Waiting for warmth

Another rather cool, cloudy May week has gone by, as the month draws to an end. Warm spring and summer days have been lacking in 2024 and still seem a little while off, even though May's average temperatures have actually been above average this year. However, it's been a decent past seven days on patch, with some late spring goodies. In total, according to eBird, I've recorded 114 species this May – my best-ever total for the month and a sign that, despite the lack of sunshine, it's been decent.

House Martin.

Saturday 25th

It was a beautiful, sunny morning, though cool early on. I'd just arrived at Shackleford when Hilary M posted news of a Thursley Red-backed Shrike in the Surrey WhatsApp group. I ummed and arred – I'm not year listing in 2024 and I've seen a couple before at Thursley – but eventually the thought of a male on one of my patches was too much to resist, so I hot-footed it over.

I met Hilary, who'd lost the bird having found it at South Bog. A lengthy game of cat and mouse ensued but, eventually, I got on it– a cracking, bright male. Views were always distant but it was still great to see, as it became more settled with its hunting perches as the day warmed up and insect activity rose.

Red-backed Shrike.

It's safe to say this was always going to draw a crowd and it did, as the day developed into a lovely one. Amazingly, this is the fifth Thursley record in the last decade – but also the fifth in the last 50 years! I wonder if it's the same individual that Dave found here in June last year … 

After much socialising with various people I peeled away and birded the west of the site with Kit. Pick of the bunch was a female Redstart gathering nest material near the Moat, with three Hobbies on the wing too, as well as a female Whitethroat taking food into a nest near The Neck.

Redstart, Tufted Duck and Feral Pigeons.

However, as support acts they were rivalled by an eye-catching Red-breasted Goose! The bird, ringed doubtless an escape, moved between West Bog and Moat Pond ...

Red-breasted Goose.

Sunday 26th

In start contrast to yesterday, this morning was drizzly, murky and fresh. I headed to Tuesley, where a real treat was to be found: two Sanderling and a tundrae Ringed Plover on the near shore! 

Sanderling and Ringed Plover.

The birds were foraging away contentedly and had presumably arrived together, en route to the High Arctic to breed. Tuesley is becoming quite the hot-spot for Sanderling, with this my fourth record in as many years. One of the birds was a beautiful burned red in largely full breeding plumage – an absolute stunner. It's been a great spring at this site.

Sanderling and Ringed Plover.

I staked it out a bit but there was little sign of movement. Again, large numbers of Herring Gulls were present – around 70 in all plus five Lesser Black-backed. The Firecrest was singing nearby, too, and a family party of Pied Wagtails pottered about.

I had a look at Snowdenham Mill Pond afterwards which was quiet, with the female Mute Swan still sitting and a Kingfisher over the north end.

It brightened up during the morning and I plumped for a Honey Buzzard watch. I enjoyed a nice encounter with 'Benny Blanco', a male with a distinctive white blotch at the tail base which I've seen every summer since 2021. It's been a decent start to the HB season so far, which began with my earliest ever British bird a few weeks ago. Here's hoping for that oh so elusive Surrey nest this year …

Honey Buzzard.

In the evening, a casual stroll around the village produced a drake Mandarin upriver and a vocal female Kestrel carrying food, presumably to some nearby chicks.

Monday 27th

Like Saturday, it was sunny and cool early on and, also as on Saturday, I was headed to Shackleford, though today I wasn't distracted by a shrike and was able to undertake an hour and a half session. Ultimately it was very quiet, with this site in high summer mode more or less, though the abundance of life made for a pleasant visit.

Plenty of recently fledged Starlings were at large along with a few juvenile Linnets – nice to see, as always. A female Whitethroat carried a juicy-looking caterpillar to a presumed nest site as well. I also espied a Stoat.

For the most part though it was steady. A Tufted Duck pair were on the farm pond and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull dropped in, while a few Red Kites gathered around the recently cut fields.

Red Kites and Carrion Crow.

Tuesday 28th

It was a miserable grey, drizzly day and, after work, I had a look at Tuesley. As has been a theme here recently masses of presumably very late hirundines and Swifts were zooming around, mainly House Martins, with at least 65 estimated. A single Sand Martin was among them.

House Martins, Swallow and Pied Wagtail.

I wasn't sure whether to relish the exceptional views the conditions were contributing to, or bemoan the largely grim spring that has seen so many hirundines arrive late …

Wednesday 29th

It was brighter today, but still a bit cloudy and with an increasing westerly breeze. With the remarkable appearance of three territorial Wood Warblers at Leith Hill this month I figured I should check out the former stronghold at the Devil's Punch Bowl, where the species still bred a couple of decades ago.

Unsurprisingly there was not a Wood Warbler to be found, but I did enjoy a thoroughly serene stroll through the beautiful ancient beech woodland, with the damp, misty conditions contribution to some light rainforest vibes!

Devil's Punch Bowl.

A male Redstart was in song, along with four Firecrests, a Willow Warbler and two Garden Warblers. A Siskin flew over the car park, too, and a Marsh Tit was calling near Smallbrook Stream. Two Great Spotted Woodpecker chicks noisily called from a nest hole in a dead oak, as well.

Thursday 30th

I had a quick look at the Lammas Lands, namely Catteshall Meadow, while in town this morning, which was grey and cool. The Garden Warbler was still in situ – Neil heard it here yesterday as well – and giving out its odd Blackcap-esque song. A female Whitethroat was seen carrying nest material, and a male Reed Bunting took food into a presumed nest area.

Friday 31st

It didn't feel like the end of May at Thursley this morning, with a breezy north-westerly blowing and largely cloudy skies.

Thursley Common.

That said, there was plenty of breeding activity to be noted among a decent 52 species, including a Tree Pipit carrying food near Pudmore. A further four males were singing.

Tree Pipit.

Juvenile Whitethroats and Linnets were also seen and a Great Spotted Woodpecker chick called from a nest hole. A Mute Swan was at Hammer Pond, two drake Teal were at Pudmore (it seems like a decent start to the breeding season here for this species) and a Spotted Flycatcher was near Crossbill Corner. 

Dartford Warbler and Teal.