Birdwatcher’s Diary No.200!

Published on: 24 Dec, 2019
Updated on: 24 Dec, 2019

By Malcolm Fincham

December began with a brief spell of much welcomed dry weather. An added bonus on the first day of the month was some glorious sunshine.

Having heard reports of a rare winter visiting juvenile male ring-tailed hen harrier in the Shackleford area, inspired Bob, Dougal and I of perhaps a sighting, and even a few record shot photos of this beautiful species of bird.

Juvenile ring-tail hen harrier at Shackleford, near Godalming.

Of the UK’s birds of prey, this species is the most intensively persecuted, particularly on the driven grouse moors of England and Scotland, where they hunt and breed.

Juvenile ring-tail hen harrier at Shackleford, near Godalming.

Adult males have a silvery-blue back and black bars on the tips of the wings. Females and immature birds, however, are brown with a white rump and a long, barred tail which give them the name ‘ringtail’.

Juvenile ring-tail hen harrier at Shackleford, near Godalming.

They fly with wings held in a shallow ‘V’, gliding low in search of food, which mainly consists of meadow pipits and voles.

Common buzzard at Shackleford, near Godalming.

Adding to our sightings, as well as photos, were a couple of contrastive looking common buzzards. Firstly, a very pale one perched in a now leafless oak tree.

Common buzzard at Shackleford, near Godalming.

A second, much darker bird, glided low across the field.

Attempting to perch in the same tree as the pale bird, a brief altercation ensued with threats exchanged and talons showing.

“Handbags at four paces!” one might say! They soon parted company, with the paler bird remaining in its tree.

Skylark.

Also present, was a wintering flock of well over 60 skylarks.

Linnets at Shackleford, near Godalming.

And while walking back to the car, a dozen or so linnets flew from some nearby trees.

Stonechat at Shackleford, near Godalming.

A pair of stonechats could be viewed, perched up on the stems in a field of stubble.

Thwarted by the return of unsettled weather during the days and weeks that followed, I had to pick my moments for the opportunity of keeping up to date with my photography.

Water levels at the Riverside Nature Reserve are high as seen here along the boardwalk.

At the Riverside Nature Reserve near Burpham the terrain was becoming increasing wet, and in the run up to Christmas rain continued to be the main theme in weather forecasts.

Grey heron catching a frog at the Riverside Nature Reserve.

From the boardwalk I watched a grey heron that appeared to have caught and was now consuming a frog?

A very wet Riverside Nature Reserve.

With water levels high around the water meadows, teal, seemed fewer in number than previous years. They were not easy to pick out, or to count, and were mostly out of sight among the long tufts of reed grasses.

Grey wagtail along the towpath.

Along the towpath a grey wagtail flew overhead, landing on a boat across the canal.

Goldfinch feeding on seed heads at Riverside Nature Reserve.

Regularly seen there is a flock of more than 30 goldfinches, often feeding on seed cones up in the alders. Although from time to time they come down to feed on seed-heads.

Blackbird feeding on rose-hip berries.

Blackbirds rummaged around in the dead leaves, but could often be seen adding a few berries to their diet.

Black-headed gull and a great-crested grebe in winter plumage at Riverside Nature Reserve.

Looking across Stoke Lake, a great-crested grebe in its winter plumage glided around among the gulls – mostly of the black-headed type, also now in their winter plumage.

Black-headed gulls in winter plumage at Riverside Nature Reserve.

Cormorants on Stoke Lake.

Five cormorants could often be viewed out on the water.

Little grebes at Stoke Lake.

While four little grebes swam out from the cover of the reed beds. Having already seen one earlier as I walked around the lake, I concluded there must have been at least five. Possibly the most I have ever counted there?

Tufted duck on Stoke Lake.

Tufted ducks were increasing in number, now counting more than 25, with a few small groups still arriving.

Little egret, flying south over the Riverside Nature Reserve

As daylight began wane on one afternoon I was there, a little egret flew south over the boardwalk.

Redwing.

A few redwings perched up, looking for a roost.

Jackdaws going to roost.

The usual sight of jackdaws arriving back in small groups from their day of foraging the Surrey Hills could be observed.

Goosander at Cutt Mill, Puttenham.

At Cutt Mill ponds in Puttenham as many as 17 goosanders had initially arrived to spend another winter. There were 10 drakes and four redheads on Cuttmill House Pond; three redheads on The Tarn, and by mid December as many as 23 could be counted on the lakes.

On Whitmoor Common to the north of Guildford, Dartford warblers were still in good numbers.

Dartford warbler on Whitmoor Common.

Relying on insects but susceptible to long cold spells, one hopes there will be a big enough supply to feed on within the shelter of the gorse through the winter months.

Goldcrest on Whitmoor Common.

Among the mixed winter flocks several goldcrests could be seen.

Dunnock on Whitmoor Common.

A few of the other birds on display there were dunnocks.

Bullfinch – this one seen at Riverside Nature Reserve.

A male bullfinch.

Reed bunting on Whitmoor Common.

And a reed bunting.

Swans by their decorated island at Britten’s Pond.

A little further along Salt Box Road from Whitmoor Common at Britten’s Pond, two mute swans were admiring their Christmas decorations on their small island out on the lake.

Robin at Britten’s Pond.

Several robins could noticed, adding to the festive seasonal delights.

Kingfisher flies low across the lake.

The kingfisher mentioned in some of my previous recent reports continued to be glimpsed flying low across the water.

Kingfisher perched up..

Seemingly favouring the western side of the lake, it could be viewed when perched up.

Kingfisher resurfaces after diving for a fish.

Occasionally with patience, caught on camera as it dived into the lake in the hope of catching a fish.

Red kite and a crow over Britten’s Pond.

Passing over the tree-line on December 15 was a red kite, closely escorted by a crow.

Nuthatch at Britten’s Pond.

Latest reports have suggested an increase in numbers of nuthatches in the UK. Click here for details.

Papercourt water meadows.

At Papercourt water meadows near Send “wellies” were a must! Waders would have appropriated on my visit there with fellow birdwatching friend Bob, on December 18.

Stonechat at Papercourt water meadows.

The only sign of life at first were a few stonechats perched up on storks from the surrounding water.

Roe deer at Papercourt water meadows.

Unexpectedly, two roe deer bottoms came into view as they scampered away across the watery landscape.

Rose-ringed parakeets at Papercourt water meadows.

Rose-ringed parakeet at Papercourt.

Overhead, heading north, was a group of rose-ringed parakeets, squawking as they flew.

A good number of our winter visitors were present. These included flocks of fieldfares.

Fieldfare at Papercourt.

One individual could be seen, perched up on some brambles, on look-out duty for its pals.

Fieldfares at Papercourt.

Fieldfare at Papercourt water meadows.

Although quite timid, occasionally I was able to catch a few reasonable in-flight photos as we inadvertently spooked them from their perches.

Numerous redwings could also be picked within the various flocks.

Greylag geese in a field, near Papercourt Lock.

Across the river in a field by Papercourt Lock a large group of greylag geese could be viewed.

Greylag geese in flight at Papercourt.

At one stage they were joined by another group that circled the field several times before landing.

Lapwings at Papercourt.

Also present was a small group of lapwings.

The main reason for our visit was the hope of seeing the short-eared owl that had been recently reported there.

Short-eared owl at Papercourt, taken on a previous visit.

Although with no success on this occasion we didn’t leave disappointed. Although an overcast day, it did remain dry. And to our surprise, not just one, but two barn owls.

Barn owl quartering the field at Papercourt water meadows.

It wasn’t much after 2.30pm when the first one was out and quartering the field.

Barn owl at Papercourt water meadows perched up.

Remaining still and well camouflaged, shielded by the wide girth of an oak tree, I watched it in awe as it silently glided past.

Barn owl takes a dive at Papercourt water meadows.

It had obviously not been aware of our presence, as having circled the field, it made a return. This time making a sudden dive to the ground in front of us.

Barn owl pops up again at Papercourt water meadows.

After a moment, its head popped up from the long grass. In its mouth was a vole.

Barn owl flies off with a vole in its mouth at Papercourt water meadows.

Barn owl transfers the vole to its claws while in flight.

On taking flight, it transferred its prey to its claws, flying in the direction of its nest box.

About the same time a second barn owl could be viewed at the far end of the field.

Kestrel at Papercourt water meadows.

And adding to the competition, a kestrel had emerged in the hope of a rodent of its own choosing.

From the editorial team at the Guildford Dragon congratulations to Malcolm for his 200th report! From his first article in April 2012, he has continually delighted readers with his superb photos and writings of nature throughout the changing seasons in the Guildford area as well as from his numerous trips further afield – from the Highlands of Scotland to the Scilly Isles. Keep ’em coming….

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