Fourteen members met at the Jubilee Mount car park on a cloudy, drizzly morning. The paths were wet and boggy after recent rains and the birds were subdued. Warblers were fortunately in fine voice and we heard good numbers of chiffchaffs, blackcaps and whitethroats as we progressed. Wrens and a song thrush made their presence felt while a couple of linnets perched in view. The tree tops held a number of stonechats flycatching, some of them juveniles. Two great spotted woodpeckers swooped over our heads. Then there was a brief glimpse of a Dartford warbler, followed by a snatch of song and later an excellent view of a one perched close to us while waiting for the opportunity of taking the food it was carrying to its nest. Later a few swifts streaked over the heath and a small flock of tits comprising blue, great, coal and long-tailed was encountered. The butterflies we saw were confined to a large skipper, a few small heaths and a fair number of silver-studded blues. We also found a single emperor dragonfly and several common blue damselflies. A list of 22 bird species reflected the conditio
Category: Walks
Frensham Little Pond 26 June 2021
On a fine sunny morning our first bird was a male Reed Bunting showing well and singing next to the café. Common Terns were flying gracefully over the water. We stopped to watch for Reed Warblers and with some patience managed to get reasonable if fleeting views. Swallows flew overhead from time to time. We could hear Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Willow Warbler singing but were not able to see them.
Emerging onto the heath a male Chaffinch was looking splendid in the sunshine from his vantage point. We then began to see Woodlarks and Stonechats as we walked through the heather towards Kings Ridge. A small party of Goldfinch and Linnet flew over and then perched for extended views. Most of the group saw a Dartford Warbler at this point as well. Up on the ridge things were fairly quiet but we paused to admire the views over towards the Great Pond as it was such a lovely day. A distant Buzzard circling high in the sky was a bonus bird.
We descended from the ridge back towards the pond and stopped to admire a beautiful male Dartford Warbler singing from a prominent perch and posing in the sunshine. As we did, we were also treated to a flypast from the Red Arrows – possibly a unique sighting for one of our walks.
Reaching the beach we were entertained by a Great Crested Grebe fishing in the shallow water close in and successfully catching one or two. A group of House Martins skimmed over the surface of the pond. Sadly we did not see any of the Redstarts or Spotted Flycatchers that used to be seen around the Warden’s house but with a total of 28 species seen and 6 heard it had been a very pleasant walk.
Whitmoor Common 6 June 2021
Sixteen members attended this walk aimed at newcomers on a cloudy, unsettled conditions. We first visited the private feeders near the car park to the accompaniment of an invisible blackcap in full song. There we were treated to the sight of a juvenile great spotted woodpecker being fed by a parent. The woods were relatively quiet but keen eyes picked out a singing chiffchaff at the top of a tall tree. As we entered the heath a Dartford warbler flashed across the boardwalk in front of us a couple of times. In the middle of the heather we had our first sightings of linnets perched on the gorse while a distant stonechat put in an appearance. By this time rain had started and we hurried for shelter across the railway. There we found more linnets and a whitethroat while a song thrush sang in view. As conditions improved sightings became more frequent. In the distance four red kites, the only raptors of the morning, cruised in the air. Back at the start of the boardwalk we had a choice of very good views of stonechats and linnets perched on the gorse and of a Dartford warbler posing low in a silver birch.
Wey Navigation 20 May 2021
Ten members assembled at Ripley Green in overcast and unseasonably windy conditions and enjoyed a surprisingly good morning’s birding. The walk to the river was relatively quiet with the songs of blackcaps and a mistle thrush predominant. In the paddock both a song thrush and a mistle thrush were feeding with a mixed flock of geese behind them. A whitethroat also showed while the first of the few chiffchaffs that we encountered sang. At the lock the work in progress on the eel passage was so extensive that it seemed to have inhibited the local grey wagtails and after checking for them we decided to proceed clockwise for a change. Along the river blackcaps were very numerous and the count of them reached seventeen for the morning. We also watched nesting nuthatches and as we left the river heard goldcrests in a patch of conifers. The golf course lake held the usual waterfowl, mallards, tufted ducks ands swans. A couple of little grebes also kept popping up close to us. The residential road leading to the farm meadows was full of house sparrows while on the track onto which we emerged we were treated to the songs and sight of several skylarks. The most surprising find though was a pair of wheatears. Having rounded the church we surveyed the marshes by Newark Priory and found three lapwings. Swirling around them were at least thirty swifts accompanied by a handful of swallows and two house martins. The final stretch along the river yielded a few more species including long-tailed tits and a reed bunting. Species identified totalled an unexpected fifty.
Farlington Marshes 16 May 2021
Despite a poor forecast of heavy showers and strong winds some enthusiastic newcomers to the group prevailed upon the pessimistic veterans to go ahead with the walk; there was no doubt at the end which group were right! Although we endured a couple of short drenchings in the open the periods of dry permitted some excellent birding. On the walk to the sea wall we noted several passerine species including greenfinches, meadow pipits, whitethroats and linnets as well as the unmistakeable shouting of the first of many Cetti’s warblers. The low tide mud of the harbour was largely clear of birds apart from numerous gulls while the lake held a few ducks including gadwalls and shelducks. On the edges a couple of redshanks prowled while two common terns appeared briefly. Over the marsh numerous swifts and swallows swirled and remained our companions for the entire walk. Scanning of the marshes showed numerous nesting lapwings vigorously protecting their nests and at least five families of Canada geese with goslings. Among them at a considerable distance was a Russian single white-fronted goose, a late-lingering juvenile that had been hanging around for several days. As we reached the south of the reserve a peregrine falcon passed over us and waders began to appear, oystercatchers at first and then the odd curlew. Then the rising tide brought dozens of mobile dunlins and a great crested grebe into view while skylarks sang behind us. On the east side the filling of the channel brought a greater variety of waders closer to us although in small numbers including ringed plovers, a whimbrel, turnstones and two bar-tailed godwits while on the marsh we saw a single barnacle goose. Then we spotted a flock of grey plovers two of which were in stunning breeding plumage. The pools by the information hut produced several additional sightings including four Mediterranean gulls, little egrets, a little grebe and an avocet, the first of six that we saw. A bearded tit pinged in the reeds close to us but unsurprisingly failed to show. The consensus was that the walk with its species list of 56 had been thoroughly worthwhile.
Bookham Common 7 May 2021
Eleven members met in the Tunnel Road car park for this rescheduled walk on a sunny but chilly morning. A vociferous song thrush welcomed us while a pair of jays gambolled among the trees. At the start of the Plains the scrub was alive with birdsong but surprisingly few were taking to the air and none were perched for viewing. As we proceeded repentant whitethroats at last began to appear in good numbers and we also heard the call of the first of two distant cuckoos. Chiffchaffs and blackbirds formed a backdrop of sound interrupted only once by the rattle of a lesser whitethroat. At the end of the Plains a small diversion was rewarded by the appearance of two male bullfinches. At the north of the common blackcaps joined the chorus and began to offer good views. We returned via the heronry where only two grey herons appeared to be on nests and then passed the ponds where the star birds were an adult little grebe with a single lozenged juvenile already adept at diving for food. In total 32 species were observed.
Thursley Common 29 April & 1 May 2021
The Thursday walk took place on a chilly day with sunny periods. It was tinged with a little sadness as it was the first one at Thursley since the disastrous fire of late summer. The common had an unfamiliar look but in many places the first signs of regeneration were appearing. The walk to Parish Field produced a few sightings, a woodlark overflying us and a male stonechat giving an acrobatic demonstration of flycatching. As we approached the woods redstarts were in good voice but as elusive as the chiffchaffs we could also hear. In the field was an armchair lounge of two dozen photographers in which Colin the famous cuckoo was posing on his perch; after a while he took off but could be heard calling regularly during the rest of the morning. We then skirted Parish Field in search of tree pipits and caught glimpses of one or two performing their display flights. Willow warblers were also singing around us allowing occasional views. Out on the heath the Dartford warblers were sheltering from the chill and were more heard than seen but we managed a couple of sightings. Some of us were fortunate also to see a female wheatear on the east side of Shrike Hill. As we skirted the hill we repeatedly heard a curlew’s call but failed to see it. We did however see a lapwing apparently defending its nest from a crow. Close to the dragonfly sculpture we saw two female crossbills offering great views as they fed in the pines. The walk produced some good quality birds with a species list totalling 34.
An overspill walk on the following Saturday enjoyed better conditions. As a consequence the six participants had more and better sightings of much the same species as two days previously. The cuckoo was again on its usual perch. A tree pipit parachuted for us several times and allowed us to find its perch. Redstarts were far more visible including a pair on the charred southern side of Shrike Hill. From there we also sighted a pair of woodlarks bringing food to a nest on the hillside. A hobby gave a flypast over the bog and obligingly perched for excellent viewing. The star birds though were a flock of 30-40 crossbills feeding on the south edge of Parish Field. The Saturday species count was 41.
Pulborough Brooks 24 April 2021
The morning walk in separate groups took place in Spring sun that really enhanced the view from the visitor centre over the lovely Arun valley. The first sighting from that point was a real surprise, a fieldfare that had not realised that it had overstayed its welcome. At the top of the zigzag path came the unmistakeable notes of the first nightingale of the day though it remained well concealed. In the courtyard two more males were having a singing duel that began we were told at dawn and then one of them perched close to us in the open. With the sun behind making its tail seem ablaze the view was stunning. At the Hangar there was an unusually good variety of waders on the brooks. There we saw a spotted redshank, several redshanks and black-tailed godwits and four each of dunlins and little ringed plovers on the muddy edges. Most pleasing were two avocets giving rise to the hope that they would follow their first ever breeding success on the reserve last year. Over the water a few sand martins hawked for insects. The trees and brambles around the viewpoint were alive with birdsong especially from warblers, blackcap and chiffchaffs were prominent with an occasional common whitethroat putting in an appearance. A few members picked up phrases from a lesser whitethroat while along the path a garden warbler was in full voice. Other passerine sightings included a treecreeper, linnets, skylarks, a goldcrest and back at the visitors centre a wheatear. Finally reports filtered through that a great white egret was showing back at the Hangar seen by a couple of members who had lingered there. It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning with 63 species identified including no less than five nightingales.The morning walk in separate groups took place in Spring sun that really enhanced the view from the visitor centre over the lovely Arun valley. The first sighting from that point was a real surprise, a fieldfare that had not realised that it had overstayed its welcome. At the top of the zigzag path came the unmistakeable notes of the first nightingale of the day though it remained well concealed. In the courtyard two more males were having a singing duel that began we were told at dawn and then one of them perched close to us in the open. With the sun behind making its tail seem ablaze the view was stunning. At the Hangar there was an unusually good variety of waders on the brooks. There we saw a spotted redshank, several redshanks and black-tailed godwits and four each of dunlins and little ringed plovers on the muddy edges. Most pleasing were two avocets giving rise to the hope that they would follow their first ever breeding success on the reserve last year. Over the water a few sand martins hawked for insects. The trees and brambles around the viewpoint were alive with birdsong especially from warblers, blackcap and chiffchaffs were prominent with an occasional common whitethroat putting in an appearance. A few members picked up phrases from a lesser whitethroat while along the path a garden warbler was in full voice. Other passerine sightings included a treecreeper, linnets, skylarks, a goldcrest and back at the visitors centre a wheatear. Finally reports filtered through that a great white egret was showing back at the Hangar seen by a couple of members who had lingered there. It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning with 63 species identified including no less than five nightingales.The morning walk in separate groups took place in Spring sun that really enhanced the view from the visitor centre over the lovely Arun valley. The first sighting from that point was a real surprise, a fieldfare that had not realised that it had overstayed its welcome. At the top of the zigzag path came the unmistakeable notes of the first nightingale of the day though it remained well concealed. In the courtyard two more males were having a singing duel that began we were told at dawn and then one of them perched close to us in the open. With the sun behind making its tail seem ablaze the view was stunning. At the Hangar there was an unusually good variety of waders on the brooks. There we saw a spotted redshank, several redshanks and black-tailed godwits and four each of dunlins and little ringed plovers on the muddy edges. Most pleasing were two avocets giving rise to the hope that they would follow their first ever breeding success on the reserve last year. Over the water a few sand martins hawked for insects. The trees and brambles around the viewpoint were alive with birdsong especially from warblers, blackcap and chiffchaffs were prominent with an occasional common whitethroat putting in an appearance. A few members picked up phrases from a lesser whitethroat while along the path a garden warbler was in full voice. Other passerine sightings included a treecreeper, linnets, skylarks, a goldcrest and back at the visitors centre a wheatear. Finally reports filtered through that a great white egret was showing back at the Hangar seen by a couple of members who had lingered there. It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning with 63 species identified including no less than five nightingales.
RSPB Otmoor 22 April 2021
Ten members in two separately led groups visited this stunning wet meadow and reedbed reserve near Oxford in sunny conditions with an easterly breeze in exposed parts. The car park was typically resounding with birdsong with chiffchaffs, blackcaps and willow warblers all in fine voice with a supporting choir of chaffinches and dunnocks while Cetti’s warblers regularly intervened with their discordant notes. A green woodpecker yaffled nearby while early arrivals heard a distant cuckoo. Early sightings on the walk included a whitethroat, numerous lapwings that were clearly in the early stages of breeding and a few redshanks. Curlew cries were heard though they offered only distant views. In the hedgerows most were able to enjoy the rare treat of brief glimpses of Cettis. Once we reached the main dyke reed warblers were scratching out their song in large numbers and eventually three of them came up on brief display flights. A single sedge warbler perched cooperatively for good views. By now raptors were appearing, red kites in good numbers, a kestrel and a few common buzzards. Then three marsh harriers paraded in the middle distance to delight us. A single swallow, the only one of the day, slipped by us and then a hobby appeared over the meadow and perched to allow distant views. As we approached the main junction a bittern rose from the reeds and offered a distant view. As we progressed a pair appeared much closer to us providing a rare view of them flying clear against the sky. As we approached the hide we found a sizeable mixed flock of reed bunting and linnets with a single yellowhammer feeding on the path ahead.
As we lunched close to the hide we were able to see a distant group of brown hares lounging on the meadow while closer the bitterns took to the air again and two hobbies were seen together. There were family groups of mallards with ducklings and coots with juveniles. We also saw two oystercatchers. Refreshed we headed for the reedbeds with a brief diversion to scan Big Otmoor where a barnacle goose was the reward. At one point a grasshopper warbler seemed to reel briefly but stubbornly stayed out of sight and otherwise remained quiet. From the first viewpoint over the reeds we picked up numerous ducks, many shovelers and gadwall, some tufted ducks and a few teal and pochard. There was also a one great crested grebe. In the blackthorn hedgerow a garden warbler sang though there was much discussion about its identification before agreement on it. At the second viewpoint a single male pintail was one of the few birds on the water but the appearance of two marsh harriers over the reeds was excellent recompense. As we retraced our steps we kept up regular scans but nothing new was noted until by the reserve feeders a great spotted woodpecker posed briefly for us and a willow warbler came briefly into view. As we looked over the final meadow an eagle-eye spotted a large dark bird and kept it in view to allow the others to see a glossy ibis albeit at a great distance. It was a real treat that rounded off an excellent day in which we identified 59 species.
Ebernoe Common
Our first walk following the relaxation of the winter Covid restrictions took place at the lovely reserve of Ebernoe Common NNR – albeit in socially distanced groups of six, each separately led. Birds were singing all around the car park of the picturesque church with robins and blackcaps especially prominent. We set off first for Furnace Meadow, with its beautiful hillside habitat of gorse and blackthorn. Immediately we could hear skylarks performing above but the cold wind and constant passage of cloud in front of the sun seemed to be subduing other birds. So for a while we had to content ourselves with corvids and a green woodpecker yaffling in the distance plus some odd flypasts from mallards and pairs of Canada and Egyptian geese. Soon though a single nightingale began to sing but with uncharacteristic hesitancy. As we progressed a second joined in with a little more confidence but still intermittently. It was delightful though to hear the first nightingales of spring. We then proceeded into the woods where an eagle-eyed member spotted a marsh tit foraging in the foliage. On the ground an array of woodland flowers was appearing including the beginnings of numerous bluebells. Birdsong began to pick up and we heard song thrushes, wrens and stock doves. Early warblers too were in good voice though they stubbornly refused to show themselves. After inspection of the old brick kilns we found an open area where chiffchaffs and a treecreeper put in brief appearances. Then we had glimpses of a pair of bullfinches at the top of a tree. Finally at Furnace Lake we encountered nuthatches. 28 species were identified during a pleasantly spent morning.