Wildlife Review 2025: Wasps, Ants & Sawflies

Wasps 

Dawlish Warren and its environs have prime habitat for wasps with many species nesting in sandy ground and nectaring on the reserve's flowers and shrubs. The Recording Area audit is 208 species. Sixty-nine species were recorded this year including seven new species. A good recovery from 2024 with only 59 noted and in line with 71 in 2023. 

Ichneumon wasps (Ichneumonidae)

Also known as Darwin wasps with over 2,500 UK species, often seen but due to the difficulty in identification only a few can be positively identified in the field. Species found this year were Ichneumon stramentor on 24th March, the cocoon of the aphid parasitoid Dyscritulus planiceps, new for the Recording Area was found attached to its host on 26th July, Black Slip Wasp Pimpla rufipes from 13th September and Apechthis compunctor on 17th September.  Two new species were recorded the first on 29th September Lissonota oculatoria, incredibly only the second UK record, was identified on the railway wall at Langstone Rock, more widespread an Ophion variegatus came to light on 6th November.

Lissonota oculatoria 29th September - Alan Keatley

Chalcid wasps (Chalcididae)

Just a single species of this tiny insect parasitoid family noted, and new for the Recording Area; a Haltichella rufipes found on 21st June.

Gasteruption wasps (Gasteruptiidae)

Also known as javelin wasps due to the female's long ovipositor, just a single species in the Recording Area, Gasteruption jaculator, noted this year from 14th June.

Gasteruption jaculator - Alan Keatley

Gall wasps (Cynipidae)

Plant gall forming wasps on trees and shrubs, the adults are tiny (less than 5mm) and are rarely seen, however their galls are more easily located on their plant hosts. A total of 14 species recorded this year, two recorded from wild roses, Diplolepis nervosa and the familiar Robin's Pincushion formed by the Bedeguar Gall Wasp Diplolepis rosae.

Bedeguar Gall Wasp Diplolepis rosae 26th December - Kevin Rylands

The other twelve were all on Oak including Cottonwool Gall Wasp Andricus quercusramuli, Artichoke Gall Wasp A. foecundatrix, Smooth Spangle Gall Wasp Neuroterus albipes, Striped Pea-gall Wasp Cynips longiventris and Andricus gemmeus, the latter new for the Warren. 

Dryinus wasps (Dryinidae)

An ant-like wingless parasitoid of leafhopper bugs found in sandy areas, a Gonatopus clavipes was noted on the Dune Ridge on 16th August.

Gonatopus clavipes 16th August - Alan Keatley

Cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae)

Colourful parasitoids of digger or mason wasps usually found in the vicinity of its host nest. Several species can be found in the Recording Area. This year Linnaeus's Cuckoo Wasp Chrysis ignita was found on 19th May, Impressive Cuckoo Wasp C. impressa from 28th May and Dull Cuckoo Wasp Hedychridium roseum on 30th June.

Impressive Cuckoo Wasp Chrysis impressa 28th May - Alan Keatley

Velvet ants (Mutillidae)

Another group of parasitoid wasps with an ant-like appearance, females are wingless. A female Least Velvet Ant Myrmosa atra, a rarely recorded species, was found on 2nd July.

Least Velvet Ant Myrmosa atra 2nd July - Alan Keatley

Spider-hunting wasps (Pompilidae)

Fast running solitary wasps, with twitching antennae and vibrating wings as they search for prey. Six species were recorded this year compared with five in 2023. This year's additional species was a Rough-saddled Bandwing Dipogon variegatus found on fencing on 10th June. Hunting on the ground were the common Leaden Spider Wasp Pompilus cinereus from 10th May, Red-legged Spider Wasp Episyron rufipes from 14th May, Potter Spider Wasp Auplopus carbonarius on 30th May and Bristle-tailed Anophilus A. infuscatus on 3nd July. A jumping spider hunter Agenioideus cinctellus was noted patrolling walls by the station on 30th May.

Red-legged Spider Wasp Episyron rufipes 14th May - Alan Keatley

Social, Potter and Mason wasps (Vespidae)

Social wasps are nest builders with a queen, worker, male social structure. Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris are the most familiar and frequently encountered species. Several nests are usually located around the site. Queens are active early in the year with the first recorded on 20th March. Workers emerge later in the spring, and persist until late autumn. A queen German Wasp V. germanica was identified on 2nd April, less common and probably overlooked amongst the many Common Wasps. A Median Wasp Dolichovespula media was also picked out on 15th June, with a Tree Wasp Dolichovespula sylvestris nest located on 12th July. Despite increased frequent sightings of Hornet Vespa crabro from 28th July until October no nest could be found.

Median Wasp Dolichovespula media 16th July - Alan Keatley

Mason wasps nest in holes and cavities in stems, timber or walls. Several species are found within the Recording Area. The first, not unsurprisingly, was Early Mason Wasp Ancistrocerus nigricornis on 3rd May, with Willow Mason Wasp Symmorphus bifasciatus recorded on 30th May, Three-banded Mason Wasp A. trifasciatus on 3rd June, Little Mason Wasp Microdynerus exilis on 30th June and Small-notched Mason Wasp A. gazella from 6th August. 

Early Mason Wasp Ancistrocerus nigricornis 5th September - Alan Keatley

Sand wasps (Sphecidae)

Red-banded Sand Wasp Ammophila sabulosa is the only species of this family of caterpillar hunting wasp recorded on site, with the first of the year on 30th April and regularly seen patrolling the dunes.

Red-banded Sand Wasp Ammophila sabulosa - Alan Keatley

Digger wasps (Crabronidae)

This family of wasps is well represented on site with a variety of species. Most nest in sandy ground, but some of the smaller species nest in dead wood or hollow stems. Twenty-four species, including three new for the Recording Area were found this year. The first was a Common Spiny-digger Oxybelus uniglumis on 10th May, frequently found nectaring on umbellifers, an important food source for digger wasps.

The largest sub-family is Crossocerus, also known as Boxhead wasps. Four-spotted Digger Wasp Crossocerus quadrimaculatus was noted feeding on honeydew on Sycamore from 14th May. The first new species was a Ring-legged Crossocerus C. annulipes on 28th May, with Wesmael's Digger Wasp C. wesmaeli and Slender Digger Wasp C. elongatulus on 10th and 13th June respectively with a Trilobed Boxhead C. podagricus on 19th July.

Trilobed Boxhead Crossocerus podagricus 19th July - Alan Keatley

Other digger wasps included Small Shieldbug Stalker Dryudella pinguis and Mourning Wasp Pemphredon lugubris both from 14th May. The tiny Minute Black Wasp Diodontus minutus, a ground nester in sand that predates aphids, was noted on 16th June, with another aphid hunter and new for the Recording Area, Passaloecus singularis found 2nd June. Also, a new species and one of the smallest digger wasps, Solsky's Wasp Stigmus solskyi was found on 8th July.

Solsky's Wasp Stigmus solskyi - 8th July - Alan Keatley

A Slender Wood Borer Wasp Trypoxylon attenuatum was noted on 17th June, Red-banded Grasshopper Grabber Tachysphex pompiliformis on 19th May, Shieldbug Stalker Astata boops from 19th June, a Pale Footed Black Wasp Psenulus pallipes on 4th August and a White-lipped Digger Wasp Lindenius albilabris on 6th August.

Slender Wood Borer Wasp Trypoxylon attenuatum 17th June - Alan Keatley

The common Intermediate Shield Wasp Crabro peltarius, a frequent flower visitor was active from 16th May, Large Digger Wasp C. cribrarius from 2nd July with Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp Cerceris rybyensis from 5th June and Sand Tailed Digger Wasp C. arenaria from 28th July. 

Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp Cerceris rybyensis 29th July - Alan Keatley

Further black and yellow species included Common Ectemnius E. continuus from 28th May, Garden Ectemnius E. cavifrons on 30th June, plenty of Bee-wolf Philanthus triangulum, an effective hunter of honey bees, were active from 16th June and Four-banded Digger Wasp Gorytes quadrifasciatus from 8th July. The final species to emerge were Field Digger Wasp Mellinus arvensis from 7th September.

Field Digger Wasp Mellinus arvensis 11th October - Alan Keatley

Ants (Formicidae)

A combination of small size, subtle differences between species and for many, a subterranean existence, finding and identifying ants can be a challenge. Seven species were identified this year, including three new for the Recording Area.

Small Black Ant Lasius niger is the most familiar species, found in almost any month of the year and anywhere on site. This year the first was on 3rd February. The second ant species of the year was larger Dusky Ant Formica fusca on 29th April. 

Small Black Ant Lasius niger - Alan Keatley

The Woodland Red Ant Myrmica ruginodis is perhaps the most common UK species found in both woodland and grassland habitats, a winged queen was noted in Dead Dolphin Wood on 16th August. The first of the new species was Turf Ant Tetramorium caespitum, a coastal grassland species and a scavenger and predator of small invertebrates, first seen on 9th June.

Tetramorium caespitum 9th September - Alan Keatley

The tiny shade loving Temnothorax nylanderi was the second new species, found near the station path on 4th August.  A couple of days later several Formica cunicularia were observed attacking a queen Yellow Meadow Ant Lasius flavus. Surprisingly the latter was a newly noted species on site with a couple of subterranean nests located later in the year.

Yellow Meadow Ant Lasius flavus & Formica cunicularia 6th August - Alan Keatley 

Sawflies (Symphyta)

Sawflies are the least known of the hymenoptera quartet (bees, wasps, ants and sawflies). Females have 'saws' that cut open plant tissue in which to lay eggs. Species can be difficult to identify, but the plant association can help, which include trees, scrub and low vegetation. Many species are colourful and some can resemble wasps. Thirty-one species were recorded this year with four new for the Recording Area. Up from 24 species last year.

Fuse-horned sawflies (Argidae)

Black or orange and black squat sawflies. Two species noted this year, Broad-barred Fusehorn Arge cyanocrocea from 4th May and Common Rose Fusehorn A. pagana from 10th June.

Bramble Sawfly Arge cyanocrocea 16th May - Alan Keatley

Common sawflies (Tenthredinidae)

The largest and most diverse family of sawflies. The first species this year Red-belted Cleaver Aglaostigma aucupariae from 18th March on its nettle food plant. A Dark-winged Weeper Dolerus germanicus, a first for the Recording Area, was found on Common Horsetail on 19th April. In May, the thorn feeder Torpedo Sawfly Nematus lucidus and Clover Sawfly Tenthredo arcuata s.l. on 14th, Cinquefoil Strider Macrophya annulata on 18th, Woolly Alder Sawfly Eriocampa ovata on 18th, Turnip Tigress Athalia rosae on 22nd, and Belted Tigress A. bicolor on 28th.

Clover Sawfly Tenthredo arcuata 14th May - Alan Keatley

In June Orange Bedstraw Sawfly Halidamia affinis from 2nd, Uninscribed Sawfly Tenthredopsis nassata s.l. on 9th, the larvae of Dark Bramble-cutter Monophadnoides rubi on 10th, Skullcap Tigress Athalia scutellariae from 18th, with Spotted Regal-sawfly Nematus septentrionals, a new species, also on 18th.

Spotted Regal-sawfly Nematus septentrionals 18th June - Kevin Rylands

Dark Bramble-cutter Monophadnoides rubi 10th June - Alan Keatley

Associated with the rose family, Calceate Spindler Allentus calceatus was found on 10th July, the larvae of Pear Slugworm Caliroa cerasi from 24th August and in September Bugle Tigress Athalia cordata on 5th.

All the above were recorded as adults or larvae, however a number of species were only recorded as galls or leafmines. Four species on birch, Curved Birch Mining Sawfly Scolioneura betuleti from 21st June, Small Birch Mining Sawfly Fenusa pumila and Bright-eyed Mining Sawfly Fenusalla nana from 13th September and, new for the Warren, Birch Disc-miner Sawfly Heterarthrus nemoratus on 28th September. Two species on willows, Bridgeman's Bean-galler Euura bridgmanii from 27th April, and Sallow Pea-galler Euura pedunculi from 15th June, and Alder, Dohrn's Alder Mining Sawfly Fenusa dohrnii from 21st June and Alder Disc-miner Heterarthrus vagans 13th September. 

Birch Disc-miner sawfly Heterarthrus nemoratus 28th September - Kevin Rylands

Other species recorded were Rose Leaf-roller Sawfly Blennocampa phyllocolpa from 31st May, Marginal Sycamore Disc-miner Heterarthrus fiora from 14th June, and Oak Mining Sawfly Profenusa pygmaea from 28th.

Club-horned sawflies (Cimbicidae)

New for the recording area and one of the largest sawflies, the larvae of Birch Clubhorn Cimbex femoratus was found on 14th June.

Birch Clubhorn Cimbex femoratus 14th June - Kevin Rylands

Thursday 25th December

There was no sign of the Ring-billed Gull in the estuary amongst 350+ Black-headed and 70 Common Gull, although a pair of Gadwall were an overdue first for the year. Also present c500 Black-tailed Godwit, 260 Teal, six Greenshank, two Avocet and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose.

Elsewhere single Buzzard, Coal Tit and Firecrest were on site with at least three Chiffchaff and Goldcrest.

Year list addition:
189. Gadwall

Wildlife Review 2025: Bees

With 47 species recorded, similar to last year but down from 55 noted in 2023. Two new species were added to the list, Tawny Mining Bee Andrena fulva and Orange-vented Mason Bee Osmia leaiana. A discovery of a nesting aggregation of the scarce Red-girdled Mining Bee Andrena labiata was a welcome surprise. Missing mining bees included Ashy Andrena cineraria, Grey-patched A. nitida and Hairy Colletes C. fodiens and Painted Nomad Bee Nomada fucata. The Colletes may have just been overlooked, however the shrub nectaring spring flying mining bees may have been weather affected.

Colletes - Plaster bees

The summer flying Bare-saddled Colletes C. similis appeared from 17th July into September, coinciding with flowering Ragwort, and was common in the meadows. Less so was Heather Colletes C. succinctus, confined to small patches of Heather, it appeared for a few weeks from 28th July.  The other plant specialist Ivy Bee C. hederae was found from 11th September, persisting until 23rd October with the last of the flowering Ivy.

Bare-saddled Colletes C. similis - Alan Keatley

Hylaeus - Yellow-faced bees

Mostly tiny, easily overlooked black solitary bees. Only one species is commonly found in the Recording Area, the appropriately named Common Yellow-faced Bee H. communis, first noted on 2nd June, this 4mm sized bee flavours umbellifers. No other Hylaeus were found this year.

Common Yellow-faced Bee Hylaeus communis - Alan Keatley

Andrena - Mining bees

As mentioned above, a few missing spring flying species this year and fewer overall. Faring better were Yellow-legged Mining Bee A. flavipes with nesting aggregations in the Buffer Zone and Langstone Rock from 20th March. This two generation mining bee is one of commonest on site.

Less common were the single generation Buffish Mining Bee A. nigroaenea from 16th March, Trimmer's Mining Bee A. trimmerana from 24th March, Chocolate Mining Bee A. scotica and Short-fringed Mining Bee A. dorsata from 29th March. Other spring emerging Andrena mining bees included the first of many Sandpit A. barbilabris around bare sand areas from 29th March into the summer, Common Mini-miner A. minutula from 31st March, Gwynne's A. bicolor from 4th April, Small Sallow A. praecox and Tawny A. fulva on 5th April, the first for the Recording Area, with Orange-tailed A. haemorrhous from 7th April, and the scarce Black A. pilipes from 17th April. 

Black Mining Bee Andrena pilipes - Alan Keatley

New mining bee emergences in May included the scarce Catsear A. humilis from 14th May and Red-girdled A. labiata was found from 16th. This scarce mining bee is usually found on Forget-me-nots and Speedwells with a small aggregation found in Skipper Meadow around abundant Germander Speedwell. 

Red-girdled Mining Bee Andrena labiata - Alan Keatley

Panurgus - Shaggy bees

Just one species recorded this year, Small Shaggy Bee P. calcaratus on 16th and 21st June.

Small Shaggy Bee Panurgus calcaratus - Alan Keatley

Halictus - End-banded Furrow bees

Small metallic looking bees inhabiting flower meadows, with the commonest species Bronze Furrow Bee H. tumulorum first noted on 16th May. Females appear in spring with males later from end of June. Just a few females recorded this year.

Bronze Furrow Bee Halictus tumulorum - Alan Keatley

Lasioglossum - Base-banded Furrow bees

Another family of small bees. By far the most numerous on site is Green Furrow Bee L. morio with aggregations near to Langstone Rock. Females can appear in March, although the first this year was not until 22nd April, males appear later in June and can be equally numerous lasting through to October. Common Furrow Bee L. calceatum also have a long flight period; the first female was noted on 31st March with the last on 25th August. 

Common Furrow Bee Lasioglossum calceatum - Alan Keatley

Less frequent were White-zoned Furrow Bee L. leucozonium with a female on 19th May; both sexes are usually found on cat's ear and fleabane in the summer. A scarcer species, Long-faced Furrow Bee L. punctatissimum was noted on 16th and 21st July.

Long-faced Furrow Bee Lasioglossum punctatissimum - Alan Keatley

Sphecodes - Blood bees

Small black and red cuckoo bees, laying eggs in host bee nests. Sandpit Blood Bee S. pellucidus is the commonest on site, usually found close to its host Sandpit Mining Bee Andrena barbilabris. The first record this year was on 20th May. The other species recorded was a Geoffroy's Blood Bee S. geoffrellus; tiny at just 5 mm it's a cuckoo bee of Lasioglossum furrow bees. One was noted on 10th July.

Geoffroy's Blood Bee Sphecodes geoffrellus - Alan Keatley

Dasypoda - Pantaloon bees

Only one British species, the Pantaloon Bee Dasypoda hirtipes easily recognised by the female pollen collecting brushes, invariably found on yellow composite flowers. The first record this year was on 16th June.

Pantaloon Bee Dasypoda hirtipes - Alan Keatley

Osmia - Mason bees

Red Mason Bee O. bicornis utilises holes and cracks in fencing to build their nests. The first was noted on 30th May. Also using holes in wooden fencing an Orange-vented Mason Bee O. leaiana was found on 30th June in Skipper Meadow, a new species for the Recording Area.

Orange-vented Mason Bee Osmia leaiana - Alan Keatley

Megachile - Leafcutter bees

By far the commonest leafcutter on site, found in large numbers in all loose sand areas, Silvery Leafcutter M. leachella. The first of many was noted on 17th May. The larger Coast Leafcutter M. maritima was found from 17th June but in lower numbers.

Silvery Leafcutter Megachile leachella - Alan Keatley

Coelioxys - Sharp-tail bees

Black and white cuckoo bees, the Large Sharp-tail C. conoidea, a cuckoo bee of Coast Leafcutter Megachile maritima is the most frequently encountered with the first noted on 14th May. A Shiny- vented Sharp-tail C. inermis, a cuckoo of various leafcutter bees was found on 1st September.

Shiny- vented Sharp-tail Coelioxys inermis - Alan Keatley

Nomada - Nomad bees

Another family of cuckoo bees, usually Andrena bees as hosts. Colourful with a combination of yellow, black and red marking. Appearances coincided with their hosts. The first of the year was Marsham's Nomad Bee N. marshamella on 21st April, with Flavous Nomad Bee N. flava on 2nd May and Gooden's Nomad Bee N. goodeniana on 3rd.

Marsham's Nomad Bee Nomada marshamella - Alan Keatley

Epeolus - Variegated cuckoo bees

Cuckoo bee of Colletes bees, Black-thighed Epeolus E. variegatus was noted from 14th June.

Anthophora - Flower bees

The fast-flying Hairy-footed Flower Bee A. plumipes with male and females noted around Dead-nettle and Rosemary flowers from 24th March. Little Flower Bee A. bimaculata, found around flower meadows and Bramble patches from 19th May with their distinctive green eyes and high-pitched buzz.

Little Flower Bee Anthophora bimaculata - Alan Keatley

Bombus - Bumblebees 

The first of the year was the hardy Buff-tailed Bumblebee B. terristris on 13th January  with records in every month of the year. The next species on the wing was, not unexpectedly, an Early Bumblebee B. pratorum on 24th February with a Tree Bumblebee B. hypnorum on 22nd March. Another spring species, Garden Bumblebee B. hortorum was noted from 29th March. 

Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum - Kevin Rylands

Fewer Red-tailed Bumblebee B. lapidarius were noted this year with the first on 4th April. Much commoner Common Carder Bee B. pascuorum were frequent from 2nd April. Flight season is over two generations until October. The only cuckoo bumblebee noted this year was Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee B. vestalis with the first on 2nd June.

Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum - Alan Keatley

Apis  -  Honey bees

Honey Bee Apis mellifera is a resourceful feral species that utilises a wide range of pollen and nectar sources starting with gorse early in the year. The first was noted on 29th March, although found until November, numbers appeared to be down this year.

Wednesday 24th December

An early present in the form a 1CY Ring-billed Gull in the estuary with 71 Common Gull, before flying upriver just before midday. The 11th site record but the first since February 2003. 

Also in the estuary c900 Black-tailed Godwit, 208 Curlew, 103 Knot, 27 Sanderling, three Avocet, the Spotted Redshank and a Lapwing, with 11 Lapwing overhead in two small flocks.

Chiffchaff - Kim Summers

Year list addition:
188. Ring-billed Gull

Tuesday 23rd December

A redhead Goosander flew towards estuary corner early morning but there was no sign later on the dropping tide. Counts from the estuary included 910 Black and 85 Bar-tailed Godwit, 110 Common Gull and 87 Knot with two Great Northern Diver offshore.

Saturday 20th December

At least 860 Black-tailed Godwit were in the estuary corner on the dropping tide with 88 Common and two Mediterranean Gull, the two Avocet and a Spotted Redshank.

Wednesday 17th December

The 19th Caspian Gull of the year, a 1CY, was on Finger Point over the high tide along with 50+ Great Black-backed Gull. 

Caspian Gull - Lee Collins

Counts from the estuary included 690 Black and 103 Bar-tailed Godwit, 227 Teal, 216 Wigeon, 110 Shelduck, 103 Grey Plover, 100 Knot, 20 Sanderling, five Greenshank, two Avocet, a pair of Red-breasted Merganser and a moulting drake Pintail with a fem/imm Merlin over the Golf Course and estuary corner.

Presumed Scandinavain littoralis Rock Pipit

Ringing News: Two new Great Black-backed Gull noted, a 2CY from France and a 1CY more unusually from the Netherlands, the first Warren GBB Gull recovery from the country and one of few nationally. 

Tuesday 16th December

Still large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit present over the afternoon high tide with at least 700 packed into the saltmarsh along with a coupe of Avocet, with 220 Dark, including 18 juveniles, and a Pale-bellied Brent Geese in The Bight. 

Offshore a roost of at least 1,210 Herring Gull in calm conditions with five Common Scoter, two Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver also on the sea.

Great Northern Diver - Dean Hall

Elsewhere the Cetti's Warbler gave a burst of song on the Golf Course, the Dartford Warbler briefly in gorse along the Back Path, four Chiffchaff and four Goldcrest were on site and a Kingfisher was checking out the floodwater around the Entrance Bushes.

Other Wildlife: This time of year, everything seems to be in miniature with the springtail Dicyrtomina ornata and the 2mm wide snail Paralaoma servilis found under wood.

Dicyrtomina ornata  - Alan Keatley

Only slightly larger, the shore fly Limnellia quadrata and a Rusty-dot Pearl were on the wing.

Rusty-dot Pearl - Alan Keatley

Limnellia quadrata - Alan Keatley

Sunday 14th December

Caspian Gull was again nearly the highlight with two probables, 1 & 2CY, in the gloom on Bull Hill pre-roost, along with at least 43 Rook and 15 Jackdaw. Also in the estuary counts over the afternoon high tide included 541 Black-tailed Godwit, 106 Common and an adult Mediterranean Gull, 75 Knot, 48 Turnstone, 39 Ringed Plover, 19 Sanderling, 11 Greenshank, two Red-breasted Merganser and two Avocet.

Elsewhere three Common Scoter, two Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver were offshore. 

Saturday 13th December

Counts from the estuary at high tide included 400 Black and 64 Bar-tailed Godwit, 128 Redshank, 125 Shelduck, 89 Grey and 37 Ringed Plover, 68 Knot, 22 Sanderling, 10 Greenshank, nine Avocet, two Red-breasted Merganser, a Kingfisher and a Pintail. 

Sanderling - Elizabeth Mulgrew

Offshore at least 21 Great Crested Grebe, five Great Northern and four Red-throated Diver, three Common Scoter and three Pintail with six Wigeon. 

Elsewhere the Dartford Warbler was on the Golf Course with at least seven Chiffchaff, four Goldcrest and a Coal Tit in the bushes.