Birdwatcher’s Diary No.88

Published on: 2 Jun, 2015
Updated on: 2 Jun, 2015

By Malcolm Fincham

There is a strict code of conduct within birdwatching circles at this time of the year, not to mention locations of rare nesting birds. This can make my reports quite a challenge, not to reveal too much information for the safety of birds. This paranoia has understandably developed from days when egg collecting was a popular pastime.

I am perhaps a little too naive maybe, not to believe this behaviour can possibly still occur, especially now such pastimes are so greatly frowned upon. These days, some pretty hefty fines and possible prison sentences in some cases are dealt out for those who may be tempted, that hopefully will deter such people. For the ultimate safety of our wildlife, I apologise for not revealing some the specific locations I have visited for this report.

Heathland locations tend to be my favourite areas to visit at this time of the year, with quite a few to choose from around Surrey. Especially for catching up with some of the rarer species that can be seen.

Dartford warbler.

These included Dartford warblers on a few of the locations I visited.

Can you spot the nightjar in flight?

On May 30, inspired by a tip off by a trusted friend (Jake) I managed to locate one of the regular roosting spots of a nightjar. It was fascinating and a rare sight even for me to see one asleep in daylight hours.

Nightjar: one of its favoured roosts.

The nightjar is very much a nocturnal critter, feeding mainly on moths and other small flying creatures of the night.

The nightjar spends daylight hours resting, choosing a number of favoured spots, but almost always with at least one eye remaining half open in case of a daytime predator.

Nightjar perches on a dead tree stump.

Looking almost reptilian in its excellently camouflaged feathers, it was one of my top sighting so far this year and to get a few record shots was a real bonus.

Although still feeling unseasonably cool for the time of the year, the last few weeks of May produced some pleasant sunny days with good opportunities to get out and about with my camera.

Photographer versus hobby. I hope he managed to focus his camera better than I did.

Mid May is a prime time for photographers to visit Thursley Common in the hope of capturing one of those iconic shot of a hobby, attracted there to feed up on dragonfly on the wetland area near the boardwalks.

Two hobbies (Falco subbuteo) fly by Thursley Common.

As many as five or six could be seen hunting on the day I visited. Although I wasn’t able to get that perfect shot of one passing by low to the ground with a dragonfly in its talons.

Hobby on the hunt for dragonfly.

However, I thoroughly enjoyed watching their displays and was pleased with some pictures.

Curlew on Thursley Common.

And as a bonus, I even got a shot of a curlew as it flew over.

One particular bird that I was determined to catch up with in hope of a few photos was the cuckoo.

Cuckoo in flight over Whitmoor Common.

The well known bird is thought to be harbinger of spring. This year it seems to be closer to an announcement of summer; that is, the one that had only just arrived on Whitmoor Common a good few weeks later than I had recorded seeing it over the previous three years.

Cuckoo calling in the evening sunshine on Whitmoor Common.

As with last year, the evening sun was in my favour as I spotted it high in a silver birch calling its famous song.

Adult cuckoos arrive in late March or April and depart in July or August, with young birds leaving a month or so later.

It was very obliging too, allowing me plenty of shots of it in various poses. Even managing to film a short video clip as it hailed its song.

Roe deer running on Whitmoor Common.

A little later as the sun sank low on the horizon, a roe deer appeared. It allowed me to snap a few shots as it ran across the path I was walking along.

Roe deer.

It ran into a small mixed copse of birch and pines. Undaunted by my presence, it had a good scratch and nibble on one of trees, allowing me a few more shots before I, rather than he, decided it was time to depart.

Triggs Lock.

On May 27 I went on a walk along the River Wey towpath from Stoke Lock to Triggs Lock, attempting to update with a few new pictures of latest sightings for the year.

Banded demoiselle (male).

As I walked I noticed for the first time this year banded demoiselles out flying and settling in the sunshine on the nettles and reeds of the riverbank.

Banded demoiselle (female).

While walking out near Triggs Lock a hobby could be seen perched in a tree across the river.

A hobby perches on a dead branch near Triggs Lock.

Hobbies and kestrels are often thought to be hard to tell apart because they are very similar in size.

Kestrel near Triggs Lock.

But there was no mistake between the pictures of the two birds, having taken one of a female kestrel just a short while before.

Ring-necked parakeet.

Ring-necked parakeets could be heard squawking, with one just visible enough to photo as it sat high in the tree’s canopy.

Treecreeper collecting insects for its young.

In a wooded area close to the towpath a treecreeper could be seen feeding in bark crevices, collecting food for its young.

Mistle thrush collecting food for its young.

While a mistle thrush could also be seen collecting worms for its chicks too.

Barn owl near Bowers Lock.

Near Bowers Lock a barn owl could still be seen perched in one of its daytime roosts.

Not wishing to neglect my local patch at the Riverside Nature Reserve, on my return I visited Stoke Lake.

Great crested grebe with chick on Stoke Lake.

The great crested grebes that had been nesting there were now displaying a chick out on the centre of the lake.

Common terns wondering what to do with some rather large eggs left behind by the Canada geese.

While the common terns continued to look content with life out on their raft, having evicted the Canada geese, forcing them to abandon the eggs they had laid.