Diary

June 2005

Weather

Still no help with the serious water shortage. Rainfall during June was about 36% of the long term average. 19 mm was measured making the total for the year, to date, 160 mm. This is only 54% of the long term average for the first 6 months of the year. The wettest day was the 3rd with 6.4 mm of rain. Minimum temperatures were generally slightly above average for most of the month apart from the second week when the reverse was the case. Frost was not recorded during the month though, on the night of the 6/7th a minimum of 0°C was recorded (Benson airfield recorded a minimum of -0.3°C on that night). Maximum temperatures were generally above average with a very hot spell during the second half of the month.

Birds

As often happens at this time of the year June was a very quiet month with many birds catching their breath and recovering from the arduous task of nesting and raising young. Des reported the sighting of the return of the Kingfisher so "Sticklebacks beware". Plenty of Mallard and Moorhen chicks around so I doubt if the lack of Water Vole sightings is due to predation. The "corn mill" Grey Wagtails have built another nest and were seen, at the end of the month, taking food to a second brood of youngsters.



Butterflies

Des had a good visit towards the end of the month with a total of 11 species seen including Small and Large Skipper, Marbled White and Ringlet.



Etc.

The lack of activity by Water Voles continues but there seems to have been resurgence in sightings of Grass Snakes. The Common Spotted Orchid, first "spotted" last year made a welcome re-appearance.



A few dragonflies/damselflies were on the wing but the only one I have, so far, managed to identify was a Banded Demoiselle.



Of more general interest the proposal of the Environment Agency to have the status of Ewelme Brook changed to that of "main river" has been approved by the Government and now comes under the management of EA. During the last week of June a team has cleared out the Brook between the Watercress Beds and Cottesmore Lane and, although unlikely to have very much effect, an eye will be kept on developments.