Birdwatcher’s Diary No.300

Published on: 19 Mar, 2024
Updated on: 18 Mar, 2024

By Malcolm Fincham

I am celebrating my 300th report, that’s over 11 years of writing these fortnightly updates of nature sightings.

All of which can be viewed on The Guildford Dragon NEWS. https://guildford-dragon.com/category/nature/birdwatchers-diary/

Also adding much gratitude to all who have followed me on my ventures as well as a big thank you to all who continue to inspire me with their comments.

A few settled days of weather during the first week of March allowed me the opportunity to venture further afield, both within Surrey as well as just beyond the borders of the county.

Controversially, but understandably, in keeping within the original county’s boundaries when the Surrey Bird Club was founded, Staines Reservoir could be said to still remain beyond its now Surrey home, thus remaining in its old realm of Middlesex.

Not holding such boundaries to my heart, I was happy to count it in either respect. It has certainly allowed me a good few rarities during my years of visiting it.

Once again the recent visit didn’t disappoint, once again in the company of my good friend Dougal.

Slavonian grebe, Staines Reservoir.

A Slavonian grebe was present and affording good views. Soon to be heading for its more northerly breeding grounds, it had already began to show signs of turning into summer plumage during its brief time there.

Black-necked grebe, Staines Reservoir.

While black-necked grebes were still present, and although having seen them there as well as at Tice’s Meadow earlier this year, could also now be seen starting to morph into their summer outfits.

Goldeneye ducks, drake and female, Staines Reservoir.

Goldeneye ducks could still be viewed.

Goldeneye in mating ritual mode, Staines Reservoir.

Soon to move north to their breeding grounds, and the males could already be seen throwing their heads back in their mating rituals.

Tufted ducks, Staines Reservoir.

While large rafts of tufted ducks were still present.

Linnets on the Caurseway, Staines Reservoir.

Along the Causeway small groups of linnets could be viewed.

Pied wagtail, Staines Reservoir.

While larger groups of pied wagtails as well as meadow pipits were observed.

Meadow pipit on the Caurseway, Staines Reservoir.

Red kite, Staines Reservoir.

On the outer banks of the reservoir a red kite could be viewed.

Across the Surrey border on March 8, with the addition of Bob, Steve and Ross, we visited Oare Marshes in Kent. Thus enabling us to add a few more ‘year’ sightings to our lists, and more importantly, for me to add a few more photos along the way.

Great white egret, Oare Marshes.

A great white egret was a nice addition, although becoming more common in recent years.

Little egret, this one seen at Tice’s Meadow.

As well as little egret, now commonly seen at reserves in Surrey.

Spotted redshank, Oare Marshes.

Another nice addition to our sightings was a spotted redshank.

Common redshank.

And also being able to compare it with a photo of a common redshank while there.

Turnstones, Oare Marshes.

Adding additional photos to my day’s sightings of turnstones.

Oystercatcher, Oare Marshes.

Oystercatchers.

Curlew, Oare Marshes.

And curlews.

Water pipit, previously seen at Staines Reservoir.

Cetti’s warbler, Oare Marshes.

The water pipit present was unfortunately too distant to capture with my camera. A Cetti’s warbler, however, more than made up for it.

Cetti’s warbler, Oare Marshes.

Although having recently seen one skulking in the undergrowth at the Riverside Nature Reserve in Guildford, this one was exceptionally showy, perching with pulsating calls as in sat up proudly posing within a still leafless thicket.

Road bridge across the River Swale, viewed from Sheppey.

In our attempts to add to our sighting we headed off across the River Swale and on to the Isle of Sheppey.

Marsh harrier, Elmley Nature Reserve.

Marsh harriers have become quite numerous there with wintering birds now in excess of 100 individuals.

Hen harrier (ring-tail).

Much lower in number, due to continued illegal percussion in parts of the UK, were hen harriers, with just a few ring-tailed birds seen that day.

With plenty of wintering wildfowl still about, it wasn’t surprising to see a few other birds of prey too.

Peregrine, Elmley Nature Reserve.

Looking back toward the road-bridge a distant peregrine could be seen having lots of fun rounding up a group of shelduck and other waterfowl.

Kestrel.

While a kestrel, predominantly looking for small mammals, hovered by the roadside.

Sparrowhawk.

And a sparrowhawk could also be seen flying through.

Golden plovers.

A large distant flock of golden plovers could also be viewed.

Lapwings.

While lapwings constantly flew about us.

Corn bunting, Harty Marshes, Isle of Sheppey.

At Harty Marshes on the Isle of Sheppey we were able to add a flock of 30 or more corn buntings to our year’s tally.

Red-legged partridge.

And added a covey of eight or so red-legged partridges to our day’s sightings.

With over a month’s worth of rain falling in southern counties during the first weeks of March, understandably, it didn’t allow me much time to visit my local ‘patches’ closer to home.

Wet patch at Tice’s Meadow.

And at Tice’s Meadow, near Farnham, we found ourselves having to retrace our steps, leaving no chance of visiting the waterside hide, even while wearing wellies!

Redpoll, Whitmoor Common.

On Whitmoor Common, however, I still had the opportunity to see and photograph a dozen or so redpolls still present.

Coal tit, Whitmoor Common.

And a photo of a coal tit was a nice addition.

Great spotted woodpecker.

Great spotted woodpeckers had started pairing up and could now be regularly heard drumming.

Dartford warbler, Whitmoor Common.

While Dartford warblers continued to be viewed on the heathland.

With daylight hours extending and the sun increasing in its warmth as it now began ascending higher in the sky (when it had an opportunity to shine), daytime temperatures slowly began to rise.

Chiffchaff in song.

At Britten’s Pond by the second week of the month chiffchaffs could be heard, now in full song.

Siskin, Britten’s Pond.

Feeding on the seed cones of alder trees at the back of the pond that overhang the water, a handful of siskins could be viewed on several visits.

Egyptian goose, Britten’s Pond.

A pair of Egyptian geese continued to make an appearance.

Mute swans nesting on an island, Britten’s Pond.

The resident swans were now never far apart from each other. The pen often seen seated on her recently built nest and the cob occasionally chasing off any geese that strayed too near to the island they resided on.

Common buzzard.

Common buzzards were regularly seen over the pond.

Cormorant over Britten’s Pond.

While a cormorant continued to visit.

Rooks nesting at Britten’s Pond.

And the rooks nesting in the tall trees at the rear appeared to be already feeding young.

Kingfisher, this one a female, at Britten’s Pond

Sightings of a kingfisher also continued. On occasions two being observed flying low across the water. I even managing another picture of one of them, a female on this occasion, as it perched up to fish.

On March 15 a small group of solitary bees could be seen emerging from holes in the soil by the water’s edge.

Solitary mining bee, Britten’s Pond.

This species I believe to be Andrena clarkella https://bwars.com/bee/andrenidae/andrena-clarkella

They are often the first solitary species of bee to be found in the spring, sometimes flying as early as mid February. They forage almost exclusively from sallow blossom.

Rainbow over Britten’s Pond.

And with yet another day of rain and showers, another photo of a rainbow was inevitable.

Carp jumping, Britten’s Pond.

I also managed to achieve my first photo of this year of a carp breaching the water.

David Rose writes: The Guildford Dragon NEWS thanks Malcolm (a true countryman) for all of his 300 reports – a terrific achievement. Malcolm and I have been friends since we were just into our teens. Back then we observed local wildlife together, along with other friends. It’s a real pleasure to put together Malcolm’s regular reports and photos for publication.They are an important and valued part of our local news coverage.

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