Sunday 31/5 Part 1: RHS Wisley

The 2nd of our Spring Bird Walks today with just an elite band of 15 RHS members including many regular faces, a few new participants and Keith [holdingmoments] who had travelled south to join me for a day’s bird watching. My co-leader, David, had already clocked up 30 species on his walk in from Wisley village via the gardens so with a clear sky, the sun shining and a fairly strong breeze I asked our participants not to be shy about calling out every sighting in the hope that we could match and overtake David’s early am list.

First up were House Sparrows on the roof of the main building and then this very confiding Dunnock in full voice. Blackbirds on the lawn; Goldfinch perched by the pathway and House Martins wheeling

above us. A sighting high above us of our first raptor, a RED KITE (a 1st for any of our bird walks) and we watched this individual twisting and turning on the high thermals, using its fanned tail as a rudder, with such ease for some minutes. Next up were Jackdaw and Crow followed in quick succession by Swifts, then a Common Buzzard and two Hobby’s.

Then further ahead of us a Kestrel was hovering above the Rock Garden.

We watched Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Greenfinch on the large feeder plus 3 Mallard waddling across the grass. A Wren belted out his song as we entered the Wild Garden, and finding some shade we heard a Robin, a Jay was perched high on a dead branch, Blue Tits (many young ones) frantically feeding, a Song Thrush uttering its repeated phrases and then a flash of brilliant blue as a Kingfisher dashed through the shrubbery. As we exited the Wild Garden a Cormorant flew past and there was another brief view of the Red Kite drifting high above us. At the lakes on Seven Acres there were the usual Mallards, a single Moorhen and Coot on a nest with 4 chicks sporting their ‘punky’ orange-red hair. At the edge of the Pineatum a Chiffchaff was heard in the distance and as everyone gathered along the path overlooking the river some participants caught sight of a pair of Kingfishers dashing downstream (I was obviously looking elsewhere or talking!). Further along the river path we were serenaded by a Blackcap, typically hidden from view; Grey Wagtails feeding on insects over the water and a pair of Tufted Ducks way in the distance on the banks of the Golf Course Lake. Both young and adult Great Tits plus at least four Nuthatches were busily hunting for food above us. The age and sex of a Grey Heron standing motionless on the far bank of the river was discussed but no firm conclusion reached.

The Wildlife Area was fairly quiet apart from the intermittent song of another Wren and Blackcap but masses of Banded Damoiseles were dashing about around our legs. Canada Geese with goslings were observed marching across the Golf Course and a Mute Swan was slowly drifting upstream towards us. After a brief discussion I decided to return along the river footpath just in case the Kingfishers made another appearance. David pointed out the sound of young Great Spotted Woodpeckers calling for food and the nest hole only a few feet above the ground was located. I decided we should wait and see if the adults would return with a juicy titbit for their babies. Whilst the adults reappeared on a number of occasions they refused to enter the nest as other visitor were walking along the adjacent path. So patience prevailed and after about 20 minutes one adult did return (sorry about the quality of these shots, somehow I must have picked the wrong settings!).
The adult disappears into the nest hole.
Other sightings were Starling, Parakeet and Collared Dove bringing our total to 36.

After eating our packed lunches Keith and I headed off for another location to find some different birds and hopefully dragonflies for him to photograph - Part 2 will be posted when I have chosen a few relevant images.

Walk before work at Epsom Stew Pond.

A stroll before starting work this morning at Epsom Stew Pond to see what was about. Around the car park was Magpie, Blackbird, very noisy Wren and this Mistle Thrush strutting around. At the pond the Canada Geese family is somewhat smaller with only 4 goslings being chaperoned by 4 seniors.

This adult kept a very quiet eye on me as I attempted to photograph one of its charges.

The goslings were constantly feeding and are growing day by day.

One of the female Mandarins was now shepherding four, out of an original clutch of seven, youngsters but as usual she herded them quickly under cover. I did relocate her on the nest but it was extremely well hidden so no picture again! A number of Swifts were dashing about above me and then a Common Tern (new tick for this patch) flew over from the Great Pond and I eventually got the following shots.

Other sightings included Grey Heron, Carrion Crow, Jay, Blue Tits, Robin and Chaffinch.

Dunnock: Possible Nesting?

During the last week our local Dunnock has been very vocal. Whilst 'chilling out' indoors on Monday I noticed that visits to the patio were very frequent and then realised that a nest was being built within the Ivy that covers the clothes post. As far as I can recall this could be the first time that this species has attempted nesting in our garden so we will have to see what develops. As it is very difficult to tell male and female apart I am not sure which sex this one is!

Also over the last two days a pair of Blue Tits have been regularly visiting the fat feeder under the patio canopy.

This evening (Wednesday) I heard youngsters calling AND then both parents appeared briefly together with three fledglings to give them a top-up feed.