Thursley Common – Saturday, 13th June
Thursley National Nature Reserve at 325 hectares is one of the largest remaining fragments of heathland in Surrey and is managed by Natural England. The reserve has extensive areas of open dry heathland, peat bogs, pine and deciduous woodlands. It is a nationally important site for odonata with 20 species of dragonflies and damselflies breeding in the ponds and ditches. It is also home to many heathland birds.
Fourteen members met in the Moat Pond car park and started our walk in the adjacent woodland looking for nesting Redstarts. The first birds spotted though was a pair of Treecreepers showing well high up on an overhanging branch. After further searching the Redstarts didn’t show but a Goldcrest was heard high in the canopy. A quick look in the Moat Pond revealed a stunning Downy Emerald dragonfly patrolling a small bay area.
Emerging from the woodland the whole of the site opened up before us. A few small brown birds were on the move and when one rested on a power cable showed itself as a Woodlark. Further out a Tree Pipit was calling and displaying with its characteristic “parachute” flight. From the main track and heading south there were further Tree Pipit sightings followed by one of our target species, Dartford Warbler. These can be very elusive but after waiting patiently one appeared in a tree unusually just a few yards from the path giving excellent views.
Another bird we expected to see, a Stonechat, perched in the top of a nearby tree lived up to its name with its distinctive call sounding like two pebbles being tapped together. It soon became obvious that Dartford Warbler would be the most common species we would see during the morning with more popping up in the gorse as we walked along. Other birds seen in this area included Linnet, Goldfinch and Redpoll. The identification of the latter being confirmed later as it was initially dismissed as a Linnet.
Turning east a Spotted Flycatcher was picked up by Merlin app. This bird then flew across the path but was only seen by a lucky few at the back of the group. Further along a Hobby did a couple of circuits above us catching dragonflies as it went. Turning towards Parish Field we found our first Redstart, a splendid looking male in full breeding plumage. In the field itself a second one was spotted and, in the far distance, a Common Whitethroat was picked out perching on ferns.
Heading back to the car park we climbed Shrike Hill giving another good view of the reserve. In a dead tree down the slope was bonus bird, a Cuckoo! After most of us got our first glimpse it flew on to a low branch in a pine tree before disappearing.
Heading down part of the 1.3km of boardwalk with the occasional viewing platform we were treated to the sight of four of the dragonfly species which breed here: Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Keeled Skimmer and Emperor, all patrolling their territories and chasing off trespassers. In the largest of the ponds (Pudmore) were Tufted Ducks, Little Grebes, Teal and, heard but not seen on the far side, a Reed Bunting. In the boggy areas were several Heath Spotted-orchids which favour damp acidic soils.
About 40 species of bird were found along with a Common Lizard, a couple of Painted Lady and several Silver-studded Blue butterflies.
Paul Briggs