House Martins

I was delighted to see and hear about three House Martins hunting over St Andrews Park this afternoon. This is an ever-decreasing species especially in this part of urban Bristol so it was a real joy to see them. Also noted: a few Swifts, a singing Wren, several Goldfinches and a juvenile Blackbird (heard).

Bugs in the park included a Meadow Brown butterfly, a Plant Bug (probably a Stenodema species), a rather bedraggled Common Carder Bee and several Pyralid moths (possibly Grass Veneer). Great Willowherb was putting on a show around the pond. 

Bee-draggled bee

Great Willowherb

Pyralid moth

Plant Bug

Currant Clearwing!

I visited St Andrews Park on the way to the shops and didn't expect to see anything special. I looked at the meadow area and spotted something sat on a leaf. To my utter delight it was a Currant Clearwing - a nationally notable moth with only a handful of Avon records in the last few years!

Currant Clearwing

Adult and juvenile Blackbird

The birds in the park were impressive too with lots of juveniles suggesting local breeding - young Goldcrest, Dunnock, Greenfinch and Blackbird noted, along with sightings of at least 1 House Martin overhead plus Robin, Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

At the station a couple of alarm-calling gulls alerted me to a Common Buzzard flying low over nearby Montpelier Park and gaining height as it was mobbed. Nearby 5 Swifts high over the station.

Buzzard and a couple of gulls