Birdwatcher’s Diary No.199

Published on: 2 Dec, 2019
Updated on: 2 Dec, 2019

By Malcolm Fincham

Shortening days and more than a fair share of precipitation in and around Surrey continued to be the theme as we trudged our way into November.

Autumn was certainly upon us. We had at least been more fortunate than many parts of the country. Especially northerly counties including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire where there were floods.

A few dry daylight hours on November 3 gave Dougal, Bob and I, the opportunity of a trip to Staines Reservoir. Located in the northern reaches of Surrey, near Heathrow Airport.

Long-tailed duck on the south basin, at Staines Reservoir.

Although too distant for a decent picture, we were able to get reasonable views with the help of a “scope” of a long-tailed duck.

Previously taken photo of a long-tailed duck.

It is a northern breeding bird, usually seen off the coast at this time of the year.

Their breeding habitat is in tundra pools and marshes, but also along sea coasts in Alaska, northern Canada, northern Europe and Russia.

On the north basin, five black-necked grebes close to view were worthy of a few photos, now in their winter plumage.

Red kite at Staines Reservoir.

While passing through, overhead, was a red kite.

Jackdaws going to roost.

Closer to home at the Riverside Nature Reserve near Burpham, a substantial winter roost of jackdaws had been continuing to grow in number, with counts of over 4,500 recorded most days throughout the month.

Part of a flock of local starlings.

Starlings continued to group on the pylons there, having spent most of the day in smaller groups locally.

Starlings on Stoughton roof tops.

These included a flock of 30 or so that gathered around the rooftops near my home in Stoughton.

Jay in flight.

Jays continued to regularly be seen at the reserve, collecting and hiding their winter cashes of acorns.

Two water rails could be heard “squealing” in the water-meadow by the boardwalk on several afternoon visits.

Kingfisher at Stoke Lake.

While a kingfisher could be viewed, but often tucked away, though occasionally allowing good views by the lakeside, most days.

Spot the kingfisher, flying out of sight along footpath by Stoke Lake.

Although more often than not as just a fleeting glimpse, flying past, like a bullet!

Little grebe on Stoke Lake.

At least three little grebes continued to be a regular sight on Stoke Lake, throughout the month.

Grey heron at the Riverside Nature Reserve.

Grey herons could regularly be seen about the lake and along the River Wey.

Kestrel hunting over the water meadows by Stoke Lake.

What appeared to be the resident kestrel spent much of its time hunting at various areas of the reserve.

Autumn colours at Sheepleas.

November 6 was one of those rare and sunny days in recent weeks. And an ideal day it was for a walk through the mostly deciduous woodlands at Sheepleas, near East Horsley.

Autumn colours at Sheepleas.

Especially to allow me a few atmospheric pictures of the arboreal parts of the Surrey Hills, as well as some of the wildlife that resides there.

Brown rats.

A curse to some, but endearing to others, I managed to get a few photos of a couple of brown rats as they rummaged around in some fallen leaves, looking for food.

Autumn colours at Sheepleas.

Although some of the trees there were already bare of leaf, most were still holding on, their colours now turning to shades of golds, reds and yellows.

Among the shelter of the surrounding foliage, a small group of birds could be picked out.

Marsh tit.

A pair of marsh tits made for a few pleasing photos as they plucked at the moss on one of the branches.

Coal tit at Sheepleas.

Briefly, they were joined by a coal tit showing its white head stripe.

Treecreeper.

Also within what turned out to be a mixed flock of birds, a treecreeper could be seen as it worked its way up a nearby tree.

Goldcrest.

While our smallest UK species of bird, the goldcrest, could be picked out.

Wren at Sheepleas.

Even a little “Jenny” wren could be seen within the small winter flock.

Mistle thrush at Sheepleas.

Across the field on top of a tall pine a mistle thrush could be seen.

Great spotted woodpeckers at Sheepleas.

More distant to see were two great spotted woodpeckers.

Jay.

Jays also flew back and forth over the fields.

Greenfinch at Sheepleas.

A small group of greenfinches were also present.

Fieldfare at Sheepleas.

Although not having seen as many wintering thrush species as yet this year, as I had recorded seeing in November last year, it was good to see a few small groups of fieldfares. They had made it across the North Sea from Scandinavia.

Redwing at Sheepleas.

As well as small flocks of redwings.

It wasn’t long before inclement weather had made a return, however. One such afternoon, with pals Bob and Dougal, I visited Tice’s Meadow near Tongham.

A first venture down to the new hide at Tice’s Meadow.

Our main objective was to view the new hide that had been constructed there. With the weather as it was, it was an ideal day to do so.

The original hide, constructed on “Horton’s mound” was still in good use, though a telescope is often essential to view out across the water.

Viewing hide at Tice’s Meadow.

The new hide has been situated on the water’s edge, and ideal for those like me, for taking photographs.

New hide at Tice’s Meadow.

View from the new hide at Tice’s Meadow.

Although weather conditions were not ideal that afternoon, I was still able to get a some recognisable photos of some of the delights on show.

Gadwall at Tice’s Meadow.

These included a small raft of gadwall.

Wigeon at Tice’s Meadow.

Several wintering wigeon.

Common snipe at Tice’s Meadow.

Two common snipe in their camouflaged outfits were concealed well, in spite of being in full view on one of the islands.

A green sandpiper, though too distant to photograph, could be viewed at the water’s edge on the far bank.

Lapwings at Tice’s Meadow.

While across the water, seen among many other common species present, were a flock of lapwings.

In reminiscence as we sat there, I recalled some of my previous good sightings at Tice’s Meadow, in recent months and years.

Great white egret in flight at Tice’s Meadow.

Earlier in the year a great white egret had come to visit, staying for several days.

Cattle egrets at Tice’s Meadow.

The year before two cattle egret had spent the day there.

Distant view of four garganey at Tice’s Meadow.

I have also had the pleasure of photographing garganey there. Gargany are our only migrating species of duck.

Bewick’s swans at Tice’s Meadow.

As well as a pair of bewick swans, just a few years earlier.

Common whitethroat at Tice’s meadow.

Reed and sedge warblers, as well as common whitethroats, are regular sightings and nesting species during summer months.

Common terns at Tice’s Meadow.

While common terns arrive from Africa to breed on the rafts out on the water.

Common buzzard at Tice’s Meadow.

Common buzzards can often be seen, while red kites are often recorded passing through.

Bullfinches (female and male) at Tice’s Meadow .

At the feeding station area bullfinches are regularly seen.

I also recalled photographing bramblings and siskin in recent winters.

As such thoughts grew within, it seemed so sad that such a wonderful nature reserve, with all the lovely wildlife, as well as the man hours from those that had helped to create it, could come to an end, when sold.

A petition has been put up on line, in the hope this issue can be resolved. Please read. Signatures are welcome.

Map of Tice’s Meadow.

Let’s just hope this unique local reserve will remain a safe haven for wildlife, both resident as well for ones to rest on passage through the Blackwater Valley, on the Surrey-Hampshire border.