Trip reports
Nightjar Walk, Horsell Common - by Simon Lumsden
Friday, 19 June 2009
We were joined by Clive Stevens of Radio Wey and his girlfriend Lisa. Clive was making a programme for the local hospital radio. We set out hoping to see some diurnal birds with a particular emphasis on looking for Dartford warblers. We were soon greeted by the song of Chiff Chaff and Wren but managed to see neither. The first regular spot for Dartfords was ominously quiet as were all the other places I have seen them on the common. Sadly like many sites they have been decimated by the cold weather and prolonged snow in February.
We continued on during the early part of the evening looking for birds of the common and saw both Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker and well as several common species including magpie. We also had good views of Roe Deer who although was initially startled stayed and stared at us. Looking down we found a good sized colony of 'Round Leaved Sundew', some were in flower.
I had told the group the Nightjars normally started to call at around 9:30pm and as if on cue, if a little early the first one called at 9:27pm. We also heard the distinctive 'Krruit' flight call and manged to get some distant view. Despite the large number of us we decided to move a little closer to a spot where I have seen them regularly over several years, always sticking to the paths. As we approach a nightjar flew up from a few feet from the path low over the heads of several members almost hitting Clive's head.
The bird then made many circular flights giving us excellent views in the twilight. I used the white hankie trick waving it above my head like some demented Morris dancer but it seemed to keep the nightjars interest at least until we had all had a good view. So as not to cause disturbance we moved on into the wood so as we could not be seen. Again we saw another bird fly quite close and also had a further male churring. It was as if the curtain was coming down at a theatre, the last two performed for about five minutes before if went quiet as night fell. As well as the nightjar some of the group were lucky enough to get a glimpse of a Woodcock, we also saw a few bats but as to their species I could not say.
We all managed to return to the car park after what turned out to be an excellent evening's birdwatching.