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.
Category: Walks
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.
Otmoor 20 April 2023
The party of fifteen assembled at RSBP Otmoor found themselves in bright and sunny conditions tempered by a brisk north-easterly. As usual the car park was awash with the song of warblers. Willow Warblers set the musical tone with the accompaniment of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and a couple of scratchy Whitethroats. On the nearby entrance track the first of numerous Cetti’s Warblers shouted loudly while a Green Woodpecker browsed the grass in a meadow. By the feeders noisy Pheasants were gathered while Chaffinches, Great and Blue Tits, Dunnocks and Great Spotted Woodpecker feasted on the seeds. Curlews were ubiquitous usually displaying in pairs and uttering their haunting cries. Over the marsh a speedy Sparrowhawk was marauding while Red Kites drifted overhead and a Common Tern passed through. A handsome male Marsh Harrier coursing close by was much admired while close attention was given to a Muntjac browsing in the reeds; sadly it had obviously suffered a serious leg injury. A few Reed Warblers sang intermittently in the ditches and finally the first of a handful of Barn Swallows passed over. The wetland past the crossroads held limited numbers of waterfowl, chiefly Shovelers, Teal and Gadwall, while a Barnacle Goose and a juvenile Shelduck as well as an Oystercatcher were noted. Then three Common Cranes flew in along the tree line and put on a fine display until it was interrupted by the arrival of a Hobby that proceeded to practice its agile evasive manoeuvres through a squadron of unappreciative Lapwings. Meanwhile a Raven passed over, almost unnoticed amid the entertainment. Then it was on to the hide for lunch and views of the Reed Buntings and Linnets putting on their usual show. The Cranes landed and allowed further admiration while a Fallow Deer was noticed in their vicinity. Back at the crossroads a Sedge Warbler was intent on establishing a territory, singing vigorously and making numerous display flights. From the first viewpoint a few Common Pochards and a Great Crested Grebe further increased the sighting list. The second viewpoint offered the oddity of a leucistic male Pochard, mainly white in colour with a faintly orange head. In the adjacent field a pair of Brown Hares was stretched out on the grass. The return to the car park proved uneventful as the chill wind strengthened and forced the birds to hunker down.
Tices Meadow 16 April 2023
The threat of rain did not deter a good attendance at this local walk though recent downpours made a change of route necessary. The fun began in the car park with the sight of a pair of Egyptian Geese accompanying several small goslings. Then as a persistent song thrush sang noisily there came just once the call of a Cuckoo, the first of Spring for everyone. After crossing a waterlogged Aldershot Park the group kept to the north side of the Blackwater. Wrens were in good voice and a Chiffchaff bounced around in a close tree giving fine views. Soon Blackcaps appeared, males chasing each other and no doubt laying claim to territories. A Cetti’s Warbler made its presence felt, the first of four heard but not seen. Other sightings on the approach to the site included a Long-tailed Tit, two Buzzards drifting by, wheezing Greenfinches, a Jay and several House Sparrows. From the Tices Mound the water could be seen to be very high while the numbers of birds present was unusually low. Two Common Terns were perched on posts and a few Sand Martins and a single Barn Swallow hawked over the water. Waterfowl included a few each of Shovelers, Gadwall, Teal and Mallards and rather more Tufted Ducks. A visit to the reedbeds delivered the song but not the sight of two Reed Warblers, a Reed Bunting and two more Cetti’s Warblers while a Little Egret prowled the edge of the stream. The group’s departure was delayed by the news of a newly arrived Wheatear necessitating a return to the Mound for distant but most acceptable telescope views. The walk ended with a tally of 51 species.
Isle of Sheppey 1 April 2023
The four members who met at the seawall in Leysdown in a cold wind and unsettled weather might, in the face of their collective belief that Sheppey always delivers, have done better to reflect that it was All Fools Day – but in the end were glad that they had not. Early seawatching produced sparse but good quality sightings. Two distant Great Northern Divers bobbed up on the surface, a Red-breasted Merganser flew by and a Gannet soared among the misty wind turbines. Further along a Red-throated diver streaked north on its spring migration while a Great Skua wove to and fro over the water. By the blockhouse the high tide roost consisted almost exclusively of Oystercatchers while small numbers of Turnstones and Ringed Plovers roamed the sand in the company of a few Sanderlings. Distantly small flocks of Dunlins and Grey Plovers occasionally took to the air while a group of perhaps eighty Curlews and four Avocets could be picked out on the edge of a reedbed. Marsh Harriers patrolled distantly until a male initiated a spectacular dispute with a Peregrine. The latter went on to play havoc with the waders before snatching a Meadow Pipit from the air for its elevenses. From there the group headed for Harty Ferry, birding en route. The streams held a variety of waterfowl including Teal, Shovelers, Shelducks and a couple of Tufted ducks. A Little Grebe was observed as was a Reed Bunting perched on a fence. At the raptor point a Barn Swallow was a surprise flyover while scanning identified two Red-legged Partridges, four Corn Buntings, three Snipe and a Wheatear. Raptors were in short supply apart from Marsh Harriers until the occupants of the last car to leave the location were fortunate in spotting a ringtail Hen Harrier. Three of the group then headed for Elmley NR following reports of a White-tailed Eagle. Sadly that bird had earlier left the reserve but consolation was soon found in sightings of a Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher and two Penduline Tits, the latter allowing close views as they fed on seed heads near the reedbeds on the track past the old schoolhouse. The final treat was a confiding Brown Hare feeding just twenty yards from the track and quite indifferent to the presence of humans. Despite the conditions an outstanding day had been enjoyed with some spectacular sightings on a list of 64 species.
Frensham Little Pond 16 March 2023
Ten members assembled in the National Trust car park in surprisingly mild but windy conditions. Robins were immediately in good voice while a Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed close by and then flew into view. Wrens too rattled out their songs while couple of Greylag Geese sailed overhead. The water seemed to hold few birds but careful scanning revealed six Great Crested Grebes, two each of Mute Swan and Tufted Duck as well as a few Mallards, Coots and Black-headed Gulls. The woodlands around the lake revealed typical birds as much by sound as sight. Individual Blue and Great Tits flitted about and small flocks of Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits foraged in the canopy. A Goldcrest bouncing in and out of view proved entertaining while a song thrush appeared on a perch. At the end of the lake the action picked up briefly as Coal Tits buzzed around in territorial disputes and a few Stock Doves moved among the conifers. At the start of the heath a pair of Stonechats was quickly identified, the first of three, while Skylarks ascended in melodious song and a Buzzard drifted in the distance. Along to the approach to Kings Ridge several Dunnocks burst into song and Dartford Warblers scratched out a note or two but disobligingly failed to offer any sort of view. A Grey Heron provided some amusement by behaving rather like a harrier, turning and banking over the heath. A pair of Red Kites proved to be the final sighting as activity on the descent was virtually zero. The walk was agreed to have offered a very welcome change from recent weather conditions with a respectable species list of 37.