Heathland Wildlife.

During a recent break from wielding the paint brush I visited Thursley Common and wandered the various tracks and pathways around this lowland heath habitat under a blue, cloud strewn sky and a very gusty south-westerly wind. 

Not surprisingly in such windy conditions there was very little activity on the acidic bog pools but after a patient search I managed to grab a shot (above) of a Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) who stopped patrolling for a brief rest.

During periods when the sun became unshackled from the drifting clouds I was joined on the boardwalk by one of a few Common Lizards soaking up the rays.

During a lengthy detour across the heath the only other Odonata that came within range of the lens was this male Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum).

Throughout my visit the birds weren't very co-operative despite seeing or hearing Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Common Whitethroat, Curlew, Cuckoo, Willow Warbler, Linnet, several Woodlark, Skylark, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Carrion Crow and Kestrel.

In a small wooded area this Coal Tit constantly called as it collected food for its nestlings.

 

One heathland species that you can almost guarantee that will pose for the lens is the Stonechat.

Linking to Saturday's Critters.

Behind the Pond Fence.

Recent strolls around my patch at Epsom Common Great Pond haven't produced much in the way of bird sightings apart from the usual Grey Heron, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, an increasing number of visiting Canada Geese, Black-headed Gull, one Swallow and the occasional soaring Common Buzzard so the lens has been focused on other wildlife.

A Ruddy Darter sunning itself on the top fence rail.

White Admiral nectaring on the other side of the fence.

A very fresh 2nd brooded Holly Blue.

Access to the far side of the pond via the main gate proved a little problematical!! The odds were definitely stacked against me as the cattle, brought in during late Spring to help manage the landscape, weren't going to give up their tiny spot of shade plus the underfoot conditions were very unsavory so I decided to seek out another way. 

The alternative route to access the rear of the reed bed hidden behind the Gorse also provided its own particular challenge! Fortunately I managed to overcome this obstacle without getting 'hot wired'.

 Common Blue Damselflies in mating wheel.

Keeled Skimmer.

Finally a reverse view across the pond from within the reed bed towards my usual viewing point.  FAB.

Linking to Good Fences hosted by TexWisGirl.

Boots still walking.

Exactly four years ago I published a post entitled 'Boots are made for ....' and reported on the wildlife I encountered on a particular walk so I thought it would be interesting to repeat the walk, which I did today, and review any changes. Well, of course, the boots have changed ... the others wore out some time ago but my shadow is still the same! However the introduction to the original post (see below) is still relevant today.

"These boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do".

The repeated lyrics of the well known song by Nancy Sinatra released in 1966, when I was somewhat younger, and subsequently covered by many other artists including Jessica Simpson's own rewritten version. The rest of the original lyrics bear no relationship to my daily life but without boots I wouldn't have got anywhere. As a youngster I explored the local common and woodlands; as a teenager I hill-walked (often with my father in places such as the Brecon Beacons), hiked, rock scrambled and even climbed a bit with a close friend (Snowdonia, North Wales in the depths of a snow and ice filled winter was fun); I cycled a lot (even owned a tandem for a few years which won the heart of one young lady ... for a short time!) and also canoed along various rivers and canals; then car ownership enabled me to explore other parts of the UK testing the boots over mountains,  moorlands, valley floors, clifftops and beaches. In more recent times the boots now usually carry me over less treacherous terrain as I stroll here and there often stopping to watch our native wildlife or to just soak up my surroundings at a much more leisurely pace.

So are you ready boots? Start walkin'! An anti-clockwise circuit of Banks Common (connected to Bookham Common which has featured in numerous posts). The first thing I notice is that the vegetation is a lot thicker and higher than July 2010 as a Great-spotted Woodpecker repeatedly utters its distinctive 'kick .. kick' call and a male Blackcap flies across my path while a Goldfinch converses with its companions beyond my immediate view. The PowerShot SX50 HS focuses on the first of numerous Gatekeepers nectaring on Lesser Burdock. 

As I head towards the bridge a passing dog walker advises me that the path ahead is very overgrown and muddy underfoot .. I'm not deterred, I'm wearing boots! I am however conscious of the ever present danger of being stung by the overhanging large nettles as a tiny insect takes a nip somewhere above my bare ankle. As in the past the hedgerows were full of Bindweed, their white trumpets glowing like light bulbs amongst the dark green foliage where a 2nd brooded Small White Butterfly was resting. Natures colour palette of  greens, blues, purples, yellows and reddish-browns was provided by Teasels, Bittersweet, Tufted Vetch, Agrimony, Tansy, Grasses, Thistles, Ragwort, Honeysuckle and Common Sorrel just to name but a few.

Silver-washed Fritillary where thin on the ground with only two individuals seen during my whole walk. With the relatively high temperature I was glad of the shaded areas throughout my walk but they afforded little in the way of wildlife activity. However as soon as the view opened up that changed dramatically

On the opposite side of the meadow a single Common Buzzard drifted above the tree line constantly issuing its mewing 'piiyay..piiyay' call while Large Skippers, Meadow Browns and Common Damselflies rested nearby. The fence post is still standing but the moss has invaded its crown.

The view over the style hasn't changed but in the opposite direction the hay field has long since been converted into horse paddocks for expensive bloodstock. At this point I heard the calls of both a Chiffchaff and a distant Nuthatch as a number of Blue Tits flitted through the hedgerow. I also noticed that a Dragonfly had landed 15 feet high up on a bare branch but totally inaccessible for a photo. Using my bins I ascertained it was a Common Hawker and then a Ladybird landed and without a 'by your leave' hitched a ride on my arm for a while.

There were one or two fresh Brimstone getting a nectar fix.

Surprisingly I didn't come across any horse riders during this leisurely stroll but I did watch a Kestrel hunting on the far side of the meadow for over 15 minutes, constantly dropping into the long grass and then rising up again to hover while looking for a tasty meal. I think it was eventually sucessful as it flew to its regular tree and didn't reappear. 

During the walk I saw several male Darters frantically chasing one another during their territorial battles and towards the end of my circuit I found one male Ruddy Dater taking a well earned rest.

As I returned to my vehicle the final wildlife colours were provided by a beautiful Peacock showing off its brilliant upper wing patterns and its cryptic under wing camouflage.

In conclusion, a few changes to the landscape, a lack of sightings of any White Admiral butterflies (a typical scenario on most of my recent forays) and certainly fewer birds seen or heard with the notable absence of any colourful Yellowhammers. 

However one thing doesn't change ... on my exit route the traffic on the 'magic roundabout' (M25) was at a standstill but the trains were still running!  

I make no apologies for the length of this post but do hope you will join me again sometime when the boots go walkin'. FAB.

Linking to Saturday's Critters hosted by Eileen.

Blue Damsels.

On Friday I thought it was time that I searched for some more butterflies so I headed over to Bookham Common and walked the numerous tree lined grassy tracks but the only species I found was a Speckled Wood. 

At my favourite woodland glade the ferns were already as tall as me and birch saplings had sprung up invading nearly a third of the previously open area which was also devoid of any flutters. I therefore revised my plan and turned my attention to what was available but waiting for any of the various Blue Damselflies to stop flying around was going to test my  patience!

So here is the selection that made it onto my memory card.

  A male Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).

 An immature male Azure changing from pale mauve to blue.

The second species noted was the Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans). 

Mature males are fairly easy to identify as they have a metallic-black abdomen with a bright blue spot at the "tail" (segment 8), blue thorax, blue eyes plus the long bicoloured pterostigma on the fore wing which is present on all forms of this species. However on 'teneral' males the thorax and S8 are violet and on immature males the thorax is green but S8 is blue.



If you thought that was confusing then consider the females who can vary with at least 5 different colour forms: [1] rufescens form which emerge with a reddish-pink thorax and after about 8 days changes to yellowish-brown to become the mature version rufescens-obsoleta. [2] violacea form that starts life with a violet thorax but can then mature into either the [a] andromorph with colour and markings very similar to the mature males or into [b] infuscans which can be found with either a green or brownish thorax.  

Based on the pale blueish-mauve colour of the thorax and S8 I initially thought this was a teneral male but in view of the very thin antehumeral line it is more likely to be an immature female Blue-tailed (Ischnura elegans) form violacea. [Many thanks to Noushka  for her assistance with the identification.]

 A typical mature male Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum).

 A female (blue form) Common Blue Damselfly.

A female (drab form) Common Blue Damselfly.

 

And finally the only butterfly on parade ... a Speckled Wood.   FAB.

Linking to  Macro Monday 2 and Nature Notes.

Waterside Wildlife.

The ladies always say 'when you're feeling jaded a little bit of retail therapy always helps'  so I waited in this morning for a parcel to arrive following an on-line purchase of a new camera rucsack yesterday. Delivery made, parcel unwrapped, gear strewn out over the floor, somehow I got everything in and a little bit more so what now? Time for a field test, so I headed off for a stroll at Riverside Country Park.

The only activity on the Wey Navigation was the usual floating Mallard.

At the head of the lake there was a lot of sounds coming from the reeds as a number of young Reed Warblers flitted around but mostly out of sight. Overhead a Chiffchaff was feeding and then along the path I was joined by a mixed flock of Long-tailed, Great and Blue Tits who quickly scampered away when a cyclist sped past me. A Common Whitethroat uttered its hoarse nasal tone from somewhere deep within the shrubbery and a Great-spotted Woodpecker called from some distance away.

A gap in the reeds produced Great Crested Grebe with youngster in tow.

It's been a long time since I've managed to get reasonably close to this species and the parent was constantly diving for fish to feed to its young charge. The lake also held Tufted Ducks, Mute Swan, Coots, Moorhen and Egyptian Geese hiding on the island plus a fly-over Black-headed Gull. I also noted a Brown Hawker, Emperor Dragonfly and some damselflies patrolling the waters edge so decided to park my behind and wait to see what turned up. 

 Red-eyed Damselflies mating. (Record shot only - poor focusing!)

 Common Blue Damselfly.

 Where there's one there is always more very close by wanting to get in on the action.  

Finally a very accommodating male Common Darter.

Even managed to capture the black and yellow legs.

Walking back via the lock a Sparrowhawk alighted briefly on the handrail before moving off behind the lock-keepers house to seek prey somewhere else. I was delighted with the new purchase (Lowepro Flipside 400 AW) and it will be further tested when I visit my parents tomorrow (probably find somewhere on the journey to stop for a stroll) and a day out on Friday when, weather permitting (the forecast is not brilliant), I will be accompanying and helping one of my readers to find some wildlife as we stroll around a few of my regular haunts. At least it will keep my mind away from the other issues.  FAB.  

For more Watery Wednesday images please click this link.