Back to the patch

A look around Staines Moor today was my first visit to the patch for ages! A few autumn migrants were in evidence, the best being 2 Whinchat at the north end along the temporary fence beside the Colne (no sign of yesterday's Common Redstarts). Chiffchaffs were calling everywhere but being elusive with only 2 birds actually seen, and 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroat and 1 Blackcap were the only other warblers seen. 1 Hobby overhead and 1 Common Buzzard and small groups of Swallow were moving south.

1 of 2 Whinchat present today

Plenty of butterflies around, with 2 Small Coppers, lots of Meadow Browns and Small Heaths on the grassy areas of the moor, and also many Speckled Woods, Small Whites, several Common Blues but just a single Red Admiral.

Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas

Female Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus

Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina

Banded Demoiselles are still on the wing in large numbers around the edge of the moor, with small numbers of Common Blue Damselfly near the Wraysbury River. A single female Common Darter was also seen.

Male Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens

Female Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens

Mating pair of Common Blue Damselfly
Enallagma cyathigerum

Female Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum

After such a wet spring and summer, the vegetation on the moor is very tall,
obscuring the usually obvious anthills.

The River Colne is also very high with no exposed muddy edges.

On adjacent Stanwell Moor, 2-3 Hobby, c20 Swallow, several House Martin and a Chiffchaff were hanging around.