Soil Hill; Isolation week 8

With lockdown loosening I made a couple of trips further affield during the week. The Hill was reasonable with its birding but there was nothing of particular note, but with daily visits theres always a chance of something before summer sets in.

16 May

Visit from 07.00. Total 38 species observed.

Not particularly an outstanding morning but with a few nice bits as usual. There were two Sedge Warblers today, with a new bird at the bottom of the north slope tree line, singing at the same time as the resident individual. Both Stonechat were showing as well.

-Sedge Warbler

17 May
Visit from 07.00. Total 41 species observed.
Another day with little to report. The second Sedge Warbler proved to a one day wonder, leaving just the resident bird present today. One Stonechat and two Sand Martin were the other species of note today.

18 May
Visit from 07.00. Total 42 species observed.
The Barn Owl was out and flying around early morning, which was the highlight of the day. There was also a single Wheatear on the bottom field.
I also took a trip over to Ogden to walk across the dam and the golf course. There were a few bits; a drake Tufted Duck was the best I saw, with a Cuckoo and Grasshopper Warbler singing on the golf course. The woods were alive with warbler song, although all common species; Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

19 May
Visit from 07.00. Total 44 species observed.
There was cloud and occasional drizzle during my walk today, and this seemingly brought down a cracking male Wheatear on the walls near the mast, with yesterdays bird still lingering in the bottom fields. Four House Martins that flew north were only my second of the spring. A 1st summer Black-headed Gull also flew over north, which is my first here for about six weeks.

20 May
Visit from 07.00. Total 41 species observed.
A very similar species makeup to previous visits. A single flyover Sand Martin was about as good as it got. Looks like any hope of breeding has vanished. A Grey Squirrel was on the walls near the mast, which was a solid Soil Hill tick, not sure why it was there.
Headed out over to Ogden again and was delighted when I found myself a cracking Green Hairstreak, my target for the day. Strangely I could only find one individual but there were plenty of Small Heath on the wing in the same area.

-Grey Squirrel

-Green Hairstreak

21 May

Visit from 07.00. Total 43 species observed.

A Blackcap was present on Ned Hill Track, although it moved off fairly quickly singing on and off. Given the time frame between this individual and the previous, I can only assume this is a different bird. Two Sand Martins and two House Martins flew over, the best of the rest.

I also visited Fly Flatts and Cold Edge Dams for the sake of variety after BS had seen a few waders at the former. Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper were all present but viewing was difficult due to being restricted to scoping from the road. A pair of flyover Ravens were also very welcome, and a Grasshopper Warbler reeled twice from the sedge just off from the road. Cold Edge had a nice group of Tufted Ducks as well as three Common Sandpipers. The adjacent trees were alive with Willow Warblers. 

22 May

Visit from 08.00. Total 34 species observed.

It was blowing an absolute gale today which was the reason for my delayed visit and reduced species count. There was little of note.

Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Western Barn Owl, Little Owl, Long-eared Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Red Fox, Western Roe Deer, Grey Squirrel, European Rabbit,

Ogden Water LNR: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Common Pheasant, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Cuckoo, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, European Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Grey Squirrel, Green Hairstreak, Small Heath, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock,

Fly Flatts: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting,

Cold Edge Dams: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,