Birdwatching in Emsworth
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LOCAL WILDLIFE DIARY - 2009

This is a personal diary of recent wildlife news and observations, mainly from Emsworth and the local area.

Included are links to selected wildlife photos. Click on link to see photo and use your back button to return to this page.


DIARY ARCHIVES . . .

June (1-15) 2009

May (1-15) 2009 . . .May (16-31) 2009

April 2009 . . . March 2009 . . . February 2009


Wildlife Summaries . . . Fortnightly summaries of the local wildlife news . .

Wildlife photo archive . . . External link to a selection of wildlife photos from the past couple of years

. . .


THURSDAY JULY 2

EMSWORTH

Insects

There were plenty of butterflies on the wing on Brook Meadow on this hot and sunny morning. Meadow Browns and Large and Small Whites were the most numerous. I have yet to see a Green-veined White. Other butterflies seen were Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Copper and Comma.

I was particularly pleased to get a good view of the underwing of a Ringlet.

 

Ladybirds were also in abundant on Brook Meadow, mainly 7-spots, but also a few Harlequins.

 

I also saw a Cinnabar moth on Brook Meadow.

 

Black Bent-grass (Agrostis gigantea)

Following the discovery of Black Bent-grass near Dolphin Lake yesterday, I saw more examples of this tall and rather handsome grass around the town today, including some on Brook Meadow. I am now fairly sure of the identification as all the features fit, including the size of the plant, its rough furrowed leaves with long blunt (usually broken) ligules.

Inflorescence of Black Bent-grass

Other plants

I was pleased to see the bright pink flowers of Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea appearing above the jungle of Brambles and other vegetation on the Seagull Lane patch. I had almost given up on it coming through this year.

The only Great Mullein I know growing in "the wild" in Emsworth is now flowering on the footpath behind Lillywhite's Garage at Grid Ref: SU 7518 0584.. I was surprised to find some Pellitory-of-the-wall also growing on the soil (not the wall) on the edge of this path.

The Prickly Lettuce on the eastern side of Slipper Millpond at Grid Ref: SU 7528 0563 is not yet flowering. It was in flower at this time last year. However, flowers are now opening on the Golden Samphire growing on the Hermitage Bridge wall over looking Slipper Millpond.

Other observations

A dense shoal of thousands of small silvery fish was in the harbour immediately beneath the main sluice gates of Slipper Millpond.

Two adult Cormorants were on the main raft on Slipper Millpond, the first of the summer returns.

Walking out this evening to deliver Brook Meadow Newsletters, I saw a Hedgehog cross over Warblington Road, narrowly avoiding being run over by a car.

 

BOSHAM

Jean and I went over to Bosham this afternoon where we watched House Martins visiting two nests under the eaves of the roof of the cafe overlooking the harbour. These are the nearest House Martins to Emsworth I have seen this year.

Hemp Agrimony was flowering in the churchyard, the first I have seen this year.

 

RSPB LANGSTONE HARBOUR UPDATE

Chris Cockburn reports - No numbers yet, but here is a forecast as we approach the final few weeks of the breeding season:

Mediterranean gulls - good productivity from the birds that nested on the shingle ridges. Much pestering of 'successful' Meds by the failed birds and suspicions about possible predatory behaviour of failed territorial Meds.

Black-headed gulls average to poor productivity (given 5000+ nests, the number of fledged birds will be significantly lower) - but happy foxes!

Sandwich terns - very poor productivity (probably causes - fox and/or Med Gull predation and piracy by black-headed gulls)

Common terns - very poor productivity, as for Sandwich terns.

Little terns - a few chicks seen today (including 'feathered' birds) but hopefully, more to come; continued apparent nesting activity on South Binness & Baker's Island. The final outcome might not be known until late July/early August

Watch this space!


WEDNESDAY JULY 1

EMSWORTH

Swifts

The regular group of eight Swifts were flying around the houses in Bridge Road where I live for most of the day, sometimes, but not always, screaming as they went. Interestingly, several of them would cling momentarily to the eaves on my next door neighbour's roof, where there is a hole where Starlings nested earlier in the summer. I have seen this behaviour in previous years. I think these could be the youngsters playing at entering possible nesting sites.

Small Copper

I saw the first Small Copper on Brook Meadow since 2007. It was resting on the western path through the north meadow.

Black Bent-grass

I found a good patch of what I think is Black Bent-grass, tall and handsome, on the edge of the public footpath to the west of Dolphin Lake.


TUESDAY JUNE 30

HAYLING OYSTERBEDS

Despite Jason's dire warnings of dangerously hot weather, conditions were remarkably pleasant for my wardening session at the Oysterbeds this morning, warm and cloudy with a cooling breeze.

Birds

The great Black-headed Gull show continues on the main islands, with hundreds of youngsters now developing fast, many of them flying, though some still quite tiny. I counted 30 juveniles on the Stoke Bay shore which had presumably flown there. I met Jason towards the end of the morning and he thought some young Black-headed Gulls had already left the site.

I captured ten young Black-headed Gulls in this photo

 

As for Common Terns, I did spot some chicks and had a particularly good view of one on the north island. There was plenty of comings and goings with fish. Many adults appeared to be still sitting. Jason thought Common Terns were doing well, with 35 chicks counted last week.

Not such good news about the pair of Oystercatchers on the north island. Jason said they lost their chicks which means only one family of two young have been raised on the site this season.

I spotted a pair of Ringed Plovers in the regular place at the start of the spit in Stoke Bay, though they did not give the appearance of nesting. Jason confirmed that they had failed last Friday. The only other birds of interest were six Curlew on the Stoke Bay spit and two Shelduck on the main lake to the north of the lagoon.

 

Butterflies

Lots of Large Whites were flying on the reserve this morning, including strongly marked females. Other butterflies included Marbled White, Small White, Comma, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and Small Heath. I was hoping for my first Gatekeeper of the year, but no luck. However, Jason did see one on the reserve this morning. The Buddleja is in full bloom on the north path, waiting for butterflies, but there was none on it when I passed.

Other insects

I saw 7-spot Ladybirds pretty well everywhere, particularly on thistles, Oraches and feasting on black fly on burdocks. There were also lots of Ladybird pupae. Red Soldier Beetles were also on the thistles.

 

Plants

There is a fine display of Goat's-rue in full flower in the overflow car park behind the Esso garage at Grid Ref: SU 7175 0297.

 

Black Horehound is in flower at the start of the path leading to the lagoon.

Spear Thistles are flowering, though there are a lot more to come.

There is a fine Lesser Burdock in full flower (my first of the year) on the northern bank of the lagoon, just before you get to the information board.

Other newly flowering plants noted this week were Perennial Sow-thistle, Sea Couch, Wild Carrot, Annual Seablite, Grass-leaved Orache and Spear-leaved Orache, plus Marjoram, Traveller's Joy, Lesser Hawkbit, Field Scabious and Greater Knapweed on the Hayling Billy Line. Teasels are showing a red sheen on their heads, but are not quite in flower.

Walking back to the car park, I had a discussion with Jason about Hoary Cress which is now seeding along the shore . In view of its copious seeds Jason wondered if it was an annual, though Francis Rose describes it as "a bushy perennial herb with runners". Jason also wondered if Hoary Cress grew in such abundance elsewhere on Hayling Island. I was not sure.

Martin Cull was on site with two machines cutting and removing an area of dense thistle growth which Jason hopes will, in time, return to grassland. Jason is concerned about the poor state of grassland on the reserve with the recent increase in Rabbits.

Cattle check

I checked the three cattle, ie two Highlands and one black and white Shetland cow on Creek Common as instructed by Pete Potts at 11.30am. All three cattle were together, sheltering in the shade of trees and seemed to be in good condition so far as I could see. The water trough was also full.

Visitors

There was a good flow of visitors throughout the morning, though no birdwatchers. I counted 12 dog walkers with 17 dogs and 9 other walkers without dogs. Six cyclists and one jogger also passed through. I did not see any fishermen today, though there were some bait diggers to the north of the reserve. There were no incidents.

 

EMSWORTH

An evening walk around the local millponds produced some interesting observations.

The first juvenile Black-headed Gull of the year in Emsworth was on Peter Pond. I wonder if it came from Hayling Oysterbeds?

The first flowers are open on the Golden Samphire on the inside wall of the bridge overlooking Slipper Millpond.

In the region of 30 Swifts were flying high over the town, by far the most I have seen in the area this year.

 

MISTLE THRUSH IN SOUTHSEA

Mistle Thrushes appear to be getting rare birds. I have not seen or heard one for ages. Caroline French told me about one she saw on the pitch and putt course in Southsea yesterday. It must have a family too, as its beak was full of food. Caroline also reprots at least eight Swifts in the sky.


MONDAY JUNE 29

BROOK MEADOW

Plants

I went over to the meadow this morning to help with the quadrat plant surveying that the conservation group are doing. When I arrived Graham Walsgrove told me about some orchids the group had found, flowering in new locations..

A Bee Orchid is flowering on the Lumley area for the first time at Grid Ref: SU 7514 0604. A Southern Marsh Orchid is flowering on the centre meadow north of the causeway at Grid Ref: SU 7513 0602. Both these orchids are growing at least 100 metres away from others on the north meadow which is good news that they are spreading. It is possible the that I have brought in Southern Marsh Orchid seeds from Fishbourne Meadows.

I found a grass during a quadrat survey which looked like Yellow Oat-grass. This would be a new plant for Brook Meadow. The specimen I brought home was past its best and had only a few spikelets but I am fairly sure it was not False Oat-grass. The ligules were collar-like and the leaves slightly hairy as required by Rose. I will need to look at other Yellow Oat-grass to make sure.

Insects

I saw my first Ringlet of the year on the Brook Meadow site, though Graham Walsgrove did see one on Jun 25.


SATURDAY JUNE 27

WEST MARDEN - NORE DOWN

This morning I led the Havant Wildlife Group walk from West Marden to Nore Down. The weather was cloudy, but warm. Six members attended: Heather and Derek, Fay, Christine, Nigel and me.

Parking in Noredown Way (at Grid Ref: SU 7714 1358), we walked through the village, turned left through fields to the woodland and then on to Nore Down. After a break on Nore Down surrounded by Pyramidal Orchids and Ladies Bedstraw, we walked up Oldhouse Lane and back to West Marden through a wheat field and woodland overlooking the village. Everyone was delighted with the walk which was not one the group had done before.

Birds

Apart from eight Swifts flying over West Marden village and several Song Thrushes singing throughout the walk, there was little of any bird interest, with most other birds now keeping themselves to themselves as they go into their post breeding moult.

 

Insects and spiders

Of the butterflies there was, as expected, numerous Meadow Browns on the wing, though we did not see any Gatekeeper which should be out soon. Marbled Whites were all over Nore Down; I gave up counting when I got to 30, so there was probably many more than that.

 

My own highlight was my first Ringlet of the year on Nore Down, which I have been looking for on Brook Meadow for the past few days. I think I spotted a couple on the down.

 

Near the village we spotted a cluster of black Peacock caterpillars on some nettles.

We saw lots of "Nursery-web spiders" (Pisaura mirabilis), so called because the female spins a silken cocoon into which she secrets her eggs and stays on guard nearby until the spiderlings emerge. We did manage to see some spiderlings in the webs.

 

Other wildlife

Walking up Oldhouse Lane we spotted what we thought at first was a small deer in the woodlands to the left. However, when it started hopping away we realised it was in fact a Brown Hare.

 

PLANTS

The main interest during the walk was certainly in wild flowers. For this report I have dealt with the plants in four categories depending on where they were mainly seen.

Village

The group stopped to admire a sweet smelling rose which was clambering over a large tree in one of the gardens of West Marden.

 

There was a large tree with distinctive pale leaves in one of the gardens in West Marden which Nigel thought could be Silver Lime (Tilia tormentosa).

 

Woodland

False Brome, with unbranched drooping panicles, was very common in the woodlands. But I only noticed one tuft of the much taller and more upright Hairy Brome, with well branched drooping panicles, in the woodlands overlooking the village at Grid Ref: SU 7697 1343.

 

Along the path from West Marden towards Nore Down we found a substantial growth of Deadly Nightshade at Grid Ref: SU 7738 1299. It had flowers open and green buds forming.

 

Other plants seen in the woodlands included Wood Speedwell (with hairs all round the stem), Woodruff (leaves only), Nettle-leaved Bellflower (not yet in flower), Wood Sedge, Wild Gooseberry (Grid Ref: SU 7722 1325) and Wild Raspberry (Grid Ref: SU 7727 1324).

 

Nore Down - Grid Ref: SU 773 128

Nigel was literally straining at the leash as we approached Nore Down. When we finally got there he was off searching for orchids. The Pyramidal Orchids were not difficult to find, though the Fragrant Orchids were not so easy, particularly as they were past their best in flowering and were going to seed. There were a large number of Pyramidals, but I think we only found 9 Fragrants. Two flowering together were at Grid Ref: SU 7733 1289. Somewhat surprisingly, we did not see any Common Spotted or Bee Orchids.

 

 

Other less common plants included Clustered Bellflower, Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Squinancywort and Greater Knapweed.

 

During the break on Nore Down we pondered over a single stemmed yellow daisy, which from its general hairiness I would guess was Rough Hawkbit.

Heather found a nice flowering bush of Sweet Briar with its distinctive apple-scented leaves on Nore Down at Grid Ref: SU 7733 1277.

Other plants on Nore Down included Hedge Bedstraw, Ladies Bedstraw, Salad Burnet, Agrimony, Field Scabious, , Bladder Campion, Silverweed, Marjoram, Wild Thyme, Selfheal, Hairy St John's Wort, Restharrow, Eyebright, Musk Mallow, Common Gromwell, Crosswort, Cowslips (finished flowering), Fairy Flax, Milkwort, Hoary Plantain, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Corn Mint ? (not in flower) and Wild Mignonette.

Grasses included Timothy, Quaking Grass, Yellow Oat-grass and Glaucous Sedge.

Fields

We found a good patch of Scented Mayweed mixed in with Pineappleweed at the start of the footpath to West Marden from Oldhouse Lane through a large wheat field. The flowers were highly aromatic, but the hollow flower head, clinching the identification was demonstrated by Nigel with his penknife.

We were hoping for Field Pansy on the edge of the field, but there were none.


FRIDAY JUNE 26

SWIFTS

Eight Swifts were screaming around the Bridge Road houses this morning. We get Swifts every year here in Emsworth, but they have been a bit scarce this year. The most I have seen so far is 10, but I expect that number to rise as the families emerge. They do seem to have gone down over the years. The most I have ever had is 60 in 2003, but the usual maximum is between 12 and 20. I am not sure where they nest.

 

BROOK MEADOW

Plants

This afternoon I helped with a quadrat plant survey on the Lumley area of Brook Meadow undertaken by the Conservation Group. I was surprised at the large amount of Sharp-flowered Rush (Juncus acutiflorus) in this area, a plant which has appeared for the first time ever on Brook Meadow this year.

Insects

The first Marbled White of the year was flying around the Lumley area this afternoon, two days earlier than the first was seen last year. Other butterflies included lots of Meadow Browns, Large Skipper, Large White and Comma, but no Ringlet.

 

 

COLOUR-RINGED SPOTTED REDSHANK

Barry Collins saw the colour-ringed Spotted Redshank W+GY back on Thorney Deeps today. This bird was recently seen and photographed in Sweden where it probably bred. See diary entry for June 18. It was ringed last autumn at Thorney and was seen a number of times on Thorney Deeps and at Nutbourne during the winter, mainly by Barry Collins. I had my only sighting of it on 21-Nov-08 in Nutbourne Bay.


THURSDAY JUNE 25

BROOK MEADOW

Ladybird Larvae

Walking around Brook Meadow with Margaret and Martin Baggs this morning we came across a large number of Ladybirds on Common Nettles on the north bend of the river. They were in various stages of their life cycles, including larvae, pupa and adults. This set me doing a bit of research on a subject I previously knew very little about.

I found the Ladybird Survey web site useful with information about the life cycle of Ladybirds, plus a list and images of the most common British Ladybirds and their larvae.

See . . . http://www.ladybird-survey.org/ladybirds.aspx

My first photo shows a typical 7-Spot Ladybird pupa. I have previously incorrectly been calling all these early stages larvae!

 

I was particularly curious about the all yellow Ladybird without spots shown in the second photo. From the life cycle shown on the Ladybird Survey web site this is clearly one of the new generation of Ladybirds having recently emerged from its pupa. The life cycle diagram shows this as happneing in August, so this one appears to be at least 6 weeks early.

 

Patrick Murphy sent me a photo of an Ladybird larva that he took on Brook Meadow last Monday. After a search on Google I finally identified it as a Harlequin Ladybird larva.

See the following link . . . http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/archive/showphoto.php/photo/61659

Butterflies

Meadow Browns and Commas were numerous on Brook Meadow his morning. I also saw one Common Blue, one Large Skipper and one Red Admiral, my first of these for some while. Graham Walsgrove told me he had seen a Ringlet on the north meadow, in much the same palce as he first saw it last year on 13-Jul-09. However, when we went looking for it all we found were Meadow Browns.

Patrick Murphy was lucky enough to see the first (and maybe only) Small Tortoiseshell on Brook Meadow last Monday (22 June) on the path north of the north bridge.

Wild flowers

Pyramidal Orchids - Jennifer Rye pointd out a group of 3 Pyramidal Orchids which had finished flowering in the centre of the North Meadow at Grid Ref: SU 7506 0616. I was very surprised that I had missed them in flower despite a good deal of looking. I was even more surprised when Jennifer told me she had planted two of them herself next to the one that I thought had come up by itself last year. Jennifer reassured me they were grown by her neighbour from native seeds. Well, well.

Bee Orchid - There is just one Bee Orchid flowering on the north meadow at Grid Ref: SU 7507 0614, where previously I had thought there were two.

Great Willowherb is flowering for the first time on exactly the same date as last year.

Bulbous Buttercups - I checked the Buttercups flowering near the Lumley puddle, but found they all appeared to have swollen stem bases meaning they are Bulbous not Hairy Buttercups.

 

Grasses

Common Couch (Elytrigia repens) - Common Couch is only found in one small area of the Brook Meadow site, alongside the path to the east of the Lumley area at Grid Ref: SU 7515 0602. This is the awned version of Common Couch. Its identity was confirmed by Martin Rand during his visit to Brook Meadow.

Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) - Tufted Hair-grass is only found in one small area of the Brook Meadow site, in the north eastern corner of the south meadow close to the plantd Horse Chestnut saplings at Grid Ref: SU 7512 0599.

False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) - False Brome is only found in one small area of the Brook Meadow site, on the edge of Lumley Road close to the Lumley Stream at Grid Ref: SU 7515 0621. I previously misidentified this grass as Hairy Brome. Although both grasses are hairy and have dropping panicles, they differ in that the panicles of Hairy Brome are branched whereas those of False Brome are diretly attached to the main stem.

Festulolium Hybrids (Festulolium loliaceum) - More of these unusual grasses are coming up along the south path through the south meadow at Grid Ref: SU 7510 0597. These are in addition to those present on the north east path through the north meadow.

Timothy - This elegant grass is now flowering well around the meadow.

 

EMSWORTH

Birds

Ten Swifts were flying over Bridge Road yesterday, the most so far this year. I saw just five screaming around the houses this morning.

 

Plants

Least Yellow Sorrel (Oxalis exilis) - This unusual plant is flowering again on the concrete path just inside the gate of house number 18A Victoria Road at Grid Ref: SU 7479 0621. I first noticed it last year first on 05-Jul-08 and then again on 16-Sep-08. Its identification was confirmed by Martin Rand on 30.11.08. The Hants Flora describes it as very rare.

Spreading Yellow Sorrel (Oxalis corniculata) - This more common garden weed is again flowering in my front garden as it did at this time last year. Spreading Yellow Sorrel (aka Procumbent Yellow Sorrel) is larger than Least Yellow Sorrel and has dark purple leaves and more than one flower on each stalk.

Stone Parsley (Sison amomum) - A single plant of Stone Parsley is growing through the crack in the pavement right outside my house. The first time I have noticed it. This is the plant with a pungent smell of petrol when its leaves are crushed. It is dscribed a locally common in The Hants Flora.

Narrow-leaved Water-plantain (Alisma lanceolata) - There is a plant with a tall flowering stem in the Westbrook Stream just south of where the stream goes beneath Victoria Road - viewable from the small bridge.

 

SOUTH MOOR ORCHID COUNTS

Nigel Johnson tells me the total count of Southern Marsh Orchids on the South Moor on Saturday 20 June was 4142. Not a record but a big increase on the previous three years.

Here is Nigel's record for the Southern Marsh Orchid count since 1995.

These orchid flowering spikes have been counted for the last fifteen years in the field to the south of the Autoliv factory SU712052. In 1995 and 1996 Ralph Hollins counted them and since then the local HWT Havant Wildlife Study Group has been counting.

Year Orchid Count Date of Count

1995 6763 15 June

1996 4319 3 July

1997 2407 28 June

1998 4890 13 June

1999 333 19 June

2000 5614 17 June

2001 491 23 June

2002 5086 15 June

2003 4474 14 June

2004 5561 19 June

2005 5129 18 June

2006 3234 24 June

2007 1367 9 June

2008 996 14 June

2009 4142 20 June

Up to the end of 2006 the reserve was grazed by the cattle of the late George Hedley. He controlled the grazing so that the cattle were taken off before the plants flowered and returned later. In 1999 and 2001 he forgot to take the cattle off early enough!

Since the beginning of 2007 the Trust has been responsible for the grazing. I think we were using fewer cattle, but grazing extensively, so that the orchid flower spikes were being eaten in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 the field had not been grazed and the count was much higher than 2007/8.

However the vegetation now appears more rank than it has been previously. This year one of our more elderly counters had to give up as she could not plough through the undergrowth and some of our shorter members had difficulty seeing the orchids. Nigel Johnson


TUESDAY JUNE 23

HAYLING OYSTERBEDS

It was a glorious sunny morning for my regular Tuesday wardening session from 9am to 12 noon at Hayling Oysterbeds.

Birds

The great Black-headed Gull show goes on with hundreds of chicks of varying levels of maturity scattered around on the two islands in the lagoon. Some chicks were on the water and many are approaching the time when they will fly. One Black-headed Gull chick was on the Stoke Bay shore, with a few adults, clearly having flown there.

 

I could not see much change in the Common Tern situation from last week, though I did spot one or two chicks, though they were not easy to find in the tall grass. Adults were regularly coming onto the island with small fish, though mostly for their mates from what I could see.

An Oystercatcher back on what I assume is a nest on the south island to the right of marker A surrounded by Black-headed Gulls. Another Oystercatcher was sitting on a nest (?) on the north island near marker O. I spotted the one Oystercatcher chick at the far north end of the north island with a parent. This is presumably the family I saw there last week with two chicks.

I saw the regular Ringed Plover on the south shore where I gather it has a nest.

Ruth (see below) told me there was a group of 14 Black-tailed Godwits on the Stoke Bay shore, but they had left when I got there.

 

Butterflies

The usual Painted Ladies were prominent around the thistles, particularly along the Stoke Bay shore. We should have a good second brood in late summer.

 

Meadow Browns were everywhere as expected along with plenty of Marbled Whites. In fact, one birdwatcher told me he had counted up to 40 while walking up the Hayling Billy Line.

I saw three bright red Cinnabar moths as I did my circuit of the reserve.

 

Plants

There was not a lot of change on the botanical front since last Tuesday. The Spear Thistles along the shore are starting to open, with lots more to come. One Milk Thistle flower was showing behind the mound, though these seem to come and go fairly quickly.

Both Spear-leaved and Grass-leaved Orache are abundant on the Stoke Bay shore. Further north on the shore opposite the lagoon I found Common Sea-lavender in flower along with Common Glasswort, Annual Seablite and Sea Purslane.

Visitors

The sunny weather brought a good flow of visitors to the reserve, a refreshing number without dogs and several birdwatchers. One birdwatcher named Ruth was just leaving as I arrived. She said she knew Jason and was heading to Farlington Marshes to lead a walk there. I also spoke to two birdwatchers from Bishop's Waltham who were hoping to see Little Terns, but there were none to be seen. However, they enjoyed seeing the Black-headed Gull chicks and the Common Terns.

As I was walking round the reserve I met Keith, a birdwatcher from Westbourne, near Emsworth, who to my surprise, knew me from my web site. In all, I counted 22 visitors, though I may well have missed some. A fisherman walked along the south bund and sat down facing the lagoon, but well north of the islands.

As I was walking down the Hayling Billy Line I was surprised to see Brendan Gibb-Gray cycling towards me. Brendan is a Havant Borough Councillor from Emsworth and is active in various conservation issues, including the proposed Bridge Road Nature Reserve.

I met Pete Potts as arranged at 11.30. Pete is now the Hampshire County Council Ranger responsible for the County Reserves on Hayling Island, although, as he was quick to point out, he also has a number of other reserves to look after. Pete took me to look at the three cattle grazing on the reserve fields to the west of the Hayling Billy Line. I agreed to check the water trough and see that the cattle are all there and in good condition on my Tuesday wardening sessions. After leaving me, Pete collected the pile of rubbish on the Hayling Billy Line from the clearance by volunteers.


MONDAY JUNE 22

BIRD ATLAS SURVEY SU71R

This morning Caroline French and I conducted the late breeding 2 hour Bird Atlas Survey TTV for tetrad SU71R in the West Marden area of West Sussex. The weather was fine and warm with little wind.

As in the early breeding survey conducted on 23-May-08 we began in the village of West Marden, then walked up the road to Forestside. From there we cut through the fields to the northern edge of Stansted Forest and then across the large wheat field to Lodge Farm. We then walked down Oldhouse Lane and along the lower edge of Nore Down back to West Marden.

Summary

Although we are getting a bit late in the season, most birds were still active and in good voice, but for Robin and Dunnock, which were generally quiet. Overall, we recorded more species this morning than on the earlier survey (32 compared with 25) and more birds in total.

Swifts and House Martins were flying over West Marden, but we could not see where they nested. The Rookery at West Marden was deserted, though we did see a few Rooks at Forestside. Plenty of Swallows were flying at Forestside where we also watched two Sparrowhawks flying over in succession, both being pursued by a motley of small birds.

A lady we spoke to at Lodge Farm said none had nested at the farm this year, but there were plenty of House Sparrows around the farm buildings. A small group of Linnets were feeding on the roadside verge at Forestside and they took off with their typical bouncy flight as we approached.

Notable absentees in today's survey, that we had in the early survey, were Skylark and Mistle Thrush.

Count details

Pheasant 3, Sparrowhawk 2, Buzzard 3, Black-headed Gull 3, Woodpigeon 63, Collared Dove 7, Swift 7, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Swallow 25, House Martin 2, Wren 8, Dunnock 1, Robin 4, Blackbird 17, Song Thrush 3, Whitethroat 2, Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 2, Marsh Tit 1, Coal Tit 2, Blue Tit 12, Great Tit 3, Nuthatch 1, Rook 13, Carrion Crow 5, Starling 5, House Sparrow 46, Chaffinch 15, Greenfinch 8, Goldfinch 10, Linnet 8, Yellowhammer 1.

Total species = 32. Birds = 285.

Other observations

A Fox crossed the road at Forestside with some thing in its mouth.

Butterflies seen were Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and Comma.

Large-flowered Evening Primrose was in flower on the roadside at West Marden. Field Madder and Field Pansy were in flower on the edge of the large field of wheat at Lodge Farm. The good patch of Woodruff, which was in flower in the woodland to the east of West Marden on our last visit in May, was showing leaves only.

 

NEWTOWN NATURE RESERVE

On Saturday June 20, I attended a very interesting wild flowers and grasses workshop at Newtown Nature Reserve led by Warden, Pema Brunet from 1pm to 3.30pm. The weather was fine and warm. We walked through some superb meadows, some of restricted access to the public, and onto the saltmarshes, where groups of schoolchildren were also busy studying the plants that grow there. Pema had planned to do the woodland as well, but we did not have the time. But maybe another time?

 

I was interested to see the Hairy Buttercups that were growing near to the now dead plants of Mousetail at Grid Ref: SZ 4239 9057 that I saw on my last visit to the reserve on May 31. Pema kindly dug up one of the Buttercup plants (for educational purposes) with a trowel provided by one of the participants. This clearly showed the absence of tubers to distinguish Hairy from Bulbous Buttercups.

 

I was particularly pleased to have a close comparison of Common Bird's-foot-trefoil and the less familiar Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil.

 

There was a fine display of Dotted Loosestrife on the roadside near the reserve centre, a garden escape, but really none the worse for that as it certainly enhances the area. Burnet Rose, with its distinctive small roundish leaves, was seen in the hedgerows.

 

We finished the walk in a wetter meadow which contained Hard and Soft Rush, Marsh Thistle, Marsh Bedstraw and some Common Spotted Orchids. I was puzzled by a tall stately grass that I later identified as Tufted Hair-grass at Grid Ref: SZ 4256 9036.

Other plants of interest on the meadows included the delicate Grass Vetchling, Smooth Tare, Dyers Greenweed (flowering on my last visit), Stinking Iris, Lesser Stitchwort and Corky-fruited Water-dropwort.

We found a good number of plants on the saltmarshes near the new boardwalk, including Common Cord-grass (Spartina), Saltmarsh Rush, Common Saltmarsh Grass, Common Sea-lavender (with mucronate leaves), Greater Sea-spurrey (there is no Lesser Sea-spurrey on the Island), Sea Arrowgrass, Common Glasswort and Annual Seablite. Somewhat surprisingly at this time of year, we noticed a single flower of Sea Aster. Pema said there was also some of the very rare Small Cord-grass on the reserve, though people were not allowed into that area to prevent damage to the plants.

 

NATURE RESERVE AT BRIDGE ROAD CAR PARK ?

I am getting some local support in my campaign to curtail council weed spraying in Bridge Road car park. Local Councillor, Brendan Gibb-Gray has circulated an e-mail saying that he is dismayed to hear about the weed spraying and suggests the small area between the car park and the Westbrook Stream should be dedicated as a nature reserve. What a great idea! Brendan goes on to say that tree wardens and other people concerned about local habitat should lobby the council and get this mindless spraying stopped, at least in designated natural areas.

Brendan has spoken to Andy Paffett of HBC who is the person responsible for managing the weed spraying in the borough,. Andy thought the idea of a mini "reserve" was a good idea and, subject to a review of the area bordering the Westbrook Stream, it could/might be possible. Brendan hopes it could be maintained in its natural state, cutting on an annual basis only, with a small sign telling residents/visitors what we are trying to achieve and maybe grass cutting on an annual basis only. HBC would still be responsible for keeping the car park itself clean and tidy.

The idea of Roadside Nature Reserves is not a new one and there are many examples around the country of successful schemes, including one I know about in Appledram Lane (south) near Chichester.

Colin Mackey suggests we need to identify other areas in the ward and see whether we can offer to maintiain those areas ourselves, keeping weeds down and the like - at least for a trial period. Another good idea.


FRIDAY JUNE 19

BROOK MEADOW

Birds

Two Whitethroat still singing on the meadow, plus a Chiffchaff and a burst from a Blackcap. But bird song is now on the wane as birds complete their nesting and go into moult.

Insects and spiders

The only butterflies I saw this morning were 10 Meadow Browns and a Comma.

"Thigh Beetles" (Oedemera nobilis) were numerous on the white trumpets of Bindweed.

I noticed several "Nursery-web spider" webs as I walked round the meadow.

Lots of grasshoppers were hopping around in the grassland as I walked through it.

Orchids on Brook Meadow

This morning I found two Bee Orchids in flower on the North Meadow just south of the large clump of Hemp Agrimony at Grid Ref: SU 7506 0614. This is roughly the same area they flowered in previous years. I had almost given up on them this year since they are late. In 2007 we had 12 flowering Bee Orchids in this area, but last year we only had four. Shall we get any more this year?

The three Southern Marsh Orchids on the west side of the North Meadow were the only ones we had this year and are now past their best. Two were planted in 2007 and four came up in 2008, but only three this year.

The three Common Spotted Orchids that have been out on the North Meadow since May 16 have now almost finished flowering and are difficult to find. Two Common Spotted Orchids first appeared on Brook Meadow in 2007, then in 2008 there were five, but I think we only have three this year.

Other plants

The first Red Bartsia of the year is in flower on the North Meadow, a good three weeks earlier than last year, with plenty more to come.

There is no sign of the Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea on the very overgrown Seagull Lane patch so far this yet. Will it manage to struggle through? What has happened to this area this year?

Goat's Beard has also been having a rough time in this area, with no obvious opportunity to flower and set seed.

Least Yellow Sorrel

The rare Least Yellow Sorrel (Oxalis exilis) is flowering on the concrete path inside of the front garden wall of number 18A Victoria Road at Grid Ref: SU 7479 0622. It also flowered here last year, though much later; I first saw it here on July 5. The plant is described as rare in The Hants Flora. Last year, I submitted it to Martin Rand who accepted the record. Martin said this species seems to be spreading quite a bit, and is probably being under-recorded at the moment. Ralph Hollins also found Least Yellow Sorrel in Langstone last year.

 

WEED SPRAYING IN BRIDGE ROAD CAR PARK

I am concerned about weed spraying in the Bridge Road area where I live which happens from time to time throughout the year. Spraying not only leaves ugly areas of burnt vegetation, but also damages a variety of valuable and attractive wild flowers. I am most concerned about the Bridge Road car park area which has a large number of wild flowers growing around it, including at least one in the Westbrook Stream classified as rare, ie Narrow-leaved Water-plantain (Alisma lanceolata).

Of particular concern is the spraying that takes place close to the Westbrook Stream, which runs behind Bridge Road car park and into the town millpond, and which I know the Environment Agency has an interest in.

A list of the 69 plants that I have recorded in the Bridge Road car park area is shown in the link. Unfortunately, some of these plants were killed by the spraying in May, notably, Wall Lettuce, Fool's Parsley and Pale Persicaria.

Link to the plant list for Bridge Road car park . . . Bridge Road car park plants

I e-mailed Andy Paffet of Havant Borough Council who is responsible for the management of weed spraying in the borough and asked him if he could ask the contractors to avoid spraying in the Bridge Road area to avoid damaging the flora that grow there. I copied the e-mail to various interested people.

Andy replied promptly saying that he will try to stop them where the ground is soft, but plants coming up on hard ground are regarded as "weeds" and will be sprayed. He said he would have a look at the area over the weekend and speak to Hampshire County Council and will get back to me .

There are certainly a number of areas of soft ground in the car park area which have been sprayed in the past, including beneath the planted shubberies. It would certainly be a good thing if these were avoided in the spraying.


THURSDAY JUNE 18

SOUTH MOOR

I spent about two hours this morning having a good mooch around the South Moor, mainly looking for sedges and rushes. The vegetation on the moor was tall, though fortunately not wet. One has to skirt around a work security fence to gain access to the orchid area.

Southern Marsh Orchids

As Nigel Johnson said, the Southern Marsh Orchids were abundant on the South Moor, and it looks like a bumper crop. The annual count by the Havant Wildlife Group takes place on Saturday. In view of the large number of orchids and the height of the vegetation the count is not likely to be an easy one. I am afraid I shall have to miss the count as I shall be attending a wildlife workshop at the Newtown Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight.

Other plants

As on my earlier visit this spring on 06-May-09 I had problems with Common Sedge (Carex nigra) and its look-alikes. Last time Martin Rand suggested they could be Carnation Sedge (Carex panicea), but I could not identify this species with any confidence. I shall send samples to Martin Rand for his verdict. I think I am safe with the other sedges and rushes.

I was not sure about the rather delicate and rough feeling Bedstraw which I thought might be Marsh Bedstraw (Galium palustre), though I am not familiar with this plant. Here is a list of the plants I noted with location and grid references.   

Alopecurus geniculatus

Marsh Foxtail

east stream

SU 7130 0509

Carex disticha

Brown Sedge

local

SU 7130 0508

Carex divisa

Divided Sedge

east side

SU 7123 0510

Carex flacca

Glaucous Sedge

west side

SU 7123 0510

Carex hirta

Hairy Sedge

local

SU 7123 0521

Carex nigra

Black Sedge

General

SU 713 053

Carex otrubae

False Fox Sedge

General

SU 713 053

Carex panecea ?

Carnation Sedge ?

General

SU 713 053

Cynosurus cristatus

Crested Dog's-tail

local

SU 7121 0516

Dactylorhiza fuchsii

Southern Marsh Orchid

General

SU 713 053

Eleocharis palustris

Common Spike-rush

local

SU 7127 0522

Equisetum palustre

Marsh Horsetail

General

SU 7123 0521

Galium palustre ?

Marsh Bedstraw ?

local

SU 7125 0520

Hypericum tetrapterum

Square-st St John's-wort

local

SU 7124 0519

Juncus acutiflorus

Sharp-flowered Rush

General

SU 713 053

Juncus articulatus

Jointed Rush

west side

SU 7123 0510

Juncus effusus

Soft Rush

local

SU 7121 0516

Juncus geradi

Saltmarsh Rush

east side

SU 7132 0504

Juncus inflexus

Hard Rush

General

SU 713 053

Lychnis flos-cuculi

Ragged Robin

General

SU 713 053

Myositis caespitosa

Tufted Forget-me-not

east stream

SU 7130 0509

Scirpus maritimus

Sea Club-rush

east side

SU 7134 0502

Triglochin maritima

Sea Arrowgrass

east side

SU 7133 0504

Insects and Spiders

I disturbed plenty of Meadow Browns as I moved through the long grasses. I also saw a few Large Skippers and Common Blues.

"Nursery-web spiders" (Pisaura mirabilis) were very common.

What I think were 5-spot Burnet Moths were everywhere, particularly abundant on the flowers of Marsh Thistles, on the flower head one of which 7 moths were feeding.

 

 

SPOTTED REDSHANK NEWS

Pete Potts reports that our one and only locally colour-ringed Spotted Redshank W+GY was recently seen and photographed in Sweden in full summer plumage.

I last saw this bird on 21-Nov-08 in Nutbourne Bay.


WEDNESDAY JUNE 17

GARDEN

Jean and I were surprised to see a Hedgehog snuffling around in the back garden when we got up this morning. We have not seen one in the garden for some years. How it got in is a mystery as the garden is surrounded by a brick wall.

The appearance of a young Starling in the garden this morning reminded me that this was the first one I had seen in the garden this spring, despite the presence of an active nest in a neighbour's roof. We usually get youngsters on the grass with their parents, so I wonder if there was a problem this year?

 

EMSWORTH

Westbrook Stream

The Blue Water Speedwell (presumably the hybrid?) is flowering again, as it did last year, in the Westbrook Stream by the apple tree in Bridge Road car park at Grid Ref: SU 7474 0608.

Also, in the Westbrook Stream, a little to the south of the Blue Water Speedwell, a number of plants of Narrow-leaved Water-plantain (Alisma lanceolata) are now in full flower in the Westbrook Stream.

There is another good growth of Plicate Sweet-grass which I had not noticed before near the Bulrushes at Grid Ref: SU 7474 0606.

The first Great Willowherb of the year is flowering in the Westbrook Stream.

Peter Pond

Wild Carrot and Rough Chervil are flowering on the east of Peter Pond

 

BROOK MEADOW

Blue Water Speedwell (hybrid)

Alan Knapp asked whether any of the Blue Water Speedwell (hybrid) - Veronica x lackschewitzii that I said was in Emsworth is in West Sussex. I do regularly see this plant in Emsworth, particularly on Brook Meadow, which is partly inside West Sussex. The identification was confirmed by Martin Rand.

There is, in fact, one currently in flower on the west bank of the Lumley Stream which is just inside the West Sussex border. I had a look at it again this morning to check the grid ref which is SU 7515 0645 in tetrad SU70N. I did see another example of Veronica x Lackschewitzii further up the Lumley Stream near Lumley Mill in 2006 at Grid Ref: SU 7522 0636 in tetrad SU70N, but I have not seen it since then.

Russian Comfrey

Finally, after many years of searching since Ralph Hollins first identified it on Brook Meadow on 05-May-01, I have managed to find what I think (and hope) is a definite example of Russian Comfrey on the meadow. There are several purple flowered plants in deep vegetation on the centre meadow at Grid Ref: SU 7512 0603. They are considerably rougher to feel than the white flowered Common Comfrey nearby and have no "wings" where the leaves join the stems.

 

Other observations

I have seen several "Nursery-web spiders" (Pisaura mirabilis) in the local area just recently, so-called because they build a web for the cocoon of eggs and then guard them until the spiderlings hatch.

For the first time ever I saw two male Banded Demoiselles perched together on the same blade of grass. I thought they were supposed to be highly territorial at this time of the year.

Young Water Vole

Trevor Carter e-mailed to say on Sunday 14 June at around 9.00 p.m. he saw an adult and it's young between the 2 trees which have fallen or grow across the river. The youngster was feeding and playing with the adult for about 10 minutes and then went 'home' the adult continued to feed for at least another 10 minutes. He also saw a 3rd vole (fleetingly) which was smaller than the adult but bigger than the youngster that we had in view for a long period.

This was the first confirmed sighting of a young vole that we have had this year. The sightings takes the total to 109 for 2009.

 

SHARP-FLOWERED RUSH - new plant for Brook Meadow

I was delighted to find, for the first time ever on Brook Meadow, what I am fairly sure is Sharp-flowered Rush. These plants are much taller and more substantial than the more common Jointed Rush on Brook Meadow, so I am not likely to have missed them in previous years. There are numerous plants on the west edge of the Lumley area, near the cross path from the Lumley gate, from Grid Ref: SU 7514 0602 to SU 7512 0604.

They have more greener rounded fleshy leaves and a less open inflorescence than the Jointed Rush which I am famiiar with and which is flowering nearby. Both plants have the cross-partitioned leaves which feel like ridges as you run your fingers down the leaf. The sample I brought home matches exactly the Sharp-flowered Rush from Fishbourne Meadows.

However, I need to clarify the rushes on Fishbourne Meadows. When I was there last week, I thought Sharp-flowered Rush (Juncus acutiflorus) was the dominant rush on Fishbourne Meadows. However, in the New Flora of Sussex Sharp-flowered Rush is recorded for tetrad SU80M (west Fishbourne Meadows) but not for SU80H (east Fishbourne Meadows), where it is replaced by Juncus x surrejanus which is a hybrid of Jointed Rush x Sharp-flowered Rush. The Interactive Flora says this hybrid occurs with the parents throughout the British Isles and is commoner than either in some places. It is intermediate in tepal shape and size and has low fertility.

Alan Knapp's advice

I consulted Alan Knapp of the Sussex Botanical Recording Society who provided the following information about the two rushes:

"The absence of the record for Juncus acutiflorus at Fishbourne should not be taken as very significant - it probably just got missed. Both tetrads there were probably recorded together and it's then incredibly easy to think you have already recorded something when you have already found it in the other tetrad.

Be very wary regarding the diffentiation of Juncus articulatus and Juncus acutiflorus when they are not in flower.

The most reliable difference appears to be the density of the septa in the leaves - much less frequent in J.acutiflorus (about one every 2cm at most on average) compared to one or more per centimetre in J.articulatus.

Other leaf/stem features mentioned in some books are apparently not reliable and can lead to wrong identification in some cases.

By far the clearest difference is in the fruits which taper smoothly to a point in J.acutiflorus and have a sort of shoulder on them with a little "pip" above it in J.articulatus.

Also all 6 tepals in J.acutiflorus are the same and are acuminate with a long fine point and are often curved outwards at the tips whereas in J.articulatus 3 of the tepals are like this and 3 are different - shortly acute (i.e. much less finely tapered) & do not curve outwards (but this difference can be less obvious than it sounds).

As far as I know the only really reliable way to tell the hybrid from the parents is that it is pretty much infertile wheras the parents normally develop loads of ripe fruits."

Checking the rushes

Using Alan's tips I checked the samples I had collected and confirmed their identities.

1. On the density of the septa in the leaves my samples of Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus) all had less than 1cm between the septa, whereas in the Sharp-flowered Rush (Juncus acutiflorus) the septa were separated by 1.5-2.0 cm.

2. Looking at the capsules those of Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus) narrowed into a definite beak, as described by F.Rose, whereas those of Sharp-flowered Rush (Juncus acutiflorus) tapered smoothly to a sharp point. Excellent. I do believe I have got it!

Having both rushes in such close proximity on Brook Meadow I suspect we might get some hybrids ie Juncus x surrejanus . I will keep a look out for any ie without fruits.


TUESDAY JUNE 16

HAYLING OYSTERBEDS

It was a gloriously sunny morning for my regular wardening session at the Oysterbeds from 9-12.

Birds

The great Black-headed Gull show continues with hundreds of chicks of varying sizes on the two islands in the lagoon, far outnumbering the adults. It was interesting to watch the more mature chicks venturing into the water, often accompanied by one or both parents. Jason thinks some of them should be in the air by next week.

Meanwhile, the Common Terns are sitting tight, though most of them are well hidden amongst the burgeoning vegetation on the islands. I did manage to spot a chick to the right of marker E. Jason thinks there are more broods now hatched, though they are difficult to see. I did not see any Little Terns.

As for the Oystercatchers the pair nesting at the far end of the north island have two chicks, though Jason says they often take them across to the NW bund. Jason says there are two other Oystercatcher nests on the north island though I did not see them. There was no sign of the Oystercatcher that was sitting on the south island and Jason thinks it has given up.

As I was exploring the plants on the shore of the south bund I noticed a Ringed Plover scuttling away from me. Jason confirmed there is a nest on the shingle and the bird would move away from the nest if anyone approached. He was hopeful of success and that hatching should take place in about a week and a half.

Insects

Surprisingly few butterflies were on the wing despite the warm weather. I saw my first Marbled White of the year along the Hayling Billy Line. Others seen this morning included Painted Lady (around the thistles), Meadow Brown, Comma and some unidentified whites.

I found my first "Thigh Beetle" (Oedemera nobilis) of the year on a Corky-fruited Water-dropwort flower head. These are green beetles with swollen thighs, commonly found on white umbellifers.

I also noticed the first grasshoppers of the year in the long grasses.

Wild flowers

Field Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed and Large Bindweed are all now out on the reserve, though there is no sign of the attractive Sea Bindweed.

Just one Spear Thistle flower is out on Stoke Bay shore, though the others should be out soon.

Milk Thistles are now flowering behind the mound and Scarlet Pimpernel and Common Centaury are out on the mound. There is a nice show of Viper's-bugloss on the north path. Sadly, there was no sign of the Bee Orchids from last week.

Newly flowering on the Hayling Billy Line I noted Black Horehound, Meadow Vetchling, Tufted Vetch, Red Valerian, Common Toadflax, Yellow-wort, Thrift, Sea Plantain, Hogweed, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill and Eyebright.

Of the grasses Wall Barley and Yellow Oat-grass are now in flower along with lots of others.

Visitors

There were a good number of visitors to the reserve on this sunny morning. No incidents to report.

I counted 10 dog walkers with a total of 15 dogs, including the regular lady with five. There were 12 walkers without dogs, one jogger, three cyclists (not counting those I saw on the Hayling Billy Line) and two bait diggers in Stoke Bay.

 

VERGE CUTTING AT FISHBOURNE

Ed Rowsell the conservation officer with the Chichester Harbour Conservancy joins my dismay with the cutting of the Roadside Nature Reserve (RNR) at Appledram Lane (south) in Fishbourne - see my diary entry for June 13. He can vouch for the West Sussex Highways contractors, as they were on-site on the Monday or Tuesday afternoon and were careful not to cut the RNR area. Ed himself was on-site between 1630-1700 on Friday 12 June and it hadn't been cut then, so it must have taken place on Friday evening or early Saturday morning before I arrived with the Hampshire Wildlife Trust group, clearly outside of normal council working hours. Ed says a similar incident occurred last year, which he discussed with the RNR Officer (Ben Rainbow). They concluded that it was the result of local action, a suprisingly common and diffucult to resolve issue.

As for the motive for the verge cutting Ed thinks it could be as simple as not wanting the vegetation to encroach onto the path or that it looks untidy. A local resident phoned him also dismayed at the cutting. Ed will discuss with Ben Rainbow to see how he wishes to proceed. He thinks a letter to all of the local properties might be in order. It might also be a good idea to ask for local volunteers to look after and protect this valuable verge. I have a similar problem with weed spraying by Council contractors in my local car park, which has a good number of wild flowers, including some rare ones!

 

VERONICA ANAGALLIS-AQUATICA ACCEPTED

Regarding the Blue Water Speedwells (Veronica anagallis-aquatica) that I found in the stream at Fishbourne Meadows on June 11 and June 13, I have heard from Alan Knapp the local recorder for the Sussex Botanical Recording Society that he agrees with the identification and has accepted the record. In fact, Alan says the two plants I found spanned two tetrads (SU80H and M) and it was a new post 2000 record in both.


Earlier Diaries . . .

June (1-15) 2009

May (1-15) 2009 . . .May (16-31) 2009

April 2009 . . . March 2009 . . . February 2009