Fairfield Wildlife Blog

News, observations and updates about what is happening with wildlife in the Nature Reserve and in the Orchard. For more recorded local observations, see the Fairfield Nature Reserve Project on iNaturalist.

Female migrant hawker

4 November 202316 September 2020 by Dave Brookes

This lovely dragonfly was sunning itself in the hedge between Big Meadow and Grammar School Field mid afternoon … Read More

Small Tortoiseshells

4 November 202320 August 2020 by Steve Bullen

23 small tortoiseshell butterflies were feeding on a patch of thistles in Arable Field this afternoon. Steve

Migrant Hawker

14 July 202512 August 2020 by The Fairfield Association

Report by Jennifer

Geese and bull

4 November 202326 July 2020 by Ian Procter

A flock of 30 to 40 geese enjoying the stubble in Flora Field this morning. They were either … Read More

Highlights of the week

5 November 202324 July 2020 by Dave Brookes

Lots of butterflies out in the sun. On Tuesday we saw a gatekeeper at ‘Thistle Corner’ on the … Read More

Mystery Giant Orange Caterpillars

25 June 202514 July 2020 by Sue Nieduszynska

Mandy Bannon sent this message by email: Mike took this photograph of a writhing bundle of big orange … Read More

Toad and fumitory

13 July 2020 by Ian Procter

Walking along the Long Pads footpath this afternoon and spotted Mr Toad. Last year we discovered the rather … Read More

Elephant hawk moth and another giant horsefly?

5 November 202311 July 2020 by Dave Brookes

This magnificent but slightly damaged moth was hiding in the thistles alongside the path to the east of Pony … Read More

Dark Giant Horsefly

14 July 20259 July 2020 by The Fairfield Association

Report by Jennifer I shared a bench overlooking Hay Meadow with the Dark Giant Horsefly on Monday. These … Read More

Birds, butterflies and moths

25 June 20254 July 2020 by Sue Nieduszynska

Whilst “helping” with the meadow surgery on July 2nd we spotted a sparrow hawk carrying prey along the … Read More