Birdwatcher’s Diary No.250

Published on: 7 Mar, 2022
Updated on: 7 Mar, 2022

By Malcolm Fincham

By the middle of February there was a change in the weather. Although still relatively mild, the Jet Stream had pushed south calling the end to what had been a sustained spell of high pressure.

Atlantic winds had gained energy. As if in wrath from having been silenced for so long, gale-force winds Dudley followed by Eunice blew across the British Isles.

Still a relatively new thing, The Met Office started naming storms in 2015 and has continued to do so since. It says it’s simply to make people more aware when severe weather is on the way, with the idea being you’ll hear the name and you’ll know serious wind, rain or snow is coming.

The last of the “trio” was storm Franklin that past through on Sunday, February 20.

Although none of them causing as much structural damage as the great storm that I recalled working through in October 1987, I decided to call a temporary truce with nature and abandoned my photography and birdwatching during such inclement days.

Within a blink of an eye, I found another month was rapidly drawing to a close!

Fortunately, storms having past, we had been blessed with another high pressure system bringing with it some good spells of sunshine allowing me a few opportunities to catch up on a few photos locally.

Dartford warbler on Whitmoor Common.

My usual locations, mostly within the parish of Worplesdon, saw Dartford warblers in good number on the heathland areas. Susceptible to cold winters, this one had so far been kind to them.

Male stonechat, Whitmoor Common.

Both male and female stonechats could be seen within close proximity of each other.

Kestrel on Whitmoor Common.

On Whitmoor Common a kestrel could be viewed surveying the heathland for prey most afternoons.

Meadow pipit on Whitmoor Common.

A few meadow pipits continued to be present.

Goldcrest, Worplesdon.

In areas where conifers and other evergreen were abundant, our smallest of UK’s birds the goldcrest could be found.

Firecrest, Worplesdon.

While its closest contender for smallest bird, the firecrest could be heard in song, mostly among the holly bushes.

Grey Squirrel.

A grey squirrel poked its head out momentarily from a hole in an oak tree.

Looking out from a recently created clearing on the southern side of St Mary’s churchyard at Perry Hill, Worplesdon, I attempted to pick out notable features across Guildford I might recognise.

View from Worplesdon Churchyard. Clandon Park on the far left.

A white square-shaped building hidden partially in the distance beyond Whitmoor Common was most probably the mansion at Clandon Park, now covered over having suffered extensive fire damage a few years ago.

Looking out from the churchyard at Worplesdon with a view towards Guildford Cathedral.

Standing out in plain sight to the right of my vision was the unmistakeable image of Guildford Cathedral. This photo I took from the same spot a few days later.

Kestrel.

Interrupted from my scenic viewing, I noticed a kestrel perched in the boughs of an oak tree nearby also admiring the vista.

Greenfinch.

The wheezing sound of a greenfinch attracted my attention as it sung high up in a nearby tree.

Singing song thrush.

A song thrush could be heard singing, a little way off, in another part of the churchyard.

Mistle thrush.

While the distant sound of a mistle thrush in song was a welcomed addition.

At Britten’s Pond, along the Salt Box Road, the resident kingfisher continued to be a challenge to my photographic abilities. Regularly it could be glimpsed as it flashed low across the water. Mostly during moments I was least ready!

Kingfisher, Britten’s Pond.

In what appeared to have become an unspoken personal agreement between us, it would eventually perch up close enough to allow me a reasonable photo opportunity.

Mute swans.

The adult mute swans on the pond were already beginning to show signs of courtship.

While the two remaining cygnets from last year’s brood were receiving occasional signs of aggression from their parents, especially the cob.

As the sunshine continued into the last days of the month, I also took the opportunity to visit the Riverside Nature Reserve, near Burpham.

Shoveler, Riverside Nature Reserve.

On the scrape near Stoke Lock a small group of about six shoveler ducks could be viewed.

Wigeon.

A lone drake wigeon could also be seen.

Tufted ducks, on Stoke Lake.

On Stoke Lake, usual for this time of the year 20 or so tufted ducks could be seen out on the water.

Little grebe.

Along the margins at least two little grebes could be picked out.

Teal at Riverside Nature Reserve.

While small groups of teal could still be viewed in their usual secluded spots.

Long-tailed tit at Riverside Nature Reserve.

A few long-tailed tits were showing signs of pairing up.

Grey wagtail.

And at least half a dozen grey wagtails could be viewed along the stretch of the River Wey.

Common crossbills, Crooksbury Common.

A little further afield at Crooksbury Common near Farnham I was able to add five common crossbills to my photos, my first ones of the year!

Siskin.

A lone male siskin could also be viewed singing in a tree nearby.

Drake goosander.

A brief visit to Cutt Mill ponds in Puttenham added two male and a female wintering goosanders to my day’s list.

Woodlark, Thursley Common.

While Thursley Common added two separate sightings of woodlarks, counting at least five in total.

Common buzzard.

Common buzzards could regularly be seen especially on the sunnier days displaying in the blue skies overhead around the Surrey countryside.

Red kites over my garden.

Ever present in recent years at all the local locations I visited were red kites. Regularly, I have been able to point one out to my grandson on occasions when it was my turn to walk him home from school. Often secretly amused by him as he quelled my excitement at seeing one by replying: “Yeah I know, grampy!” or “Yes, but you didn’t need to point it out grampy!”

The last day of the month came around far too quickly and rain-bearing clouds had ended the sunshine for the time being. It had turned out to warmest February for 20 years and with daylight now extending well beyond 5pm, perhaps spring will soon be in sight?

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