Dainty Demoiselles.

At the end of last week I took a stroll alongside the River Mole and although the sun was shining there was a very blustery wind ..... certainly not ideal conditions in which to seek out one of my favourite water side damselfly species. Undaunted I picked a likely spot and waited and it wasn't long before the first of many male Banded Demoiselles (Calopteryx splendens) perched on the nearby vegetation.

In an attempt to get some uncluttered shots I decided to get closer to the water. Despite all the rain we've had the water level was not particularly high so I scrambled down the bank and tried to maintain a steady base while slipping and sliding in the mud close to some reeds.

Well the effort paid off as there were plenty of males chasing one another and they regularly perched for a brief rest before continuing their territorial chases and hunting for a likely female which never materialised.

I didn't spot any male Beautiful Demoiselles (Calopteryx virgo) but one female made a brief appearance ... 

.... distinguished from the Banded species by the suffused brownish colouring in the wings.  FAB.

[All shot with Cannon 450D + 70-300mm lens].

Stroll Alongside the River Mole.

Last week having picked up reports that both Goosander and Little Egret had been seen on the River Mole at Leatherhead I decided to take a stroll and see what was still around. Soon after leaving the car a Kestrel zipped past me and disappeared into the woodland and it took a while before I heard the sounds of any other avian species.

Very occasionally the sun broke through the cloudy sky and the riverside vegetation took on a warmer looking hue but I was glad to be well wrapped up against the cold north-westerly breeze. At Thorneycroft Bridge I finally logged Canada Geese in a nearby field, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits plus Robin, Wren and Chaffinch but no sign of any Kingfishers.

A little further downstream couple of Mute Swan cygnets drifted over to check out the interloper. While high overhead there was the constant twittering from a small flock of Goldfinches hunting for the odd seed or newly emerged bud amongst the bare branches.

 

A Grey Wagtail perched briefly before continuing its journey upstream. After passing over Town Bridge and then under the railway bridges my route took me onto Common Meadow where my boots slowly got heavier and heavier from the accumulation of mud. Black-head Gulls twisted and turned overhead while the piercing screams from the local Rose-ringed Parakeets interrupted the silence but no sightings of any Goosanders anywhere on the river. I did however eventually get views of a distant Little Egret feeding but it decided to move on across private land before I could get close enough for any photos.

These two fellows provided an excuse to rest a while before I commenced my return journey and added Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Starling and Grey Heron to my day list.

When I arrived back at Thorneycroft Bridge the unmistakable short, sharp whistled 'zii' call of a Kingfisher got me searching every likely perching location .....
 

.... and I finally managed to focus on this very colourful fisherman as it patiently sat, partially hidden, amongst the Alders on the far side of the water. One day it will provide with an uninterrupted closer view .... until then this (heavily cropped) shot will have to do.

Have a good wildlife watching week .....  FAB.

Alongside the River Mole.

Yesterday I took a very leisurely midday stroll alongside the River Mole on the outskirts of Leatherhead and eventually found a spot overlooking the water and fields to sit and soak up the peace and quiet.

A Grey Heron flew out across the meadow and a pair of Common Buzzards playfully flew overhead but too distant for a shot. On two separate occasions I heard the distinctive short sharp whistle call of a Kingfisher and then a blur of dazzling blue flashed by. I have seen Kingfishers along the R.Mole many times but never close enough for a really decent perched shot (they usually fly away while I'm trying to focus!) so I didn't have any expectation that one might stop by ... but you never know. So I sat patiently while other wildlife flitted around me including a Brown Hawker that also failed to rest during its continuous territorial circuits.

 A very tatty White butterfly was taking a sip from the damp pathway.

 A Grasshopper (not hopping for once) kept me close company for a while.

A Gatekeeper rested on the neaby ferns ... soaking up the sunshine.

A Hobby took me totally by surprise as it dashed down river and headed somewhere to hunt for its lunch and then while watching a Moorhen in the shows of the overhanging vegetation on the far side of the river I noticed a blob of colour amongst the branches ..... the Kingfisher was resting briefly in between its sorties.

I crept a little closer and managed a couple of record shots (both cropped) as the Kingfisher watched for any movement in the water before disappearing once again downstream.

When the cows trundled down into the water and disturbed the peace and quiet I knew it was time to head home with just the sounds of Jackdaw, Green and Great Spotted Woodies to keep me company.  FAB.

Along the River Bank.

Todays exercise saw me strolling alongside the River Mole on the outskirts of Leatherhead. Many of the wild flowers are suffering with the drought and some are already going to seed but still plenty of blooms around for the flutters and insects to feed on. I have been seeing Brown Hawkers nearly everywhere recently but they never seem to stop flying. Today was no different except one female was caught ovipositing while perched on a log on the river way, way below my feet.

Underwing of a Common Blue seeking nectar for lunch.

Once you've posted one Brimstone more seem to stop by for a photocall!

Still plenty of Specked Wood around.

While capturing this Common Darter a Kingfisher called and darted past me (one of several brief sightings).

Banded Demoiselle.

I spent quite a while just sitting, my legs dangling over the river bank, watching these delightful creatures resting on the leaves just above the water while trying to imagine it was less humid than it really was! Mulling over a few things, as you do in these situations, I remembered a suggestion from Monty about using an extender with the 70-300 lens for close ups....so I then whiled away another half an hour or so testing out this set up and I'll share the results very soon.  FAB.

Riverside Stroll.

A few images from my stroll on Tuesday alongside the River Mole.

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens)- male.

Banded Demoiselle - female

A Common Buzzard has a minor tiff with a Sparrowhawk way up above.

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

A few of the wild flowes around a field close to the river......FAB.

Raining along the Mole.

Yesterday I just had to get out so I made a return visit to the River Mole. It was raining and underfoot was mushy slippery ice so I wonder 'I am mad to even contemplate getting any decent sightings or photos in these conditions?' Undaunted I tread carefully and commence my stroll downstream. At the Vinnery the only sound is from a Grey Wagtail calling as it flies over. Well that's another species for the 2010 list and my my spirits are lifted further as I stand and watch a flock of Tits (Long-tails, Blue & Great) plus Blackbird, Redwing, Wren and Chaffinch busily feeding as they move around the shrubbery but the camera stays under the coat protected from the rain.

At the first bridge I catch a glimpse of lightening blue as a Kingfisher dashes by.

As the sign indicates, they nest in the river banks so maybe I might catch up with one perched somewhere later on, I can always hope!

The water level is fairly high and a fair torrent tumbles over this small weir as I follow a twittering band of Goldfinches high overhead using the bins.

 

A brief respite in the rain allows me a quick shot of a stationery Grey Heron with a pair of Mallard hiding nearby as two Moorhen, aware of my presence, promptly scurry away. Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling and a single Song Thrush are also noted nearby.

Crossing over the river via this bridge I scan the waters for signs of the Goosanders but nothing yet.

Out onto the open field the view looks fairly bleak, but specks of greyish-white in the water gets the heart rate pumping. Maybe I'm in luck...but it's still raining and the light is dismal. Over the half next hour or so I stalk these shapes, constantly diving and moving away from me.

On a number of occasions I get set up for a shot only to be interrupted by dogs and their attendants with obviously no idea why I'm croached down in the soggy snow concentrating on something in the water.

The Goosanders are eventually spooked and fly away up river towards the town so I eat my packed lunch before heading in the same direction. After a hundred yards I relocate two Goosander and fire off a few more frames for luck.

If there is one lesson I learnt it was don't expect too much when the conditions are this dismal and I also need to practise using manual focus. I promise myself to try harder in future.

The final stretch, with more rain...through the gate..along the path back to the car and then home again.

I had two more sightings of a Kingfisher flying up and down river but never perched so I thought I would share a shot taken late last year along the River Mole.

Have a good weekend, whatever the weather.   FAB

Searching for a Sawbill.

A few days ago a friend kindly alerted me to the presence of visiting 'sawbills' on the River Mole around Leatherhead but once again the waited DHL delivery didn't arrive until well after midday. Despite the worsening light and in view of more snow forecasted for today (and it duly arrived overnight) I decided yesterday afternoon to get the car out and go on a hunting trip.

From a very icy car park on the outskirts of the town I made my way very gingerly down onto the riverside path just in time to catch a glimpse of my quarry disappearing fairly rapidly downstream!

 A male Goosander (Mergus merganser)

Knowing that I could not keep up with my fleeing quarry I slowly strolled downstream passing a pair of Mute Swans, Black-headed Gulls, Moorhens and a few Mallards. It was fairly quiet apart from a scolding Wren and the occassional 'squawking' Parakeets high overhead, twittering Goldfinches hunting amoungst the Alders and then in one of the nearby gardens I spied a few Redwings and Blackbirds busily leaf turning for a late afternoon snack. Robin and Blue Tits were also seeking out an existence through the pathside shrubs.

Redwing

Under one of the bridges I watched four Little Grebes constantly diving and disappearing from view.

Moving on downstream I disturbed a Water Rail who promtly dashed across the water and, you guessed, disappeared from view. Looking ahead, the horses were quietly going about their own business and I questioned whether I should continue or retrace my steps. The temperature was falling, light fading so I turned around and 15 minutes later I caught up with two female Goosanders actively diving near one of the town bridges. Here is the best of a few poor shots....I'll go back as soon as the roads are clear and safe.

Female Goosander.

On the return journey a Grey Heron patiently waiting and watching.

A Song Thrush gave me a severe stare.

Vacant room to let....anyone interested?

Nutkin scampers away with tonights snack.

Cormarant standing sentry duty.

The misty view from The Vinery (disused).

Time to ring Anita to get the kettle on...I'm coming home. FAB