After being stuck indoors all day with work, gazing longingly out at the sunshine and another balmy April day, eventually Annie and I managed to find some time to venture out. We didn't have long, but we went to Bookham Common, where Annie sat in the sun reading her book, and I went for a wander.
I was hoping to find a Marsh Tit on my travels, but failed. What I did find, however, was another Nightingale - this one gave me the full repertoire, and after a bit of a search I managed to actually see it in the dense scrub singing its heart out. A memorable sight.
A further walk round produced the usual spring fare, and also couple of Bullfinch, always nice to see. At the end of the walk back at the ponds where Annie was sitting I saw my first Wood Duck (128) of the year - a pair.
It's hard to keep up with all the new sightings around the county. Graham James had a Turtle Dove at Holmethorpe, a real rarity in Surrey nowadays, while a Wood Sandpiper appeared at Tice's Meadow. Up at Staines, the Ring Ouzel was still on the Moor, while eight Black Terns arrived at the Reservoir.
No birding for a couple of days now, but I will be back with a vengeance on Monday, when, for the first time in a while I have a whole day's birding to look forward to. It's the Holmethorpe Bird Race on Monday too, but there are so many places I want to take advantage of while I have the chance, that I will only be there at the end of the day.
Elmley Marshes is high on my list, in the hope of seeing Spoonbill - a bird I want to do some drawings of this year. After that I will be back in the county heading for Thursley Common for Redstart and Hobby, Chobham Common to try and find a Dartford Warbler, Staines for whatever might be there, and finally Holmethorpe to meet up with all the lads taking part in the race on my local patch.
I can't wait. Only three sleeps to go!
No comments:
Post a Comment