A Kinson website devoted to old Kinson and modern Kinson
Kinson Review of 2008
Enjoying local history through Communigate
Isaac Gulliver
Old Maps of Kinson and the surrounding district
Unusual sunsets in Kinson
Kinson Astronomy Photo diary
Kinson Wild Flowers Botany & Blooms picture diary
Kinson Common Wild Orchids
Mr. Archibald Hedge Hog`s column
Looking around the historic Kinson Church
About this website
Kinson Common, Local Nature Reserve, SSSI, SACs site
Kinson Smugglers
Kinson & Kinson Common, 1066 to modern times
Kinson Local Astronomy monthly
Poems about Kinson
History of Kinson in Dorset
Natural history files for Kinson, Longham, Millhams, Turbary
A Naturalist`s Millennium & Kinson Nature Diaries
Kinson Heritage buildings
Kinson Common Virtual Tour
Local Views
Glimpses of Old Kinson
Monthly Nature Diary for Kinson
Butterflies
Moonfleet mono photo gallery
Moonfleet colour photo gallery
Moonfleet cartoon photo gallery
Nature Gallery
Kinson Seasons
Insects and Spiders
All named areas of Kinson Common
Kinson Walks 2009
Cuckoo Woods
Kinson News 2009
Moonfleet Wild Birds Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Which of these places do you like to visit in Kinson?
|
Introduction
 | Sadly, the Millennium Year quickly passed.
Some extracts from a personal daily Nature diary, kept for many years, are reproduced covering the whole of 2000.
Walking daily on a local reserve is a pleasure and drawing upon personal experiences and detailed historical records held,is extremely enjoyable.The location, is of course, the Kinson Common!
Today, we walk on a site which is both historic and ancient. 200 years ago, the Common was used for growing crops on and for grazing farm animals All these uses now tend to fade into insignificance in the 21st century!
Mr John Potter of the Dolphin Inn and his mare Blackbird have long vanished from the smuggling scene and so too has Mr. Gulliver, whom he would have met and known. No one now living can remember the time when the area we now call affectionately "The Common", was known by the name of Howe Farm.
Although we are about five miles from the sea as the crow flies, the smell of sea salt still lingers in the air and the connection with the soil and smuggling is as strong as it was in days gone by.
Woodes Rogers no longer sails the high seas in hot pursuit of Blackbeard. His exploits and his rescue of a man on a faraway island are still recalled in a book named Robinson Crusoe.
Captain Rogers once signed a Kinson document when Pitts Farm was a mere stone`s throw from the Common. Even Defoe had a connection with a Custom`s officer as his daughter married one!
All these events now have to be very carefully researched in archives far away.
An older generation may recall Lord & Lady Wimborne and the vast estate they owned in Dorset, which included Kinson Common and much of central Kinson. Those that went before us left their mark and so must we, as did the Olympic Champion, Charles Bennett, who once lived amongst us in Kinson village.
The following pages cover one year in the life of a local nature reserve which is very highly regarded in Bournemouth . It is a simple story of everyday life and the extracts are taken from a diary which has been actively used for many years.
We hope that you enjoy this short account. |
|
January to March 2000
 | JANUARY 2000
Jan 1st The New Millennium begins. Many fireworks were observed and heard going off just after Big Ben in London announced the dawning of the 21st century.
15 wood pigeons feasted in the meadowland at Poole Lane this morning. Even the black-headed gulls in the Kinson district sensed something different had taken place today.
Whilst everyone was enjoying the festivities indoors,a fox with a limp crossed from theCommon into the lower end of Kinson Road at dusk.
No star gazing was undertaken this evening due to a dull and overcast evening.The only night time object observed in the darkness recently was the flashing lights of a Dorset Police helicopter.
Jan 2nd Usual walks on the Kinson Common. The usual dog walkers were present. Humans befriended humans and dogs befriended dogs!The weather was brighter in the morningand then the heavy clouds came bearing drizzle.
Jan 3rd It was a dull and overcast Bank Holiday Monday!
At about 5 or 6p.m., the pond was very high, Dragonfly Hollow was under water. The pond`s overflow channel was taking away a great weight and volume of water from a swollen valley.
Jan 4th A grey wagtail was active at the pond.
A small section of sloe is in flower in a thicket opposite Durdells Avenue. Gulls, pigeons, magpies and carrion crows were seen in great abundance today.
Jan 8th 2 flocks of wild ducks flew over the Common in a southerly direction at dusk.
Jan 10th There was a heavy frost a.m.. It was slightly warmer later in the day.
Jan 11th Dull and overcast a.m. It was fine in the afternoon.Many moorhens were active on the pond today. Gorse and broom is generally in flower now, adding a welcomed dash of colour to another wise drab and dull Winter`s landscape.
Jan 12th A dull and overcast day. It was wet and drizzly in the evening. Signs of moped activity were noted on Poole Lane Meadows/Heights. This tends to make it more difficult for footwalkers to get around the churned up paths and tracks.
Jan 13th Cloudier and colder with sunshine peering through the clouds. There is a heavy frost this evening. A large flock of ducks flew over central Kinson in the darkness.
Jan 18th Bright start to the day, dull and overcast p.m. Green woodpeckers and greenfinches were active today.
Jan 19th Usual walks with Raps our dog. Grey liquid was seen entering the stream system at Poole Lane.
Jan 22nd Cherry-plum is in full bud at the Kinson Baths. The best hazel catkins in the district can now be seen in their full glory near Brook Road.
5 common dog violets are in flower on a stream bank near the Kinson Baths. A tawny owl was observed flying from the swinging oak above Pepin`s Pond at dusk.
Jan 25th There was a very heavy frost this morning.
Jan 26th It was very frosty on the 26th & 27th. Pepin`s Pond was partially covered with ice.
Jan 28th Members of the Borough`s Countryside division have spent 2 days clearing and burning debris in Central Bogs, as part of a conservation task. This same team discovered the presence of
jack snipe. The first recording on site.
Grey liquid was again observed entering the stream system at Poole lane.
Jan 30th The first arson fire of the year was noted in the Central Bogs region at teatime.
A goldcrest was observed on holly near Fryer`s Close today.
Jan 31st Mild and sunny a.m., dull and overcast with slight rain in the evening.
Wild birds observed in January, 2000:-
Black-headed gull, blackbird, robin, goldcrest,
wood pigeon, blue tit, starling, moorhen,song thrush, carrion crow, jay, magpie, collared dove, green woodpecker, great tit, greenfinch, pied wagtail, jackdaw, rook, grey wagtail, long-tailed tit, goldfinch, mallard duck, herring gull, house sparrow, bullfinch, tawny owl, redwing, dunnock,chaffinch, heron, jack snipe,great spotted woodpecker.
FEBRUARY 2000
Feb 1st Colder day with slight rainfall.
Feb 2nd Many crows were observed flying westwards at dusk.
Feb 3rd Both streams were polluted with grey liquid today.
Feb 5th A quantity of frog`s spawn was found in a bog pool in Central Bogs.
Feb 6th Drizzle a.m., then rain for the rest of the day. Cherry-plum in flower at Great Oaks.
Hazel catkins noted by the Kinson Baths in a place locals once knew as Buttermead. It is hard to imagine now that americans once played baseball on the ground now occupied by the swimming baths. Even the little tree-lined footpath which skirts around the perimeter fence of the baths, is a modern day reminder of an ancient track (predating 1700) which led to an inclosure once owned by Isaac Gulliver.
The pond and both streams were dirty looking and swollen today. Despite the conditions, 5 mallards visited Pepin`s Pond today.
Feb 8th Pepin`s Pond was greyish in colour, also the Poole Lane entrance system.
Feb 9th A carrion crow was sitting in a nest high up in an oak tree near Great Oaks. Several foxes were active today. There was some motor cycle activity on the Common today.
Feb 11th Heavy showers during the day. Pepin`s Pond was again swollen.
Feb 13th It was a bright morning & several male brimstone butterflies were observed on the wing.
Redpolls were observed on birch trees near Pepin`s Pond.
Mercury was briefly observed after sunset this afternoon.6 celandines were observed in flower on a stream bank near Poole Lane.
Feb 17th Contractors were carrying out authorised tree work in the Central Bogs region.Signs were posted around the Common to inform visitors & residents.
Feb 18th The authorised tree work continues.
Feb 19th A local Junior Watch Group was active at the pond this morning.
Feb 21st A fine male goldcrest was observed in a sloe thicket near Poole Lane Heights.
Feb 22nd Essential tree work continues on the Common.
Feb 23rd Tree work is now in progress in the Central Sallows region. 7 mallards were in the company of a number of moorhens at the pond today.
Feb 24th Tree work still in progress on the Common. The area around Central Bogs is greatly opened up and much improved.
Quantities of wood were removed (with permission) by local residents for future use. Some residents still enjoy a fine log fire on a chilly night.
Feb 25th A bright and sunny springlike day, after signs of frost had lifted..Mallards were active at the pond. Carrion crows show themselves in all parts of the Common. A great spotted woodpecker was active in Central Bogs. Wrens and dunnocks were heard and seen generally.
Feb 27th Willows are now well into bud.Stinging nettles are well above ground level. Cuckoo-pints are very distinctive now in the shadie areas.There was an overabundance of carrion crows and magpies in the Poole Lane Sallows. Over 30 magpies were noted in one location.
Feb 28th Star gazing was good late evening Saturn, Jupiter and Mars provided much interest.
Feb 29th An extra day due to the Leap Year!
A fine pair of chaffinches were observed between Glenmeadows & Dragonfly Hollow. The pond was dirty and high in the morning. Degreaser/grey liquid was observed in the side-stream near Poole Lane at dusk.
MARCH 2000
March 1st Kinson Common was found to be waterlogged this morning.
March 2nd`Pepin`s Pond was high and coloured.
March 3rd It was a dull and wet start to the day. Sunshine was evident in the afternoon and then the clouds returned again. The pond level was again high and dirty.
March 4th Usual walks and observations made.
March 5th Fires noted on the site and the Fire brigade attended.
March 6th Willow is now in bud generally.Small patches of sloe were in flower near the Fryer`s Close entrance to the Common.Hawthorn is now coming into bud. Elderberry leaves are now evident.Wild violets are also beginning to flower.
6 moorhens and 2 mallards were observed on the pond.
March 7th Primrose leaves and 1 flower head were noted on a stream bank near Poole Lane.
March 8th Mallards and moorhens were present at the pond again today. Some residents feed them.Greater stitchwort, 2 small clumps in flower, rough grassland near Poole Lane.
A Borough inspection of the waterfall area took place today. Gorse is in flower, also some broom on Two Barrow Heath. The "broken" and incomplete song of the chiffchaff was heard in Poole Lane Sallows.
March 9th Grey liquid was discovered to be entering the stream system at Poole Lane. Chiffchaffs were heard in full song in Dragonfly Hollow, Glenmeadows, and Poole Lane Meadows. A male bullfinch was observed in Pond Scrub today.
March 10th Common dog violets were observed in flower opposite the Durdells entrance to the Common. Diesel oil was observed entering the stream system at Poole Lane today. It was a warmer and sunnier day.
March 11th A warm bright day. Fires occured on the Common. There was scrambler activity on Two Barrow Heath.
March 12th A warm bright sunny day.
March 13th Workmen were attending to play equipment in the stockaded area on Poole Lane Meadows.
Wild birds observed this month:-
Blue tit, great tit, wood pigeon, robin, carrion crow, blackbird, magpie, green woodpecker, greenfinch, house sparrow, black-headed gull, starling, moorhen, jackdaw, rook, wren, mallard, jay, song thrush, goldfinch, grey wagtail,dunnock, tawny owl, chiifchaff, chaffinch,
bullfinch, great spotted woodpecker, pheasant, coal tit, heron.
March 16th A dull and overcast day. Numerous pigeons, carrion crows and jays were noted today.There were many signs of scrambler
activities in the muddier regions of the Common This was particularly noticeable at the Poole Lane Sallows crossover point.
March 19th A number of walks were undertaken on the Common today. Although cold and frosty in the evening, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars were observed.
March 20th Some sunshine today and the clouds rolled in again.
March 21st A crane was observed flying over Pond Scrub and at the Kinson School field late in the afternoon. It carried a stick in its beak and it was definitely not a heron! A Buzzard put in an appearance, and a pair of sparrowhawks were also zooming in on unsuspecting small birds. The buzzard`s flight was graceful and methodical, the latter`s a combination of flaps and glides.
March 23rd The day was generally dull and overcast.
March 24th It was good to see the common dog violets and lesser celandines in flower.An amelanchier on Poole Lane Heights is just about to flower. Fire blackened parts of Two Barrow Heath were checked
March 25th A reminder to put the clock forward one hour at bedtime!
March 31st The weather was dull and overcast a.m. Light rain and drizzle fell p.m. A heron flew over the Common today. |
|
April to June 2000
 | APRIL 2000
April 1st Amelanchier & sloe blossom is now much in evidence.Greater stitchwort and bluebells are now in flower generally.Lesser celandines are to be found in shadier areas.The Common is muddy after rainfall, and the sun is making every effort to break through the clouds. A pair of mallards were observed today quite at home in a dirty bog pool! Cuckoo pints and grape hyacinths are now in flower, the latter being a garden escapee.
April 2nd Mothering Sunday. No doubt, a few natural spring sprigs were collected for Mums today! A male blackcap was singing his heart out, high up in a sloe thicket by Poole Lane Meadows. A green woodpecker`s laughing call was heard coming from the Kinson Cemetery. Gorse and bloom are now in flower generally. Their splashes of bright yellow add a touch welcomed brightness to the Common. 7 palmate newts were observed near the pond. Through collecting them, their numbers are down quite considerably. During a pollution scare, some years ago, over 125 were taken from the pond area and placed in Central Bog.
April 3rd The Common was waterlogged and the weather generally was cold. In some parts of the country,sleet and snow is much in evidence.
April 5th Although there was some sunshine, the day was generally grey and overcast.
April 6th The weather is now improving. A magnificent view was observed in the night sky tonight. The Moon, Jupiter and Saturn formed a magnificent trio.
April 7th A fine bright day. This brought out the brimstone, comma, peacock & small tortoiseshell butterflies. Bumble bees were also active. Reedmace growth is now appearing in a corner of Dragonfly Hollow.
April 11th Dr Keith Corbett visited Two Barrow Heath where a number common lizards and slow worms had perished recently.
April 12th White and pink forms of bluebells are now to be found on the Common. Dandelions are now to be found generally as are the common dog violets which like the shady banks. A small bank of primroses are progressing well.
April 15th The weather was colder today and the Common was very wet and waterlogged.
April 16th Daisy, a lady dog, was loose today and no one could catch her on the Common! On the fringes of Poole Lane, lilac is flowering.
April 17th Pepin`s Pond was high and muddied. There were many pigeons, gulls and starlings around the Poole Lane meadowland. A solitary male mallard was observed by the margins of the pond.
April 18th The Common was wet, boggy and slippery underfoot. The indifferent weather continues.
April 19th A sunny day which became cloudy and the rain came before dusk. These conditions are not ideal for nature recording in general.
April 20th We had some sunshine in the late afternoon. Earlier in the day it was dull, overcast and damp!
April 21st Good Friday. Dull and overcast a.m. The Common was very waterlogged and the pond was a decidedly dirty brown. A family of long-tailed tits was observed in Great Oaks today.
The recent and continuing rainfall has washed most of the blossoms off the amelanchiers and the cherry-plum trees around the site. The latter may be seen in a hedge line by Kinson Baths. White dead nettle now flowers on a stream bank opposite to Brook Road. Bluebells are generally to be found around the Common. Honesty is flowering on the fringes of Poole Lane Meadows. A real "murmuration" of starlings was observed near Poole Lane & Pond Scrub.
April 22nd A small amelanchier, with its pure white flowers was highly visible on a walk along the lower trackway by Poole Lane Heights. The flowers never last for long and quickly drop. In the autumn. the changing leaf colours of this tree/shrub are truly memorable. In a short time, they too quickly drop. The leaves of 26 heath spotted orchids were noted today.
Numerous cuckoo flowers (lady`s smocks), were observed in Dragonfly Hollow. A speckled wood butterfly was observed by the waterfall. Commas and peacock butterflies were on the wing in Central Bog & Glenmeadows. The songs of the blackcap and the chiffchaff were heard in the day. Primroses now flower on a shady stream bank. Bumble bees were active today.
April 23rd Easter Sunday. Jackie Vallard brought the sad news of the passing of Doreen Gover, a very respected friend and member of the Friends of Kinson Common.
April 24th 2 swallows flew low over Poole Lane Meadows and Poole Lane Heights, quickly vanishing from view.
April 27th Swallows were again observed in the same location as on the 24th. During the warmer periods recently, a few more butterflies have been seen.
April 28th House martins have been observed flying over the Common.
April 30th A pair of sparrowhawks were observed at noon today in pursuit of small birds.
MAY 2000
May 1st Warm and bright day. Small whites and speckled wood butterflies were on the wing.
A large number of starlings were plucking quantities of small black flies from the air. Hawthorn blossom is opening. Ash trees are springing into leaf. Oak branches are now greening up with opening leaves. The songs of the chiffchaff, blackcap and the willow warbler can now be readily heard. A solitary green hairstreak butterfly was observed near Fryer`s close.
The green woodpeckers and the great spotted woodpeckers have been heard calling and observed in the past week.
A common lizard and a slow worm were found today on Two Barrow Heath under a piece of wood.
Broom is now in flower generally and clumps of quality heather have been noted at the western end of Two Barrow Heath.
May 2nd Judging by the remains of a tangle of feathers near Great Oaks, a sparrowhawk is active in this area. A wooden bridge is now in place over the waterfall area.
May 3rd Common lousewort and tormentil are florishing in Central Bogs. Red campion is in flower near the waterfall. Garlic mustard, greater stitchwort and ground ivy can be found generally.
May 4th Although waterlogged, a visit to Dragonfly Hollow was made. The emerging leaves of 60 southern marsh orchids and 2 heath spotted orchids were found today.
May 5th Orange tip butterflies are now on the wing near to Fryer`s close. The Dorset Police helicopter has been active in the last few days, even flying over the Kinson Common on its patrols. Claps of thunder were heard in the distance and the weather improved after rain fell.
May 7th Warm hot day, thunder again heard in the distance. Collared dove observed in Great Oaks.
May 9th A common frog was observed on a gravel track near the Pond.
May 10th Mr Stuart Clarke, Senior Countryside warden, observed a Common sandpiper in the Orchid valley . Royal Fern is now emerging. Figwort is flowering on the banks of a stream. Heath milkwort was observed in Central Bog.
May 14th A heron flew over the Common today. Metallic green rose chafers are active now. A solitary buzzard flew over Kinson today, probably from the local waterworks, and it was instantly set upon and mobbed by a large number of crows.
May 15th It was a very hot and sunny day today. Several strolls over the Common were enjoyed. Small copper butterflies are now on the wing.
May 16th Fine am and breezier, overcast by late afternoon. A temporary wooden bridge has been laid by the Borough across the waterfall and gravel put down after clearing willows away. 3 mallards were at the pond today. Fox activity noted after dusk.
May 17th Tormentil, common vetch and a variety of buttercups are in flower now. All these flowers add welcomed dashes of colour around the Common.
May 20th Reports of fire(s) being started near Glenmeadows today. These matters are worrying and are of great concern to local residents as well as posing a real threat to the wildlife that live on the Kinson Common.
May 21st 3 early marsh orchids were found to be in flower in Central Bogs today. Common cow-wheat, an attractive yellowish wild flower, was observed to be in flower in the Poole Lane Heights area of the Common. It is said that it derives its name from the fact that country folk felt that the plant could be ground down to make a flour. Not to be recommended now!
May 23rd A mother moorhen is still sitting tightly on her nest in the margins of the pond. She has been sitting there for sometime, quite oblivious to everything going on around her!
May 24th There was a strong smell of diesel coming from the Poole Lane side stream today. Great care should always be taken when animals wade in the stream, or for that matter, allowing children to play in the water. It is no longer the same sort of water which people drank a century ago!
May 25th Contractors were busy cutting the grass in Poole Lane Meadows today. Essential fire break work has also been undertaken this week.Bluebells and greater stitchwort are very prominent now.
Members of the hogweed family are also highly visible around the Common. Bracken is noticeable now.
The guelder rose is now in flower and can be found in a hedgerow by Poole Lane Meadows.The flowers are a wonderful creamy white. In the autumn time, the berries of the guelder are highly visible due to their high gloss and cherry red colouring.
May 26th An extremely wet day. The Common and local roads, also the stream, were waterlogged.
Despite the weather, many birds appear to be raising their young successfully. Today, young starlings and sparrows were busy in the inclement conditions. Mothers, as always, were really overworked!
May 28th Hail, showers and thunderstorms were the order of the day today!
May 30th Drizzle a.m and the weather continues unsettled.
May 31st A warm and bright sunny morning.
JUNE 2000
June 1st Unsettled weather. Preparations now in hand for the Orchid count to take place on the Common. Prior to a flood control scheme
being started in the late 1970`s many orchids were moved to safe locations. Since that time, and despite original concerns, all types of orchids have florished, including the southern marsh orchids.
June 4th An official orchid count took place today. Many were in full or partial flower. The signs are very encourarging as a renamed area is likely to be a real showpiece in a few years from now.
A number of other areas were visited in the morning. The overall count totals at least 465 orchids, which includes a combined count of all southern, early marsh and heath spotted orchids.
June 5th A pair of bullfinches appear to be nesting in a hedge by the Area Authority`s home near to Pond Scrub. The male bird was heard calling for most of the day.
June 7th Southern marsh orchids were found to be colonising an area of meadowland.
June 8th Evidence was found to confirm burning of the Common this past week.
June 11th A Heathwatch scheme is in place and does monitor problems affecting open spaces in the Dorset area, particularly where sensitive heathland management is at risk. On a casual walk around the Common, 25 brimstone caterpillars were found on a number of alder buckthorns which grow by Central Bog and the Poole Lane Heights regions. As always, they were difficult to spot. Some were found low down, whilst others were located at about head height. The nibbling of leaves and careful checking usually leads to their discovery.
June 15th Red admiral butterflies were active in the sunny glades of Central Sallows today. Large skipper butterflies were also active in the Poole Lane meadowland.
June 16th Large skipper butterflies active on Poole Lane Meadows. Male emperor dragonfly active around Pepin`s Pond. Common blue damselflies active in the same area. 1 moorhen chick keeping close to the southern margins of the pond. The only survivor of a clutch of eggs to hatch On the other hand, a mallard duck with 4 ducklings are now taking charge of the pond which has been too long the domain of the moorhens.
June 21th A fine male clouded yellow was seen on common cow-wheat on Poole Lane Heights this afternoon. It appeared to be a fresh specimen, not settling too long in one place. This rapid flyer was quickly gone from view.
June 23rd Young lads were catching palmate newts below the concrete bridge by Pepin`s Pond and returning them safely. These days, our newt populations are diminishing and great care must be taken to protect the stocks that exist in only a few known locations within the nature reserve. Rosebay willow-herb and foxgloves are generally in flower now, being very noticeable in an area shortly to be renamed Gover`s Glade. A fine place to visit at any time in the year. Although becoming very scarce now, it has been noted that a glow-worm has been seen after dark in the Two Barrow Heath region of the Common. These wonderful little creatures may also be seen (all too infrequently) by the side of the trackway which leads from the Pond to the Waterfall.
June 24th A number of meadow brown butterflies were active near Two Barrow Heath this evening. In an area which is sloping an dipped, a place where gravel was extracted a long time ago, several fine colonies of peacock caterpillars were discovered on tall nettles in a shady part. The size of them indicated that they would shortly be pupating. This was a good find as finding larvae of British butterflies has been more difficult in 2000.
June 25th A painted lady butterfly was observed on the wing near the Fryer Close entrance to the Common, at about 9.20 a.m. today.
June 26th Despite being an exceptional year for orchids, some of the heath spotted orchids had been picked recently.
June 28th Mr Stuart Clarke, Conservation Officer for the Borough conducted a guided botanical walk and discovered some Flea sedge, a new find on the Common.
June 30th This month was a pleasing one. 31 different types of birds were recorded. Many summer visitors including the swallow were noted. Sparrowhawks also found the Common a good hunting ground. |
|
July to September 2000
 | JULY 2000
July 1st A pair of purple hairstreak butterflies were observed high up in the canopy of an oak tree by the fire break above the Kinson School field. They rarely come down to ground level and depend on the oak as a food plant. If one is fortunate, in a good year, many "purples" may
be seen in large numbers performing outstanding courtship displays, even spiralling down in circles and breaking away only a short distance above the ground.
July 3rd A check was made to see how the brimstone caterpillars were progressing on the alder buckthorns which grow on the Common. The caterpillars being the same colour as the leaves, are often difficult to spot. This year,it has been very noticeable that almost full-sized caterpillars were accompanied by some extremely
small larvae on the same shrub/tree.
July 4-10 Some useful time was spent investigating the Central bogs area which is extremely rich in plantlife and insects. The site at Kinson is very interesting and worth exploring. Due to extremely deep holes, it is a place which must be visited under supervision and under expert guidance.In the recent past, important conservation work has been undertaken and will continue for some time to come. All the approved work is sanctioned by English Nature.
July 11-12 Problems noted by the recent activities of motor cycles on the Common. It is an activity which is positively addressed by the Borough as it does tend to disturb the sensitive balance of the heathland as well as posing a real danger to walkers of all ages who use the Common for recreational purposes.
July 12th The ducklings on Pepin`s Pond have now grown to a good size. It is quite clear that the mother duck and her charges are intent on not allowing the moorhens to nest. Any nesting material brought to the pond has been used as an extra resting place by the ducklings who take great delight in causing the moorhens as much trouble as possible!
July 13-21 Reports of kingfisher sightings at the pond have been noted this past week.It is a very good record and one does tend to wonder what these lovely birds can find to feed upon.
The quality of the stream now is much improved thanks to the monitoring carried out by the Environment Agency. One must be careful when putting ones hands into raw water as it does suffer from the effects of sewage, diesel and petrol and other chemicals which can sometimes enter the stream`s system.
Grayling and hedge brown butterflies are now on the wing, the former is an extremely uncommon butterfly and forms an essential part of the heathland scene at Kinson. It has also been a good week to see good numbers of the purple hairstreaks around Pond Scrub, Blanchard`s Copse, Fryer`s Close and at Glenmeadows.
July22nd The renaming of a part of the Kinson Common to Gover`s Glade took place this afternoon, to honour the memory of Doreen Gover.
July 23rd A kestrel with young in a nest in Central Sallows was observed to be mobbed by a number of magpies. As try as they may, these marauders were unsuccessful in putting the mother bird off from performing her parental duties.
The cross leaved heath and the rosebay willow-herb are a pleasure to see in the bogland area at present. The latter was considered to be rare a 100-years ago. The wonderful spiked and vivid yellow colonies of bog asphodels are now fading fast. In a short time from now they will be noticeable for their orange colouring. Emperor dragonflies are active generally now.
July 25th An excellent story about the naming of a part of the Kinson Common appeared in the Daily Echo today. The photograph was excellent and a lasting tribute to a good friend, whose abiding memory will live on in the form of a living memorial.
July 28th Whilst pausing at Pepin`s Pond today, a Scarce chaser and a Emperor Dragonfly were seen "hawking" around the pond with great haste and gusto! Resting on a concrete block was a fine common sympetrum, a smaller but very effective dragonfly. Around the margins of the pond, many common blue damselflies were active. Courtship is a very serious business!
July 30th The Open Day of the Friends of Kinson Common took place on the Poole Lane Meadows. A great many visitors came to view the many displays in the two tents erected for the occasion by the Borough.
July 31st The following birds were recorded on the Kinson Common in July, 2000.
Mallard, moorhen, swift, house martin, black-headed gull, magpie, jay, jackdaw, kingfisher,kestrel, long-tailed tit, starling, house sparrow, robin, blackcap, willow warbler, wood pigeon, collared dove,carrion crow,greenfinch, blackbird, chiffchaff, great tit, wren,blue tit, dunnock, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker and sparrowhawk.
AUGUST 2000
August 3rd Showers throughout the day.
August 5-6 Grassland burnt on Poole Lane Heights.
August 8th Betony and harebells are now flowering on Poole Lane Heights. Only a small clump of harebells survive on the Common now.
August 9th 7 baby moorhens were swimming on the pond this morning, attended to very closely by their mother. Only 1 solitary mallard was present today. Perhaps the moorhens have become the masters of the pond again?
August 16th Fires are again occurring on the Common. The Borough and the authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
August 20th The Millennium Steps were created at the entrance to the at Glenmeadows Drive near Kinson Road. Local residents and site visitors to the site will now find the steep climb up to Glenmeadows far more easier.
Aug 21st-24th Fires continue to cause concern amongst those who manage and use the excellent facilities to be found on the Kinson Common.
Aug 28th Today marked the end of the Kinson Millennium Festival.
Aug 31st Wild birds recorded in August, 2000.
Magpie, Jay, mallard, moorhen, black-headed gull,
swift, house martin,starling, blue tit, wood pigeon,collared dove, house sparrow, chiffchaff, green woodpecker, jackdaw, carrion crow,
greenfinch, great spotted woodpecker, willow warbler, great tit, robin, herring gull, swallow, rook,goldfinch, long tailed tit, wren, blackbird, dunnock.
SEPTEMBER 2000
Sept 1st Devilsbit scabious noted today. The tall reedmace and flowering hemp agrimony are now very noticeable in Central Bogs. The latter attracts many insects and butterflies. There is much
evidence of recent fires on Two Barrow Heath and Poole Lane Heights.
Sept 3rd Grassland was burned today by the authority home and in an area we call Pond Scrub. The home encourages an interest in growing plants. This year, a long line of tall sunflowers has attracted much interest amongst daily walkers on the Common.
Sept 4th A slight trace of grey liquid entered the pond today having flowed down the stream from the Kinson Baths entrance.
Sept 5th Blackberries are still ripe and pickable. The autumn leaves are already starting to trickle down from the trees. Bell heather is still in flower on Two Barrow Heath. A solitary speckled wood butterfly was observed this morning.The berries of the alder buckthorn are now fully ripened.
Sept 6th The ripening fruit of the sweet chestnut was noted in the grounds of the authority home.
Sept 10th Another warm and bright day.
Sept 11th A few red admirals and painted ladys are still on the wing and in reasonable condition.
Sept 12th The song of the male chiffchaff is now broken. He now appears to have lost an interest in the singing of his monotonous tune! It has been another warm day.
Sept 14th Dull and overcast with a hint of rain in the morning.
Sept 15th With motorists now growing more concerned about the current fuel shortage, Mother Nature carries on as normal and the Millennium year sinks more rapidly into autumn.
Sept 16th A rapid flying clouded yellow was inspecting the native golden rod and scabious plants on Poole Lane Heights in the early morning sunshine.
Sept 17th Gathering house martins and swallows were active over the Common today. They have been active over Central bog and Dragonfly Hollow.
Sept 18th Very heavy showers in the morning. 4 mallards on the pond. Poole lane stream very swollen with traces of diesel in it. Generally very boggy underfoot.A shopping trolley from a local supermarket near Dominion Road was found dumped in the stream by the wooden bridge near Great Oaks.
Sept 19th Showers and much heavy rainfall today.The autumn leaves are falling more heavily now. The bog asphodels are noticeable by their orange seed heads. It was a very damp and dull evening.
Sept 23rd 4 male and 1 female mallards, 5 moorhens and 2 grey wagtails were active at Pepin`s Pond today.
Sept 24th Despite the awful weather, the Sunday Club met for the purposes of air, recreation and imbibing near Two Barrow Heath.
Sept 25th 11 mallards and 7 moorhens were seen at Pepin`s Pond today. Scurrying grey squirrels are active and appear to bury nuts and never find them again! A late swallow flew briefly over the Fryer Close entrance to the Common.
The last walk of the day was difficult as the stream was swollen and the pond was high and dirty. The Poole Lane stream was very high and could not be crossed by Poole Lane Sallows.
Sept 26th A solitary large flowering evening primrose was found to be in flower in a hollow in the middle of Two Barrow Heath.
Sept 28th A pair of grey wagtails were present at the pond today. At dusk now, large numbers of crows can be seen hurrying westwards, as if in a real rush to get home!
Sept 29th Very heavy showers fell today.Many mallards and moorhens were observed at Pepin`s Pond. Michaelmas daisies are very prominent in Central Bogs and near Dragonfly Hollow. A few are in flower by the pond.
Sept 30th The following birds were observed on the Common this month:-
Magpie, moorhen, wood pigeon, great tit, blue tit, robin, wren, black-headed gull, green woodpecker, willow warbler, blackbird, house martin, collared dove, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow,long-tailed tit, goldfinch, great spotted woodpecker,swallow, chiffchaff, jackdaw, jay, greenfinch, mallard,chaffinch, grey wagtail. |
|
October to December 2000
 | OCTOBER 2000
Oct 1st A heavy morning mist lifted to reveal sunshine With many listed and protected buildings in the Kinson area, some people often ask the purpose of the Lady Wimborne cottages.A long time ago, there was a close association between those who lived in the estate cottages and who worked on the vast estate. It is hard to believe now that Howe Farm is the present day Kinson Common.
Oct 2nd Heavy showers dominated the day
Oct 3rd Another overcast day.8 swallows were observed flying low over the Common and central Kinson after 3.00p.m.
Oct 4th Untethered horses were found to be roaming around the Common this week.
Oct 5th A sparrowhawk was set upon most ruthlessly by a band of angry crows as it attempted to hunt over the Poole Lane Meadows this afternoon.
A wonderful charm of goldfinches have been using the Poole Lane Meadows as a feeding station. They frequently call to each other, quite distinctly, from the boughs of the bare trees on the mown grassland.
Oct 6th Botanical recordings made this week include:-
Red campion is still in flower by the Kinson Baths; Sheepsbit and devilsbit scabious , also native goldenrod, in the Poole Lane Heights region; Common snapdragon near to the Fryer close entrance to the Common; Holly, with ripe red berries, especially at the top of the Kinson School field.
Oct 8th A brighter day with sunshine and white clouds. Reedmace stands, with their dark brown seed heads, are noticeable in Dragonfly Hollow. Hemp agrimony has now gone to seed. This plant attracts the late flying butterflies.
Oct 11th It was extremely wet today. The stream was grey, very high and there was much debris and logs running through the system.
Oct 16th Motor cycles were heard and observed on the Common.
Oct 17th Stolen items, found by two public spirited schoolboys in the Great Oaks area of the Common, were taken to the Kinson Police station. A lady had been burgled in Redhill Drive. Ripe blackberries were found at the rear of Fryers Close.
Oct 18th A damp and overcast day. Small motor cycles/scooters continue to cause problems on the Common. A large family of long-tailed tits were observed on Two Barrow Heath. A grey wagtail was searching for a meal at the waterfall.Photographs were taken at lunchtime of magnificent specimens of Fly agaric. One of the best displays of fungi for many years Although depicted in children`s story books, they are poisonous and should never be touched.
Oct 23rd Heavy showers mid-morning. The weather cleared up sufficiently to allow star and planet gazing in the evening.
Oct 25th Very autumnal morning. Considerable quantities of leaves fell overnight. The Common is now a true picture of autumn. Central Bogs is mellow with its yellowing and brown grasses. Stands of reedmace are very striking now. Even the thistles are sorry looking. Goldfinches and a green woodpecker were again observed on Poole Lane Meadows.
Oct 26th A dull overcast day. Even the dandelions are packing up and stopping flowering now! The grill at the pond has been cleared. There is always much for the contractor to do at this point. Much debris gets washed through the stream system and ends up at this point.
Oct 27th The arrival of a local smuggler`s inventory arouses much interest and reveals the fact that many owners of a local hostelry grazed cattle locally, including the Kinson Common before the 1790`s.
Oct 28th A wet showery day. Jupiter and Saturn were seen peering through the clouds, in the brief clearer periods following heavy showers in the evening.
Oct 29th British Summer Time has ended. Shorter days and longer nights now loom! There were high winds and heavy showers of rain today.
Oct 31st Halloween. Although pumpkins quickly sold out in Kinson village, and were generally in short supply, there was an abundance of accompanied witches and goblins touring the local streets in the evening.
NOVEMBER 2000
Nov 1st Very wet weather this week. The pond`s over flow worked due to high water levels in Pepin`s Pond & Dragonfly Hollow.
Nov 4th Many fireworks were let off around the district this evening.
Nov 5th It was a damp morning and the awaited rain came at lunchtime.
Nov 7th Fireworks were let off on Poole Lane Heights during the evening.
Nov 10th A small number of bullfinches were observed in Pond Scrub, near the fire break at the top of the Kinson School field.
Nov 11th A very wet day. 6 long-tailed tits were observed together near Fryer`s Close.
Nov 12th It was a good evening for star and planet gazing.
Nov 13th Preparations are well in hand for a forthcoming slide and talk show to be given to a local group about Old Kinson and the natural history of the Kinson Common Nature Reserve.
Nov 14th I slip deeper into my 50`s! Whilst a son is enjoying wonderful views of Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon, (all the wrong way around), in the Canaries, in dear old England it is raining and no stars are visible!.
Nov 15th Venus is observed low in the west at dusk.
Nov 17th Blackberry is still in flower along the fence line of the rear gardens in Fryer Close.
Nov 20th A wreath was laid by the family of Doreen Gover against a silver birch tree in Gover`s Glade.
Nov 24th A cormorant has flown over the site in the past few days.
Nov 25th Very heavy showers & rainfall have been experienced this week.The Common is again very waterlogged.
Nov 26th 3 horses were noted grazing in Pond Scrub by the Area Authority`s home.
Nov 27th It was very wet again today. It is said that this is the wettest autumn since 1766. A sparrowhawk was observed hunting for prey around Gover`s Glade this morning
Nov 28th Usual visits were made to the Common today. The Common is still very waterlogged..Ripe holly berries are visible everywhere.The stream has smelt of diesel during the past
few days.
The Christmas lights have been switched on in Bournemouth. Festive street lights and lighting draped over bare trees on the Kinson Village Green are visible from the Common.
Nov 30th The indifferent weather continues.
Wild birds observed on the Common this month:-
Long-tailed tit, blackbird, carrion crow, rook, jackdaw,green woodpecker, sparrowhawk, wood pigeon, magpie, jay,blue tit, great tit, wren, robin,black-headed gull, house sparrow, starling, goldfinch, greenfinch, tawny owl,great spotted woodpecker, bullfinch, grey wagtail, pied wagtail.
Flying over the site:-
Cormorant and Mute swan.
DECEMBER 2000
Dec 1st There was very heavy rainfall overnight. 60 black-headed gulls were feeding on the Poole Lane meadowland today.
Dec 2nd Indifferent day, some rain fell. Star gazing was excellent tonight. Jupiter and Saturn were viewed late evening. Several meteors were viewed under the planets observed.
Dec 3rd There was a slight touch of frost this morning and then it rained. It was muddy underfoot on the Common later in the day.. Moorhens were active as was a green woodpecker on Poole Lane Heights.
Dec 8th There was a loud storm in the early hours of today.
Dec 9th 3 horses were grazing amongst the trees in Pond Scrub.
Dec 11th The inclement weather continues.
Dec 12th Mountain ash in leaf and flower on the fringes of Poole Lane Meadows. Violets in full flower on a bankside by the Kinson Baths Sloe in leaf, flowers washed away, in a thicket opposite Durdells Avenue. Many common daisies in flower on the Poole Lane Meadows.Ripe holly is very plentiful at present.
Dec 15th 1 flower of the lesser celandine now flowers on a stream bank at Poole Lane. Naked eye astronomy was undertaken by the stone seat on the trackway below Two Barrow Heath after dusk. Jupiter and Saturn were clearly seen, as were all the signs of the Zodiac. The Common is a very good site for this type of activity as itis far enough away from sodium street lamps! A long trailing meteor flashed across the sky under Jupiter and Saturn. Raps was impatient wishing to get on with his last walk of the day!
Dec 19th With the shortest day fast approaching, the night`s will soon be drawing out again.
Dec 24th Christmas Eve. Dog walking traffic was lighter today and it was good to take a brisk early morning walk.Pigeons were active everywhere and jays appeared at almost every corner on the Common. A young lady from the Countryside division was peering from her parked vehicle at the 3 grazing horses on Poole Lane Meadows. A solitary grey wagtail was pecking at material coming onto a concrete platform from the Poole Lane Sallows issue pipe. Hidden deeply within a stream bank at Poole Lane, a single lesser
celandine was observed in full flower.
Dec 25th Christmas Day walks undertaken.Few walkers on the Common.
Dec 26th Boxing Day. An expired little wood mouse was found at the bottom of the Millennium Steps.A Friend met a man who was unhappy about seeing the 3 horses unattended on the Poole Lane Meadows.
He appeared to be in his 60`s but was 84 years old. Still vivid in his mind were the huge and wonderful butterflies and Moths of Burma, also the sad experience of once being a prisoner of war.
Dec 27th The Sun appeared today! Blue sky and white clouds were also observed! It was a wonderful clear evening for star gazing. On Poole Lane Heights, Venus appeared like a lantern in the west and Saturn and Jupiter in the east were attended by Orion. There was an extremely heavy frost.
Dec 28th Ice crackled underfoot on the Common this morning. Bright sunshine and clear sky. A goldcrest was active amongst ivy in Great oaks. A meadow pipit was present in Central Bogs. A green "yaffle" laughed boldly at walkers experiencing difficulty with ice about! The pavements around central Kinson were extremely slippery until the sun melted the ice.
Dec 31st As 2000 draws to a close, we remember those who are still with us in spirit. We count our blessings as we have much to be thankful for individually. Sadly, this little account of a busy year must now be closed.
The following pages are Kinson Nature Diary recordings undertaken in 2007. |
|
Kinson Nature Diary Records - January to June 2007
 | Kinson Nature Diary Records - January to June 2007
JANUARY
Buzzards, Ducks, Gulls, Herons and Kingfishers at Longham.
Little Egrets by the Dorset Stour at Longham.
Pied Wagtails in central Kinson by the Village Green.
Sparrowhawk visiting gardens in central Kinson.
Male Hazel catkins at Great Oaks, Kinson Common.
Nuthatches visiting Blanchard`s Copse, Kinson Common, also Cudnell Wood by Millhams Mead.
4 Fieldfares passing through central Kinson.
Goldcrest activity, Central Bog, Kinson Common.
Frogs entering bogland pools and waterfilled ditches on Kinson Common.
Kestrels hunting over grassland at Millhams Mead.
Goldfinch charms at Millhams and on Kinson Common where a group of 18 were observed.
Bullfinches active on Two Barrow Heath, Kinson Common.
Red Admiral on the wing, north-side of Central Bog, Kinson Common. (am,15th Jan.)
Sweet violets in flower in a hedgerow in Poole Lane.
Sloe flowering in a hedgerow close to Longham bridge.
Palmate newts entering water-filled ditches on the Kinson Common.
Wood mouse activity near the Kinson Waterfall.
Goldcrests active around the lower end of Kinson Road and at Great Oaks on the Kinson Common. (21st.)
2 Foxes sitting together after dusk waiting for unwary ducks and moorhens at Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common.
Frog` spawn present in pools on the Kinson Common. (21st.)
Two Mute Swans flying over Great Oaks, Kinson Common (27th).
Fieldfares and Redwings passing through Kinson Common (27th).
Snowdrops & Sloe with blossom in a hedgerow near Longham bridge (28th).
FEBRUARY
Buzzards, Ducks, Gulls, Herons and Kingfishers at Longham.
Little Egrets by the Dorset Stour at Longham.
Pied Wagtails squabbling over territory in central Kinson by the Village Green.
Male Hazel catkins at Great Oaks, Kinson Common.
Frogs and palmate newts present in some bogland pools and waterfilled ditches on Kinson Common.
Kestrels present at Millhams Mead and at Longham.
Sweet Violets in flower on the Kinson Common and at Millhams Mead.
Sloe flowering in a hedgerow close to Longham bridge.
Tawny Owl present around the Kinson Common.
Lesser Celandine(s) flowering on the Kinson Common.
Wild Plum in blossom by the Kinson Baths.
Tree-creepers & Nuthatches active in Cudnell wood.
Primroses beginning to emerge at Cudnell and on the Kinson Common.
A young Common Rat active by the Kinson Common waterfall (9th Feb).
Bullfinches active between Glenmeadows and Fryer Close by Kinson Road.
Frogs spawn plentiful in Central Bog on Kinson Common where Snipe have been recorded in 2007.
Buzzards visiting a Kinson nesting site (19th Feb).
4 Mute Swans flying over central Kinson near the Village Green. (21st am.)
8 Mute Swans on a water meadow at Kinson Manor Farm. (21st am.)
2 Canada Geese flying over Millhams Mead towards Longham bridge. (21st am.)
Heath Spotted and Marsh Orchids emerging in the "Orchid Valley" on Kinson Common Local Nature Reserve (23rd am).
MARCH
Buzzards, Ducks, Gulls, Herons and Kingfishers at Longham.
Little Egrets by the Dorset Stour at Longham.
Male Hazel catkins at Great Oaks, Kinson Common.
Frogs and palmate newts present in bogland pools and waterfilled ditches on Kinson Common.
Sweet Violets in flower on the Kinson Common and at Millhams Mead.
Sloe flowering in a hedgerow close to Longham bridge.
Wild Plum in blossom by the Kinson Baths.
Primroses beginning to emerge at Cudnell and on the Kinson Common.
Heath Spotted and Marsh Orchids emerging in the "Orchid Valley" on Kinson Common Local Nature Reserve.
Badger observed and active on the Kinson Common.
Brimstone (male) and Red Admiral on the wing, Kinson Common, (3rd am).
Wild bees active in an old woodpecker`s nest, Kinson Common, (3rd am).
Roe Deer seen and photographed on the Kinson Common by local resident Mr. Dave Fish (5th).
Magpies building a nest in an oak tree, Kinson Common.
Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk hunting over Central Bog & Two Barrow Heath, Kinson Common (6th am).
Fox sunning itself in the disused gravel pit on Poole Lane Heights near Poole Lane (6th before noon).
Primroses in flower on a stream bankside near Poole Lane (9th).
Red Campion and Green Alkanet in flower at Millhams Mead (11th).
3 male Brimstones in Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (11th).
Comma butterfly in Poole Lane Sallows (11th).
Buzzard (pair), flying over Great Oaks, Kinson Common (11th am).
Chiffchaff, near Blanchard`s Copse, Kinson Common (11th).
Common Bat, Poole Lane Meadows, Kinson Common (11th).
Bluebells in flower near Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (11th).
Nuthatches and Great Spotted woodpeckers active in Great Oaks, Kinson Common (12th).
Peacock butterfly in excellent condition in Gover`s Glade (12th).
Chiffchaff, stuttered song, exploring trees in the Glenmeadows and Dragonfly Hollow regions of the Kinson Common (13th am).
Chiffchaff, stuttered song, Millhams Mead (13th pm).
Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies on the wing, Millhams Mead (13th pm).
Blue Tit exploring a hole in the masonery of Kinson Church tower, (13th pm).
Wood Anemones flowering in Cudnell Wood (13th).
Buzzards being mobbed while flying over Kinson church (14th pm).
Roe Deer (buck) dashing through open ground at Millhams Mead (14th pm).
Ground Ivy, Common Speedwell and Daisies in flower at Millhams (14th).
Sloe in blossom at Kinson Common, Longham and Millhams Mead (14th).
Kestrel resting in Poole Lane Sallows, close to Poole Lane (15th).
Tree surgeons (Banyards) carrying out essential conservation work to relieve the pressure on the two Fallen Oaks, Kinson Common (15th).
21 Palmate Newts in a Kinson Common bog pool (17th).
Greater Stitchworts flowering on the fringes of Poole Lane Meadows, Kinson Common (18th).
Paired Buzzards busy at their Kinson nest site (20th am).
Good numbers of Greenfinches present in the gorse at Millhams (20th am).
3 majestic Mute Swans flying over Longham bridge (20th am).
Chiffchaffs almost in full song at Millhams Mead (20th am).
Goldcrests and Bullfinches present in Pond Scrub, Kinson Common (21st).
1st Large Red Damselfly of 2007, Kinson Common (21st).
Glistening Ink-caps, Kinson waterfall, Kinson Common (24th).
Noctule bat detected and observed flying high over Pepin`s Pond and Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (25th 7.50pm).
Brimstones, Commas and Peacocks by the gravel track alongside the streamside at Millhams Mead (26th).
More Wood Anemones flowering, also Dog violets in Cudnell Wood (26th).
1st Small White butterfly, Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (27th).
2 pairs of Great Spotted woodpeckers active around Great Oaks and in the Kinson Cemetery ( 28th).
Pair of Tree Creepers investingating oaks near the Stone seat, Main track, Kinson Common (28th).
Flock of 20+ Redwings passing through Millhams Mead and Longham (29th am).
Dead Green Woodpecker found underneath a former Great Spotted Woodpecker nest site, Main Track, Kinson Common (31st).
1st Speckled Wood butterfly on the wing, Poole Lane Sallows, Kinson Common (31st)
Small White butterfly, fringes of Poole Lane Meadows, Kinson Common (31st).
Female Brimstone butterfly, Two Barrow Heath, Kinson Common (31st).
Tree Creeper investigating oaks and birch trees in Central Sallows, Kinson Common (31st).
Common Rat, in good condition, searching a bankside by the Fallen Oaks, Kinson Common (31st).
Nuthatch activity in Great Oaks, Kinson Common (31st).
Common bat & Noctule bat activity near Glenmeadows and Pond Scrub, Kinson Common (31st after dusk).
APRIL
Wild Plum in flower near the Kinson Baths and in and around Poole Lane Sallows (1st).
Chiffchaffs now in full song around the Kinson area (1st).
Wood pigeons, good numbers, feeding at ground level in Dragonfly Hollow (1st).
Slow-worm, Two Barrow Heath, Kinson Common (2nd).
Brimstones (both sexes), Comma, Peacock & Small Whites on the wing, Kinson Common (2nd).
Great Spotted Woodpecker activity, Great Oaks, Kinson Common (2nd).
Tree-creeper on Oak, Main Track, Kinson Common (2nd).
Bluebells, Dandelion, Greater Stitchwort, Lesser Celandine & Sloe in flower generally on the Kinson Common (2nd).
Sparrowhawk hunting over central Kinson (2nd pm).
Southern Marsh Orchids (some very advanced for the time of year) and Heath Spotted Orchids appearing well now on the Kinson Common (2nd).
Wild Bees very active in a former woodpecker hole high up in an oak near the Kinson Cemetery (2nd).
Lone Heron flying over Central Bog, Two Barrow Heath & the Kinson Cemetery (2nd am).
Buzzards, Gulls, Herons and Mallards at Longham (3rd).
Little Egret by the Dorset Stour at Longham (3rd).
Pied Wagtails in central Kinson by the Kinson Library (3rd)
Lone Buzzard, perched high up in a dead birch, Central Bog, Kinson Common (3rd).
Community Police officers patrolling Kinson Common (3rd).
3 Green Woodpeckers exploring an oak tree at Millhams Mead (4th).
Mute Swans preparing for nesting by Longham bridge (4th).
Little Egret wading in the Stour within Longham waterworks (4th).
Chiffchaffs very active around Millhams (4th).
Spectacular aerial display by paired Buzzards over central Kinson (5th).
Swallow flying over central Kinson (5th pm).
3 Roe deer in the morning mist near Millhams (6th).
Speckled Wood butterflies active on Poole Lane Heights, also in Blanchard`s Copse, Kinson Common (6th).
Large Red Damselfly, Central Bog, Kinson Common (6th).
Sparrowhawk circling racing pigeons, central Kinson (6th).
Pair of Noctule bats active around the firebreak near the top of the Kinson School playing field soon after sunset (6th).
Lone Fox active around Pepin`s Pond, at dusk (6th).
Fox chasing a rabbit into gorse at Millhams (7th am).
Buzzard chased by a Herring Gull, Kinson Common (8th am).
Blackcap (male), in a sloe thicket, Millhams Mead Local Nature Reserve (9th am).
1st Blackcap (male), Central Sallows, Kinson Common (9th pm).
1st Willow Warbler, high ground at Millhams (10th am).
Ivy-Leaved Toadflax, Kinson Common, (10th new botanical record).
2 Buzzards in a silver birch tree, Two Barrow Heath, Kinson Common (11th).
Garlic Mustard, White-dead Nettle and Green Alkanet in flower at Millhams Mead (11th).
Apple blossom in a hedgerow near Longham bridge (12th am).
Glorious Amelanchier in flower on the Kinson Common (12th).
2 Herons in the Dudsbury valley and one Pheasant calling from the grasslands at Millhams (13th).
A Leech, numerous Palmate newts and developing Frog tadpoles in a rapidly drying out ditch by the Kinson Common Waterfall (15th eve).
Lousewort and Tormentil in flower, Central Bog, Kinson Common (16th).
Common Blue (males), Central Bog & Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (16th).
Good numbers of Large Red Damselflies, side-stream, Kinson Common (16th).
Lenormand`s water-crowfoot, flowering in the side-stream, also in Central Bog, Kinson Common (16th).
Buzzards, high profile at present, around Central Bog, Poole Lane Heights and Two Barrow Heath, Kinson Common (16th).
Two adult Swallows flying low in search of insects around lower Millhams (17th am).
Anglers` "Green Drake" resting in ground level vegetation around the hedgerow by Longham bridge (17th am).
3 Roe deer in a large meadow near Kinson Farm (18th am).
Whitethroat in brambles at lower Millhams (19th am).
4 Swifts circling high over Longham bridge (19th am).
Common Vetch in flower on a bankside in Kinson Road (20th).
Three-cornered Leek in flower, Poole Lane side-stream, Kinson Common (20th).
Red Campion flowering under a hedgerow near Kinson Church (21st).
Honesty, in profusion, on a hedgebank by Poole Lane Meadows (22nd).
1st Reed Warbler of 2007 in the reed margins at lower Millhams (23rd am).
Mute Swans at nest site below Longham bridge (24th).
Swallow flying low over gardens in the lower Kinson Road (24th - early pm).
A lone Heron perched on the rooftop of a bungalow in the lower Kinson Road (25th am).
Herons (2) on Kitcher`s Mead by the streamside at Millhams (25th am).
Swifts flying over central Kinson (25th late afternoon).
Mallard duck with 4 fluffy ducklings by Longham bridge (26th am).
House Martin flying over central Kinson (28th pm).
Lady`s Smock in flower in Dragonfly Hollow (29th)
Small Copper butterflies in Dragonfly Hollow & Central Bog, Kinson Common (29th).
Orange-Tip (male) investigating Garlic Mustard near the waterfall, Kinson Common (29th).
MAY
Buzzards, Crows, Gulls, Heron and Mallards at Longham (1st am).
Little Egret in the shallows by the Dorset Stour at Longham (1st am).
Pied Wagtail sat on Longham bridge (1st am).
Whitethroats flighting brambles at lower Millhams (1st am).
Cuckoo calling and passing through lower Millhams near Kinson Farm (1st am).
Red Admiral on nettles at Millhams Mead (1st am).
1st Bramble in flower by Longham bridge (1st am).
Banded Demoiselle ( males & females) by the riverside opposite the Bridge House on the Bournemouth side (1st am).
Blackcaps in full song near Millhams bridge (1st am).
Reed Buntings and Reed Warblers active in the reed margins of the side-stream below Millhams bridge (1st am).
Heron plodding slowly over the Kinson Village Green region. (1st am).
Adult Mayflies active by the Dorset Stour at Longham (1st am).
Clouded Yellow butterfly, Kinson Common (1st am).
Cuckoo`s flight path observed from Millhams Mead to the Longham Waterworks (3rd - early morning).
Common Bat flying over the lower Kinson Road back gardens not far from the Kinson Village Green (3rd - evening).
Cuckoo flying from Longham bridge to the Bridge House and Dudsbury regions (4th am).
First flowerings of Early Marsh and Southern Marsh Orchids, Kinson Common (4th).
2 Herons flying over and one pair of Pied Wagtails on the Kinson Village Green (5th am).
Brimstone (female), Holly Blue, Orange-Tip, Small Copper and Speckled Wood butterflies on the wing, Kinson Common (5th pm).
Broad-bodied Chaser (pair), visiting a natural pool in Central Bog,
Kinson Common (5th pm).
Large Red and Common Blue Damselflies generally active around Kinson Common (5th pm).
Cuckoo flying around the Longham bridge region (6th am).
Chub and other freshwater fish gathering in shoals in the shallows of the Dorset Stour by Longham bridge (6th am).
Bog Cotton Grass, Heath Milkwort, Lousewort and Tormentil, all showing well in the wet bogland of Kinson Common (9th).
Good numbers of small froglets in the damper regions of Kinson Common (9th).
Flowerings of the Early Marsh and Southern Marsh Orchids beginning to increase on the Kinson Common (9th).
Sand Martins on the wing near Longham bridge (11th).
Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting activity in the stream margins at Millhams Mead (11th).
Numbers of Early Marsh and Southern Marsh orchids in full flower and some Heath Spotted orchids approaching the flowering stage, Kinson Common, (12th).
Hobby recorded on the Kinson Common during a Countryside guided walk (12th).
At least 18 Swifts flying together over central Kinson (13th am).
Great Spotted & Green Woodpeckers active at lower Millhams (16th am).
Buzzard visiting its nest site near Millhams (17th am).
23 Jackdaws on the Kinson School playing field (17th eve).
Banded Demoiselle and Beautiful Demoiselle activity in the southern sector of the Kinson Common (19th am).
4 Moorhen chicks on Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common, (20th).
Scarce Chaser dragonflies active at Millhams Mead and Kinson Common (20th).
Good numbers of Meadow Thistles in flower in Central Bog, Kinson Common (20th am).
Common Blue butterflies (males) observed at Millhams Mead and on Kinson Common (20th).
A pair of Buzzards being mobbed as they flew over Central Bog, Kinson Common (22nd - early pm).
Early Marsh, Heath Spotted & Southern Marsh orchids now flowering on the Kinson Common (22nd).
Common Bat & Noctule Bat activity on the Kinson Common (24th dusk).
JUNE
Buzzards, Crows, Gulls, Herons, Mallards, Swallows and Swifts at Longham (1st am).
Little Egret by the Dorset Stour at Longham (1st am).
Pied Wagtails and Long-tailed Tits active near Longham bridge (1st am).
Whitethroats very active at lower Millhams and near Longham bridge(1st am).
Reed Buntings and Reed Warblers active in the reed margins of the side-stream at lower Millhams (1st am).
Early Marsh, Southern Marsh and Heath Spotted Orchids in full flower at Kinson Common (1st am).
Foxgloves flowering on the Kinson Common (1st).
Green Alkanet and Red Campion in flower near Kinson Church (1st).
House Martins nesting successfully in central Kinson (1st).
Tulip Tree in flower in Pelhams Park (1st).
Common Darter, Scarce Chaser and Burnet Companion moths active in Poole Lane Meadows, Kinson Common (2nd am).
Fox scampering through meadowland opposite Kinson Church (3rd am).
Stag Beetles active on Kinson Common and in the lower Kinson Road at dusk (3rd).
Common Shrew activity by a ditch-side at lower Millhams (4th am).
13 Jackdaws circling over central Kinson (4th am).
Whitethroats, Reed Bunting & Reed Warblers very active at lower Millhams (4th am).
Coots, Gulls, Heron, Mallards, Mute Swans and Wagtails by the riverside near Longham bridge (4th am).
Fish spawning in the shallows near Longham bridge and Chub of good size observed (4th am).
Bog Asphodels coming into flower in the bogland at Kinson Common (4th).
Lousewort and Tormentil in flower in the wet boggy areas on Kinson Common (4th).
Fox trotting openly through Central Bog, early evening, and another younger one investigating Pepin`s Pond at dusk (5th).
Buzzard stalking young rabbits at lower Millhams (6th am).
Common Tern diving for fish in the Dorset Stour near Longham bridge (6th am).
Main counts of Southern Marsh Orchids and Heath Spotted Orchids on the Kinson Common (6th).
House Sparrows active around grazing cattle on Kinson Common (7th).
Large Skipper butterflies active on Kinson Common (7th).
Southern Hawker dragonfly hawking in Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (7th).
Meadow Brown butterflies active on Kinson Common and at Millhams Mead (7th & 8th).
Opium poppies (garden escape) in flower in the valley at lower Millhams (8th).
Good numbers of Banded Demoiselles in dense vegetation by the riverside at Longham (8th).
3 Mallard ducklings and 3 Moorhen chicks on Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (8th am).
Love-in-a-mist found on a bankside at Kinson Common (9th).
Cuckoo calling and working its way from lower Millhams to Longham bridge and back again (10th am).
Pale Butterwort recording on Kinson Common (11th & 12th).
Painted Lady butterfly, Kinson Common (12th mid-morning).
Kinson Common Orchid Survey ongoing with more southern marsh orchids flowering later in new locations (14th).
Buzzard activity over Central Bog, Kinson Common (14th pm).
Cuckoo (male) being mobbed and driven away by other birds at lower Millhams (15th).
Evening Primrose in flower at Millhams Mead (15th).
Marbled White, fresh specimen on the wing in Central Bog, Kinson Common (17th am).
Buzzard being mobbed by crows as it flew over Central Bog & Poole lane Heights, Kinson Common (17th early afternoon).
Fox sunning itself in the morning sunshine, Poole Lane Heights, Kinson Common (17th am).
Common Tern flying around Longham bridge (17th am)
Common Bat flying around properties in the lower Kinson Road (18th eve).
Fox stalking a crow on the Kinson School playing field (19th - eve).
Painted Lady butterflies (2), Poole Lane Meadows, Kinson Common (20th am).
5-Spot Burnet moth, grassland, Kinson Common (20th).
Rosebay and other willowherbs in flower throughout Kinson (20th).
Three species of wild orchids on Kinson Common are fading rapidly now. Heath Spotted Orchids in Gover`s Glade continue to flower (23rd).
Scarlet Tiger moth ( Callimorpha dominula), found in a damp area at lower Millhams (24th).
Swallows, swifts and martins flying low over the Dorset Stour in search of insects at Longham on a dull and drizzly summer morning (25th).
A Fox with two playful cubs, at dusk, Poole Lane Meadows, (26th).
Globe Thistle on a valley bank at lower Millhams (29th). |
|
Kinson Nature Diary Records - July to December 2007
 | Kinson Nature Diary Records - July to December 2007
JULY
Good numbers of wild rabbits active at lower Millhams (1st am).
Globe thistle stand on a bank near the Millhams Recycling unit (1st).
Kingfisher flying across the Stour by Longham bridge (1st am).
Tall stand of flowering Teasels on the free-stretch bank at Longham (1st).
3 species of Wild orchids fading generally, Kinson Common (1st).
Meadow Brown & Large Skipper activity in Central Bog, Kinson Common (1st am).
Common Darter, Central Bog, Kinson Common (1st am).
Large Red Damselfly activty in Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (1st am).
Love-in-the- Mist and Buddleja davidii (SZ06638 BNG95993), on a stream bank, Kinson Common (1st).
Reedmace stand ripening, Central Bog, Kinson Common (1st).
Bog Asphodel, Cross-leaved Heath & Tormentil, Central Bog, Kinson Common (1st).
Purple Loosestrife in flower, Dragonfly Hollow, Kinson Common (1st).
Pale Butterworts, no flowers, Central Bog, Kinson Common (1st).
Ragwort in flower at lower Millhams, also in Central Bog, Kinson Common (1st).
House Sparrows active on Poole Lane Heights and in Central Bog (1st am).
Family of Long-tailed Tits (c6), near Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (1st am).
Buzzard at nest site at lower Millhams (2nd am).
Sparrowhawk hunting over the Longham waterworks near Longham bridge (2nd am).
Self Heal in flower at lower Millhams and in Central Bog, Kinson Common (3rd).
Clouded Yellow, fresh specimen, recorded in Dragonfly Hollow, Kinson Common, at 2.20pm (3rd).Also recorded again at 2.38pm at SZ06814 BNG96060 on the same Common (3rd).
Swifts, Swallows and martins swooping through oak canopies in search of insects near Longham bridge (4th am).
3 Clouded Yellows and one Marbled White active in the bogland regions of Kinson Common (4th am).
Pair of Buzzards active around the Cenntral Sallows and Central Bogs regions of Kinson Common (4th - late morning).
Brown Hawker, Central Bog, Kinson Common (4th).
Lesser Skullcap & Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil in flower in Central Bog, Kinson Common (5th).
Garden Everlasting Pea & Common Centaury in flower at lower Millhams (5th).
5 Clouded Yellows on the wing in the valley on Kinson Common (6th).
Buzzard flying over central Kinson, mid morning (6th).
Roe Deer tracks at Millhams (7th).
A murmuration of 51 starlings on a power line at lower Millhams (7th am).
6 Clouded Yellows in the valley at Kinson Common (7th).
Golden-ringed and Emperor dragonflies active around Pepin`s Pond region (7th).
Brimstones (male), Commas, Holly Blues, Meadow Browns, Red Admirals and Skippers active throughout the Kinson Common (7th early afternoon).
While a pair of Buzzards disturbed a whole flock of gulls and other birds near the Kinson Village Green, a Sparrowhawk took advantage of the situation and seized an unsuspecting sparrow and carried it away (7th late afternoon).
A family of Foxes active at dusk on Poole Lane Meadows (7th).
Sloes setting in a hedgerow near Longham bridge (8th).
Dorset Stour in spate at Longham (8th).
Freshly emerged Hedge Brown butterfly in grassland at lower Millhams (8th).
Commas active at lower Millhams (8th am).
Fine clump of St. John`s Wort in flower on higher ground near Millhams Mead (8th).
Painted Lady & Marbled White butterfly on buddleja, lower Kinson Road (9th am).
Beatiful Damselfly (female) on bracken, Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (9th am).
Good numbers of Golden-ringed Dragonfly , Kinson Common (9th pm).
Sparrowhawk being scolded by gulls, central Kinson (9th am).
Emerging Field Mushrooms in the damp grassland near Longham bridge (10th am).
Sparrowhawk hunting in Dragonfly Hollow, Kinson Common (11th).
Holly Blue, Small Copper and Comma butterflies active around Pepin`s Pond (11th pm).
Clumps of Yellow and Purple Loosestrife in flower in Dragonfly Hollow (12th).
Lawyer`s Wig (6+) at the top of a valley at lower Millhams (13th).
Mute Swans with only one cygnet near Longham bridge (13th).
Wasp Spiders and webs found on Kinson Common (13th pm).
Clouded Yellow butterflies (at least 8), active in the upper valley, Kinson Common (13th pm).
Family of Blackcaps together at lower Millhams (14th am).
Hoards of Herring Gulls mobbing a lone Buzzard over central Kinson (14th pm).
Noctule bat active at dusk near Dragonfly Hollow ( 14th eve).
9 Jackdaws on the roof of the Kinson Road Medical Centre (15th am).
At least 5 Clouded Yellows on the wing in the upper valley, Kinson Common (15th am).
A pair of Beautiful Demoiselles, Large Red damselflies and Golden-ringed dragonflies active in the side-stream, Kinson Common (15th am).
Buzzard sitting on high on a dead birch, Central Bog , Kinson Common, (15th late am).
Kingfisher sitting on the lower south-facing pond railings, Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (15th early pm).
Roe Deer (buck) in the grassland at Millhams (16th).
10 Clouded Yellows in the upper valley, Kinson Common (16th).
Pied Wagtails active around Kinson Village Green (17th am).
Brown Hawkers active in Central Bog & around Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (18th pm).
Buzzard & Sparrowhawk hunting in Central Bog & the Great Oaks regions of Kinson Common at the same time (18th pm).
5 Clouded Yellows active in the upper valley of Kinson Common (18th pm).
Noctule bats (3) near the Kinson Common waterfall at dusk (18th & 19th).
Moorhens with four young on Pepin`s Pond, (19th)
Buzzards circling and "pewing" over Kinson Common and at Millhams Mead (19th).
Emperor Dragonfly activity at Pepin`s Pond and in Central Bog, Kinson Common (19th).
Good numbers of Clouded Yellows in the upper valley at Kinson Common (19th).
Brown Hawkers in Central Bog and at Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (19th).
Two pairs of Beautiful Demoiselles, Central Bog, Kinson Common (19th).
Sparrowhawk and a Bandit around Dragonfly Hollow at dusk (19th).
Foxes on the short sward of Poole Lane Meadows at dusk (19th).
Torrential rain caused damage to the Kinson Common Waterfall at SZ06818 BNG 96115. (20th am).
Despite weather concerns, Mother Moorhen and her 4 fluffy chicks were found safe and well at Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (21st am).
6 Clouded Yellows in the upper valley, Kinson Common (22nd).
Clouded Yellows also observed in Gover`s Glade and Dragonfly Hollow (22nd).
Brown Hawker & Southern Hawker observed in Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (22nd).
Hedge Brown, Holly Blue, Meadown Brown, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Whites observed generally around Kinson (22nd).
Buzzard active and flying low through Central Bog, Kinson Common (22nd).
Harebells in flower, Poole Lane Heights, Grid ref: SZ06632 96074, (22nd).
Fox running openly through Central Bog before noon (24th).
6 Graylings and some Small Copper butterflies active on Two Barrow Heath (24th pm).
Brown Hawker dragonfly activity at Millhams and on Kinson Common (24th).
Brimstone, Holly Blue, Hedge Brown, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Speckled Wood and assorted Whites active generally in Kinson (24th).
2 Clouded Yellows active in the upper valley Kinson Common (24th).
Buzzard flying over Kinson Cemetery (24th pm).
Golden-ringed dragonflies active in Central Bog (24th pm).
Buzzard flying over the Bridge House at Longham (25th am).
About 100 gulls flying over the Cuckoo Woods region at dusk (25th).
Dorset Stour at Longham in spate (26th).
2 Clouded Yellows active in the upper valley, Kinson Common (28th).
Brown Hawker dragonflies active in Central Bog, Dragonfly Hollow and at Pepin`s Pond (28th).
Hedge Brown, Holly Blue, Meadown Brown ,Peacock, Small Copper,Small Skipper, Speckled Wood and Whites active generally on Kinson Common (28th).
Fox sat watching 5 Mallards at Pepin`s Pond (28th early afternoon).
Purple Hairstreak butterfly flying around tall oak tree near Pepin`s Pond (28th am).
Sparrowhawk driven away by a gull over Dragonfly Hollow (29th am).
2 Noctule Bats hunting together over Poole Lane Meadows at dusk (29th).
Signs of ripening Hawthorns and Sloes at Longham (30th am).
Ripened berries of Guelder Rose very noticeable on Kinson Common (30th).
3 Sparrowhawks disturbed from Dragonfly Hollow (30th early pm).
Several Clouded Yellows on the wing in the upper valley, Kinson Common (30th am).
Brown Hawkers active around Pepin`s Pond and one female laying eggs among debris by the grill (31st pm).
AUGUST
Some Clouded Yellow activity in the upper valley, Kinson Common (1st am).
Sparrowhawk chasing a pigeon around Pepin`s Pond (1st am).
Six spot Burnet & Mother Shipton moths active on Poole Lane Meadows (1st am).
A number of Small Copper butterflies on ragwort, Kinson Common (1st am).
Brimstone (female) on purple loosestrife, Dragonfly Hollow (1st am).
Green Woodpecker activity around the fringes of Central Bog, Kinson Common (1st am).
Small charms of Golfinches and good numbers of Greenfinches observed at lower Millhams (1st am).
Mute Swans with a well grown cygnet and a stalking Heron in the margins near Longham bridge (1st am).
Late Summer wild mushrooms appearing near the high ground at the rear of the Millhams Recycling Unit (1st am).
Globe thistles still showing well at lower Millhams (1st am).
Sparrowhawk chasing prey through Central Bog towards Kinson Cemetery ( 1st pm).
Brown Hawkers and Golden-ringed dragonflies active in the lower valley, Kinson Common (1st pm).
Hay-making down on Kinson Manor Farm (2nd).
5 Noctules bats hunting moths over Poole Lane Meadows at dusk (2nd).
Field Mushrooms emerging on grassland near Longham bridge (3rd).
Charms of Golfinches inspecting teasels at lower Millhams (3rd am).
Buzzard active over Central Bog, Kinson Common (3rd pm).
Clouded Yellow active in the upper valley, Kinson Common (3rd pm).
Brimstone (female) on purple loosestrife, Dragonfly Hollow (3rd pm).
Kinson Common waterfall now repaired (3rd).
Heron flying over central Kinson (3rd early eve).
Small flock of Herring Gulls flying over central Kinson (4th pm).
Noctule and Common Bats observed on Kinson Common at dusk (4th).
Beautiful Damselfly active in the Kinson Common side-stream and the Golden-ringed Dragonfly also observed in the same region (5th am).
Brown Hawker Dragonflies active in Central Bog and at Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (5th am).
Pale Butterwort in flower in Central Bog, Kinson Common (5th).
Good numbers of Common Darters observed Kinson Common (5th).
Common Bats flying around Dragonfly Hollow at dusk (5th).
Buzzard and Cormorant activity at lower Millhams (6th).
Hedge Brown & Meadow Brown butterflies active at lower Millhams (7th am).
Common Blue, Grayling, Hedge Brown, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Whites, active on Kinson Common (7th am).
Wasp Spider in Central Bog south-side, Kinson Common (7th am).
Golden-ringed & Brown Hawker dragonflies active in the upper valley, Kinson Common (7th am).
Moorhen parents with two chicks on Pepin`s Pond (7th pm).
Common Darter & Ruddy Darter dragonflies active in the lower valley, Kinson Common (7th am).
Tawny Owl observed at dusk at the Fryer`s Close entrance to Kinson Common (7th).
3 Harebells in flower, Poole Lane Heights (8th).
Golden-ringed and Southern Hawker dragonflies active in Gover`s Glade (8th pm).
Great-Spotted Woodpecker on dead oak by Pepin`s Pond (8th pm).
Buzzard flying over Dragonfly Hollow, Kinson Common (8th pm).
Sloes setting in the hedgerows on Kinson Common and at Millhams Mead (8th).
Small Tortoiseshell on nettles by Pepin`s Pond (8th pm).
Family of Whitethroats investigating brambles at lower Millhams (9th am).
Sparrowhawk activity over central Kinson (9th pm).
Young and adult Swallows resting on power lines at lower Millhams (10th am).
Tansy clumps in flower on a bankside near Longham bridge (10th).
Brown Hawker active at Millhams Mead (10th am).
Brown Hawkers active around Pepin`s Pond & Central Bog, Kinson Common (10th pm).
Great Spotted Woodpecker on oaks near Kinson School (11th pm).
Sparrowhawk hunting over central Kinson (11th pm).
Holly Blue butterflies in the gardens at the lower end of Kinson Road (11th pm).
Noctule bat flying around oaks near Fryer Close (11th eve).
Buzzard active at lower Millhams (12th am).
Good numbers of young and adult swallows flying together around lower Millhams and near Kinson Manor Farm (12th am).
Common Hawker seeking flies in the hedgerows near the Millhams Recycling Unit (12th am).
Brown Hawker, Golden-ringed and Migrant Hawker dragonflies active on Kinson Common, (13th pm).
Sparrowhawk hunting around Dragonfly Hollow and Gover`s Glade (13th pm).
Common Blue, Hedge Brown, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown and White butterflies active in the Kinson area (13th pm).
Ragwort over abundant this year at Kinson Common, Millhams Mead and in the grassland by the "free stretch" near Longham bridge (13th).
Buzzard activity over Longham and Millhams (13th).
Small murmuration of starlings near Kinson Village Green (14th pm).
Swallows gathering in good numbers on pylons at lower Millhams (15th am).
Elderberry ripening in the hedgerows around lower Millhams (15th).
Moorhen parent with one small chick in the stream below Millhams bridge (15th).
At least 150 gulls and assorted corvids on the large meadow by Kinson Manor Farm (15th am).
Collected our first ripe conker from Pelhams Park (15th am).
Buzzard activity over central Kinson and at Millhams (16th).
Lunar Hornet Clearwing moth observed by Mr. Dave Fish on Kinson Common (16th).
Large charm of Goldfinches on creeping thistles at lower Millhams (17th am).
Beautiful damselfly, Golden-ringed and Brown Hawker, Common Darter and Red Darter dragonflies recorded on Kinson Common (17th pm).
Wasp spiders observed on Kinson Common (17th pm).
Lunar Hornet Clearwing moth observed flying through Dragonfly Hollow (17th pm).
Heron inspecting and almost landing on Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (17th pm).
Buzzards "pewing" at Millhams Mead (18th am).
Cormorants active around lower Millhams (19th).
Stands of Common Toadflax, near Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (19th).
Southern Hawker active in Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (20th).
Painted Lady butterfly activity observed on Kinson Common (20th am).
Globe Thistle stand fading at lower Millhams (20th).
Heron activity near Longham bridge (20th).
4 Collared Doves exploring Pelhams Park (21st am).
Raft Spider activity noted on Kinson Common (21st pm).
Sparrowhawk and Buzzard circling Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (21st pm).
Troublesome Wasps encountered on the north-side of Central Bog near a footpath, Kinson Common. Borough Parks department informed (21st pm).
Super charm of Goldfinches observed on thistles at lower Millhams (22nd am).
Pair of Buzzards circling central Kinson, (22nd early pm).
Bat activity observed at the Kinson waterfall and by Pepin`s Pond (22nd eve).
Speckled Wood butterflies spiralling in a hedgerow near Millhams bridge (23rd am).
Trifid Bur Marigold found in a damp area of Kinson Common (23rd).
Cormorants active near Longham bridge (24th).
Great Spotted woodpeckers on oaks at lower Millhams (24th am).
Small party of Pied Wagtails on the higher ground at lower Millhams (25th am).
Elephant Hawkmoth larva found by a cat in a garden in the lower region of Kinson Road (25th).
Southern Hawker dragonfly inspecting the margins of Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (26th).
Lunar Hornet Clearwing moths observed in Dragonfly Hollow & Poole Lane Meadows, Kinson Common, (26th).
Buzzard activity noted around central Kinson, Kinson Common and Millhams Mead (26th).
Hops ripening in the hedgerows at Millhams Mead (27th).
A family of Chiffchaffs in a hedgerow by the Millhams Recycling Unit (28th am).
A magnificent pair of Kingfishers "charging about" together by Longham bridge and the nearby Bridge House Hotel (29th am).
Buzzard flying low towards the Kinson Village Green area (29th pm).
SEPTEMBER
Evening Primrose and Bindweed in flower at lower Millhams (1st).
Hops and Sloes abundant in hedgerows near Longham bridge (1st).
Goldfinches on teasels near Millhams Mead (1st).
Small party of Pied Wagtails on security fencing Millhams Recycling Unit (1st).
Heron activity by the Dorset Stour at Longham (1st).
Southern Hawker dragonfly "hawking" in gardens at the lower end of Kinson Road (1st).
13 Jackdaws on Kinson School playing field (1st pm).
Small stands of White and Red Campion in flower at lower Millhams (2nd).
Common Mallow, Common Toadflax and St. John`s Wort in flower, Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (3rd).
Ruddy Darter dragonfly activity, Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (3rd).
Lunar Hornet Clearwing moth investigating the fringes of Pepin`s Pond Kinson Common (3rd pm).
Speckled Woods, Hedge & Meadow Browns, also Whites on the wing, Kinson Common (3rd).
Hawkweed and Devil`s Bit Scabious in flower, also small pockets of Heather, Poole Lane Heights, Kinson Common (3rd).
Tawny Owl calling at dusk, near Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (3rd).
Small party of young and adult Swallows on power lines at lower Millhams (4th am).
Buzzards active around Cuckoo woods (5th pm).
Swallow and martin activity near Longham (6th).
Pair of Kingfishers active near Longham bridge (7th am).
6 Jackdaws on the rooftops together, central Kinson (7th am). Garden Everlasting Pea in flower, lower Millhams (7th am).
Kestrel mobbed by crows, lower Millhams (7th am).
Buzzard attacked by crows, near Longham bridge (8th am).
Little Egret sat in a willow, near Longham bridge (9th am).
Adult Fox sat in the open in a meadow opposite Kinson church (8th am).
Blackthorn with ripening sloes and three flowers, Millhams (9th).
Tansy in flower on a bankside, near Longham bridge (9th).
Amelanchier displaying some autumnal leaves, Pepin`s Pond,
Kinson Common (9th).
Small murmuration of starlings flying around Pelhams Park (9th am).
Common Shrew on a trackway at lower Millhams (10th).
Tawny Owl active after dusk around central Kinson and Kinson Common (10th eve).
Native Golden-rod in flower on Poole Lane Heights and in Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (11th).
Heather in flower on the north side of Central Bog at its western end (11th).
Kingfisher at Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (11th pm).
Mallards at Pepin`s Pond, male in eclipse (11th).
Pockets of Red Campion in flower on Kinson Common (11th).
Emperor and Ruddy Darter dragonfly activity on Kinson Common (11th).
Pair of Buzzards soaring over Poole Lane Meadows and Dragonfly Hollow, Kinson Common (11th am).
Common Blue, Speckled Wood and White butterflies active on Kinson Common (11th).
Wasp spiders, some in webs, others guarding cocoons, Kinson Common (11th).
Heron and Kingfisher activity near Longham bridge (12th am).
Swallows gathering near Kinson Manor Farm (12th am).
Sparrowhawk flying low into the grounds of Kinson School (13th am).
Common Bat investigating back gardens in Kinson Road near Kinson Library (13th eve).
Spiders webs galore on dead Teasel heads at Millhams (14th am).
Bat activity around Poole Lane Meadows, Kinson Common (14th dusk).
Gulls mobbing a Heron as it flew over Kinson School (15th early morning).
3 Buzzards circling together over the Kinson School field and central Kinson (15th am).
Green Woodpecker activity at Millhams (16th am).
Grey Wagtail investigating waterweeds near Longham bridge (17th am).
Crab apples abundant in a hedgerow near the higher ground at lower Millhams (17th).
Swallows skimming low over the tree tops near Kinson Manor Farm (18th am).
Cormorant activity near Longham bridge (18th am).
Large White, Red Admiral, Small Copper and Speckled Wood butterfly activity on Kinson Common (18th pm).
Buzzard "pewing" near Central Bog, Kinson Common (18th pm).
Emperor, Common and Ruddy Darter dragonfly activity on Kinson Common (18th pm).
Kestrel resting on a rooftop near the Kinson Village Green (19th am).
Herons and a Little Egret active near Longham bridge and The Bridge House (20th am).
Pied Wagtails active on the higher ground at Millhams (20th).
Comfrey in flower near Millhams bridge (21st).
Grey Squirrels very active in Pelhams Park (22nd am).
Himalayan Balsam in flower on a bankside near Millhams bridge (23rd).
Swallows flying low over central Kinson (23rd pm).
24+ Swallows circling Longham bridge (24th am).
Small parties of Swallows flying over central Kinson (24th am).
200-300 gathering Swallows on power lines at lower Millhams (25th am).
Amelanchier by Pepin`s Pond displaying autumnal colours, Kinson Common (25th).
Red Admiral butterflies active around Pond Scrub, Kinson Common (25th am).
Patches of Native Golden-rod in flower, Poole Lane Heights, (25th).
Swallows flying over Dragonfly Hollow & Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (25th am).
Noticeable stands of Reedmace in Dragonfly Hollow, Kinson Common (25th).
Speckled Wood butterflies active on Kinson Common (25th am).
Asters flowering in Dragonfly Hollow and around Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (25th).
Grey Wagtail at Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (25th pm).
Roe Deer observed near Millhams Mead (26th am).
26 Canada Geese on the river bed below Longham bridge (26th am).
Carrion Crow chasing away a Kestrel from the grounds of Kinson School (26th eve).
24 Canada Geese on the river bed by Longham bridge (27th am).
Large gathering of swallows and martins over central Kinson (27th early eve).
22 Canada Geese and good numbers of Mallards and Herons on the river bed below Longham bridge (28th am).
Sloe still flowering in a hedgerow near Longham bridge (28th).
23 Canada Geese on the river bed with other water fowl near Longham bridge (29th am).
Pied Wagtails on security fencing at Millhams (29th).
13 Feral pigeons on higher ground at lower Millhams (29th am).
24 Canada Geese on the river with other waterfowl below Longham bridge (30th am).
Pockets of Devil`s bit Scabious in flower, Poole Lane Heights, Kinson Common, (30th).
Ruddy Darter dragonflies flying in tandem, Pepin`s Pond (30th am).
Buzzard flying over Central Bog, Kinson Common (30th am).
8 Mallards on Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (30th am).
Speckled Wood & Small Copper butterflies active on Kinson Common (30th am).
Common Toadflax in flower, Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (30th).
Canadian Golden-Rod flowering in Poole Lane Sallows, Kinson Common (30th).
OCTOBER
Coots,Heron, Mallards, Moorhens and Mute Swans active on the Dorset Stour at Longham (1st am).
24 Canada Geese "dropped in" to land on the river bed below Longham bridge (1st at 8.20am).
Rabbits galore on a trackway by the "free stretch" near Longham bridge (1st am).
Kipper disappeared down a rabbit hole at 8.35am and refused to come out until 8.55am (1st).
Ragwort and patches of St. John`s Wort in flower at Millhams.
Conkers and Sweet Chestnuts in abundance at Pelhams Park (1st).
Small party of Jackdaws investigating rooftops in central Kinson (1st am).
Himalayan Balsam still florishing at lower Millhams (1st).
Good numbers of House Sparrows in a hedgerow near Kinson Village Green (2nd am).
26 Canada Geese on the river bed between the Bridge House Hotel and Longham bridge (2nd am).
Clumps of Evening Primrose flowering in the valley at lower Millhams (2nd).
Jackdaws on the rooftops and flying around central Kinson (2nd).
Male Hazel catkins already showing well near Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (2nd).
4 Roe deer in open country at lower Millhams (3rd am).
Kingfisher flying over the gambian weir by lower Millhams (3rd).
Heron, Little Egret and waterfowl in the company of 24 Canada Geese below Longham bridge (3rd am).
Pheasants (male and female), active around an area used by horses, at lower Millhams (3rd am).
Ripe Holly berries on trees by the main track near Kinson Baths, Kinson Common (3rd)
Ruddy Darter dragonflies active by Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (3rd pm).
Glossy red berries of Guelder Rose noticeable by the waterfall, Kinson Common (3rd).
Bog Asphodels in flower and Bog Cotton Grass stands at the east end of Central Bog, Kinson Common (3rd).
Heaths and Heathers in flower, Central Bog, Kinson Common (3rd).
Native Golden-rod and Devil`s bit Scabious in flower on Poole Lane Heights and Two Barrow Heath, Kinson Common (3rd).
Pockets of Buttercups in flower, Poole Lane Meadows, Kinson Common (3rd).
Red Campion flowering in Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (3rd).
Wasp Spider cocoons noticeable in Dragonfly Hollow, Kinson Common (3rd).
Honeysuckle in flower at the northern end of Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (3rd).
Medium sized Common Frog active in a bog pool, Central Bog, Kinson Common (3rd).
Emerging mushrooms and toadstools, Kinson Common (3rd).
Small pockets of Tormentil in flower generally, Kinson Common (3rd).
Asters doing well in Dragonfly Hollow, Kinson Common (3rd).
Red Admiral, Small Copper and Speckled Wood butterflies active on Kinson Common (3rd pm).
24 Canada Geese, Cormorants, Gulls and Mallards on the river bed near Longham bridge (4th am).
Grey Wagtails (pair) exploring surface weed by Longham bridge (4th am).
Goldcrest nestling in a Sloe thicket at Millhams Mead (4th am).
Buzzards circling and soaring over central Kinson (4th pm).
Party of Blue and Great Tits at lower Millhams (5th am).
24 Canada Geese on the river bed near the arches of Longham bridge (5th am).
Grey Wagtails active among water weeds near Millhams (5th am).
Small parties of Starlings active around central Kinson (5th am).
Robins returning to gardens and very noticeable now in Kinson hedgerows (5th am).
Cormorants active around Millhams and Longham (5th).
Grey Squirrels collecting chestnuts and acorns in Pelhams Park (5th am).
Thrushes flying together around the Kinson and Millhams areas (5th).
4 Buzzards circling over central Kinson and heading in the direction of Kinson Common (5th early afternoon).
3 Roe deer (does), browsing in the Autumn mist at lower Millhams (6th am).
Black-headed Gulls,Heron,Kingfishers, Little Egret, Moorhens and 24 Canada Geese on the river bed between Longham bridge and the Bridge House (6th am).
Pheasants seen foraging in the taller grassland at lower Millhams (6th am).
Pheasant (female) sat on Kinson School brick wall by Kinson Road (6th 6.30pm).
Roe Deer (buck and does) observed near Millhams Mead (7th am).
Little Egrets (2) active around the lower Stour region by Longham (7th am).
Herons, Mallards and the large flock of Canada Geese still present on the river bed below Longham bridge (7th am).
Kestrel hovering over the grasslands of Millhams Mead (7th am).
Jackdaws and Gulls present around Kinson Village Green (7th am).
Woodpecker activity on Kinson Common (7th pm).
Amelanchier displaying an array of Autumn colours by Pepin`s Pond (7th pm).
Speckled Wood butterfly activity in Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (7th pm).
Red Campion in flower between Dragonfly Hollow and Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (7th).
Water level at Pepin`s Pond generally low for the time of year and some Mallard and Moorhen activity observed (7th).
Shetland cattle (2) still present on Kinson Common (7th).
Corvids, especially Magpies, congregating together to drive away a bird of prey, Poole Lane Heights (7th pm).
Recent signs of a Sparrowhawk attack on a pigeon, Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (7th).
White Deadnettle and Cut-leaved Cranesbill in flower at Millhams (8th).
26 Canada Geese on the river bed below Longham bridge edging out Herons and Little Egrets (8th am).
Pockets of Blackthorn still flowering in a hedgerow near Millhams Mead (8th).
5 Buzzards soaring over central Kinson and heading in the direction of Cuckoo Woods (8th pm).
Tansy and Meadowsweet in flower in the damp grassland at lower Millhams (9th).
4 Black-headed Gulls; 26 Canada Geese; 2 Little Egrets; 11 Mallards and 2 Moorhens on the river bed below Longham bridge (9th am).
Another great start to the day viewing all the various species of wild birds congregating now close to Longham bridge. 26 Canada Geese still present, also signs of Cormorants exploring the river bed. (10th am).
Pheasants "trotting" between horses again at lower Millhams (10th am).
Enjoyable visit to Longham to see and feed the numerous water fowl congregating below Longham bridge (11th am).
5 Grey Squirrels feasting on chestnuts in Pelhams Park (11th am).
Small groups of Corvids flying westwards over central Kinson at dusk (11th).
Fox activity around Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (11th eve).
Rabbits galore at Millhams Mead. Some with signs of myxomatosis (12th am).
26 Canada Geese divided into two groups on the river bed near the Bridge House at Longham (12th am).
4 Roe Deer feeding in open country in the early morning mist near Millhams (12th).
Usual large flock of Canada Geese and other assorted waterfowl present on the river bed between Longham bridge and the Bridge House including what appeared to be a stray Aylesbury duck ( 13th am).
Fox in the long grass patiently waiting for rabbits in a small meadow near Kinson church (13th am).
Parasol Mushrooms emerging under a hedgerow at Millhams Mead (13th).
8 Grey Squirrels gathered around one tree in Pelhams Park feasting on chestnuts (13th am).
Shetland cattle accompanied by maurading Magpies on Poole Lane Heights, Kinson Common (13th pm).
Beef-steak fungus emerging on an oak tree, Kinson Common (13th).
Pockets of Native Golden-rod and Devilsbit Scabious in flower on Kinson Common (13th).
Bullfinches active in Pond Scrub, Kinson Common (13th).
Clumps of Heather and Hawkweed still in flower on Two Barrow Heath, Kinson Common (13th).
Usual large gathering of geese and waterfowl on the river bed below Longham bridge with at least 15 Black-headed Gulls joining in the fun this morning. Aylesbury duck still present and keeping close to the wild mallards (14th am).
Heron at ground level near Big Meadow, lower Millhams (14th am).
Carrion Crow devouring an apple on the high ground at the rear of the Millhams Recycling Unit (14th am).
Hoards of Goldfinches and Greenfinches exploring the stands of Teasels near Millhams Mead (14th am).
Cock(1) and hen Pheasants (3) mingling with horses on open ground near lower Millhams (14th am).
Buzzard being mobbed by magpies in Central Sallows, Kinson Common (14th am).
Limited Red Admiral and Speckled Wood butterfly activity on Kinson Common (14th).
Guelder Rose berries noted by the Kinson Waterfall, Kinson Common (14th).
Pepin`s Pond region very quiet with only Moorhens and a few Ruddy Darter dragonflies observed (14th).
Amelanchier displaying beautiful autumnal colours with Hazel clumps close by with well developed male catkins, near Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (14th).
Kinson Common streams low for the time of year with wood debris blockages noted in the lower regions of the Common (14th).
Pockets of Red Campions still flowering in shaded areas, Kinson Common (14th).
Honeysuckle in flower near Poole Lane Heights and at Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (14th).
Stagshorn Sumach displaying beautiful autumn colours near Fryer`s Close entrance, Kinson Common (14th).
Tawny Owl calling from a tree-lined area by Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (14th eve).
Roe Deer peering through the Autumn mist near Millhams (15th am).
Glorious views enjoyed of Canada Geese, Ducks, Moorhens and Mute Swans from Longham bridge to the Bridge House this morning (15th).
More Parasol Mushrooms emerging under a hedgerow near Millhams (15th).
Much Gull activity around Kinson Village Green (15th am).
Aylesbury duck still in the company of wild mallards on the river bed below Longham bridge (16th am).
Several kingfishers zooming low over the Dorset Stour near the Bridge House (16th am).
1 Roe deer running through damp meadowland at lower Millhams (16th am).
26 Canada Geese flying in v-formation towards the Dudsbury valley near Kinson Manor Farm (16th am).
13 Canada Geese, Gulls, Egrets, Heron, Mallards (including Aylesbury Duck), Moorhens and Coots on the river bed below Longham bridge this morning. Pair of Mute Swans near the 1st arch of the bridge by the free-stretch bank (17th).
Fly Agaric emerging under a birch tree, near Fryer`s Close, Kinson (17th).
House Sparrows congregating in a hedgerow at the rear of Kinson Library (17th am).
Starlings and Jackdaws visiting local rooftops in Central Kinson (17th am).
Ripe Holly, Poole Lane Heights, Kinson Common (17th).
Fly Agaric & Common Earth Ball fungi emerging near the lower path, Poole Lane Heights, Kinson Common (17th).
Ruddy Darter dragonfly activity at Pepin`s Pond & Poole Lane Heights, Kinson Common (17th).
Apple tree laden with ripe fruit, Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (17th).
Speckled Wood butterfly activity around Pepin`s Pond & Poole Lane Heights, Kinson Common (17th pm).
Lawyer`s Wig (4), emerging on higher ground at Millhams Mead (17th).
24 Canada Geese back on the river bed below Longham bridge, with Ducks, Gulls, Heron and Moorhens (18th am).
Small party of Linnets sitting on the security fencing of the Millhams Recycling Unit (18th am).
Beautiful Heron gracefully cruising through the heavy Autumn mist at lower Millhams (18th am).
Lone Kestrel sat at the top of an Ash tree near Millhams Mead (18th am).
Mournful Robins singing in Pelhams Park, Kinson (19th am).
Roe Deer by a stream side near lower Millhams (19th am).
Usual high numbers of Canada Geese and other water-loving birds on the river bed near Longham bridge (19th am).
4 pheasants strutting through the heavy grassland dew at Millhams (19th am).
26 Canada Geese, Aylesbury duck with Mallards, 16 Gulls, Kingfishers, Moorhens and Grey Wagtails viewed from the side of Longham bridge (20th am).
Southern Electric contractors with a tractor present at lower Millhams (20th am).
Pockets of Red Campion still in flower by Longham bridge (20th).
Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls flying over central Kinson near the Kinson Village Green (20th am).
Glorious autumn leaf displays by Amelanchier and Stagshorn Sumach at the northern end of Kinson Common (20th).
Speckled Wood butterflies active in sunlit corners of Kinson Common (20th pm).
Ruddy Darter dragonfly activity at Pepin`s Pond and the Kinson waterfall, Kinson Common (20th pm).
Glossy Guelder Rose berries in abundance at the Kinson waterfall, Kinson Common (20th).
Fly Agaric fungi by the Jubilee Walkway, Kinson Common (20th).
Asters still florishing in Dragonfly Hollow and by Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (20th).
Fox activity around Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (20th eve).
Assorted Gulls, Ducks, Egrets, Herons and Moorhens on the river bed below Longham bridge. No Canada Geese observed. (21st am).
Pied Wagtails observed on the grassland at lower Millhams (21st am).
Green Wood pecker activity on both sides of Millhams Mead (21st am).
30-40 corvids squabbling with gulls near Kinson Village Green ( 21st late afternoon).
Tawny Owl calling from Central Sallows, Kinson Common (21st eve).
8 Canada Geese with an assortment of other waterfowl below Longham bridge (22nd am).
Pair of Grey Wagtails busy at the waterside near the Bridge House, Longham (22nd am).
Evening Primrose, Ragwort and Gorse still in flower on the higher ground at Millhams (22nd).
8 stands of Pamphus Grass at the rear of the Millhams Recycling Unit (22nd).
Birch Polypores on a dead birch tree, Central Bog, Kinson Common (22nd).
Spear thistle still flowering in a frost-free area of lower Millhams (23rd).
10 Canada Geese, Aylesbury Duck, Mallards and Gulls in winter plumage on the river bed below Longham bridge (23rd am).
Kingfisher making repeated low flights through a middle section arch of Longham bridge (23rd am).
Pair of Speckled Wood Butterflies active in the northern sector of Kinson churchyard (23rd pm).
Essential conservation work carried out in Gover`s Glade, Kinson, which will greatly benefit wildlife and especially wild orchids in 2008 (23rd).
25 Canada Geese, Aylesbury duck again with Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, 15+ Gulls, Grey Wagtail, Grey Herons and Little Egret, also one Common Sandpiper on the river bed below Longham bridge (24th am).
Countryside team hard at work carrying out conservation tasks in Dragonfly Hollow and Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (24th).
Fox in good condition crossing Pepin`s Pond bridge, Kinson Common (24th 1pm).
13 Canada Geese, Swans, Ducks, Heron and Egret with Gulls on the river bed below Longham bridge (25th am).
Pockets of Ragwort and Bindweed still in flower at lower Millhams (25th).
26 Canada Geese re-united again with other water loving birds on the river bed below Longham bridge (26th am).
Lone Red Admiral visiting gardens at the lower end of Kinson Road, Kinson (26th pm).
Small party of Jackdaws squabbling on roof tops in central Kinson (26th pm).
Corvids in good numbers dashing westwards over central Kinson near the Village Green, (27th am).
13 Canada Geese, Egrets, 27+ Gulls, Heron, Mallards and Wagtails present around the river side near Longham bridge (27th am).
Small pockets of Sloe still in flower at Millhams Mead. (27th am).
Speeding Sparrowhawk flying low over a bramble patch at lower Millhams (27th am).
Limited activity observed at a Wild Bee nest at Millhams (27th am).
Himalayan Balsam still flowering near Millhams (27th).
At least 20 Gulls flying around Kinson Village Green region. (27th am).
A quieter morning on the river bed below Longham bridge with only Egrets, Gulls,Herons, Mallards, Moorhens and Coots present (28th am).
More signs of myxomatosis affecting both younger and older rabbits at Millhams (28th am).
7 Canada Geese and a Heron on the river bed below Longham bridge (29th am).
Lawyer`s Wig and other species of fungi emerging now at Millhams (29th).
Evening Primrose still flowering at lower Millhams (29th).
Green Woodpecker on birch, Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (29th am).
Buzzard pewing near Two Barrow Heath, Kinson Common (29th am).
Cross-leaved Heath in Flower, both sides of Central Bog, Kinson Common (29th).
Lesser Spearwort in flowering, Central Bog, Kinson Common (29th).
Common Darter, Ruddy Darter (pair) and Southern Hawker, active in Central Bog, Kinson Common (29th am).
Many species of Wild fungi emerging in all regions of Kinson Common (29th).
Speckled Wood butterflies active on the fringes of Central Bog and Poole Lane Heights, Kinson Common (29th pm).
Red admirals active around Poole Lane Meadows and in sunlit corners of the layby next to Kinson Primary School (29th pm).
5 Pheasants (hens) active in the grassland at lower Millhams (30th am).
Cormorant activity near the backwater at lower Millhams (30th am).
22 Canada Geese and 1 Greylag Goose in their company on the river bed below Longham bridge (30th am).
Coot,Egret,Grey Wagtails, Gulls, Mallards and Moorhens in the shallows between Longham Bridge and the Bridge House (30th am).
Red admiral around oaks, Two Barrow Heath, Kinson Common (30th am).
Speckled Wood butterfly active in Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (30th am).
Buzzard flying over Central Bog, Kinson Common (30th am).
Conservation tasks carried out on Two Barrow Heath and at Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (30th).
Tawny Owl calling from Pelhams Park (31st 5 minutes after midnight).
Thrushes feasting on hawthorn berries at lower Millhams (31st am).
9 Canada Geese, Little Egret, Gulls and Mallards on the river bed below Longham bridge (31st am).
NOVEMBER
Jackdaws active on rooftops near Kinson Village Green in central Kinson (1st am).
Glistening Inkcaps, Waterfall, Kinson Common (1st).
Herons, Egrets, Mallards and Gulls on the river bed below Longham bridge (1st).
2 parties of 15+ Redwings flying over Millhams Mead (1st am).
Bramble, Ragwort and Tansy still flowering at lower Millhams (1st).
3 Roe deer running through a meadow near Kinson church (1st am).
Buzzard flying low over central Kinson towards Cuckoo Woods at dusk (1st).
20+ Canada Geese, Heron, Little Egret with assorted Gulls and Moorhens on the river bed below Longham bridge (2nd am).
2 Buzzards flying westwards near central Kinson (2nd pm).
Roe Deer by a hedgerow at lower Millhams (2nd).
12 Canada Geese on the river bed below Longham bridge with 13 others in flight heading upstream towards the higher regions of the Longham waterworks (3rd am).
Lone Kestrel at the top of an ash tree at Millhams Mead (3rd am).
Heron with Mallards close by down stream of Millhams bridge (3rd am).
Red Admirals visiting Kinson gardens during morning sunshine (3rd am).
8 Canada Geese with Egret,Gulls and Mallards on the river bed below Longham bridge (4th am).
Sparrowhawk scattering small birds while swooping in low over the river to take up its usual early morning oak tree perch close by Longham bridge (4th am)
Grey Wagtails (2), flitting gracefully among waterside vegetation between Longham bridge and the Bridge House (4th am).
Purple Toadflax in flower by a hedgerow near Kinson church (4th am).
Heron flying low over central Kinson by Kinson Village Green (4th am).
Gorse and small pockets of Ragwort flowering on Kinson Common (4th).
Ruddy Darter dragonfly activity in Central Bog, Kinson Common (4th pm).
Fly Agaric and Sulphur Tuft mushrooms emerging in Kinson Common (4th).
Large party of Jackdaws circling and investigating rooftops in central Kinson ( 4th late afternoon).
20+ Gulls with Moorhens and Coots on the river bed below Longham bridge (5th am).
Carrion Crow eating a fish near the arches of Longham bridge (5th am).
4 Canada Geese with many waterfowl and 1 angry Heron in the midst of them, river bed below Longham bridge (6th am).
Great Mullein still flowering by the car park below Kinson church (6th).
Goldfinch charm on teasels at Millhams Mead (6th am).
Red Admiral activity in gardens near Kinson Village Green (6th pm).
Gulls, Heron, Little Egret, Mallards and Moorhens on the river bed below Longham bridge (7th am).
Buzzard sat at the top of a pylon at lower Millhams (7th am).
Pied Wagtail scurrying across Longham bridge during the morning rush hour (7th am).
Shaggy Ink caps emerging in the grassland at Millhams Mead (7th am).
9 Canada Geese, assorted Gulls, Herons and Mallards on the river bed below Longham bridge (8th am).
Sparrowhawk swooping low over the grassland at lower Millhams (9th am).
Green Woodpecker activity at Millhams Mead (9th am).
River bed below Longham bridge quieter with only Gulls and a Heron present (9th am).
Hollyhocks and Forsythia flowering in central Kinson gardens (9th).
Pied Wagtail activity around Pelhams Park in Kinson (9th).
Rhododendron and Red-hot pokers in flower in Kinson Road gardens (9th).
20 Gulls, Moorhens and Mallards on the river bed below Longham bridge (10th am).
Spindle tree with fruits in a hedgerow near Millhams Mead (10th).
Common Mallow,Herb Robert and Red Campion flowering in hedgerows near Kinson church (10th).
Pockets of Himalayan Balsam in flower at Millhams Mead (10th).
Sulphur Tuft fungi on a dead oak at Millhams Mead (10th).
Cross-leaved Heath, Herb Robert, Lesser Spearwort and Ragwort still flowering in Central Bog, Kinson Common (10th).
Honeysuckle and Common Toadflax flowering at Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (10th).
Removal of support poles and power lines at lower Millhams used by gathering swallows before migration (10th).
Little Egret, Heron, Mallards, Moorhens and Mute Swans on the river bed by Longham bridge (11th am).
Red Campion in flower close to Millhams bridge (11th).
Egret, Heron,Gulls,Mallards,Moorhens and Mute Swans on the river bed by Longham bridge. No Canada Geese observed (12th am).
Green Woodpecker activity at lower Millhams (12th am).
Greenfinches and Goldfinches investigating teasels by Millhams Mead (12th).
Moorhens in the stream below Millhams bridge (12th am).
Chaffinches and other finches inwillows by Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (12th am).
Nuthatches calling to each other from oaks in Central Sallows, Kinson Common (12th pm).
54+ Gulls, Egret, Heron and small numbers of Mallards on the river bed below Longham bridge (13th am).
Usual assortment of Gulls, Egret, Heron, Mallards and Moorhens on the river bed by Longham bridge (14th am).
Good numbers of Goldfinches and Greenfinches on Teasels at lower Millhams and at Millhams Mead (14th am).
Robins a common sight now from Kinson Village Green to Longham and Millhams (14th).
5 Jackdaws on rooftops near Kinson Village Green (14th pm).
Tawny Owl calling from Central Sallows, Kinson Common (14th 8.30pm).
Fox trotting across Millhams bridge (15th 8am).
Large gathering of Gulls, Mallards, Moorhens, Egret and Heron on the river bed below Longham bridge ( 15th am).
Goldfinches and Greenfinches on frost laden teasels near Millhams Mead (15th am).
Grey Wagtail by the Kinson waterfall, Kinson Common (15th pm).
7 Canada Geese on the river bed below Longham bridge with over 50 Gulls, Mallards, Moorhens and 1 Little Egret (16th am).
Mute Swans, Gulls, Egret, Coots and Moorhens on the river bed below Longham bridge (17th am).
Good numbers of House Sparrows near Fryer Close and at Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (18th am).
Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common very high due to overnight rain (18th am).
Blackbirds and Robins turning over fallen leaves at ground level in search of worms and grubs, Kinson Common (18th am).
Gulls present around the Kinson Village Green region (18th am).
Tawny Owl calling from Central Sallows, Kinson Common (18th 8pm).
Much debris in Pepin`s Pond trough after a day of rain, Kinson Common (18th).
2 Mute Swans driving away an intruder from a swollen river bed below Longham bridge (19th am).
A swollen Dorset Stour at Longham with only 1 Moorhen in the margins below Longham bridge (20th am).
Flooding in parts of the lower valley at Millhams, also at Kitcher`s Mead below Kinson church (21st).
Kestrel hunting over grassland at Millhams Mead (21st am).
Cormorant diving for fish on the Dorset Stour below Longham bridge (21st am).
Gulls active around Kinson Village green (21st am).
Sheep grazing in the mist on a meadow near Kinson Manor Farm (21st).
High flood waters around Millhams bridge (22nd).
Sheep on the higher ground of fields once known as Great & Little Enochs by Kinson Manor Farm (22nd).
Cormorants, Crows, Gulls and Starlings investigating the muddied regions of Big Meadow by Kinson Manor Farm (22nd).
5 Grey Wagtails active on the drier ground of a small field known as Mill Hams by Millhams bridge (22nd).
Small charms of Golfinches feasting on teasel heads at Millhams Mead (22nd am).
Blackbirds, Robins and Wrens very actve in all regions of Kinson Common (22nd pm).
Male catkins well developed in an ancient stand of Hazels near Kinson Baths (22nd).
Pepin`s Pond high with much debris in the pond trough. Dragonfly Hollow not flooded where important orchid colonies are established (23rd pm).
Fox trotting across Kinson Road near Kinson Village green at 11.15pm (22nd).
Reed Bunting flying by Millhams bridge (23rd am).
Lower Millhams and the Dudsbury valley well flooded with Gulls, Heron and starlings investigating Big Meadow by Kinson Manor Farm (23rd am).
SparrowHawk circling Cuckoo Woods in search of prey (23rd pm).
SparrowHawk flying low and eastwards over Kinson Village green (24th am).
Large murmuration of Starlings investigating a muddied field after flooding at Lower Millhams (24th am).
Green Woodpecker checking oaks in Central Bog, Kinson Common (24th pm).
3 Mallards and 1 Moorhen on Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (24th pm).
Heron and a little Egret in the margins below Longham bridge (25th am).
Blue Tits and a Bullfinch in a hedgerow close to Millhams bridge (25th am).
Finches exploring teasels on the high ground at Millhams Mead. (25th am).
Pockets of Sloe in flower near Longham bridge (25th).
Pheasant (male) in grassland at lower Millhams (25th).
Buzzard flying home to roost in Cuckoo Woods (25th 4.45pm).
Mute SWans and a Moorhen in the margins below Longham bridge (26th am).
Green Woodpecker activity at lower Millhams and at Millhams Mead (26th am).
Fox with a damaged leg hobbling through a meadow near Kinson church (26th am).
30-40 Goldfinches feeding on teasel heads at Millhams Mead (27th am).
Fox sitting under a tree in Gover`s Glade, Kinson Common (28th 8.30pm).
Winter Moths active around Blanchard`s Copse, Kinson Common (28th eve).
Dogwood in flower in a garden near Kinson Village green (29th).
20+ Redwings flying through the lower valley at Millhams towards Kinson Manor Farm (30th).
DECEMBER
Gulls and Jackdaws active around Kinson Village Green (1st am).
Chaffinches,Dunnocks, Goldcrests, Robins and thrushes active in a hedgerow by Longham bridge (1st am).
Cormorants active around the Ringwood Road end of Millhams Mead (1st).
Green Woodpecker activity at lower Millhams (1st am).
Mute Swans on the river bed below Longham bridge (1st am).
Winter Moths active around Blanchard`s Copse & Poole Lane Meadows, Kinson Common (1st eve).
Fresh Honeysuckle shoots appearing in Pond Scrub, Kinson Common (2nd).
Common Rat active by a culvert near Kinson School (2nd eve).
Wood Mouse active around grass tussocks |
|
|
