Bangers, Burgers and a Walk in the Wood

With all of us off work this afternoon, and the weather looking pretty good we set off to Savernake Forest for a BBQ and a walk afterwards. The weather was just right, though a bit of drizzle did greet us, but that soon cleared and the weather was a mixture of sunshine and cloud. The BBQ was a resounding success, though you can't go wrong with just bangers and burgers in a roll. And once it was all gone and cleared up it was off for a short walk around the Forest.

Nearly done

and plenty to go around.

From the BBQ area at Postern Hill there are several walks into the wood and looking at the map we chose one that took us anti-clockwise and was about a half-mile walk past the White Road Oak and back to the car park. En route I came across lots of Ringlets, Meadow Browns, 3 Red Admirals, several Green-veined Whites, 4 Large Whites and a couple Gatekeepers.

White Road Oak and the track heading east

White Road Oak 

Gatekeeper

A Black Slug was seen crossing the path and Dawn had an unexpected hitch-hiker in the form of a Forest Bug, that made her jump when it landed on her arm and started running up it. Safely removed I placed it on a log and took a couple of photos. Also on the path, Dawn found a dead Shrew.

Black Slug

Forest Bug

Sadly a dead Shrew on the path

Though the weather was good, this Meadow Brown seemed quite content to hide away in the canopy, where a few Grey Squirrels were collecting Beech Mast, and as we approached the car park a Red Admiral landed on the Welcome Board to the site.

A Meadow Brown takes refuge in the tree canopy

A Grey Squirrel with beech mast

And a Red Admiral settles on the Welcome Board

En route from Swindon to Savernake 2 Red Kite and 8 Buzzard

Birds recorded: 4 Sparrowhawk 1 adult and 3 juveniles, Wood Pigeon, 2 Swallow, Robin, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Treecreeper, Wren, Jay, Jackdaw, Chaffinch and Goldfinch. 

Butterflies recorded: Ringlets, Meadow Browns, 3 Red Admirals, several Green-veined Whites, 4 Large Whites and a couple Gatekeepers.

Other invertebrates: Black Slug, Soldier Beetles, Sawflies, Hoverflies and a Forest Bug

Mammals: Grey Squirrels and a dead Shrew