Fourteen members assembled in the Middle car park on a dull but mild day that was perfect for walking. As usual Cutt Mill was the initial target but abundant foliage severely restricted views of the pond. Four Mandarins could nevertheless be seen on the far edge while around two dozen Shovelers were scattered around. A few Mallards and two Tufted Ducks completed the count of waterfowl. A noisy Heron flew by a couple of times while five Cormorants engaged in some synchronised diving as they sought their breakfasts. Songbirds apart from tuneful Robins had been lacking to this point but en route to the first Tarn a Goldcrest was heard, the first of several encountered that all seemed determined to stay out of sight, while a Buzzard was glimpsed ahead of the group. The only new bird on the Tarn itself was a Great Crested Grebe but from the dam at the end Coots, Moorhens and an overflying Black-headed Gull boosted the list. As the group began to move on a Kingfisher was spotted but seen only by the fortunate laggards. The woods were initially quiet but judicious use of the Merlin app picked out Blue, Great and Coal Tits as well as a Wren, more Goldcrests and a Treecreeper. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also glimpsed among the trees. After the exercise of a climb to the upper heath a pleasant surprise was the delightful song of a Woodlark that continued for some minutes but frustratingly only from a hidden perch. A Red Kite soared overhead while two Green Woodpeckers then flew across the path and a further Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard pipping. In quick succession two pairs of Stonechats were sighted among the bracken and then briefly a Dartford Warbler. That proved to be very much the cherry on the cake of an enjoyable and productive walk with 37 species identified.
Author: Tony Cummins
Farlington Marshes 10 September 2023
Just five members attended the walk at Farlington Marches, a reflection on the bad weather forecast, that proved accurate in cutting progress short after an hour, not far beyond the lake. Redshanks were the most numerous waders with a few Black-tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers, Lapwings, a dozen elegant Greenshanks and, in the channel, Curlews and twenty Grey Plovers, some still in summer plumage. An Avocet and two Ruffs were also noted. Ducks seen were Teal, Gadwall, Pintail and Mallard. Among the Canada Geese was the resident Barnacle Goose and its white domestic friend. Little Egrets and Grey Herons were also present. In the bushes were two Chiffchaffs, a Robin, Stonechats and Linnets while a Cettis’ Warbler was heard. The only raptor seen was a Kestrel hunting from the fence. Given the time available a total 33 species was a creditable result.
Pulborough Brooks 7 September 2023
On the hottest day of the year so far fifteen members enjoyed a bird-filled walk at Pulborough Brooks. While late season warblers were thin on the ground we had some fine raptor displays and good wader sightings.
We started with a Willow Warbler at the Visitor Centre viewing platform followed by a Wren and a Stonechat with White Stork, Little Egret and Mute Swan visible on the mid-brooks. From West Mead we had close up views of a Wood Sandpiper and Lapwing while a Hobby entertained us with its aerial prowess. Buzzard and Marsh Harrier were also present. Greylag and Canada Geese were added to the list together with Grey Heron. At Winpenny Hide we saw a very distant Kestrel and had flight views of the White Stork and closer views of a juvenile/female Marsh Harrier. A Red Kite was also spotted. We moved on to the Hangar View and from there to the shade of Nettly’s where we added Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Moorhen and Black-tailed Godwit to the list. Two Ruffs were also present as were Starlings. In the course of the morning a Chiffchaff was heard but not seen while Robins put in an appearance. Additionally Dunnocks, Jackdaws, Magpies, Wood Pigeons were seen while a Blackbird and Stock Dove became the final sightings.
Ranmore Common 13 July 2023
The weather could have been a bit kinder but at least it wasn’t raining when twelve of us met at Ranmore Common. The windy conditions weren’t ideal for butterflies but even so we managed to see eleven species including some exquisite, newly emerged, Chalkhill Blues. As usual there was a wealth of flowers ranging from Pyramidal orchids and Clustered Bellflower to Rock Rose, Rest-harrow and, rather surprisingly, a lot of Squinancywort. Last year we saw only a couple of plants of this quaintly named flower so maybe this year’s weather suits it better. The name comes from its former use as a herb for curing quinsy (a bacterial throat infection). There weren’t many birds around but we had good views of Yellowhammer and Buzzard and some caught sight of a Raven.
Bookham Common 24 June 2023
The weather was fine for our walk at Bookham Common today. Twenty members assembled at the Tunnel Car Park in excellent conditions though the protection of the shade in the wooded parts of the Common was later much appreciated. We began well with a family of Goldcrests (at least 4) feeding next to the route towards the Plains. Wrens and Blackcaps joined in the forest fun! The open, grassy area offered us views of Gold- and Greenfinches, Chiffchaffs galore, Whitethroat, Song Thrush, and we also heard a Green Woodpecker. Butterflies were plentiful, including Large Skippers and a Marbled White. Once past the Plains Car park we saw lots of Common Spotted Orchids, and a little further on, everyone heard the Cuckoo. A Great Spotted Woodpecker perched in the sunshine, and a Buzzard circled over the wood. We stopped for a welcome drink near the Hundred Pound car park, then climbed up to the well-known Purple Emperor trees/clearings, where we came across plenty of photographers, some of whom had been successful in their search. Sadly, we failed to find an Emperor, but we did encounter Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral. Birds were a little scarce as we walked through the woods, although Nuthatch and Jay gave good views. At the bird hide near the ponds, we saw Coots, Little Grebes and a swimming Grey Heron, but our view was somewhat hampered by the tall reeds and scrub. The other ponds produced plenty of Canada Geese and Mallards, plus a solitary Moorhen. We were back at the cars by 12.45, having notched up a commendable total of at least 34 bird species, and seen plenty of butterflies, dragonflies and wildflowers.
Blackheath Common 15 June 2023
The sultry evening drew a large attendance of 24 to the annual nightjar walk, this year returned to an old haunt conveniently located near Guildford. The evening began auspiciously with the clear call of a Cuckoo that persisted intermittently throughout the walk. A couple of Chiffchaffs were singing before one of them perched in view on a bare branch. Before long the hoarse rasp of a Dartford Warbler was heard and an eagle-eyed member quickly spotted its perch in the mid-distance. Behind an enthusiastic Garden Warbler was pumping out its melodic tune but although its location could be confidently identified it emulated its’ species habit of staying in impenetrable cover. A few more paces on a Willow Warbler was trilling; it too was hard to spot, giving just glimpses as it hopped though foliage. A few minutes’ wait for dusk was necessary at the Nightjar arena. In the interval what sounded like calls from a roding Woodcock were heard and then one flew right overhead before returning a short while later. Meanwhile the churring of Nightjars was starting. At first it was distant and punctuated with periods of silence but then flight calls could be heard though frustratingly the birds were keeping below the horizon. Even when the churring came closer sightings were at best fleeting but the presence of at least three birds could be confidently identified. A rewarding evening produced not only the target species but also a good quality supporting cast in a list totalling thirteen.
RSPB Farnham Heath 21 May 2023
Twenty two members met at the Rural Life Centre. Walking out onto the reserve we soon began to hear numerous Willow Warblers and Blackcaps. We then heard a Garden Warbler and eventually a few people in the group did see the bird. The distinctive song of a male Redstart followed and after a while we tracked it down to a group of pine trees for good views. A distant Cuckoo was heard but unfortunately not seen. Soon it was the song of a Tree Pipit and Woodlark slightly further along the heathland path that alerted us to the birds perching characteristically from bare branches and the tops of trees. The Tree Pipit did a couple of parachuting display flights for us as we watched. Stonechats were busy feeding their young and there were brief views of one distant Dartford Warbler. At one point a pair of Raven flew over in the distance. Through the more wooded areas, we saw a Treecreeper and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Linnets were flying down to the path to feed at one point and we were finally able to have good views of two singing Willow Warblers.
Back at the car park we had one last look back into the reserve in an area where a Spotted Flycatcher had been seen by some other birders. Sure enough we had some fleeting views of the said Flycatcher through the tree canopy and decided to walk back into the trees but sadly it did not re-appear. However, we added a Greenfinch to the sightings list plus a Hobby that appeared high above the trees and a Red Kite flying past. In the course of a really pleasant walk in the spring sunshine we identified 32 species of bird. We also saw a couple of dragonflies, some Holly Blues, Small Coppers and a couple of Red Admirals.
Newlands Corner 11 May 2023
As a light spatter of rain stopped almost on the dot of 10 am, fifteen members headed south from the Newlands Corner car park towards St Martha’s Hill and church in the distance. A short stop below allowed good views of a couple of Whitethroats, a single Linnet, a preening Jay and the continuing call of a Chaffinch. At the foot of the slope a singing Skylark was seen ascending from the barley field below and further views of multiple Skylarks were enjoyed through the descent through the field towards the farm. The only, very distant Cuckoo of the walk was heard from the direction of Albury. The farm and its buildings gave Swallows, House Martins, House Sparrows & views of a distant Buzzard. Along the footpath adjacent to a coniferous plantation there where views of a singing Blackcap, the tail-ends of two Green Woodpeckers, a Nuthatch and a Kestrel fly-past. Over the fallen tree and across the road ascending up to St Martha’s, the first Firecrest was heard but, as was the theme for the entire walk, sadly not seen. The pit stop at the top by the church was sound-tracked by a wheezing Greenfinch and a displaying Whitethroat, while three Buzzards circled and called overhead. During the descent from the Church into the tall pines, there were several more singing Firecrests and at least one Goldcrest. Nice views of a Chiffchaff dispatching a juicy caterpillar were followed by a fleeting glimpse by a few of a streak of grey through the pines. Minutes later a Sparrowhawk was flap-flap-gliding in a gap of blue sky right above. The meander back up to the chalk grassland slope into the woods was quiet, and a last attempt at spotting a vocal Firecrest was to no avail. A final detour down to the newly installed Yew Tree Project boardwalk gave a final boost to morale among the ancient trees! It was an excellent walk of great views, kind skies and frustratingly elusive Firecrests. The final final tally was 34 species.
Thursley Common 4 May 2023
A bright but rather breezy morning saw twelve members setting off along the rebuilt and only just reopened boardwalk. As a whole the reserve was showing a good recovery from the terrible fire and apart from the considerable reduction in tree numbers seemed well on the road to the restoration of its former glory. There were distant calls from a Curlew and Cuckoo, the former maintaining the common’s reputation as the only breeding site for the species in the south-east; the latter alas a poor substitute for the famous Colin whose appearances in Parish Field seem to be over after a long innings of eight years. A singing Whitethroat perched in view near the boardwalk but Pudmore Pond held only Black-Headed Gulls, Canada Geese, Mallards and a Tufted Duck. Two notable highlights soon followed. Near Spur Wood a Tree Pipit was performing its characteristic ‘parachute’ display flight and the group had good views of Restarts, probably five in total. Willow Warblers were singing as usual at the far end of path alongside South Bog. There too a Hobby was briefly spotted before it disappeared behind trees. Other raptors were a Kestrel and three Red Kites. Although Woodlarks had been singing their beautiful songs at Thursley since early February they were seen but not heard during the walk probably because they were on nests. Late surprises were two Roe Deer speeding away and a Wheatear near Shrike Hill – late in the season for a Wheatear in Surrey. Species enjoyed on a productive walk totalled 31.
Pulborough Brooks 29 April 2023
A lovely Spring morning attracted no less than 28 members to the jewel of the Arun Valley. A scan from the visitor centre revealed some of the usual species but a Mistle Thrush was unexpected. Already one of the target birds was piping from the zigzag path and a rapid walk there gave a view of the first Nightingale of the day. In total nine were identified around the reserve but only one more was seen. By now warblers were in fine voice and both Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were readily spotted among incomplete foliage. Whitethroats too were singing their scratchy songs atop brambles. The scrape at West Mead increased the excitement. Initially just two Avocets, two Redshanks and a few Lapwings kept company with small numbers of waterfowl. Then panic even among the Shelducks and Canada Geese portended the arrival of a formidable predator. Quartering the pools was a White-tailed Eagle. After a careful survey of the buffet it pounced on its selected prey, probably a goose to judge from the struggle that ensued before it was dragged onto dry land and feasted upon. Wimpenny hide maintained the excellence of the walk. In a sunny corner two Adders, a male and a female, were sunning themselves. From the hide itself several waders were on view, a Greenshank, four Little Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin and delightfully three Wood Sandpipers. The walk towards the Little Hanger was again accompanied by song and among the tunes a Cetti’s Warbler and a Garden Warbler could be heard – a second of the latter was later seen at Jupps View. The Hanger added to the species count with Teal, a Wigeon and some Linnets. Sedge Warblers were also typically noisy while a circling Sparrowhawk was spotted. The final stop at Nettley’s hide produced new sightings of Stonechat and Reed Bunting plus a real cherry on the cake, a second view of the White-tailed Eagle circling high over the brooks, this time in the company of at least seven Buzzards that looked sparrow-sized in comparison. It was a truly memorable morning with a species list of 63.