A Walk in the Park

Some welcome Autumn sun and an opportunity to take a leisurely walk around Stanton Park. Great to see so many butterflies, albeit only 3 species, but there were dozens of Red Admirals, several Commas and a few Speckled Woods all taking advantage of the Ivy now out in flower.

In the meadow at the back of the lake, both Common Darters and a few butterflies resting on the fence, soaking up the midday sun.

Overhead Siskins calling wherever I went, plus a Lesser Redpoll. It seems to be a good Autumn for Siskins, with many birds in and around Swindon. Also soaring overhead a Red Kite and quite a few Common Buzzards. Still a few hirundine about with half-a-dozen House Martins and a few Swallows.

Plenty of Chiffchaffs feeding in amongst the ivy, also two Blackcaps by the Rangers House and just below Stanton House Hotel a Common Whitethroat which was a nice surprise.

The ivy was not only a source of food for the butterflies, but also many Tapered-drone Flies, Honey Bees and at least 8 Hornets.

Around the pools, streams and lake, a Yellow-bellied Terrapin up on a log on the left-hand pool as you go up the main track from the Car Park. And as you pass over the stream, the Sticklebacks are still quite active. And in the main lake a nice sized Tench turned over on the surface opposite the benches.

Two Buzzards soaring over the woods on your left, as you enter the park.

A little bit later another Buzzard is joined by a Red Kite.

Plenty of birds foraging, with this Goldcrest typically in a fir tree.

A Dunnock stops, takes a look at me, before disappearing into the undergrowth.

An Autumn "Butterfly Bush". At this time of year the Ivy really comes into its own, supplying food for many insects, not just in the Autumn, but also through the Winter months.

Here a Comma on the left is joined by one of over 12 Red Admirals on the ivy "bush" shown above.

A Speckled Wood

Another Red Admiral

And this one here resting on the wooden fence, soaking up the sun.

Here a Comma does the same

As does this Common Darter

and this one too.

The Ivy isn't just a food source for insects, but also larder for smaller birds such as this Chiffchaff.

And finally one of the Yellow-bellied Terrapins, that can be found in the pools along the main track from the Car Park.
Birds Recorded: 2 Mute Swan, Mallard, 1 Red Kite, 6 Buzzards, Moorhen, 1 Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 House Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wren, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, 1 Lesser Redpoll, several Siskin and Goldfinch.

Butterflies recorded: 12+ Red Admiral, 7 Comma, 6 Speckled Woods.

Dragonflies: 2 Common Darter, possible Southern Hawker.

Other insects: Honey Bees, 8+ Hornets, Common Wasp, Tapered-drone Flies, Crane-fly sp.

Mammals: 3 Grey Squirrels

Reptiles: Yellow-bellied Terrapin

Fish: Sticklebacks and a Tench