Monday 10 July 2017

Yellow Wagtails

Mainly cloudy, 22°, light W.

At least 6 Yellow Wagtail feeding on the hill today, 2 adults and at least 4 youngsters, presumably from the nearby breeding pair.

They were mainly feeding around the cattle on the hill and also on the cattle. When the cows were laid down they would sometimes lower their head as to encourage the Wagtails to take the flies off their faces.

Yellow Wagtails affinity for feeding around large mammals is well documented. The mammals disturb and attract insect food that the Wagtails feed on and they can be seen feeding in their wintering areas around Zebra and Giraffe etc. Fascinating to observe this commensal behaviour!

A lot of young Chiffchaff around today, several juv Corn Bunting, Common Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and 2 juv Blackcap and a Hobby circling overhead with a flock of Swift.

Mammals: Roe Deer.

Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle, Azure Damselfly and Emperor Dragonfly.

Butterflies: Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet.











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