Author: Malcolm Toyer

Seventeen members met in pleasantly cool conditions to begin with at the Tunnel Car Park for our walk around Bookham Common and, having struggled a little with the vagaries of the Just Park system we set off, noting that quite a few butterflies were already on the wing.  On dry, rutted paths, we headed down towards the back of the station and out onto the plains hearing plenty of Chiffchaffs, Common Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Garden Warblers, Greenfinches and a posing Song Thrush.  We were pleased to find a few Common Orchids as we progressed, and we continued to enjoy plenty of birdsong, including that of a possible Lesser Whitethroat.  We had a good view of a Kestrel flying overhead and a more distant Buzzard soaring.

The sun had appeared and warmed us up, so we stopped for a brief but very welcome drinks stop at the Hundred Pound Bridge.  A late-singing Cuckoo thoughtfully serenaded us while we enjoyed our refreshments.  From there we climbed up to the well-known clearing where it is possible to see Purple Emperor butterflies displaying.  Unfortunately, we were probably a little too early in the year to see them.  However, as we followed the path, we saw lots of White Admirals, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Common Blues and a Small Skipper.  Despite the lush bracken and sedge, it was nice to see a few Foxgloves here and close by, several Silver-washed Fritillaries.  

We headed for the pond with its bird-hide, negotiating a couple of fallen tree-trunks along the way!  High in the trees, there were Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Jays, Jackdaws, Woodpigeons, Stock Doves and a solitary Green Woodpecker.  We could hear Great Spotted Woodpecker calling but they proved elusive to see.  Arriving at the hide there were Coot, Mallard and Moorhen (all with chicks), and we were able to see plenty of Emperor Dragonflies hawking over the water.  The remaining lakes produced nothing new, and we returned to our cars pleased to have seen and heard such a variety of bird species (a total of 28 in all.)  An added bonus were the seven species of Butterfly.

A group of thirteen of us set off from Newlands Corner Discovery Centre into a stiff breeze but a blue-skied horizon, descending to our first stop on the slope below. Standing beneath our first of many singing Chaffinch, we had immediate sightings of several Linnet, a perched Whitethroat and a Kestrel flypast. Garden Warblers & Blackcaps sang out either side of our further descent, including a smart male of the latter perched above the blackthorn scrub as we passed by. Two more Kestrels arrived, possibly a pair, so the first interloper was swiftly seen off to hunt elsewhere.

The normally cereal-filled field above New Barn Farm was a delight of sown wildflowers – Crimson Clover, Purple Vetch, Sow Thistle and Lacy Phacelia amongst others.  The flowers were busy with bees and butterflies including Green-Veined White and a rather washed out Painted Lady. Numerous Skylarks darted about, ascending in song, and two Buzzards circled low overhead as we progressed to the farmyard. The farmhouse & buildings were buzzing with House Sparrows and a couple of Dunnocks sang from the hedgerow, accompanied by a noisy, resident Cockerel. Turning right to ascend along a sandy bridleway, a distant Wood Lark was heard, two more Linnets sighted and a solitary Swallow darted above the long grass. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew between oak trees & one of three Green Woodpeckers heard in total yaffled nearby.

Crossing to the St Martha’s side, we heard our first singing Firecrest. Further along a noisy GS Woodpecker nestling demanded to be fed as its parent pipped nearby. Robin & Wren song accompanied us up the slope towards the church, as well as a clattering of Jackdaws in the treetops. After a short pit stop at the summit to take in the view & catch a breeze in the now warm heat of the full sun, we descended through flowering rhododendrons into the welcome shade of towering sequoias, pausing to enjoy the songs of several Firecrests & Goldcrests. A Chiffchaff was spotted alongside a busy Goldcrest parent with a beak full of goodies. Nearby a Raven, possibly a juvenile spotted on earlier walks, noisily cronked and a pair of Stock Doves cooed from above.

Leaving the shade of the conifers, we started our slow climb back towards Newlands Corner, out onto the chalk grassland slope & back into the woods ending at the Yew Project board walk. Along with the usual array of other woodland birds (& their fledged young), our tally of species seen and/or heard was a respectful thirty three.

Eleven of us had a glorious walk around RSPB Pulborough Brooks surrounded by birdsong on International Dawn Chorus Day (although we had started considerably later than dawn.) 

From the first viewpoint near the visitors centre we were able to see the first of many Whitethroat with it’s scratchy song sitting on top of a bramble.  Two Mistle Thrush were on the path and the fence.  We could already see some Avocet wading in the distant pools.  Pheasant and Magpie were in the fields, and a pair of Stonechat flitted from perch to perch in the rough grass.  Linnets could also be seen on top of nearby trees.

Walking down the Zig Zag path we could hear a Nightingale but were not able to see the bird.  A Chiffchaff was singing as was a Song Thrush and both posed well for us.  We detected the song of Garden Warbler, but again were not able to see one.  We watched a pair of Treecreeper and Great Tits attending a nest in a crevice in a tree trunk.  Our luck then changed as we approached Fattengates Courtyard – we spotted a Nightingale singing from a perch on a dead tree in full view. Everyone had extended views and we soon saw another clearly in the courtyard itself.  A Goldcrest was singing in the conifers behind us but could not be seen.  Meanwhile, in the pond, several dragonfly nymphs and a damselfly nymph were emerging from their exuvia and beginning to stretch their adult wings.  They seemed to be Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly and Large Red Damselfly.  Nearby an adult Female Broad Bodied Chaser was resting in the brambles in the sun.  We watched a large raptor soaring above us and the consensus was that this was a juvenile White-tailed Eagle!

West Mead hide was fairly quiet, with a few Canada Geese, some with goslings, Lapwing and their little chicks just about visible in the reeds.  There were two Avocet wading and feeding in the pool.  Moving on to Winpenny Hide there were at least eight Greenshank, a dozen or so Black Tailed Godwit, six Ringed Plover, together with Redhsank.  Eventually the reported Wood Sandpiper was located amongst the Godwit flock.  Ducks were represented by Mallard, Shelduck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Shoveler.  Canada , Greylag and Egyptian Geese  were all present.  Whilst watching them, three Hobbies circled high above the Brooks.  On emerging from the hide the sun had come out and we were able to see a couple of adders basking on their favourite corner.  Further down the path most of the group had views (either perched or flying over,) of the Cuckoo that had been calling since our arrival.

At Hangar View we added Little Grebe, Little Egret, Coot, Moorhen, Wigeon, Teal to our growing list.  Some of the group decided to return to the Visitors Centre rather than carrying on to Nettley’s Hide, but those of us who continued were rewarded for our efforts by a showy Sedge Warbler outside the hide, and some little ‘humbug’ Shelduck ducklings with their parents.  There were also numerous Hirundines here, as far as we could tell mostly Sand Martins.  On our route back we noticed that the Dragonflies had all fully emerged leaving their empty skins behind in the reeds in the pond.  We had seen a respectable total of 60 species of bird and had a most enjoyable morning.

Eighteen members came to Frensham Little Pond on a warm spring morning. The walk started well with a foraging Mistle Thrush by the car park. We were surrounded by bird song – Blackbird, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff, Wren, Robin and Blackcap. The lake was fairly quiet with two Great Crested Grebes, Tufted Ducks, Coot, a Grey Heron and a female Mallard with a single duckling. A Reed Warbler was heard. A Woodlark was singing high above us, eventually landing in view at the top of a fir tree. 

The heathland was also quiet apart from several busy pairs of  Linnets, a Stonchat and a displaying Skylark. A few people spotted a lone Swallow. Buzzard and Red Kite were both seen. As we returned to the lake there was a late burst of activity. A female Stonechat appeared, closely followed by a male Dartford Warbler which perched obligingly on a flowering gorse bush. A Cetti’s Warbler called. Somone saw a reddish bird fly and land on a distant fir tree. It was difficult to locate, but was identified as a male Crossbill and eventually everyone was able to get ‘scope views. A patch of reeds gave a brief glimpse of two more Reed Warblers. A Mute Swan and a Greylag goose brought the morning total to forty species.

Sixteen of us assembled in the car park of the Museum of Rural Life for the walk at RSPB Farnham Heath.  Those first to arrive were treated to a pair of Crossbill which were perched in the hedge in the car park and then flew down to forage along the bottom of the hedge.  The male was in his resplendent red colours and the female in green attire.  Quite unexpected, and spectacular to see them at such close range!  It was just a shame that they did not stay long enough for all the group to see.  The first of a couple of Red Kite flew overhead as we waited to start the walk.

Moving into the woodland, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Dunnock and Chaffinch were very busy.  On the more open heathland there was a Chiffchaff singing perched high in a birch tree, and the start of a Willow Warbler’s song was heard.  The next birds to be seen were a small flock of mixed Siskin and Redpoll.  Linnet pairs were singing, flying, and feeding near the heather patches along the path, joined by additional Siskins.   We could hear more Redpoll, and they were eventually located in a nearby pine tree.  Dartford Warblers were singing occasionally but keeping a low profile until one did a remarkable flight high up in the air and ‘parachuted’ back down to the ground only to disappear. The occasional Stonechat perched in usual style on top of small trees.

We paused at a drinking trough known for attracting Crossbills in addition to watering the cattle.  Alas, no Crossbills were there so we moved on.  We soon had good views of a couple of Treecreeper and a pair of Coal Tit.  The distinctive drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker could be heard, and a Goldcrest was working it’s way through the branches of a Larch sapling.  Blackbird, Song Thrush and Jay were added to the list.

As we neared the cars park again a Sparrowhawk flew over causing some excitement, and also a lone female Mallard did a flypast.  The morning had remained surprisingly cold with a chilly wind at times and perhaps this had put off some of the hoped for migrants and more specialist heathland birds from appearing-however, we finished the morning with a respectable total of over 30 species before making our way home or warming up with a coffee in the museum café. 

Fifteen of us had a lovely day up on the South Downs for the walk on ‘The Burgh.’  Conditions were mostly sunny but with a cold wind at times.  We started to see Chiffchaffs and Chaffinches almost immediately in the car park.  Once up in the open countryside Skylarks were our constant soundtrack and could be seen ascending and descending.  One or two Herring Gulls were on the wing.  It was not long after setting off that the first Yellowhammers could be seen in the hedges and trees along the paths.  Also in evidence were Grey Partridges, mostly in pairs.  We probably saw about eight of them in total throughout the walk, so hopefully they are increasing in numbers here.  Red-Legged Partridge and Pheasant were added to our growing list, and corvids such as Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow and Jackdaw were busy looking for food all around us.

Lots of Dunnock, Blue and Great Tit, and Blackbirds flitted around the hedgerows and Buzzards, Red Kites and a Kestrel entertained us with aerial acrobatics.  A pair of Raven called to each-other and flew overhead.  We spotted a Buzzard sitting on top of a hedge and three Red Kites in a field, one clearly eating something.  Looking towards Arundel Castle in the distance one or two Marsh Harriers were seen drifting low over the dramatic landscape.  They were causing havoc amongst the Lapwing in the fields, putting them all up in the air.

There was some excitement when some of the group caught sight of two distant White Tailed Eagles but, unfortunately, they had drifted away before most of us could see them.

Hares represented the mammals and could be observed chasing each other around the field margins.  Just before we stopped in a suitably sheltered and sunny spot for lunch a Green-Veined White butterfly was spotted and we all had good views of it eventually.

We speeded up as much as we could on the walk back to the cars due to the appearance of some ominous black clouds.  It began to hail and then rain as we approached the car park, stopping as suddenly as it had started.  Other birds seen on the way round were Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Wren, Robin, Song Thrush, Long Tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.  By the end of the walk, we had seen a total of 32 bird species in all.

Despite the forecast 8 people had a dry and pleasant walk at Horsell Common.

Throughout the woodland areas we heard numerous Robins, Nuthatches, Wrens, Great and Blue Tits and a few Chaffinches. Several Firecrests were heard at close quarters, but remained elusive for some. Great Spotted Woodpeckers drummed and later a small flock of Goldfinches were heard and a Blackbird seen.

On the heathland Greenfinches could be heard and Buzzards and Red Kites showed well. A few Stonechats and Dartfords were seen briefly, despite the at times blustery wind.

Further on across the heath were Coal Tits and a small group of Siskins feeding actively in the conifers, along with Long-tailed Tits and a Chiffchaff, and a brief snatch of both Dunnock and Blackcap songs were heard. Corvids and a few Parakeets were present throughout.

At McLaren Park, there were several more Red Kites, and Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were displaying and singing, coping amazingly with the increasing wind.

The final habitat was the fields and water meadows on the return to Heather Farm, where Starlings, Stock Doves, Black-headed and Herring Gulls, and Canada and Greylag Geese were all seen, and a Green Woodpecker taunted us with its yaffle.

Back at Heather Farm Wetlands a Kestrel, a couple of Coots, and a solitary Egyptian Goose added to the total of 40 species seen and/or heard. 

A group of thirteen of us met in the car park at Farlington Marshes in blustery conditions.  From the car park, the tide was out, and scanning the mud, groups of gulls including Herring Gull, Common Gull, Black Headed Gull, and sme very smart Mediterranean Gulls were visible.  One or two Curlew, Oystercatchers and Shelduck also were on view.  The car park Robin popped up on some bramble bushes to say hello.

There was not much else to see until we arrived at the lake, where the main highlight was the large number of Pintail ducks gathered on both the freshwater and the nearby sea channels.  Smaller numbers of Teal, Shoveler and Mallard were also present.  The usual flocks of Canada Geese and Brent Geese were grazing in the fields, and a Little Grebe was diving in the lake.

Walking around the sea wall there were hundreds of waders on the exposed mud, mainly Dunlin, along with one or two each of Grey Plover, Turnstone, Ringed Plover and Curlew.  A couple of Rock Pipits were active along the shore.  On the land side, half a dozen Meadow Pipits ran around in the grass and a pair of Stonechat flitted around the hedgerow.  We were able to pick out the long-staying Barnacle Goose amongst the other Geese.  At The Deeps we added Wigeon and Tufted Duck to our growing list.

The intermittent rain showers had become more insistent and so we headed for the cover of the visitors hut to have our lunch.  From there, most of the group opted to return to the car park and call it a day.  A smaller contingent decided to walk back across the grass, on the way spotting a Cetti’s Warbler in some scrub and a couple of Lesser Black Backed Gulls.  A Kestrel was also hovering over the fields as the rain eased up briefly.  Back at the lake this group added Great Crested Grebe and Red Breasted Merganser to the list, all out on the high tide water.  There was also a large group of Redshank resting by the lake.

At the end of the day, we had had a productive walk despite the rain, with around 40 species seen.