbird (15)
Blue Tit (4 family parties)
COAL TIT (proven breeding; adults feeding 4 young)
Great Tit (3 family parties)
Long-tailed Tit (family party of 7 birds)
Wren (9 territories)

CHALFONT ST GILES

Nothing other than 26 Common Blackbirds, including numerous young, and a single pair of Collared Doves.

SOUTH BUCKS WAY

I walked from Chalfont Mill in Mill Lane (SU 986 941) to Lower Bottom House Farm (SU 983 954). The footpath straddles a narrow stretch of woodland and follows the course of the Misbourne.

Moorhen (2 fledged juveniles by the Mill Lane ford)
Common Buzzard (1 over)
Green Woodpecker (2)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (pair feeding noisy young in nest)
Carrion Crow (adult feeding two youngsters)
Pied Wagtail (1 adult)
Barn Swallows (8 feeding over field by Lower Bottom House Farm)
Song Thrush (singing male by Misbourne Farm)
Common Blackbird (18)
Mistle Thrush (party of 8 birds)
Dunnock (4)
Common Starling (15)
Blackcap (singing male in gardens by ford)
COAL TIT (adults with young in wood)
Linnet (3)
*YELLOWHAMMER (singing male near Bow Wood)

KILN COTTAGE, NORTH OF BOTTRELLS LANE

A further singing male YELLOWHAMMER just north of the farm; a singing SKYLARK there too.

MAISIE COTTAGE AND HODGEMOOR WOODS (SU 970 935)
An extensive area of dense woodland

Common Blackbird (22)
European Robin (7 territories)
Wren (11 territories)
COAL TIT (successful breeding; family party)
Blue Tit (9 family parties)
Great Tit (5 family parties)