Godalming area
Both with the morning off, Robin Stride and I made a late decision to take a trip to Thursley Common, mainly in search of the Great Grey Shrike, which had been back in the area for another winter since October 18th.
Anyone who's tried to see the Shrike at Thursley will be aware that this highly mobile species isn't the easiest to pin down. I took several attempts last winter before seeing it, and when I finally did, I ended up off the boardwalk and in a bog (another story for another day!). It also seems this particular bird moves around Thursley, Frensham Common and Hankley Common, but with the forecast looking good we were optimistic.
We arrived at The Moat car park at about 08:30 in rain. It eased off, we headed out, and it rained again. Not ideal at Thursley. However, not long on the boardwalk towards Pine Island, we saw the bird flying east over Shrike Hill, so we set off in that direction. On the way 2 huge, adult Great Black-backed Gulls drifted south-west (as well as some Lesser Redpoll), but when we got to Shrike Hill there was no sign of our target.
It was then off to the tumulus, a vantage I enjoyed both Merlin and Hen Harrier from last year, and after about 50 minutes (during which nice views of Stonechats and Dartford Warblers were obtained) we relocated the Great Grey Shrike, perched atop a gorse bush some distance away. The weather may not have been favouring us but the birds levels of bravery were, and it flew directly towards the mound, stopping off on the occasional bush or dead tree. Eventually, it landed in a birch behind us, about 10 feet away, and we took in stunning views as it preened, revealing the small white wing patches briefly, and its striking outer tail feathers.
Having coughed up a pellet the Shrike flew off west, and knowing we wouldn't get better views, we headed to the car. On the journey back we stopped off at a couple of sites, and although Long Pond Field (flooded area opposite Busbridge Lakes) held surprisingly little, we enjoyed a Raven tumbling slowly west over Tuesley Farm. For me, memories of finding them so close to home, a few years ago now, and the intrigue of their whereabouts, gave me a real urge to get back out on my patch. It also capped off an enjoyable morning with Robin.
