Stoned Thrice!

Today I had the pleasure of taking a contact from Oregon out for a days birding before he went on to Mongolia. Having picked him up from Heathrow the first objective (after a quick cup of coffee) was to see a Stone Curlew. Luckily I had some help and we headed west into Hampshire to a site, where a friend had been watching a pair yesterday. Once we got there we scanned the area for about 15 minutes without luck. Then magically I caught a glimpse of the wing bar moving in the view I had in the scope. Although the bird was too far away for photos it continued to give great views to Mike for a while and our first target was in the bag.

The second thing on Mike's list was more predictable, and not too far away. So it was back on the A303 and join the queues going west. A few slowish miles down the road saw us parking at Stonehenge. As you can see, I'd arrange with English Heritage (and photoshop) to have the area clear of any other people.

It is a long while since I last visited Stonehenge, in those days there were no ropes, no walkways and I took pictures of the kids leaning against the stones in these arches. I have to say that I think English Heritage have done a great job on the site, and better still being a member parking and entrance were free!

I wonder if those ancient Druids ticked off ancient Pied Wagtails while watching the sun come up?

Mike was impressed, having been to a National Geographic exhibition about Stonehenge, he's now seen the real thing.

On then to Thursley NNR, in Surrey. This is one of my favourite away day places, it is one of the largest remaining fragments of Surrey heath and includes areas of lowland heath, mire and woodland. Although some of the woodland and heath was damaged by a large fire in July 2006 most of the species that make it special are still thriving. The Tree Pipit (above) performed beautifully.

It commenced it's song flight from the top perch and then parachuted down to the pine above. It is one of my favourite songsters, but at Thursley it is outdone (see below). Nearby we watched a male Stonechat doing its clinking stones call as it sat on top of a gorse bush.

Another of the special things at Thursley offers is the intriguing Sundew. These insectivorous plants bring a touch of the exotic, although this group appears to be going hungry at the moment.

The one sound, above all others at Thursley that I love to hear is the song of the Woodlark. We saw two pairs, both walking along the tracks, one carrying a caterpillar and a group of four. Each time they were fairly quiet although a few subdued "tit-too-lit" calls were heard. Finally, just before we got back to the car park, we heard one singing it song of pure notes. It was a it of a cheat though, instead of performing its song flight it was using a telephone line to sing from. The one down side was that we failed to find a Dartford Warbler. The cold weather has obviously had a major affect on the population here, although I hear that they fared better in the new Forest.

A woodland metaphor

When, two months ago, business minister Baroness Vadera claimed she could see "a few green shoots" of economic recovery starting she was roundly criticised.

The economy looked as bare as these coppiced chestnut trees in Captains wood.

But here there are some green shoots, the Bluebell leaves are growing fast and hopefully well soon see the first buds forming.

The leaves of Lords and Ladies are already assuming their arrow shapes,

and although most are still just buds a few wood anemones have ventured out to greet the spring.

Most of the trees are yet to stir but this birch has some catkins out. The wood was very quiet with very little bird song, apart from a few Robins and Chaffinches and the occasional burst calls from Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits. I didn't see or hear a Woodpecker, but did catch a brief call of a Treecreeper but failed to see it.

More Autumn Harvest and sights

Looking north from the Saxon Way footpath on Kingsdown Lees brings a welcome sight for anyone walking the path. On the beach at Kingsdown is the Zetland Arms, and if you started the Walk at Dover you will be in need of something to quench your thirst when you get there.

Today there seemed to be fewer migrants on the ground than yesterday, but in the air there was a large passage of both Sand Martins and House Martins (above) with fewer Swallows and just two Swifts.

Many of the wild flowers are still blooming but I was struck again by the beauty of the seed heads on some of the umbels. I have had a go at naming them, but I confirm them tomorrow! In the meantime I'll let them "speak" for themselves.

I think that this is Wild Carrot

This one I'm not sure of - so nothing new there!

This was the largest and I think it is Hogweed.

The only thing that spoiled my walk was an increase in the amount of dog poo not pooper scooped, surely one of the most anti-social misdemeanours going, and it's no good putting it in a plastic bag and then leaving that in the bushes, this is just as bad and very annoying.