Reaching the far side of the meadow we scanned the fence where it had last been seen. Alas no sign but a few Whitethroats were seen feeding in the bushes and two juvenile Stonechats popped up along the fence bordering the workings. The site is eleven days into its restoration plan, so unfortunately the workings have been nearly drained of water to complete this work. I was able to talk about the exciting future plans for the site. There were a few Meadow Pipits and Linnets in the workings and a flyover Hobby was nice to see. Walking past the slit ponds we flushed a Green Sandpiper, it called as it circled before dropping back down in the workings.
Again we viewed the workings from where the planned hide is going to be situated. Just before we moved on the regular visiting Peregrine was found sitting in the workings, we watched it for a few minutes before it gave us a flypast. We then moved through Tices Wood towards Tongham GP. Only a few wintering ducks have arrived ,Tufted Duck, Pochard and Gadwall and plenty of Coot are present. As we walked towards the western bank we came across a Tit flock which also contained a few Chiffchaff and a we had excellent close views of a Treecreeper. Reaching the northern end two Kingfishers were first heard calling, then seen flying around the island.
Heading back now towards Tices Meadow a Buzzard flew low being mobbed. Another large roving Tit flock was encountered, this flock contained a male Blackcap and some Goldfinch. As we headed back to our cars, it was a good morning with a total of 56 species seen.
Kevin
PAGHAM HARBOUR 9th October 2011 The early arriving members visited the 'Ferry Pool' before returning to the visitor carpark to form a group of 13 members. The nearly empty carpark feeders were busy with Great/Blue Tits. We headed off again towards the Ferry Pool. It was just after high tide and disappointedly the pool held few birds. A few Lapwing, Black-headed Gulls and feeding Teal. In the distance a Stonechat on a fence with some Red-legged Partridge feeding on the edge of the field. No sign of the Ruff and Green Sandpiper seen earlier. Now walking along the path next to the harbour we looked over the marsh, a Sparrowhawk flushed a few Meadow Pipits and feeding Little Egrets. Looking along a creek the blue flash of a Kingfisher was seen before it perched on a dead branch. On reaching Sidlesham Quay a Little Grebe and Water Rail were heard calling but not seen in a large garden pond. Walking across the fields another Kestrel was seen hovering and a Green Woodpecker flew across the path. As we reach 'The North Wall' the tide was starting to recede. A distant flock of Golden Plover were roosting on the marsh.Closer, a few Redshank and a Grey Plover were just starting to feed . A Merlin quickly flew across. We walked back to the carpark to have some lunch. After lunch it was decided to drive down to Church Norton. From the carpark a Spotted Flycatcher was seen feeding from the dead branches of tree. We first headed in the churchyard where during the previous few days a Ring Ouzel and Black Redstart had been seen. We stood in position and had brief views of the Black Redstart but no sign of the Ring Ouzel.
As we could now see skeins of Brent Geese flying into the harbour we moved to get better views. It was now low tide, so plenty of exposed mud. The c250 Brent Geese were feeding with a single Pintail. Plenty of waders also feeding Dunlin, Turnstone and Oystercatchers.
The most striking bird though was a leucistic Curlew. Before moving back to the graveyard another Merlin was seen distantly chasing a Swallow. This time the Swallow survived to continue its migration south. Back in the graveyard another vigil for the Ring Ouzel. The Black Restart showed very well during this time. There was no sign of the Ouzel until someone decided to leave! A shout went up 'Ouzel' seen again for a second then a minute later seen again for a few more seconds as it disappeared again. Most were able to see it. At the end of an excellent day 85 species were recorded. Kevin Field Meeting Report - Stoke Water Meadows February 2010 Five participants joined me for a 9 am start to the Surrey Bird Club field meeting at Stoke Water Meadows and Lake on the possibly inauspicious date of 13th February. The weather was initially cloudy but dry and the sun managed to peep through from time to time so despite a chilly northerly breeze we were fortunate to enjoy one of the more pleasant (or at least less unpleasant) days of 2010 to date. We started by heading along the Wey Navigation to view the pools on Burpham Court Farm, noting Fieldfare and a variety of common finches on the way. There was a good variety of birds on the pools and surrounding damp meadows, particular highlights being nice 'scope views of male and female Wigeon and several Teal, whilst there was a single distant Egyptian Goose. Close scrutiny of drier areas revealed several dozen Redwings and a couple of Meadow Pipits foraging inconspicuously amongst the grass tufts. On the lake there were good numbers of Coot, a Great Crested Grebe already in its breeding finery and few Moorhen, Tufted Duck and Gadwall. Four Cormorants were on the Tern raft and a Grey Heron with a swollen growth on one leg was standing by the water's edge but then flew off to demonstrate that at least its wings were unaffected. Scanning unsuccessfully for the wintering Water Pipits as we passed that part of the marsh area greatly improved for them by recent scrub clearance, the next stop was the scrape and water meadows area. Here there was plenty of water, too much from a viewing perspective as we managed to pick out glimpses of over a dozen Shoveler and several Teal amongst the tufts but there were undoubtedly many more hidden away. Heading back along the Wey we had excellent views of two Treecreepers living up to their name by repeatedly creeping mouse-like up a tree, flying to the bottom of the next tree and then doing it again. A further attempt to find the elusive Water Pipits by paddling along the edge of the marsh for those of us shod with wellies produced only a single Common Snipe. Proceeding along the river was largely quiet, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying in, perching briefly and then off before everyone could get a view. Little Grebes were diving on the river; at least four were counted. Two similarly sized Sparrowhawks, suspected from their bulk to be females, were displaying aerially at each other and just as they were drifting out of sight a Kestrel zipped low across the field in front of us. A final re-scan of the farm pools revealed little change but a distant Stock Dove was found and there were now four gull species with at least a couple of hundred Black-headed Gulls being joined by several Common, a couple of Lesser Black-backed and a single Herring Gull. Thanks to the participants for their company and sharp eyes, as they spotted a number of birds the leader missed! Overall a total of 47 species were recorded.Steve Chastell Field Trip to Queen Mary Reservoir 5th September 2009 (Bird Ringing) I have been fortunate enough to have seen some ringing in the past. The first time I got any idea of what was involved was in Poland where a group of students were camping out in the forest. The tented accommodation looked very basic but the students were very enthusiastic and we were allowed to get close up views of the birds they were ringing. On that occasion I learnt that various measurements were taken and noted down as well as rings put on the birds. I found the whole thing fascinating and therefore, since then, whenever I have had the opportunity to see ringing I have taken it up. However definitely the best morning I have had was at Queen Mary with the ringing group there. However the best views I have had by far of a range of birds was when I joined the Queen Mary group. There were only 3 of us joining the ringers but this did mean we got really good views of the birds being handled and also, hopefully, we did not get in the ringers' way too much. It all started off as we were getting out of our cars with one of the ringers walking back with a handful of full bags and remarking that he had a Kingfisher and Green Woodpecker. We followed him into the building where the ringers operate but, even before we had a good close up look at these two birds, we found that a Wryneck was in the course of being measured, weighed and rung. After that we were given the opportunity to get some great photos of it before it was released. Then we had the close up views of the Kingfisher and Green Woodpecker. However, as you would expect, most of the birds were the more common ones such as the blue and great tits which we were told are the most aggressive birds to ring and certainly there seemed to be many more cries of pain whenever a tit came out a bag than any of the other species. As well as lots of tits there had been a fall of Blackcaps and we had good views of these birds as well as another "celebrity bird" which had been caught namely a female Sparrowhawk. One of the ringers was still in the course of being trained and so he had the pleasure of having us watch him whilst he was learning how to handle such an aggressive bird. It was a very short photo opportunity with the Sparrowhawk which was quite understandable. It was the most beautiful morning as well, with little wind, and the ringers were so busy they hardly had time to eat their breakfast. It seems that ringing happens every Saturday morning unless it is raining or really windy when it is not appropriate for the birds to be caught in nets for any length of time. The ringers will start at about 7 in the morning although they often start earlier. I was really impressed by the commitment of those involved. As well as those who were doing the actual ringing, other people were writing down the information about the birds. They were doing an amazing job. What you would have is about 3 ringers each measuring a bird and calling out the various measurements, sex, age etc and the writer was managing to write down information about 3 different birds apparently without getting confused between each one. A couple of times we went out with the ringers whilst they went to check the nets. Some tapes were playing to attract in the birds and we saw how birds were removed from the nets to be brought back for ringing and measuring. What was really nice was, whilst we were out on the net checking expedition, some species of birds we had not yet seen were caught and brought out to us to look at including a Lesser Whitethroat and a Garden Warbler. The Garden Warbler really threw us until one of us (not me) finally recognised what it was because it had no distinguishing features! When we got back from one of these walks another Kingfisher had been caught, plus a Greater Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper. I did not count up the total number of species we saw being handled but it must have been around 20. We were made really welcome and given really good views of the birds that were being handled. Everyone wanted to make sure we had a good time and understood what was going on and it was absolutely fascinating so a big thank you to everyone involved Penny Williams 'My first time' - a field leader's report from Winterfold, 26 May 2009 Like anyone with a local patch, I've seen a few good birds on mine over the years. When you reel off the rarer Surrey birds on the list it can sound impressive - until you realise they were built up over 27 years of often painful watching. Many just happened to be flying over when I heard or saw them. The truth is I've often gone there and seen virtually nothing! Especially in winter. So I was a bit nervous when I agreed to a Surrey Bird Club request to lead a field meeting there. Oh well, at least it was summer. Ish. One species on Winterfold, a heathland and forest area in the Hurtwood just north of Cranleigh, has brought much joy to an assortment of non-birders I've taken there. The nightjar. This was the key objective of this field meeting. But I was dreading no birds turning up. If that happened, what an embarrassment. I was also half expecting no birders to turn up. So there was no pressure nor nothing when I was, to my delight and surprise, joined in the car park by eight Surrey Bird Club members, all eager to see a bit of nightjar magic. Many had driven many miles from the nightjar-less north of the county to see our target bird, which ranks as one of my favourites. Some had not seen a nightjar for years while others had never seen one, let alone been 'buzzed' by one, before. I just hoped for me, and them, that they'd not be going back to the car park without one 'under the belt'. It was a reasonably clear evening with only a light wind so I was hopeful of conjuring up something. But, defensively, I pointed out that things were not what they used to be on Winterfold. In the mid 80's you could still get around double figures of churring males but in recent years this had declined to only a couple. To make things worse, I told them, this year there was a meagre supporting cast. There only seemed to be one male tree pipit (5-6 a decade ago), the Dartfords had apparently died in the winter, and even the usual pair of stonechats were missing. Willow warbler numbers were also down. And woodlarks were much rarer. We notched up about a dozen species before everyone was delighted to hear a couple of cuckoos. Unfortunately neither of these birds decided to play ball by returning my call, nor approaching nearer. Of course, they always do if I'm by myself. I soldiered on and led everyone to an area where I'd had a pair of firecrests earlier in May. Nothing doing of course at this time of day. Oh well, everyone seemed mildly impressed that they were in the very place the firecrests had been. On we went to the heath itself, coming across a couple who reported hearing a cuckoo. I think that cuckoo had been me. They joined us just in time to see a woodcock roding over our heads, squeaking and grunting like a flying porker escaping into the evening pinkness. We waited at where I thought would be the best spot. Nothing. We waited more. More squeaks, more grunts above. Two woodcocks were locked neck-and-neck in a territorial duel. Or perhaps they were a pair getting very excited. Then more quiet. 9.15. I began to think I'd duffed and let all these people down. 9.16. Still nothing. Then at 9.17, quietly at first, a brief churr. Not everyone heard it. I hoped it would come again. It did - loud this time and then 'clap clap clap' as the nightjar applauded us with his wings. I made some excited nightjar-tempting slobbery kiss-type noises on the back of my hand and there he was. Right above us like a dainty toy glider, circling us jerkily and buoyantly on his white-spotted wings. There was a murmur of amazement, appreciation and joy from the crowd below. Then he was off and we were able to watch him resting on the branch of a Scots Pine. We also saw a female, and heard another male churring before it got too dark to see. The obvious joy that bird gave to everyone present, especially those who had never seen a 'goatsucker' before, made my day. There's much pleasure in seeing birds. But, often, much more in being able to pass on and share those unforgettable special moments with others. While we've still got the chance. Robin Stride
Staines Reservoir, Sunday 14th January 2007
After the appalling gales of the previous week Sunday dawned fine and bright with only light winds. Five SBC members and two welcome visitors made up an amicable group. We met at the west end of the causeway and conducted a gentle shuffle to the east end and back over the following two hours.
The highlight was without doubt a Great Northern Diver, which had been present with a second bird for over a week. Initially it was located at the most northerly tip of the north basin. The bird spent 95% of the time submerged, so finding it and 'scoping' it before it vanished again was a challenge. Frustration gave way to amazement however, when on reaching the Ashford end of the causeway it (or another?) appeared close in at a range of 25 yards. It now spent most of the time on the surface and swam alongside us all the way back. At one stage it appeared to have some fishing gut caught in it's mouth, but later appeared to have shaken it free. The low sun made duck ID on the south basin difficult but flypasts by a male Goldeneye were impressive in superb light. We had good views of Shoveler and Wigeon on the north basin, while Ruddy Duck (rapidly becoming a rarity!), Tufted Duck, Pochard and Mallard completed the Anatidae. Gull ID was practised on four species (Black-headed, Common, Great Black-backed and Herring) all sitting on one of the tern rafts.Not a fantastic species list overall, but a very pleasant morning.
Hugh Evans
Pagham Harbour, February 11th 2007 I was pleasantly surprised when seven members, including the membership secretary, and two non-members arrived at Church Norton car park. The ten of us headed towards the harbour, where the tide was completely out. After scanning the common waders, we headed down the harbour to hopefully find Avocet.We had only got a little way, when one sharp eyed member of the group picked out a Peregrine sat down on the other side of the harbour. Despite the distance we all enjoyed good and prolonged views of this ever popular raptor. A nice start to the trip! Over the next couple of hours most of the common waders and duck were seen, including four Avocet feeding in one the tidal channels. As the sky darkened we headed back to the cars for lunch. Two members of the group, however, skipped lunch and carried on. Although they got a touch wet they were easily compensated by an elegant Spotted Redshank! After lunch the rest of the group headed to the sea, where we eventually found a party of 10+ Mediterranean Gulls feeding on the shore line. A Cetti's Warbler briefly gave away its presence in the wooded area by the Severals, by briefly singing, but unfortunately it did not sing again and we could not locate it either. We eventually returned to the cars, where all agreed it had been a thoroughly enjoyable day. David Smith Whitmoor Common April 2009 Eight participants joined me for the Field Meeting to Whitmoor Common on Sunday April 19th. The weather was generally sunny but with a cool northerly breeze in more exposed areas. First bird was a House Martin over the car park before we set off along a path that was rather muddier than expected after a couple of recent rainy days. The first of several Great Spotted Woodpeckers was heard calling but we did not get a good view of any of them. Quite a few minutes were spent watching a male Sparrowhawk performing a magnificent elaborate sky-dance with spectacular undulating loops and stoops and he was briefly joined by a much larger female before both hurtled down into some woods. Several Willow Warblers had arrived and were singing their delightful, gentle tune and we managed to pin one down for decent view. A couple of Chiffchaffs were also present and in song. An unexpected mammal sighting in some horse fields came in the form of some South American cameloids which I think were Alpacas rather than Llamas. Following the most severe winter for many years some heathland birds seem to have suffered particularly badly and the population of the sedentary Dartford Warbler on Whitmoor seems to have been completely wiped out; we did not find any sign of one at all. However a male Stonechat was nicely perched and a Skylark was singing lustily over adjacent horse pasture. A Buzzard then appeared close-by at a low height, although largely obscured by trees. Some tiny carnivorous sundews were examined then a Woodlark suddenly flew across and then perched very obliging on a nearby dead stump. Heading across an open heathland area a pair of Linnet and another Stonechat were seen perched and then passing through a wooded area a Treecreeper was scuttling up tree trunks. Perhaps one of the most interesting birds of the morning was a Jay mewing in a quite excellent impression of a Buzzard, it certainly had me fooled until I saw it. An Orange-tip butterfly provided a further sign of the advance of Spring as the day became warmer. A noisy Nuthatch called attention to itself before finally a pair of Blackcaps both showed themselves several times darting about in the trees. A total of 28 species were recorded during the morning.Steve Chastell