Birdwatcher’s Diary No.208

Published on: 23 May, 2020
Updated on: 23 May, 2020

by Malcolm Fincham

Moving into May, the blue skies and sunshine continued. Although still restricted in my ventures I continued to remain up to date as best I could with my photos.

At the same time keeping within the present restrictions that continue to be enforced due to the coronavirus epidemic. Therefore, relying on what I may see in local areas within walking or cycling distance.

Dartford warbler on Whitmoor Common. Click on pictures to enlarge in a new window.

A few evening walks on Whitmoor Common allowed me to continue to see and hear Dartford warblers flying low across the heather. They occasionally perched up on gorse or in the small silver birch saplings now in full leaf.

Stonechat fledgling.

Some of the stonechats could already be seen with their fledglings.

St Mary’s Church, Worplesdon.

My walk across the heathland led me to a lesser known public footpath, taking me in the direction of St Mary’s Church, in Worplesdon. Recently, I have had several close encounters with a red kite, that always seemed to give the impression it recognised me!

Red kite near St Mary’s Church, Worplesdon.

Regularly circling around the field, occasionally perching up to roost within view in one of the tall trees surrounding the churchyard. Often it would come close by overhead, giving me an inquisitive look.

Red kite with its supper, St Mary’s Church, Worplesdon.

One particular evening I saw it had returned with some supper – a meal fit for a kite! Quite probably the item was already dead when it had picked it up in its talons, as red kites are renown to feed mostly on carrion.

Taking my cumbersome tripod on my walk was for once an advantage. Setting up my camera on it I recorded a few video clips (see above).

Full moon rising over Whitmoor Common.

As light continued to fade, I decided it was time to head for home. A full moon had already risen as I walked back across the heathland.

Roding woodcock at dusk on Whitmoor Common.

An added bonus was the sighting of a “roding” woodcock, silhouetted in the twilight sky.

Nightjar seen in a previous year in flight on Whitmoor Common.

Night was fast approaching. The planet Venus was rapidly being joined by millions of stars. In spite of the surrounding darkness, I was enlightened by the gentle churring of a distant nightjar. “They’re back,” I exclaimed! Grateful that I didn’t get a reply!

House martin at Triggs Lock.

A cycle ride to Triggs Lock at Sutton Green a few evenings later saw what had now become regular sightings of house martins.

Swallow.

Swallows had taken up their annual residence at a horse stable across the field close to the lock.

Swifts make a return.

And swifts could be viewed in flight, overhead.

Rose-ringed parakeet.

Rose-ringed parakeets are now also regular sightings from along the towpath. Very vocal and often seen flying in small groups.

Common buzzard.

Common buzzards and red kites had also become a regular sighting along the way.

One grey squirrel.

Checking some of the holes in several of the gnarled old oaks, I was intrigued by some movement in one. I had hoped it might be a little owl. I was, however, amused as a grey squirrel poked its head out.

Then there were two!

It was soon accompanied by a second inquisitive character.

Stock dove.

I was also surprised to spot a stock dove poking its head out of one such hole, although not spotting any little owls in any of the holes.

Little owl in flight.

I did, however, get to spot (as in my previous report) a little owl as it flew across a field near where I had seen the previous one.

Common whitethroat.

Common whitethroats were now making up the majority of the sound along the towpath.

Along the backwaters of the River Wey by Triggs Lock, and following a recent report of a whooper swan there, it could be seen once again.

Whooper swan at Triggs Lock.

No doubt an escapee from a private collection, having been seen in a group of as many as four in recent years.

An early evening stroll around Britten’s Pond, near Whitmoor Common on May 9 allowed me a little time to chill and be at one with nature.

Greylag geese with goslings at Britten’s Pond.

New life had begun to emerge since my previous visit. The resident greylag geese had produced a healthy clutch of goslings.

Canada geese with goslings at Britten’s Pond.

The resident Canada geese could also be viewed with their goslings.

Swans on Britten’s Pond, now with cygnets.

The mute swans that had built their nest on one of the islands were now guiding their six young cygnets on what appeared to be their maiden voyage, just in photo shot distance across to the near bank of the pond. As if just to show what proud parents they were, before returning them to their nest.

Common terns on Britten’s Pond.

A pair of common terns had taken up residence, although I am not sure they will stay to breed, unless they use one of the islands on the pond.

Carp jumping at Britten’s Pond.

I was also able to again capture a picture of a carp jumping.

At the Riverside Nature Reserve near Burpham, a pair of common terns could also be viewed.

Common terns prospecting the raft on Stoke Lake.

These ones had taken up residence on the tern raft that had been put in place on Stoke Lake last summer. “Build it, and they will come!” they say!

While the weather continued to remain dry and sunny for the most part, I chanced my luck in adding a few new butterflies to this year’s sightings.

An afternoon walk on Pewley Down turned out to be quite a productive one.

Small blue butterfly on Pewley Down.

Small blue butterflies had begun to emerge.

Dingey skipper butterfly on Pewley Down.

Along with dingy skippers.

Green hairstreak butterfly on Pewley Downs.

Green hairstreaks could also seen in reasonable number.

Grizzled skipper.

Also adding a grizzled skipper.

Speckled wood butterfly.

Speckled wood.

Small heath butterfly.

Small heath butterflies had also recently emerged.

Brimstone butterflies in flight on Pewley Down.

Also adding to the day’s sightings were brimstone butterflies.

Peacock butterfly on Pewley Downs.

A peacock butterfly.

Mother Shipton’s moth.

And a Mother Shipton’s moth.

I also found time to check up on Hugh Coakley’s fascinating Guildford Dragon NEWS story about tawny owlets that had been relocated to their nest having fallen 35 feet from a tree in Gravetts Lane in Worplesdon, on April 22.

Tawny owlet, Worplesdon.

Intrigued by their welfare having gone through their ordeal, I was fortunate to discover one of the tawny owlets still at the nest site on May 11.

As well as a few photos. And over several evenings I was also able to spot a second one.

Tawny owlet.

The adults no doubt watching over them remained too elusive and cleverly hidden for my eyes to spot.

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