Carnival of Corvids

A flock of 20+ Carrion Crows around the Stokes Croft/Ninetree Hill area was an impressive sight and sound this morning. Presumably an aggregate of dispersing family groups? On the corvid theme, a Jay was attempting to bury a nut in the allotment gardens near the station this morning - also a calling Chiffchaff and Coal Tit and and a sizable mixed flock of Great and Blue Tits. A Pied Wagtail and a Greenfinch flew over Fairlawn Road and a Garden Spider nearby.

Swallows

Three Swallows flew south over the station this morning. I read that there have been large movements of this species locally over the last few days so it's good that Monty has seen some of the action.

Last night in the flat, a moth I can only conclude is a Feathered Ranunculus (although I'm probably wrong) and tonight a Lesser Yellow Underwing.

Lesser Yellow Underwing

Possible Feathered Ranunculus

Montpelier Station

A Grey Wagtail flew a circuit around the station this morning. Other birds included Blue and Great Tits feeding in the trees and a calling Coal Tit. A fly-over Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinches and a Goldfinch nearby. Garden Spiders are now everywhere it seems.

Garden Spider

All quiet....

The only notable birds today were a fly-over Pied Wagtail at the station and a singing Coal Tit in Montpelier Park.

St Andrews Park

Well, the rain held off and it wasn't too windy but where were the birds? This might be the shortest bird list ever, but next month will no doubt make up for it! The list in full:
Feral Pigeon - several near the cafe
Woodpigeon - 1 or 2 around the park
Jackdaw - 1 heard
Blue Tit - 1 heard near the pond
Goldfinch - 1 heard
Carrion Crow - a couple
Magpie - 1 or 2
Gull species - 1 over the park
Before the walk I saw a Blackbird and Robin and heard a Wren and passing the park later I heard a Dunnock.

Elsewhere, a Sparrowhawk perched briefly on the roof opposite the flat this morning.

Sparrowhawk

Montpelier Station

A calling Chiffchaff was new at the station this morning - also a couple of Greenfinches near the feeders and a fly-over Chaffinch. Butterflies included lots of Large and Small Whites - it really has been a remarkable summer for these species - and at least 1 Speckled Wood.

St Pauls Park

Lots of common birds around the park today including 6 Blackbirds (some looked like possible juveniles, others moulting), a couple of Robins, 3 Dunnocks, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Blue Tits, 2 Great Tits, a Woodpigeon, a Magpie, 2 Collared Doves and 3 Carrion Crows, 1 showing some white in the wing.

A Grey Squirrel was also in the park.

Creepy crawlies

On the station this morning several probable Common Garden Snails were on the wall - not sure yet of the species. Also a couple of Harvestmen and a Woodlouse.

Common Garden Snail

Harvestman

Narroways

A stroll round the nature reserve this morning produced: 4 Chiffchaffs (presumably migrants), 1 Bullfinch calling, 1 Linnet to NE over hill, 1 Jay (cutting).

Invertebrates included 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Syritta pipiens hoverfly, 2 or 3 Syrphus hoverflies, 1 Eristalis tenax hoverfly, 1 Large Red-tailed Bumblebee,  several Common Carder Bees, 1 Dock Leaf Bug.

Dock Leaf Bug

Large Red-tailed Bumblebee

Syritta pipiens

Syrphus hoverfly

 

Speckled Wood

At least 3 Speckled Wood butterflies today - one in Station Road and two at the station. Also at the latter location, a few Small Whites. Nearby a couple of Jays and a Magpie were raucously sounding the alarm probably because of a cat.

Speckled Wood

A Dunnock and a Robin in the garden today.

Dunnock

Grey Wagtail

A Grey Wagtail over Portland Square this morning.

Montpelier Station

Birds are becoming a little more vocal if not conspicuous among the fully-leaved trees. Today a Coal Tit was singing and there were brief glimpses of Blue and Great Tits. A Jay called and several House Sparrows, a Woodpigeon and a Magpie were on the feeders.

The only butterflies of note were Large and Small Whites. Several clumps of Michaelmas Daisies were in flower.

Michaelmas Daisies