Boardwalk Wildlife.

During the past few weeks I have enjoyed several visits to Thursley Common under both sunny and cloudy skies. So here are a few images taken while I have been  treading the boardwalks and tracks in search of the local wildlife. 

More often than not the first bird I usually encounter is a male Stonechat singing from atop a young Birch.

The main boardwalk allows access across the wettest part of the site towards 'Pine Island' where there is often something sitting atop the tallest branches ... on this visit it was a Kestrel. In a few weeks time photographers will line the boardwalk hoping to get that special shot of a Hobby hawking prey over the main pool.

The shorter section of boardwalk below leads towards 'Shrike Hill' and it is here that I look for a dark, long-tailed warbler with a red eye ....

while also listening out for its very distinctive scratchy, mechanical song.

Occasionally I get a brief glimpse of a Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) one of the special residents of this lowland heathland habitat. This species is dependent on mature dry heath with gorse in good condition in order to survive cold, harsh winters. The UK population crashed to a few pairs in the 1960's but it has fortunately bounced back although several fires on the common and very wet, cold winters in recent years have not helped but it is very pleasing now to see decent numbers in various locations around this site.

 

Certainly not a bird that is easy to get close to without an extremely long lens, hence this cropped shot!

Despite the chilly weather there were one or two hardy Common Lizard sunbathing on the boardwalk and well camouflaged amongst the dried grasses nearby a female Mallard was resting.

Heading out onto the tracks across the open heath provided views of Woodlark, more Stonechats and a brief encounter with one of the two Great Grey Shrikes that have been overwintering here. Their tendency to roam widely for food means they can turn up anywhere on the common although the aptly named 'Shrike Hill' is generally the best place to find them.

A detour to a patch of deciduous woodland rewards me with sightings of a recently arrived male Common Redstart (above) plus views of Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and hear my first Cuckoo of the year before I trudge up onto the gorse covered ridge, accompanied by the twittering of Linnets, for uninterrupted distant views over the extensive heathland before descending back via the sandy tracks to the boardwalk.

Linking to:
Nature Notes
Wild Bird Wednesday

Singing Redstart.

After a reasonable walk across open heathland this morning I entered a small patch of mixed woodland dominated by a few very old oak trees and listened for the distinctive song of a small migrant thrush recently arrived from Africa. Within a few moments my quarry, a male Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), was located singing high overhead.

 

Unfortunately none of the three males I saw today offered a decent pose at a lower level so below is an unpublished image I took in June last year which shows off his gorgeous colours.

Linking to:
Wild Bird Wednesday

Old Lodge Nature Reserve.

Following on from a previous post 'Obliging Redstart', for which I thank everyone for their appreciative comments, as promised I'm returning to Old Lodge Nature Reserve with a few other images taken during my late morning stroll around this heathland location in East Sussex including a few gates and fences. (Linking to Good Fences hosted by TexWisGirl). 

The first avian species seen was a Common Redstart that flew from the pathway in front of me and disappeared into the nearby woodland. 

Some time later I had a much closer encounter and you can view some of those images in my earlier post and on FABirding.

Tree Pipits were also very vocal but unfortunately failed to come within range of my lens. A Cuckoo was also heard calling but not seen.

I saw several species of Moths but only one settled long enough ... a very tatty Common Heath. (Thanks to Dave for the ID correction).

The view beyond the fence line gives an indication of the terrain ... a fairly deep sided valley. I enjoyed the downward journey but didn't relish the steep climb up the other side!

 

Despite the warmer temperature there were very few butterflies seen apart from Speckled Wood, a couple of Brimstone and this Small Heath that was very flighty.  

On the downward slope I located a small patch of Common Spotted Orchids.

Another heathland specialist is the Stonechat, often spotted on a high perch, and I also watched one pair feeding youngsters hiding in a stand of gorse.

And finally (no apologies) for another shot of the Common Redstart that was definitely the star species during this visit.

Obliging Redstart.

Last Friday morning we drove into East Sussex to enable Anita to attend a craft event at Crowborough and with the chance of some half decent weather I took the opportunity to revisit Old Lodge Nature Reserve.

With views across the Ashdown Forest the reserve habitat is a mixture of heathland, woodland and small pools that support a very varied selection of wildlife including a dozen species of Odonata.

On this visit I saw one or two damselflies and views of any dragonflies were also scarce as they tend to emerge here some three or four weeks later due to the colder temperature of the water.

This site is a stronghold for several avian species, including Tree Pipit and Common Redstart and while listening to Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers I saw both my target species within the first 15 minutes but it took another hour before one special species provided an opportunity to enjoy a close encounter.

As I climbed out of the deep valley I noticed a male Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) using a fence post as a perch in between its search for insects so I promptly found a spot to park myself and waited and watched.

On a couple of occasions it flew away from the fence line and used a dead snag as a perch, just a little too far away for a really good close up, but after a while that situation changed.

This delightful but 'Amber listed' bird gets its name from its fiery-red tail which it constantly flicks and also fans out during its courtship displays.

Originally categorised within the Chat and Thrush (Turdidae) family it is now considered to belong to the Old world flycatchers (Muscicapidae).

This male was obviously feeding a young brood by finding plenty of insects in the grass beneath its perch then flying off but regularly returning to the same spot providing me with some of the best views I've ever enjoyed.

Every so often he would just stop and rest on one of the fence posts and occasionally treat me to a burst of song so I have included below a sonogram by Patrick Aberg in Sweden and you will also hear Willow Warbler and Chaffinch in the background.

More images from this session can be seen HERE and I'll be sharing some other wildlife seen during this brief visit in a future post. FAB.

Linking to Nature Notes and Wild Bird Wednesday.

Some Spring Migrants on Thursley Common.

Just over a week ago, taking a well earned break from the decorating,  I paid another early morning visit to Thursley Common to see what other Spring migrants might have turned up on this special lowland heath habitat with its acidic bog and woodland.

Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus)

Looking across the open landscape the first bird of the day was a resident male Stonechat perched high on the remnants of an old tree. I also listened and scanned for any sign of any of the four Curlew that had recently been reported (at least one pair turn up most years in early spring) but didn't find one. Maybe I'd be lucky on my return route.

As I walked through Pine Island I heard and the caught sight of several twittering Goldfinch with a Chiffchaff singing nearby.

Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)

As I headed up over Shrike Hill a Woodlark flew overhead and a singing Skylark ascended high into the blue sky. 

Descending the southern slope I heard the distinctive song of a Tree Pipit but initially couldn't find it until I spotted a likely candidate fly up from the heather and land in one of the lonesome conifers. A cropped record shot was the best I could achieve before this migrant moved onto another song perch much further away.

Most of the Gorse is now in full flower and some of the larger stands are good spots to find a Dartford Warbler .. I saw one fly but it promptly disappeared into the dense greenery. 

Close to one of the large sandy tracks I thought my ears had deceived me when I heard the croaking call of a Nightingale and on being joined by another birder, who has carried out the BTO bird surveys here for at least the last 20 years, we joyfully listened to not one but two Nightingales singing. I was told that this is the second Spring that a this species has been recorded at this particular spot on the common. 

On the other side of the track a returning Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) whistled softly.

In the nearby wooded area, at a similar spot to my previous visit, a male [Common] Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) made a welcome brief appearance. After their initial arrival from Africa in April they tend to disperse across the common to separate territories within the various wooded areas.

As I walked through the field I heard the repeated call of a Cuckoo and immediately quickened my steps in the hope of locating another migrant visitor that has successfully returned from overwintering in Africa.

Since 2011 we’ve been satellite-tracking Cuckoos to find out why - See more at: http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking#sthash.gPHwnzWS.dpuf

Since 2011 we’ve been satellite-tracking Cuckoos to find out why - See more at: http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking#sthash.gPHwnzWS.dpuf

Since 2011 the BTO has been satellite-tracking this 'Red Status' species to try and find out why half the numbers in the UK have been lost over the past 20 years.

So following the calls I finally caught up with this iconic species but kept a substantial distance away so as not to disturb him as he changed position from time to time.

Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)

 

On my return route with a pair of Common Buzzard wheeling overhead I also added Linnet and Common Whitethroat to my photo list as well as seeing Blackcap, Blackbird, Wren, Crow, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, Song Thrush and Reed Bunting.

While snapping a reflective shot of one of a dozen or so Canada Geese present on the pools, as I returned to the boardwalk, I heard the distinctive call of a Curlew but was a little slow to react as a single bird flew high overhead only to drop down and disappear amongst the damp grasses. Well at least I was finally able to add it to my 2015 County year list!

And the grand finale. as I trod the boardwalk, was a brief visit by a Hobby (Falco subbuteo), another returning migrant, but only allowing just another distant record image. FAB.

Linking to Nature Notes and Wild Bird Wednesday.

Common Redstart.

Having spent most of the week either gardening or starting on some long outstanding redecorating jobs indoors I felt the need to get out today and see what other migrants might have turned up. A visit to Thursley Common seemed a good choice and produced several singing Willow Warblers, a Tree Pipit and two Swallows passing through to add to my year list.

But the highlight was finding three male [Common] Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) recently arrived from Africa and I watched one individual stamp his authority on the others as it staked out its new breeding territory.

Resplendent in its breeding plumage; orange-red breast, black throat and white forehead; and constantly vibrating its tail to reveal the rusty-red feathers.

After the other two males vacated the immediate area I had to wait quite a time before this male decided to perch briefly to allow the lens to focus. Once the females arrive nesting will begin in earnest and I'll try to return to get some better images. FAB.

 Linking to Saturday's Critters, I'D-Rather-B-Birdin' and Wild Bird Wednesday.

Wildlife on Thursley Common.

I made another outing to Thursley Common last Thursday to check out the wildlife. 

As usual I entered the common via the boardwalk and stopped by one of the acid pools to see if there was any Odonata activity. It soon became obvious that there were a number of Chasers skimming over the water so just a matter of waiting for one to settle somewhere.

While I waited a Large Red Damselfly perched close by for a photo call with several others in tandem seeking a place to settle whilst being harried by other uncoupled individuals.

Eventually a Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) landed nearby to take a rest.

Nice to see them with their pristine wings before all the battles take a toll. The sexes are very much alike and their brown abdomen becomes much darker as they mature. They often fall prey to the Emperor Dragonfly which patrols the water at a similar height of 70cm.

As on a previous visit (please click the link to view earlier images) I saw at least four male Redstart but they were typically always singing from fairly high perches so I had to crop the images taken so that you can appreciate their stunning colours.

This male was singing with from the same location for some ten minutes in direct competition with another male not too far away.
You can listen to it's song here.

Further over on the heath I noticed at least two spotty looking young birds flitting about the track side foliage and eventually managed a quick photo as I wasn't sure of the species ID at the time.

Having now cropped the image and looked more closely at its markings; including the rufous rump; I'm now fairly sure that it is a juvenile Stonechat.

I was also hearing the calls of several Common Whitethroat and just my luck one male perched briefly enabling a shot through a gap in the young birch growth.

Other species seen included Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Curlew, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Common Buzzard (6), Cuckoo and Skylark.

One of the many Common Lizards sunning itself on the boardwalk. I'll be going back when there are more species of Odonata on the wing and hopefully spend some time watching their predator, the Hobby.  FAB.