Thursley Common - Wet & windy visit.

During my few days of enforced rest last week I made a mid morning visit to Thursley Common. The weather forecast was windy and showers but with the outside chance of catching up with a migrant Whinchat I thought I would chance it. When I first arrived the outlook was promising.

Within half an hour the sky changed quite dramatically as the first of a number of rain fronts moved through.

It wasn't long before the skies brightened and I nearly stepped on a basking Lizard who had already lost it's tail!
Then another individual allowed a quick snap before it disappeared on hearing my footsteps.
During another brief shower I sought shelter beneath a stand of pines and heard then saw a male & female Stonechat but once the rain abated they disappeared into the undergrowth. Behind me and hidden from view a Green Woodpecker uttered it's unmistakable 'yaffle'. I then made my way to a small field in the centre of the common and while listening to the sounds of Blue and Great Tits a Small Copper alighted very briefly for one quick shot.

A few Bees were actively feeding on the abundant Ragwort.

A few Teasel heads still standing.

In the middle of this rough pasture an elderly piece of machinery stands rusting through the seasons.

Exiting out of the gate you can just see the colour of the new heather beginning to recolonise after one of the largest fires some years ago.

Following a path alongside the field I caught sight of the unmistakable 'balloon' flight of a Flycatcher regularly returning to the same resting position. In order to get a shot I had to move out of the shade and protection of the overhead canopy onto the heathland and stealthily crept closer and closer but in full view of my prey. This image is cropped but does confirm that this is a juvenille Spotted Flycather (another first for this year).

Now well past midday it was time to head back towards the car park following one of the many sandy tracks.

Power lines cross the common providing perches for all manner of birds (but not on this occasion) and a navigational aid for yours truly providing I can remember which numbered pylon is where!

Whilst difficult to locate amongst the grasses this Black Darter eventually ceased its erratic flight pattern to rest briefly.

Finally I had fairly good views of a hunting Kestrel through the bins but it never got close enough to have its portrait taken. Another time perhaps.

Well as you can probably guess, no sighting of the Whinchats seen on a previous day but there is always next year! FAB