Pagham North Wall.

A week ago we decided to drive to the south coast and took a very leisurely stroll along the North Wall overlooking the expansive waters of Pagham Harbour.

One of a number of Swallows taking a rest from chasing insects above the horse paddock behind the harbour wall. Other insect feeders on the wing were Sand and House Martins plus a few Swifts high in the sky.

Unfortunately our arrival coincided with the high tide so most of the bird life was somewhat distant but we managed to spot various waders including Oystercatcher, Curlew, Dunlin, Turnstone and Grey Plover.

A few areas of vegetation remain visible at high tide and one held 26 Little Egrets waiting for the waters to recede.
It is interesting to remember that back in the 1980's I would have been fortunate to catch sight of just one of these delightful birds anywhere around the harbour; such has been their breeding success during the last 25 years.

One Little Egret was still working the reed edge for food on one of the inland pools. We heard the distinctive call of Cetti's Warbler and followed its flight from one hidden perch to another deep within the field edge vegetation where a Common Whitethroat (below) was also located.

 Common Whitethroat.

While listening to the calls of Reed Bunting and Sedge Warblers, that typically failed to show themselves, we watched a number of Grey Herons (above) erupt from their heronry site before resettling a few minutes later followed shortly thereafter with the fly past of a Little Egret (below).

The final photo capture on our return walk was of a Roe Buck in the field beyond the harbour wall. Despite the distance between us he was very aware of our presence.

Linking to:

I'D-Rather-B-Birdin'
Wild Bird Wednesday.

A New Project.

Views over the fields where I have recently agreed to carry out a series of farmland bird surveys over the next few years as part of a small team of BTO volunteers covering a number of farms forming part of a large estate in Surrey. The survey results will assist the tenant farmer and the land owners to monitor and evaluate their ongoing efforts to improve the farmed environment for wild pollinators, farmland birds and other wildlife under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. 

The first of two fields forming my survey area is already showing signs of its flower rich status.

During my first early am visit this week I recorded 19 bird species mostly seen, heard or flying around the field boundaries; including Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Stock Dove, Common Whitethroat and Woodpigeon that constitute five of the 19 target species included in the scheme aims. It will be interesting to see what other species are noted during future visits throughout the year.

  Above are Common Whitethroat, Magpie, Chiffchaff and Song Thrush.

Looking into a piece of woodland bordering the lower field there was still a decent show of Bluebells and some Early Purple Orchids.

The inhabitants of an adjoining field were typically curious about the unexpected wanderer on the other side of the hedgerow as was the Robin below.

Linking to:
Saturday's Critters

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.

Fluttering Beyond Downland Fences.

For this week's 'Good Fences' hosted by TexWisGirl I am taking you on one of my recent leisurely strolls following the lines of the old iron fences, many subsequently replaced by newer wood and wire, across the chalk downland at Denbies Hillside as I search for some of the inhabitants of this special habitat.

First to show itself is a resting Large Skipper.
  

The fence leads to a gate at the lower edge of Steers Field where views of the valley below with its patchwork of fields and woodland begin to open up.

From one of the nearby clumps of bramble I hear the scolding calls of a Common Whitethroat who I watch as it forages for insects for its brood hidden deep in the undergrowth.

Just beyond the gate I take a welcome rest in the shade and scan the hillside for any 'flutter' activity. While I am enjoying the extensive southerly views a far more energetic person descends the slope. [The iron fence was erected way back in the 1890's by William Joseph, who owned Denbies House and Estate.]

After a bit of searching I finally find the first of many Marbled Whites, one of the downlands special butterflies. Having recently emerged the hillside is alive with the males crisscrossing the grassy slopes on the lookout for a mate. [I will be sharing more images of this black and white beauty in a forthcoming post.]

Finally it is time for me to leave the views and flutters behind and commence the long ascent under a glorious blue sky back towards the car park.   FAB.

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.

Patch Birds.

A few images of some of the recent regulars seen on my local patch just to keep things ticking over.

Coot out for a stroll.

  Mallards on the move.

Grey Heron.

Female Linnet (Shame about the background)

Willow Warbler.

Male Blackcap.

 Common Whitethroat high amongst the blossom

Starling checking out a possible threat from overhead!

 A Roe Buck watching the 'watcher'.

Carrion Crow just strutting around.

 

Canada Geese enjoying a feed around the 8th green at Horton G.C.

 Speckled Wood alighted in the garden.

And finally (through the window) a Starling eying up the freshly filled suet feeder.

N.B. This is a scheduled post and I should be back live sometime over the weekend.