Birdwatcher’s Diary No.45

Published on: 15 Sep, 2013
Updated on: 15 Sep, 2013

By Malcolm Fincham

With the events unfolding as they did at the end of my previous report, I was beginning to become a tad fearful at the thought of visiting heathland areas in case another fire should break out – and that I became a prime suspect of starting one! It being too much of a coincidence that I should happen to be in the area at the time. So I decided to visit a different venue and face a fear of another type.

One of a small group of hornets stand gaurd at the nest entrance.

From a young age, the only critters I have ever had a bit of a phobia about within the UK were wasps. This fear I finally managed to face [or thought I had] when I dealt with a host of them that took up residence in my attic just a few years ago.

Hornets!

However, while visiting Stoke Lake on several occasions at the turn of the month I happened to stumble upon a nest of hornets  in a dead tree trunk near the short boardwalk to the north of the lake.

Hornet nest in dead tree by boardwalk at Stoke Lake.

Apparently, and although I’ve never been personally stung by one, their a sting far more potent than a wasp’s, so although apprehensive I was at the same time very intrigued.

As strange as it may sound, I actually found them quite a fascination to watch. Although at the same time remaining aware not to get too close.

Hornets on gaurd at nest site.

They have several guards on duty at the entrance to their nest. It is apparently advised not to breath too close to their nest nor should their flight path from it be obstructed in any way, so it was certainly a challenge for me to get a few pictures.

Despite what can often be termed as ‘urban myths’ they are top predators of the insect world as well as a great food source for bats. Click here for interesting facts about hornets.

Notice displayed at both ends of boardwalk.

It was therefore a great shock to me on my visit on September 15 to find that they had been removed from the nature reserve by Guildford Borough Council! – Just a few weeks before their natural demise, and when all the council had to do was close off the path, as it was all of last winter.

Remains of hornets nest now destroyed.

This also makes me despair at such times how us humans can be so ignorant about nature.

Click for more information about hornets.

September 2 took me on a trip to Farlington in Hampshire in hope of catching sight of a few migrants now being reported both locally and along the south coast. These are birds that have now started to make their journey back to their winter homes in Africa.

Kestrel by car park at Farlington.

A most welcome sight on my arrival was a family of kestrels by the car park – with numbers falling nationally it’s always pleasing to see them.

A mixed flock of waders including godwits and redshanks at Farlington nature reserve.

Unfortunately, with the tide out so far in the harbour it wasn’t easy to view the distant waders. I was able to photograph a small group of various waders, including redshanks and godwits, feeding not too far away by a small inlet of water out on the muddy Langstone harbour. And about half a dozen bearded tits could be seen flitting among the inland reed beds, although too elusive to get any decent pictures.

News that a rare vagrant bird – a wryneck – had been seen in the area that morning (click here)  set me on a stealthy walk in the direction it had last been seen. I was disappointed not to get a record shot and only had just a glimpse of it as it got spooked into some nearby brambles by a tractor driver cutting the field near to where it had last been seen.

A whinchat – one of several showing well at Farlington.

But by the end of my visit I was very happy with many of the pictures I did get, which included a nice shot of a whinchat – one of at least four I eventually saw that day.

Can you spot the two yellow wagtails just under the cow’s nose?

I also photographed a small flock of yellow wagtails making their journey back to Africa and feeding among some cattle at the reserve.

Juvenile little ringed plover feeding in a freshwater pool at Farlington.

Also on view in one of the freshwater pools was a juvenile little ringed plover. Click here.

Little egret – a common sight these days at Farlington.

And also a little egret – one of several seen that day.

Having braved the fear of the hornets, I decided to make the most of the glorious sunshine on September 3 and chance a trip to Thursley Common and to overcome the fear of discovering another heathland fire…

Common lizard – one of many seen on Thursley Common.

Although bird life was at a minimum, as it can be at times on heathlands, it gave me a great opportunity to get a few close up photos of insects and reptiles.

A green-morph common lizard on a boardwalk at Thursley.

Common lizards, both young and adult, were abundant, and many of various colourations could be viewed along the boardwalks – basking in the warm sunshine. With some added patience I even managed a number of pleasing pictures.

For more details about lizards that can be found in Surrey, click here.

Male common darter -Thursley Common.

A number of dragonfly could also be viewed, spawning in the pools of water that still remained as the long dry spell continued.

Female dragonfly laying its eggs on Thursley Common .

Busy bees on the heather at Thursley Common.

Meanwhile, out on the heath, lots of bees of different types continued their busy work collecting nectar from the flowering heather. While there I wondered, do you get extra Nectar points when you buy honey at Sainsbury’s?

A squadron of Canada geese take flight from Stoke Lake.

By the second week of the month, with the evenings now noticeably starting to close in and with just a few hours to spare before sunset, I decided to venture down to Stoke Lake once again; this time to watch the Canada geese now starting to gather in large numbers throughout the day.

Canada geese in flight.

There can be in excess of 170 birds, only to take flight in small groups of up to 20 or so from the lake in a southerly direction across Guildford town.

Greylag geese at Stoke Lake.

Also seen with one of groups was a pair of greylag geese, which took flight alongside the Canada geese. Within 15 minutes of the first skein taking flight they were all gone – leaving the lake to just a handful of Egyptian geese not willing to follow them.

Egypian goose at Stoke Lake.

Egyptian goose in flight at Stoke Lake.

I always find this a wonderful sight, but while standing close to the picnic tables watching this spectacular event on Saturday, September 7, I caught sight out of the corner of my eye of a small bird flitting around by the edge of the lake.

A pleasing close up picture of a wheatear sitting on picnic table by Stoke Lake.

I instantly recognised it by its distinctive white rump – a wheatear – stopping off for a short rest on its long journey back to its winter home.

Another shot of the wheatear as it sat on a picnic table by Stoke Lake.

I was even more delighted when it decided to settle on one of the picnic tables, allowing me some rather pleasing pictures and great record shots. Fortunately, unlike our non indigenous Canada geese, these birds know exactly where to migrate to!

To finish with… and just for fun to please my editors, a ‘wild stab’ at a weather prediction. [Ed: Malcolm was quite accurate last winter. Eat your heart out Met Office!]

Although summer is now showing distinct signs of coming to a close and with Atlantic weather systems during the second week of the month reaching our shores, I’m still hopeful a settled spell of weather in the next few weeks. However, if sunspot activity continues to remain as low as it is currently – the main driver of our climate – I feel we can expect some very sharp frosts by November, followed by another cold winter ahead.

Scores of Canada geese have been gathering at Stoke Lake.

Share This Post