Latest Sightings
Sightings reported to the Ranger’s Office via email wildlife@wpcc.org.uk or the WPCC website recording form at https://www.wpcc.org.uk/nature/nature-notes.
For rare or unusual sightings, reports will need to be accompanied by a photograph or sound file if possible. If you are sending a file with your report, please submit via e-mail wildlife@wpcc.org.uk.
The annual “Weekend of Nature” took place during June, a separate report of observations will be complied by the WPCC staff.
Any comments and suggestions welcome.
Les Evans-Hill
Editor – Nature Notes Newsletter
Amphibians
Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), 27 June, Ranger’s Office, nature garden (AE-H).
Birds
Buzzard (Buteo buteo), 9 June, an immature hovered low over the large mound before flying off towards Kingsmere (JW); 29 June, Warren Farm (AH); throughout May and June around Gravel Pit (LE-H).
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), 30 June, Rushmere, fishing over the pond at 14:00 (RT); also reported by JL.
Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin), throughout May and June, Ladies Mile south of Inner Park Ride (LE-H); 3 June, in trees at the junction of Ladies Mile/Roehampton Ride (AE-H).
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), 28 May, 4 along Beverley Brook (SM); 4 during the first week of June, Gravel Pit (LE-H).
Hoopoe (Upupa epops), 20 May, unconfirmed report from a recorder with demonstrable experience of this species abroad, about 06:50 around the Kingsmere area across the A3 to the Roehampton/Putney side of the Common between roundabout and Roehampton Lane (SG).
Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), 11 June, Beverley Brook between Brook cottage bridge and the BCB bridge (SM).
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), 21 June, Bluegate (AB/KB); 30 June, 2 juveniles on Bluegate (RT).
Mandarin (Aix galericulata), 30 June, 18 ducklings on Bluegate (RT).
Red Kite (Milvus milvus), 24 May, 3 over Gravel Pit (LE-H); 9 June, 5 in total – four birds at 09:50 over Jerry's Hill from the north, one went south and another south-west. At 10:10 a fifth bird went west over the small mound (JW).
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata), 21 June, east end of Memorial Drive (AB/KB).
Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), 17 May, flock over Gravel Pit (AE-H).
Swift (Apus apus), 9 June: >10 over the large mound (JW).
Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris), 7 June, 3 around Gravel Pit (LE-H).
Whitethroat (Sylvia communis), end of May and throughout June, the large mound (LE-H).
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), throughout May, various individuals noted around Putney Heath south of the A3 (LE-H).
Beetles
Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus), 6 June, female, Telegraph Road (GD); 7 June: female, wandering the pavement between Mill Hill Road and Putney Lower Common, approx. 15:45 (KD).
Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis), 17 May, Gravel Pit (LE-H).
Butterflies
Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), 2 June, 3 on the Plain (LE-H).
Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), 12 May, Ladies Mile south of Inner Park Ride; individuals also on15 May and 2 June (LE-H).
Marbled White (Melanargia galathea): 25 June, Gravel Pit (LE-H).
Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus), 23 June, Gravel Pit (LE-H).
Purple Emperor (Apatura iris), 25 June, Gravel Pit (LE-H).
White Admiral (Limenitis camilla), 26 June, Gravel Pit (LE-H).
Dragonflies
Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa), 20 May, Gravel Pit (LE-H).
Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella), 22 June, Ladies Mile north of Inner Park Ride (LE-H).
Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa), 30 June, 8 on Rushmere and 2 on Bluegate (RT).
Emperor (Anax imperator), 6 June, Ladies Mile south of Inner Park Ride (LE-H).
Fungi
Red Cap, (Species unknown), 12 June, Putney Lower Common (KD).
Gastropods
Roman Snail (Helix pomatia), 10 June, location withheld (A-LB).
Moths
Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae), 27 June, >20 larva on Ragwort, Ranger’s Office, nature garden (AE-H).
Common Heath (Ematurga atomaria), 19 May, first record, daytime, Ladies Mile north of Inner Park Ride (LE-H).
Double Line (Mythimna turca), 21 June, first record, light trap, Gravel Pit (LE-H).
Mullein (Cucullia verbasci), 31 May, 25 larvae on Buddleia and a further 5 on a nearby plant, The Bungalow (PH).
Old Lady (Mormo maura), 27 June, Ranger’s Office (AE-H).
Puss Moth (Cerura vinula), 11 June, larva on Aspen, Ladies Mile north of Inner Park Ride (LE-H).
Reptiles
Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara), 24 May, Ladies Mile south of Inner Park Ride (LE-H).
Sawflies
Alder Swordtail (Xiphydria camelus), 19 June, female, dead, near Scio Pond (LE-H).
Wasps
Eremotylus curvinervis, Ophion brocki, O. minutus, O. mocsaryi, O. ocellaris, O. paraparvulus & O. ventricosus, various dates during May, light trap, Gravel Pit. Natural History Museum (London) ‘Nocternal Wasps’, a parasitic wasp citizen science project (LE-H).
Recorders
With thanks to:
A-LB |
Anna-Louise Burdett |
AB |
Alastair Brown |
AE-H |
*Angela Evans-Hill |
AH |
Andrew Harding |
GD |
Gary Dunn |
JL |
John Lucas |
JW |
Jan Wilczur |
KB |
Kath Brown |
KD |
Katie Davies |
LE-H |
Les Evans-Hill |
PH |
*Peter Haldane |
RT |
Richard Thomas |
SG |
Sofia Graves |
SM |
*Sarah Murton |
*WPCC staff.
Images
Common Tern |
RT |
Emperor |
LE-H |
Green Hairstreak |
LE-H |
Mullein |
PH |
Ophion ventricosus |
LE-H |
Wasp Beetle |
LE-H |