July 2014

Once again, there is some local news to start. Following on from Jasper, Isaac and Esme’s sightings last month, John Croxton saw three young Kestrels near the Village Hall box anda Little Owl nearby. Let’s hope that the Little Owls are as successful as their neighbours. With the decline in Kestrel numbers this is especially good news. On the subject of owls, here are pictures by Noah Croxton taken when chicks were ringed from a box near the Strawberry Line. Chris Sperring MBE who normally rings Yacwag owlets was away, so we were fortunate to secure the services of Ed Drewitt, a professional naturalist and licensed ringer from Bristol to do the job. You may hear Ed talking on natural history topics on Radio Bristol from time to time.

We are hoping that with the fairly early nesting and the settled weather (at time of writing) that our pair may have a second brood. Reports I am getting continue to suggest that both Tawny and Barn Owls are having a very good year. Indeed, this comment applies to many species. I have never heard so many Wrens singing or seen so many young birds. Indeed it’s not only birds, there has been an abundance of small fish on the Avalon Marshes, so much so that the nesting Bitterns can walk from their nests to catch fish and consequently there are less feeding flights. This is great, but makes monitoring (volunteers watch for and map feeding flights) more tricky. Cuckoos have also been present in better numbers than for many years, John Croxton and I were surprised to hear one calling in Littlewood – the first that I have ever heard there. The Cuckoo at Mendip Spring Golf Club was still being seen and heard in mid June.

Trevor Riddle 01934 835208

Stop Press!! 27.6.14 John Croxton reported seeing at least two Little Owl owlets together at Kenn Village Hall field.