Bookham Common Sights and Sounds.

Over the last two days I have made two visits to Bookham Common. The first on Friday was to meet up with two ex RHS colleagues and give them a guided birding tour around the various habitats which produced a tally of 35 species although many were heard but not seen. Yesterday Anita and I joined a Surrey Bird Club (SBC) field trip led by Alan Prowse whose knowledge of the common, its resident and migrant species is second to none.  

During both visits the most conspicuous specie was the Common Whitethroat singing from their perches and during their brief display flights. We also caught up with the rattling 'tell-tell-tell-tell-tell' song of the Lesser Whitethroat and were fortunate to get some glimpses but not sufficient for the camera.

 Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) singing its repeated phrases.

Yesterday two male Cuckoos were seen in flight and we were able to confirm that they were indeed separate individuals from the different length of the second part of their calls. At one moment in time we were watching a Cuckoo while one of three Nightingales provided a background soundtrack with both Blackcap, Garden Warbler and Whitethroat also singing close by. As someone else commented "That experience has definitely gladdened my heart". Other songsters included Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Wren, Blackbird, Goldfinch and Greenfinch. Overhead we logged Cormorant, Grey Heron, Buzzard and Kestrel plus the usual corvids.

 Cardinal Beetle.

The overnight rain certainly made everything look fresh and a few species of Butterflies found themselves in front of the lens.

 Green-veined Whites lining up for mating.

 Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines)

 The distinctive under wing pattern.

The ponds which have undergone a major clearance programme are slowly producing more sightings. Ours included Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Little Grebe, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and a pair of Tufted Ducks.I have no doubt that one day a passing wader will drop in.

 One of a number of young Coot asking to be fed.

 Just a few of the Mallard ducklings totally ignoring their parents.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa).

As the months go by the pond margins should produce a decent list of Dragons and Damsels. Our sightings on the second visit also included Swallow, House Martin and the first arrival of Swifts to give me a total of 42 species which has also helped to bump up my year list.  FAB.

Broad-bodied Chaser.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) captured during a morning stroll around Bookham Common.  [ISO 400; 1/200; f/10 @ 190mm and cropped]      FAB.

Non Birdie Patchwalk.

Whilst I enjoyed the very vocal songs of the Common Whitethroat and Garden Warbler yesterday my patch walk at Epsom Common today didn't produce anything new so I headed over onto Ashtead Common to check out for signs of any other life around The Rye ... a small stream that meanders through the grassland and woodland.

 Initially it all seemed very quiet but a few flutters soon appeared including this Speckled Wood ...

.... and then a Holly Blue trying to remain hidden amongst the grasses.

I saw a Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) flying frantically around one of the muddy shallow pools just over a week ago but failed to get any pics. Today the conditions were much less windy and I watched a single male busily patrolling its territory and waited for it to perch.

 

Typical of this species as soon as you try to get too close (even from behind) they fly away. Anyway my patience eventually paid off although the strong overhead sunshine was rather harsh and he was soon off again chasing and catching up with a female.

The female hovered briefly just above the water and constantly dipped as she oviposited on the underwater vegetation and then promptly disappeared

.

Another find was this recently emerged teneral male Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).

A Black and Red Froghopper (Ceropis vulnerata) paid a brief visit close to where I was resting. The froghopper is very conspicuous, its black body with red markings acting as a warning to predators that it is distasteful.

A few of the Flag Iris (I. pseudacorus) provided some additional colour to end my stroll.   FAB.