Yet more on the Hawfinches at Woodstock 24th March 2025

A male Hawfinch is a joy to behold but until today I had not been granted even a sniff of the male that has been consorting with four females in my favourite cemetery at Woodstock. Gareth my Hawfinch buddy has seen him at least twice and obtained some very nice images on two occasions but all I have ever seen are females.

Please do not misundertsand me, any sighting of these secretive, enigmatic birds is to be celebrated but the females are much less colourful than the male which at this time of year is at his very best.

Today it was touch and go whether I made the effort to go to the cemetery.The weather predicted to be sunny was anything but with grey clouds and a chill wind blowing from the northwest. You could describe it as raw. Still, the incentive of seeing Hawfinches was enough to get me up and out and a little later than usual I arrived at Woodstock around 7.30, parked in the normal place and walked the short distance down the road to the cemetery.

Thankfully where I stood placed the cold wind at my back while the promised sun was now just a forlorn hope.I stood for a very long time and saw absolutely no sign of a Hawfinch but I am used to this state of affairs and know that eventually I will see one or more. In fact there was little birdlife of any sort in the cemetery.The predictable Blackbirds and a few Goldfinches flew around but the seed had tempted very little apart form the occasional Greenfinch and Dunnock.

If you watch Hawfinches  you know that there will be long spells of utter boredom made bearable by the knowledge that sheer doggedness and persistence will bring an eventual reward.That is the way it is with Hawfinches

After half an hour I was joined by a photographer and we chatted amiably about this and that as the time slipped past with not a sign.Regularly I re-assured my colleague that the Hawfinches would show up but my attempts to raise both his spirits and indeed mine began to wear thin.

Eventually another photographer who had arrived un-noticed at the gate called to us that there were two Hawfinches perched at the top of a very tall yew near us. They were just about visible but more exciting for me was that one was the male that has proved so elusive. Photography of these two was pretty pointless but we nevertheless aimed our lenses in their direction.Well after all the waiting you somehow felt compelled.

My companion told me he would have to go as his wife had given him strict instructions that they were going shopping in Milton Keynes but just on the point of leaving a Hawfinch dropped to the ground.

There's one of the ground he whispered

Indeed there was and................

It's the male! I exlaimed excitedly and we took as many images as possible of this vision of loveliness What a joy it was to see his plumage of pastel colours; orange head. wide, dove grey neck boa, plumbeous pink underparts, chocolate brown back and white wing bars. His bill, ivory white in winter now turned a shiny gun metal blue.In the company of a Greenfinch he hopped around examining the grass for hidden seeds and for a couple of minutes remained earthbound but then flew up into a yew.

We examined each others photos and congratulated ourselves on this last minute good fortune, then my friend departed and I was back to resuming my lone vigil.Despite feeling thoroughly chilled and decidedly uncomfortable in the miserable weather.there was no chance I was leaving with the male obviously still in the vicinity 

After half an hour I was regretting my decision to hang on having seen nothing apart  from a female Hawfinch briefly on the ground and a couple flying between the yews and showing no interest in the seed whatsoever.

Then a Hawfinch flew low across the gravestones, its white wing bars flashing and landed in the cherry tree below which the seed lay, The light was horrible, the bird was positioned in the open but silhouetted against a sullen grey sky and well, you get the picture. I did my best with the camera settings. Under normal circumstances with sunshine it would have made for a great image.Nevertheless I did what I could and felt the results were acceptable, all things considered.

I was hoping it would fly down but it had a change of mind and retreated to the yews, however it soon returned, perching half hidden in a tangle of twigs and branches in the cherry tree. 

For what seemed an eternity of exquisite tension he looked around, checking and re-checking the ground, forever wary. I willed him to come down and slowly he slipped from branch to twig lower and ever lower towards the ground but just when I was getting ready to celebrate success he hesitated. So typical of a Hawfinch, their reclusive character forever making them ultra cautious.It would not have surprised me if he retreated but no, this time he dropped to the ground and then spent the next five minutes feeding on the seed that myself and Gareth have provided almost daily, while I exulted at finally having the opportunity to see and photograph this lovely bird

An absolute delight, so much longed for and now finally come to fruition.

I could not ask for more but of course I will and doubtless will return to the cemetery.

Large Tortoiseshells in Kent 20th March 2025

I have always wanted to see a Large Tortoiseshell butterfly in Britain. Formerly abundant in Victorian times in the southern and midland regions of England they became extinct around fifty years ago and are now a scarce and unpredictable vagrant to southern coastal counties, so my dream was unlikely to be realised. I came close when a single specimen graced the RSPB's Pulborough Brooks Reserve in West Sussex from the 7th to at least the 10th of April 2015 but on the day I travelled to see it, failed to show itself. It was thought this individual was part of an influx of this species in the summer of 2014 and had hibernated to emerge in the Spring along with at least four others found in the southern half of England.

Large Tortoiseshells have a chequered history, with releases of captive bred butterflies confusing the undoubted occurrence of truly wild ones arriving from Europe where it is still relatively common. As our climate warms it is highly likely that this large butterfly will become a more frequent visitor and even recolonise as it is now thought to be breeding in Blean Woods in Kent and has bred at Portland Dorset in June 2020 and Sheringham, Norfolk in May 2021

This butterfly prefers open deciduous woodland preferably with lots of elm, goat willow and cherry trees where it can soar and glide along rides and glades and nectar on the flowers.

Reports of sightings of Large Tortoiseshell's have recently come from Orlestone Forest near Ashford in southern Kent. Louise who is part of a WhatsApp group I participate in photographed one near there eleven days ago on the warmest day of the year and gave me directions as to where to see it but then the weather intervened, turning very cold and my plan to travel to Kent  had to be put on hold

Today, the official first day of Spring was predicted to be unseasonably warm again with temperatures rising above the breakpoint of fifteeen degrees celsius when butterflies become active and take to the wing.I spoke to Peter, a colleague and fellow butterfly enthusiast about Louise's sighting and invited him to join  me as he too had never seen a Large Tortoiseshell in this country. We arranged to meet at his home at ten am. The butterflies  were only flying in the afternoon  so it would be pointless travelling earlier on the two and half hour journey to Kent

However I decided to make the best of this day and rose early to go and see the Hawfinches in my favourite cemetery in Woodstock for a couple of hours  and then go on to collect Peter and head south.

It was a joy to be out,.leaving the back door the merest whisper of a warm southerly wind blew in my face and there was no need even at this earliest of hours for winter clothing. The rising sun, a red orb  between the bare trees, was a fiery ball turning the horizon a delicate shade of rose pink that slowly faded to peach yellow.

Blackbirds sang and Woodpigeons crooned, half awake Pheasants stood hunched on drystone walls preparing for another day and Muntjac deer scurried across deserted narrow lanes, pre rush hour or what passes for it in rural Oxfordshire

The cemetery was already bathed in sunlight at 7am and taking up my usual position beside a box tree I waited. Hawfinches came and went but showed no interest in coming down to the seed.A group of three arrived  and two single birds flew in later, all to perch high in a bare tree and not inclined to come lower but fly into the yews to feed on the berries. One female finally came down to the ground for half a minute and that was it. I left to collect Peter, my day feeling somewhat flat due to this unsatisfatory conclusion

All was not lost however, as the sun was shining, the weather benign and the prospect of setting eyes on a Large Tortoiseshell for the first time ever, adequately countered any lingering feelings of disappointment

I collected Peter and we set off on the long journey to Kent. Louise had told me by text earlier this morning that no less than six Large Tortoiseshell's had been seen in Orlestone Forest yesterday and she gave me precise directions using the What Three Words app

The journey was, as motorway driving always is nowadays, both tedious and frustrating as a half hour standstill around Heathrow on the highway of hell that is the M25  saw the outside temperature reach a dizzying 20c.

After clearing this we had a trouble free run all the way to Orlestone Forest which lies six miles southwest of Ashford and is owned by Forestry England, a large part of its 413  hectares of mainly ancient broadleaved trees designated a nature reserve with open access to the public

On arrival we were a little unsure where exactly to go but entered a car park, that at noon was crammed with cars.Were these all butterfly enthusiasts? We asked an obvious butterfly fan who was departing for directions and he told us to follow the track into the woods and eventually we would come to a gathering of around thirty people, hoping to see a Large Tortoiseshell. The person we spoke to said he had not seen any but advised it was early as they usually appeared in mid afternoon.I did wonder why, knowing this, he had come so early and to be inevitably disappointed but diplomatically kept quiet.

We followed the track but dazed after the long drive took a wrong turn and wasted half an hour completing a large circle that brought us back to the car park..We  tried again and turned right at the fork in the track through the woods instead of left and soon found ourselves on an all weather ride that ran through sunlit but still leafless trees on either side for a considerable distance.

We saw a distant huddle of enthusiasts with two coming towards us, and then were confounded as the two suddenly about faced and headed back to the more distant group but then all turned and headed for us. This confused behaviour was eventually explained by the fact they had just seen a Large Tortoiseshell and it had flown in our direction and in fact over our heads at some height. The loud and enthusiastic group joined us and we renewed acquaintance with noted butterfly supremo Neil Hume as we all followed the direction in which the butterfly had gone and eventually came across the Large Tortoiseshell settled on the ride, a dark, insignificant triangle with its wings firmly closed to the sunlight. We adopted the grandmothers footsteps approach and soon were clustered around the object of our desire, including someone who had inexplicably brought two large dogs with him. Slowly, teasingly the butterfly deigned to partially open its wings and then fully, to reveal a gorgeous patterning of black squares and spots on tawny orange wings. What a beauty!

For almost a full five minutes it remained, alternately opening and closing its wings as both of us revelled in our first sighting of a Large Tortoiseshell in Britain. Someone got too close and it flew up and departed fast and further above the ride, followed by a few diehards but it did not settle again and was lost in the trees 

Time for a minor celebration Both myself and Peter had got another butterfly on our Britsh list and it was high fives between us.

That didn't take long Peter

No indeed

The nerd factor is never far away from butterfly afficionados and it duly announced its unwelcome presence as in the inevitable post mortem after the butterfly had flown some of our fellow enthusiasts said the butterfly was not pristine. It had a small nick out of its hindwings and was therefore unacceptable as a  photographic subject. Some are never satisfied. The nick out of the wings was so small as to be hardly noticeable so Peter and I duly celebrated regardless.

The pressure was now off and we relaxed, chatting and walking with Neil, following the ride through the wood and for some considerable distance to a lower level where it was distinctly warmer and more sheltered. This was the 'hot spot' for Large Tortoiseshell's and on arriving those already present lost no time in telling us what good views and photos they had recently managed while we were otherwise engaged at the other end of the ride

Assured that there would soon be more tortoiseshell action we stood in the not unpleasant company of the forest trees, below which the ground was illuminated with splashes of yellow Primroses on beds of dead leaves and delicate, white star flowers of Wood Anenomes, thousands of them carpeting whole areas of the forest green and white. Brimstone, Comma and Peacock butterflies flew amongst us too. What was there not to like about this place.

Even the current absence of the star turn was bearable as I stood in this wood, listened to the bird song and filled my eyes with the welcome sight of the first spring flowers.

Another Large Tortoiseshell was sighted and we gravitated towards it. Flying well above head height the question was where and when would it settle? It came to rest on a tree trunk but in partial sun and shade, so no chance of the ultimate photo here.Neil told me that they like to settle on tree trunks towards the end of the day to bask on the sun warmed bark

Another sighting followed. The butterfly again landed on the bark of a tree trunk, was in perfect condition but posed in entirely the wrong position facing down rather than up or across the trunk.You could almost feel everyone willing it to move but instead it flew off. Frustrated I had to remind myself that this was a butterfly I had longed to see for many years and now I had seen three so not to be greedy.

In flight Large Tortoiseshells appear quite robust.  Fast and powerful in flight, their broad wings allowed them to sail and cruise above the ride and through the trees at the edge of the ride. To me it was very reminiscent of  a Purple Emperor 's powerful flight.

Finally that moment came when one did exactly what everyone was waiting and wishing for as a female sailed around above us, tantalisingly searching for a spot to settle on and chose a sunbathed  tree trunk, perching there at a perfect head height. Initially she closed her wings and was in the wrong position but manouevered herself to an angle where she could make the most of the sun on her wings and there was the perfect shot. She was surrounded as slowly we moved closer to be literally feet away.

This was it. We all knew it.The chance to get an absolute winner of a photo. A trophy to take home.Something to look back on and relive the moment. It was now or never as the immaculate insect sat with wings open and flat against the grey bark.She remained for four minutes, and then like a prima donna she was gone, flying into the sunlight and impossible to follow.

Neil was ecstatic as indeed were the rest of us.No one had failed to get a good photo.

Naturally we wanted more and occasionally one showed itself but we knew there was not going to be a better opportunity than the one that so memorably had come and gone.

By three thirty shadows were creeping across the ride and through the trees. It was all over and we made our way back to the car park, finding one more Large Tortoiseshell perched distantly on a silver birch, absorbing the last rays of sun.

I consider we had seen at least four individuals today possibly more. Neil Hume reckoned there were at least twelve present in the two days he had spent here and apparently they have been in this wood, most probably breeding, for the last four years.

Two hours on the motorway in the rush hour didn't seem to matter after this experience.

More on the Hawfinches at Woodstock 17th March 2025

Following our last encounter with Hawfinches in the cemetery a week or so ago see here I suggested to Gareth that it might be a good idea to put some sunflower seed down in the secluded area of the cemetery where we had seen one feeding on the ground.

The area in question was a patch of grass and primroses close to some bushes and below some small trees, ideal for birds to hide away and feel safe when not on the ground or fly up into when alarmed. For us it was also good as we had a free line of sight from a handy bush far enough away to not deter the birds but close enough to allow the chance of getting a reasonable image or two.

We parted. in agreement that the seed was a good plan and in the intervening days each of us got some sunflower seed and scattered it around the grass close to the  bushes. Based on my experiences with Hawfinches at Parkend in the Forest of Dean they seem to prefer sunflower seeds which are large and easier to manipulate in their huge bills. A bill which can exert a phenomenal 50kgs of pressure, enough to crack cherry stones so sunflower seeds would not be a problem.

I could not return to the cemetery until today due to social commitments but Gareth managed to get there last weekend and guess what? He found no less than four Hawfinches including one superb male feeding on the seed.

Male Hawfinch c Gareth Casburn

For me it was a double edged sword.I was delighted that the seed plan had worked but thoroughly peeved that I had missed out on seeing the male.. Never mind it is not the end of the world although at the time it seemed like it.

On Sunday after a very nice family lunch at a pub on Christmas Common in The Chilterns I stopped off at Woodstock on the way home to spread some black and striped sunflower seeds on the grass.There was no sign of any Hawfinches but I did not expect to see any as it was getting late.

On Monday Mrs U was travelling to Cambridge, so after dropping her off at Oxford Parkway railway station at 9am  I made my way to Woodstock.

It was overcast today and very, very cold. a biting easterly wind cutting right through me as I made my way to the cemetery. It was around 9.30 when I passed through the gates into the hallowed ground and frankly I was not expecting to see anything but was very pleased to see a female Hawfinch fly up from the area Gareth and myself had seeded

There is little cover in the cemetery apart from the yews and several large box bushes so I insinuated myself into the side of a bush which gave me a direct view of the seeded patch and waited. Hawfinches once they have flown up into a tree will sit for quite some time before finding the confidence to come back to the ground. I was therefore delighted when not one but two females eventually flew down to the grass and scattered leaves to commence tucking into the seed.Soon after another appeared and so there were three and, as is usual here, all were females.

Naturally the abundance of seed meant other birds took advantage of this unexpected supply of food. Half a dozen Chaffinches and a couple of Greenfinches helped themselves while.a truculent Robin did its best to disrupt proceedings but was seen off by a Blackbird.

I did my best to take some images while trying not to make myself too conspicuous and it worked for a while but then the Hawfinches were spooked by something and flew up into the trees.

I waited but only the Chaffinches came back to join a couple of Woodpigeons and a huge cock Pheasant  feeding on the seed under the trees. When a black cat appeared I decided that it was all over for today

It was bitterly cold in the cemetery and the thought of a coffee just around the corner in one of Woodstock's many cafes proved irresistible.

Postscripts

Tuesday 18th March

I returned to the cemetery for three hours from 0630-1030 and after a very long wait two females spent ten minutes feeding on the seed at around 0930. I have always suspected Hawfinches are late risers and the experience this morning would appear to confirm this

Wednesday 19th March

An early afternoon visit on a dull day from 1330-1500 resulted in three separate birds flying in from outside the cemetery and into the yews. It is becoming apparent that individual Hawfinches rove around outside the cemetery and obviously have other places to go to feed which makes assessing just how many there are difficult. Maybe they fly back and fore from the extensive grounds of Blenheim Palace that lies just over the road. A single female came down to feed on the seed for ten minutes just before 1500

 

Thursday 20th March

An early morning visit from 0700-0900 was really disappointing. Plenty of sightings of Hawfinches flying in and out of the cemetery but concentrating on the yews rather than the seed placed for them on the ground.I watched one feeding on yew berries for five minutes right above the seed!.

Towards the end a female came down to the seed for less than a minute but rapidly departed as a male Sparrowhawk flew overhead. I put some more seed out and left but will not be able to return until Sunday at the earliest.

.

Frogfest in Oxford 11th March 2025

The Frogs of Lye Valley in Oxford have, as they do every year, made their way to the series of small pools that lie adjacent to the boardwalk that runs through the centre of this superb small reserve located almost in the heart of the city, there to court and lay their spawn and ensure another generation of frogs will return next year. 

From secret places under sheds, in holes, deep ditches, compost heaps, the bottom of ponds, leaf litter and hidden recesses in the undergrowth they awake from hibernation with but one thing on their mind. 

Procreation

A friend of mine, Peter had been checking the pools almost daily this last week but with no sign of any frogs had almost given up but on the weekend the frogs finally arrived and I went there on Sunday morning to find in excess of a hundred frogs present and copious amounts of spawn already laid. 

Another of nature's spectacular events had commenced.

A cold northerly wind blew down the shallow and narrow valley, a sliver of endangered, nationally important, wet habitat wedged between houses and commercial buildings that encroach on all sides, the reserve only persisting courtesy of an army of volunteers who tend it with loving care throughout the year. 

Standing on the boardwalk, which also serves as a public footpath, and looking down on the pools I was very close to the boggle eyed, romancing amphibians as they lay in the water with just their blunt heads poking up above the water. Approaching the pools you hear them before you see them, as the males advertise themselves with soft purring croaks and in such numbers that the sound carries, not dissimilar to the passage of a distant motor scooter. Never harsh, this accompanying sursurrus of sound can be said to be almost soothing and puts one in a good place. A lullaby of frog sound if you please.

To the frogs my standing close and appearing so tall must be intimidating or do they notice me at all? Certainly if I stand motionless they appear unknowing but if I make any movement the purring sound they make immediately ceases and they dive to the bottom of the pools but such is the desire to mate and get on with the business they begin to surface in less than a minute and by remaining still I perceive a myriad of heads poking above the still water, and with swelling throats the gentle croaking recommences.

Being so close to them I could observe the frogs as they vocalised Floating in the water with head above they stare glassily as their flanks contract whilst at the same time their white throat swells and a  soft croak is emitted.At no time do they open their mouth, the croak seemingly coming from inside the distended throat hence its muffled sound.

For the most part their colouring is subdued but variable in hue and pattern, mainly shades of green or brown, some almost plain with no markings whilst others sport bars and spotting on legs and body but in breeding condition the male becomes grey rather than green and the throat turns china white presumably to serve as an advertisement to females or other male frogs, especially when it swells as the frog gives voice.The frogs also vary in size, the largest individuals being females..

Some of the throng remained isolated from the main centre of action but others were more active in forming groups that tussled, grappled and barged each other in sudden movements amongst the jelly clouds of spawn.

I confess to having a soft spot for frogs,.their comical pop eyed appearance so bizarre yet countered by the subtleties and varieties of colours and patterns they present with gold rimmed eyes that in  unblinking stare seem to encapsulate a knowing wisdom. How, I wonder do I appear to them, a human skyscraper towering above on the boardwalk?

Driven by their genetic programming to an  instinctive willingness to risk all and make themselves so vulnerable, somehow evokes in me a wish to protect these frogs and ensure they remain safe in their watery boudoir. Foolish I know but compassion and sanctity of life are in distinct short supply in the world today so why not start here

Normally so  reclusive and secretive as they have so many predators it is only in these few days of breeding frenzy that you can get to see and admire them over an extended period.

I could watch their antics for hours, privileged and never feeling bored as they conduct their annaul breeding rituals in the water, barging and tussling gently in the desire to ensure another generation of frogs

When they are gone and the pools once more lie silent and unoccupied apart from the spawn I feel a sense of loss, knowing that it will be another long year before I see them again

I returned on Friday 14th March and there was not a frog to be seen