Tuesday 20 March 2018

Templeton this afternoon

A beautiful sunny spring equinox afternoon at Templeton Airfield with members of the Pembs Ranges Conservation Group (we were there to look at the results of pond restoration work) provided lovely views of 4 red kites displaying over the area. The still, clear sunny conditions being excellent for soaring raptors.


A heron was at one of the ponds, probably on frogs or toads, the spawn of both species being very numerous at all the ponds. Where was it breeding we wondered? A single pair had been recorded breeding in the Templeton area more than a decade ago so perhaps they still do?

It was nice to see a few pairs of yellowhammers establishing their territories at this locally important breeding area for them. In one patch of scrub there was a small loose flock of 6 and in another location a single pair - the male in full song. It is still quite early in the season and it will be interesting to see how many pairs breed there this summer.