Beacon Players – Woodhouse Eaves
Thornton Nature Notes
Summer lingers as migration seems to be on hold.
Two Hobbys over Thornton woods on September 8th and good numbers of Chiffchaff and Blackcap maintained the summer bird theme. A Humming Bird Hawk Moth on the 10th also contributed to signs of the fading season.
On the 11th 600 large gulls were resting mid reservoir and three Yellow Legged gulls were in attendance.
The highlight was however reserved for one lucky observer, when a Spoonbill made a very brief appearance before flying off. This is as far as I know only the second occurrence of this species at Thornton.
The first Webs count took place on the 13th. Totals included 345 Mallards, 250 Canadas and 220 Greylag Geese, 147 Tufted Duck, 101 Coot and 67 Great Crested Grebes. The latter is an impressive total and demonstrates a successful breeding season. Not making it on to the Webs count were an early flock of Goosander that flew west at dusk on the 13th.
On the 14th a juvenile Ringed Plover was on the dam, and the following day it had been replaced by a juvenile Dunlin, our first of the year.
On September 21st two Stonechat were at Bagworth Heath, and at midday an Osprey flew south over the reservoir.
September 25th was a red letter day although two of the highlights were over in thirty seconds. From the garden I noticed a flock of nine Great White Egrets fly low over the fishing Lodge and almost immediately a Marsh Harrier flew west over the house. Later that day 14 Jays were also migrating west and my tenth Clouded Yellow of the summer drifted through the garden. Nine GWE is certainly a record total for me at Thornton and is evidence of the increase of this species locally.
My first Pintail of the year was a first winter male on September 27th and also on this date five Egyptian geese flew low towards the Stanton Inflow.
An adult Mediterranean Gull was at the outflow on the 29th and 22 Shoveler were present on the 30th.
October has commenced with mild and often sunny weather, but to date autumn migration has been slow. Late butterflies such as Red Admiral and Small Copper are still on the wing, and Noctule and Pipistrelle Bats are feeding at dusk. Whopper Swans and Pink Footed Geese are heading in this direction as I write and with luck they might feature in the next edition.
Andy Smith 8/10/2026
Puss in Boots – Thornton Community Centre
”A delightful adventure with great characters, atmospheric sound effects and live story telling – not to be missed!”
6pm Fri 23 October
Pre booking required contact
Sarahspapertheatre@gmail.com
St Peter’s church yard working party
There will be a working party in the churchyard this Saturday 10th October, from 10 until 12 noon.
It would be great if you could pop along to help even if it’s just for a short while.
The jobs that could be tackled include:
Gathering fallen branches and twigs and move to bonfire site
Tidy/weed/trim new hedging
Cut back the saplings and any other self set growth
Clear plants, moss and debris from the Bishop’s walk etc
Tidy graves in old church yard
Remove ivy from graves etc.
Anything else you think needs doing.
Please bring a drink, any tools you might find handy, stout gloves and suitable footwear.
Thanks.
Shirley
Christmas Craft & Food Fayre – Thornton
The Thornton’s beer and music festival
The Hollow by Agatha Christie
Don’t miss the opportunity to see this fantastic play by arguably the world’s greatest crime writer.
A few tickets available for tonight and tomorrow.
Thornton nurseries & Coffee Shop
Thornton Tea with a Twist (3T’s)
The next 3Ts is this Wednesday 16th September. Â
As well as all the usual things, there will be quite a lot of other things going on.
On sale will be our local nature artist, Alexia’s, beautiful cards, note pads and activity books. They really are something special.
Also for sale will be homemade fudge, (it is delicious) and old fashioned sweets.
Someone from HBBC might well be present to offer advice on a number of things.
A local officer from the Market Bosworth Beat Team will be holding a drop in session probably in the sports hall from 2 until 3pm. You can go along just to say hello, or for an informal chat about any concerns, issues, or questions you may.
And a list of useful items to have to hand in case of an emergency will be available.
If you need a lift – contact Shirley on 01530 230422
Nature Notes – Andy Smith
Signs of Autumn
The long awaited break in the drought at last arrived in mid-August, with the cooler showery weather much appreciated. Warblers including Blackcap, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Chiffchaff were all seen busy feeding before they depart to the south.
On August 17th a family group of eight Mistle Thrush were noted and also a flock of twelve Long Tailed Tits was a good total. On the 19th a Brown Argus visited the garden and two Common Sandpipers were on the dam.
On the following day a Tree Pipit was found along the hedgerow to Browns Wood. This species breeds on Charnwood and likes rough grassland with scattered trees. It remained in the area and seemed content descending to feed in the surrounding unharvested cereal crops.
On August 21st while scything the meadow another Grass Snake was seen, indicating that there is now a good population locally. On the 23rd a White Wagtail was on the dam and 20 House Martins were over the reservoir.
After a short visit to the Knepp Wilding project in West Sussex, I returned to a more verdant Thornton, having avoided heavy local down pours. On the 30th a Green Sandpiper was at the Top End, but it had departed by the following day. Other species seen at the end of the month included 9 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 3 Ravens, 35 Rooks and a Cetti’s Warbler.
September has commenced with more showery weather, as the avian change over gains momentum. A single Greenshank headed west on the 1st and large flocks of hirundines started to congregate over the reservoir.
On September 4th I estimated 450 Swallows, 50 House Martins and 30 Sand Martins. Two Hobbys and a Swift were also recorded. Geese numbers have also increased with 200 Canadas and a similar number of Greylags frequenting the fields and reservoir.
On the following day two Great White Egrets flew low over the carpark before heading off west. Also on this sunny day another Humming Bird Hawk Moth was in the garden and my fifth Clouded Yellow was nectaring on the lawn. It has certainly been a record year for both these species, more likely to be encountered on a trip to France or Iberia.
My first Webs count is to be completed on September 13th and it will be a daunting task to count the geese and especially the growing numbers of Mallard. I am however anticipating some bird highlights over the peak migration season, and look forward to reporting on them in the next edition.
Andy Smith 08/09/2026
Hummingbird Hawkmoth in Thornton..very partial to perennial Salvia plants.
Copyright Gillatphotography
