Trip reports
Thursley Common - by Peter Hambrook
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
We took a more northerly track than usual, one that would bring us along the edge of what remains of possible Dartford warbler territory, in the hope of seeing one of these birds which were once such a feature here before the fire. We didn't strike lucky but did see a male whitethroat singing from a gorse bush, plus a few male stonechats and reed buntings and we also heard a curlew. Cutting across towards our normal path we heard a distant cuckoo and saw several tufted ducks and a few mallards on the marshy pools. As we approached what remains of 'pine island' we could hear several redstarts singing and once in amongst the trees we found several (presumably males) chasing each other through the treetops, one of which eventually gave reasonable 'scope views.
Moving on along the boardwalk towards Shrike Hill we put up a curlew which flew away from us silently. Shortly afterwards a male curlew started calling on the opposite side of the boardwalk and soon was airborne and giving a display flight over its territory, calling all the time. Superb. Next up was a woodlark, sitting on one of the power lines that cross the site and, as we reached the path along the base of Shrike Hill, another was found calling in display flight high above our heads. A fairly distant female kestrel was also seen perched on a dead birch stump. Shortly after this a large bird, looking like a cross between a pigeon and a magpie, flew into a tree top immediately above our heads. I was still trying to work out its identity when a sudden burst of 'Cuckoo, Cuckoo' immediately resolved the puzzle! It moved on almost immediately and eventually we saw it and another, possibly its mate, in the tops of distant trees and later managed good 'scope views of another perched male.
Moving on, some discussion as to the route took place before we made what later turned out to be the fortunate decision to continue along the lower track rather than go over the top of the hill. We were soon seeing newly arrived swifts as three pairs flew overhead screaming, but far better was in store for us. As you get to the end of this track, just before reaching the main bridleway and the 'field' you pass a small copse, now regenerating after the fire. As we passed this copse several of us noticed a medium sized brown bird drop down near a large fallen tree and, apparently, disappear from view. Something about this bird seemed odd, the flight was rather weak and fluttery and aroused our curiosity, so we spent some time searching for it. Eventually Chris Lawrence spotted it and we managed to get a telescope onto it. Imagine our surprise when we discovered we were looking at a nightjar - at midday, in broad daylight! It was while we were taking turns to admire it that someone noticed that there was another close by, presumably its mate. Wow! Needless to say we spent some time admiring them before reluctantly moving on and leaving them in peace. Thinking about it later, it seems likely that these were a pair that had literally just arrived from Africa and had chosen this copse to rest just as we passed by - talk about luck! I think I am right in saying that seeing nightjars in full daylight in England was a first for all of us.
This was undoubtedly the highpoint of the day and as we made our way back towards the car park only a roe deer was of note. The day's tally was completed by a solitary swallow doing a quick circuit of the car park before moving on.
The warden arrived in the car park just as we were leaving and was interested to hear what we had seen. He mentioned that there were three species of dragonfly on the wing in May and also that goshawks are believed to nest nearby and had been seen displaying during April, so keep your eyes peeled if you visit Thursley this summer. Something to bear in mind for next spring as well. Finally he told us that as far as he is aware, the last remnants of the Dartford warbler population were either wiped out, or forced to move on by the severe weather earlier in the year.
My thanks for their company to Chris and Terry, Nigel, David, Dennis, Geoff, Brian and, last but not least, Sharon, from the Epsom RSPB Group.
Peter Hambrook
Photo above--
The male nightjar, showing the white patches on the right outer tail and under the right wing. Apologies for the grotty shot - very much grabbed just by holding a digital camera to the telescope eye-piece.