Morden Hall Park - the Patch Delivers! 25th February 2018

Today I had another urban ranger session at Morden Hall from 9am in the paddock (when I refer to the paddock I mean the overflow car park,) this time with the company of a camera crew as they are making a film about the group. So we started off with a few games etc. and bits and pieces to start off the session. Then we moved on to getting rid of these big, overgrown clumps of grass on the banks of the wildflower meadow in preparation for the spring. By the end it looked much better. 

It was certainly interesting being filmed by cameras like that; having grown up watching  Deadly 60 - Steve Backshall was one of the key people that got me into wildlife - it was a good experience. Giving me more ideas about my future.

For an hour and a half everything was running smoothly, with a lot of work getting done. Just before we had a break at around 10:30am I had a quick look up towards the car park, and a small bird, looking rather blue in the fine weather, ran along the wall, hopped down onto the gravel path, onto a post and sat there. With binoculars nearby I grabbed them with one bird in my mind. And it was what I hoped it was - a (slightly early) female Black Redstart, looking stunning in the sunshine. I watched it through the binoculars and showed it to a few others around me, and then it flew across the paddock and over to the wall in the house on the entrance to the park. I've been a bit worried about submitting my sighting, as the the last submitted interesting bird - the April Peregrine (originally thought to be Merlin) caused havoc on the London Bird Club. Either way I did and hopefully it's accepted. What  a great start!

For the rest of the morning we continued working on the mounds, being filmed throughout with mini-interviews towards the end. It was thoroughly enjoyable talking to the group filming us, and to me it was another morning well spent.

Other highlights were 2 Green Woodpeckers, a couple of GSWs, a flyover Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Mistle Thrush and also a Meadow Pipit which came into the paddock at the very beginning to feed.

After cleaning up the tools used and having a final briefing by Richard our Lead Ranger, I made my way to the boardwalk to check out on the regulars. Another surprise was hearing the Cetti's Warbler singing from some scrubs by the river rather than the large amount of reedbed, even showing in the open for a grand time of 2 seconds. Only 1 Water Rail was heard today from the reedbeds area. After doing a few circuits I went towards the palace, and a Little Grebe was the only bird of note. 6 Goldcrest were calling along the route. Then while heading back the hotspot for watching what seems to be a pair of Kingfisher was strengthened as a male flew by and landed on one of the branches (Grid Reference: TQ260687) seems to be a favourite part. 

I then decided to try a different part of the park to see what could be seen. So I headed to the part of the rose garden which leads along towards the Ravensbury Park side (see map on side of page.) Either way it wasn't a bad way to end the day, as 4 Grey Wagtail, 90ish Black-headed Gull, 2 Little Grebe and 2 Teal (patch tick) were seen. Soon after I left the park, bringing an end to one of the most productive sessions at the patch in the last year. 

Although the Pentax has died again, I'm getting the Canon - which I've used for the last year - back again which is a stroke of luck. Now I can actually start taking some pictures again, rather than lots of writing which I apologise for! 

Juniper Top and Box Hill area, 18th February 2018

I'll keep it short.

After a lot of persuasion I managed to convince my parents for a walk in the area where 300+ Hawfinch have been seen. By the time we got out it was later than hoped, but we got there around 11ish.

So up to 300 were seen just yesterday by many birders, who have enjoyed a spectacle of them - a feeding frenzy if you will, in large flocks near Bramblehall Wood. I walked all along the area, looking and listening out, excited at what I would find - i've never experienced a Starling murmuration let alone a Hawfinch one. Juniper Top and Juniper Bottom drew Hawfinchless. As for Bramblehall...

I saw none.

This is the most disappointed I've been since missing the Greater Yellowlegs, which had been at Titchfield Haven for months, by 2 days in 2015. 

The only positive is that despite not seeing a single Hawfinch I did finally tick my Marsh Tit - 4 were seen - 2 singing - in the time I was there. It should have been longer, but for whatever reason we had to go. I would've spent a week there if I could - either way I missed the chance to see such an occurrence - I have no idea when I'll next be allowed to go. Probably once they've moved on.

So I'm probably the only local birder in Surrey to not have seen the Hawfinches in the South Downs. Thankfully all other birders have enjoyed them with the last few days being visited by many.

Richmond Park, 15th February 2018

I was fully hoping to get to Bramblehall Woods in order to see the Hawfinches a few days ago, but as I wasn't familiar with the place and had to go somewhere by myself I was limited in where to spend my afternoon. So I settled with a visit to Richmond Park. 

Already frustrated at not going to Bramblehall, the day got infinitely worse when the camera decided to die again - after flickering for half an hour it then refused to turn on, making me feel a lot angrier, especially as we just had it repaired. 

Either way, when I eventually had a wander towards Pen Ponds 3 Kestrel (2f 1m) and 2 Common Buzzard made an appearance. When I got to the fence, a quick scan through the binoculars revealed a Little Grebe* and 7 Pochard, on top of common species. 

Following directions that I'd helpfully received from Steve W, I walked across to the eastern heath areas of the Lower Pen Pond in the search for a good view of a Dartford Warbler. On the way I stopped to look at the lower pen pond, and as I do got excited when I saw a bird resembling Ring-billed Gull on the main lake, but I continued walking quickly when I realised I was being a bit hopeful. 

When I reached the heath, almost immediately a dog flushed a Snipe, which rushed towards the Upper lake. I continued walking, and a small bird caught my eye. The first Stonechat - which flew away. I walked around to the furthest part from the centre of the ponds, and while walking along a path a smaller bird flew out of one of the clumps of grass and low across the ground, into another. I followed it for a bit at a distance, and it was eventually found to be a f Dartford. As I couldn't get closer, I admitted defeat but had another encounter with the Stonechats; this time 2f and 1m, with the Dartford with them some way away.

Soon after, I was lucky enough to meet Paula, who showed me where one of the other 3-4 Dartfords were. When we got there, almost immediately an individual bird flew low across, identically to the earlier bird. Although originally thought to be a Wren, when it hopped up onto a clump for a few seconds it was the f Dartford, and showed briefly but well at close range. After following it for a bit, we got a few more glimpses from up to c. 8m away as it stayed low and then it disappeared. Thanks Paula, as now I know where to look! After Paula left, I hung around for a bit and another female Stonechat appeared. And then the ping of the Dartford as it flew low again. Then the moment of absolute anger - the bird obligingly hopped up onto the clump, 10m away, sitting there for nearly 10 seconds. Just to add to my woes my phone died, so I just got the great views no pictures. 

For those interested in seeing it, it was ranging widely, but showed well from the grid ref. TQ1940472400. 

The next few days have been quiet, and only 50 Herring Gulls and a 1cy Great Black-backed Gull have been of interest. 

Hopefully I get a chance to go somewhere in the next few week.

Can you find the female Stonechat?   

*what I thought to be a Little Grebe, though I saw it from long way off, and it looked quite large. Even through binoculars it was hard to tell; might require an extra look/check. 

Morden Hall Park, 12th February 2018

On my Monday, I spent the whole day volunteering at Morden Hall.

From the time I was volunteering, 10am to 4pm, I also continually looked around to see whatever I could.

Throughout the day, very little was seen but from the paddock 4 Mistle Thrush, 1 Common Buzzard high N, 3+ Sparrowhawk and also 3 Hawfinch were seen, as well as 4 Cormorant. 

At the end of the day, I had a quick walk to the reedbeds, stopped only by a woman asking about what could be seen and when/where to see a Kingfisher in the park, only until the resident male decided to come and sit on a nearby branch with a fish. 

I just wish some other birds were just this obliging. 

Either way, the reedbeds were quieter than usual, and 2 Water Rails were heard not seen.

The volunteering itself was enjoyable, and talking to little kids about the outdoor things was often a challenge, but I enjoyed it. If I'm honest, since it was more about gardening and garden maintenance I probably learnt more than them!

I'm feeling a little bit frustrated this week, as although I have very little going on myself due to a variety of reasons I can't really go birding or for walks, even with some good birds being seen. Having made nearly 10 ticks in the first 6 weeks of 2018 and seen other great things as well, I'm being quite greedy. But I feel, if I go to the Bramblehall Wood/Juniper Top/Box Hill area, I'll be treated with a spectacle of Hawfinches - I haven't had a single bird perched yet, as well as get my Marsh Tit.

Oh well. 

Hopefully these birds hang on until I eventually go there. 
I'm eyeing up Sunday...

Brownsea Island NT Urban Rangers Day 3, 4th February 2018

The final day of the trip. 
I decided to get up at dawn and make the most of the opportunity to look for some good birds and other bits and pieces for the last time in probably a while. Although sunny it was freezing, but I didn't mind too much as there was plenty to see. Through the scope another 10ish Mergansers were noted, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Curlew and large numbers of Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls. Just as I was leaving, a large group of 19 Brent Goose flew over the water and landed some distance away. While walking up, a Red Squirrel made a dash for cover - I didn't think I was that scary but apparently I was.

After tidying up and getting ready to leave, we had a quick 20 minute saunter back down to the shore - as it was mid-morning very little was around now. A tally of 28 Shelduck were seen, looking fine in the sun, and a Little Egret roosting on the beach added to the list. 3 Red-breasted Mergansers were found in amongst the gulls, and also a welcome adult Glaucous Gull, my first for a few years.  Through the scope it looked magnificent, dwarfing the Herring Gulls on the water some way away. The wind was too strong for digiscoping unfortunately, but I'm pretty certain I'll get pictures of this bird eventually. As we were walking back, this plaice had been washed up on the shore - probably a few minutes earlier as no gulls were there yet - and a group of waders flew overhead at a stupid speed. This was the only picture I got of them, and my suspicion was Dunlin or Sanderling - I'm not sure so I'm going with Dunlin. Let me know if you're more sure. 

Shelduck

Plaice

Dunlin?

Just as we prepared to head towards the little harbour, and passing agonisingly close to the lagoon which I had been longing to go to, not one nor 2 but 3 Red Squirrels paid a visit to the log piles near the bunkhouses, allowing distant but pleasant views for all, but for the only person yet to and desperate to see one, Thomas. Just as we thought they'd disappear into the woodland, before he reappeared, he arrived carrying a bag, which he promptly dropped when he heard the words 'Red Squirrel!' In the end we all got views of them, as they relaxed on the log pile, little before heading back into the trees. 

While walking back, I saw nothing but a Robin and GSW. When we arrived at the harbour early, 20 minutes before the boat ride back to the mainland, I had a few minutes to do some final sea-coastal watching. A lonely Turnstone was doing its job on the beach, and when a Sparrowhawk rushed through us all and straight into the lagoon, nearly every wader there went up, and flew manically along the beach. I had chosen that moment to change the camera batteries, meaning I got this hurried picture of a group before they settled down. This time I'm happier to say that they are Grey Plovers - though that's probably still wrong! 

This bird also flew past us as we were boarding - having heard a Velvet Scoter had been seen (i haven't even seen Common) my hopes were up, but due to a poor picture anyway there's no chance of ID, so probably Cormorant!

Red Squirrel

Dunlin

Once we arrived on the mainland again, we were straight off to the next place for another couple of hours or so. Since we were cutting down more pine trees on Knighton Heath felt like déjà vu, as that's exactly what I did at Arne a few months ago. After a briefing about the heath, and being told what could be found there, we got to work, and after an hours worth of chopping we left the site, as we had to start to head back to Morden Hall. It was an interesting place, with all 3 British species of Snake found there, with good numbers of the elusive Smooth Snake found there. For birds, a smashing place for Nightjar, which the leader gave us several good stories about. Either war, what we saw was obviously less exciting than nightjar. Though Dartford Warblers and Stonechat were common there, only 3 Buzzards and 2 Raven were seen while no other birds were. 

?

Thomas and his pine trees. 

The Urban Rangers at work!

The trip back was quiet, and a single Red Kite was one of few birds to be seen. 

An absolutely brilliant trip, and I'm very happy that I joined the Rangers at Morden Hall - hopefully I'll have many more amazing experiences with them in the future. Thanks to Hattie and the lead rangers (Richard and Richard) in the group, and also all from the National Trust. Finally, and I always say this wherever I go, but Brownsea Island, I'll be back! 

Brownsea Island NT Urban Rangers Day 2 - Lifers galore! 3rd February 2018

The weather was crap.

I had been regularly checking the forecast, praying the all day wet and windy weather would magically disappear, but it didn't - though it wasn't nearly as bad as expected. 

Part 1:

After an 8am wake-up and a satisfying breakfast by Urban Ranger leader Hattie, we had our briefing for the day, which was to start with orienteering of the island, and following markers to find a way around the island. Unfortunately it was made into another competition of girls vs boys - basically another chance for me to lose. So we set off, my scope and camera ready, from our base. The first 10 minutes were slow, with only a few woodpeckers making an appearance as we headed towards the North side of the island. As we reached the lakes, a quick look through the scope revealed 3 Scaup - first for a few years - and the usual waterfowl. A Grey Wagtail was the only other bird of note. 

We carried on walking, and for half an hour all was quiet, barring a very vocal Lesser-spotted Woodpecker near the Natural Play Area (NNW on the island.) It wasn't seen, as I had very little time to stop while competing! All 3 woodpeckers were heard, and both Lesser and Greater were very vocal. Sign of spring?

Very soon after, a fairly large group of Sika Deer were found, mostly stags - they had evidently spotted us before we saw them, since they were moving off into the distance while watching us closely. I managed a few pictures, but for nearly the whole day the camera was hidden as I wanted to avoid getting it wet. 

The walking continued, amidst the damp. And the first red squirrel was sighted, hurriedly scampering across the path in front of us. Ironically, the only person who had an aim/wish to see a Red Squirrel, and was the only one to not see it. As it was a fleeting glimpse it really was nothing special.

We didn't get much further however, as when we reached a higher point overlooking the NW part of the harbour my scope came out again, although everyone else had moved on. But to my delight I found a group 7 Red-Breasted Merganser feeding in the channel, a lifer for me. Though miles away, I was able to get some good views through the scope, as did everyone else in the group. I had a quick scan around with the scope, before we set off again, and I wast treated with a quick view of a Black-throated Diver on the surface, which promptly disappeared. So 2 lifers in a 2 minutes. Great!

We continued walking, and things died down again for a while except another 2 doe that dashed across the path. Some fascinating history of the island, more specifically the old town, came from Richard as we walked.  

Just as I thought the best of the birds had passed, I managed to find 2 Red-necked Grebe through the scope - another lifer for me - from a viewing area. They hung around about 200m from the Island nearly due W with a group of Herring Gull. A further 5 Merganser were noted, as were 4 Goldeneye.  

3 lifers in half an hour! Bloody hell Brownsea, what more?!

As we had been delayed due to my inability to walk and not observe every single creature that moves or makes sound, we headed on at a faster rate. The Southern edge of the island was much quieter, with fewer birds and mammals seen or heard. The water was quiet too. Another diver sp. flew along the coast, but too fast for identification. So far so good - the weather hadn't been horrendous!

The girls played a nice prank on us, making us believe that we had won the race. My senses had let me down once again. Another competition lost; but I can't say that I was disappointed!

Remember for the future: never go in my team for an outdoor competition NOT depending on nature.                                           It will cost you!

Red-breasted Mergansers. I risked a shot through the rain.

Part 2:

The afternoon was focused on some conservation work arranged by a National Trust worker.

It started with me, Thomas and Ellie piling logs into a truck, which was carried to the main workplace near the cadets camping place. The wood was then sorted into piles, so the trust could use the biomass for electricity. As there is so much wood on the island, it was a fairly green way of using resources, without damaging the environment. 

The weather had calmed down for the time being. I got my only sighting of a Spoonbill, as one flew along the coastline in the afternoon. 

Afterwards, we swapped over and did some raking and cleaning up of the area around the bunkhouse. The large clumps of leaves and other bits of pieces made the area look a lot less tidy. Some more piles of wood were made - these proved to be important on Sunday!

Part 3:

The afternoon/early evening was also made up of another 2 parts. A long, interesting discussion about the upcoming GAP project at Morden Hall kept us busy for a good hour or so. I'm looking forward to this project, which will definitely improve the biodiversity across the park. However, I'll say no more about it for now.

Finally, an hour before sundown, we had a coastal walk along the south-south west side of the island. Before we'd even set off, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers could be seen fishing through the scope, in the drizzle. c.15 Med gulls as well a further 100 gulls or so were present along the shoreline, and waders were in high numbers. I must confess - when I saw a small, grey-ish wader fly in, on its own, with its greenish legs and white rump, it took literally a few seconds for Stilt Sand. to come into my mind. 

We walked around the beach, and while some people managed to get stuck in some sandy/boggy areas, some of us spent time watching the waders - with large groups of Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank, GCGs and Brent Goose additionally seen. 

This hour was pretty awesome - spending time with this group of people and seeing such great wildlife was a highlight. With darkness descending pretty quickly, I took very few pictures of any quality, but here they are. 

Mergansers and gulls

pro. Greenshank

pro. Greenshank - it's crazy what one accidental click can do to a picture

The south coastline

gulling etc. 

Curlew

spooked

What a cracking first day on the island! 3 lifers in great company. And what better way to celebrate freedom from school and being surrounded by nature than a BBQ! Oh yes!

Brownsea Island Day 1 and Half-Century, 2nd February 2018

In my 'Review of 2017,' I mentioned that there were a few commoner species missing from my garden bird list. By the end of 2017 I had reached 48 species for the garden, and 49 a few weeks ago. Jinx.

While addressing a long term injury, due to my hobby for cricket thus the title, I had a quick glance put the window before dusk on Friday and a bright green bird flew out from the neighbours' tree and into a bare tree some way off. Unfortunately it was way too far off for a 55-300mm lens so I only have mere record shots, but the Green Woodpecker was the 50th 'Garden Bird' for me, a pretty impressive list since it's an urban area in Surrey. With this in mind, who knows what other birds and animals are missed coming over. If more people in more urban areas were encouraged to look up when walking, or check their garden every few days for new species of both insects and birds, perhaps a greater array of wildlife would be found...

When given the opportunity to come with the National Trust ranger group on a trip to Brownsea Island - before meeting anyone - I couldn't resist. A chance to meet other nature people, in Dorset, in February, with my poor sea-birding list, would definitely be worth it. So we set off on Friday evening, arriving for an 8pm boat across to the island. When we arrived, I didn't need to be asked twice to be one of 5 to walk to the bunkhouse in the dark. Whilst in the 15 minute walk, 3 Tawny Owls and 2 Sika Deer were heard and seen respectively - I was given some interesting background about the deer while with the RSPB in October.* 

After settling into our weekend home and having some hot chocolate, we discussed the plans for the weekend. With rain and cold winds forecast for the Saturday, the chances of seeing anything good was low.  

woeful - but there's the 50th. 

*In Brief: the Sika Deer came from the Far East and a few were released onto the Arne Peninsula in the late 19th century. Although it was believed that they would stay on the mainland as a small population, they managed to swim to Brownsea Island, which is why there are populations in the Swanage area and Arne RSPB as well as the island. It's quite interesting that they managed to swim across the bay, and reach the island in numbers high enough to breed successfully and now have a rich population. Either way, a fascinating creature.