Thursday 26 June 2014

Esher Pond (22/06/2014)




Despite like being at Crufts where all manner of dog breeds were being walked or were swimming in the pond I am fairly sure I saw at least 2 Brilliant Emeralds in the SW corner, one actually flying up and down a small stream off the main pond.  I believe I also saw a female ovipositing at the side of a small footbridge - I have video'd her.

Other species here were Black-tailed Skimmer, Emperor, Downy Emerald, Four-spotted Chaser, Common Blue Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and my first Brown Hawker of the year.


Ashdown Forest (20/6/2014)



I tried first from Long car park but I couldn't only find a nice male Redpoll.

I then drove to Gill's Lap car park and joined a small band of birders looking out over the valley.  After seeing the occasional Buzzard someone started running to the front and then the Short-toed Eagle was seen to drift up the valley on fairly flat wings, quite pale underneath with little markings and very broad wings and barred tail.  It then soared around for a while before drifting across the heath and landing in the top of a dead pine where reasonable views were obtained.

Very obvious in the tree being quite pale with a shaggy, owl like head - it appeared quite Osprey like funnily enough.  The bird then took off and flew around again and moved to another dead tree further away.  I then made a move up the road and joined another birder who had the same idea.  We got much better views and I could see the pale, piercing eye and the long orange bare legs.  The bird then took off again and moved back across to near where it was originally but then I lost it.  While walking back to the car it was seen again in flight but this time in the company of a Buzzard where the size difference was quite marked.

Saturday 14 June 2014

Thursley Common (07/06/2014)

Lots of Early Marsh Orchids, 2-3 Downy Emeralds, Cuckoo and 2 Raft Spiders.




Tuesday 10 June 2014

Great Gulls, South Devon (08/06/2014)








I first stopped at Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham where the Spoonbill was showing well and I picked up a distant small gull which was a Little Gull.

I then moved to Yarner Wood where I was told to park elsewhere but given instructions on finding Dipper.  I moved to the location and found a singing Wood Warbler and eventually had views of a male Pied Flycatcher at a nest box.

I moved to the river Bovey where eventually I pinned down a Dipper feeding on a area of fast flowing water.

I then drove back to Topsham where I picked up a Mediterranean Gull and then moved to the hide where I waited.  Picked up a couple of Common Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls and then on cue the 1st summer/winter Ross's Gull and 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull showed nicely in amongst the other gulls.

I then drove home via  Martin Down but had no luck with any Quail or Turtle Dove, just a couple of Corn Buntings and a Hare.

Tuesday 3 June 2014

Staines Reservoir (01/06/2014)

Still no sign of the Bonaparte's Gull

Lakeside Park/Staines Reservoir (31/05/2014)






Eventually saw 3 Scarce Chasers including 2 adult males and an immature male at Lakeside Park.

No sign of the Bonaparte's Gull at Staines Reservoir despite waiting for 5 and half hours.