Subtle shifting

I quite enjoy July. The first subtle hints of seasonal change can be detected as each day passes, and the transitional shift between summer's abundance of breeding birds and autumn's migration makes it a pleasant time to be outdoors. The first 10 days of July 2023 have been rather cool, too – a welcome change from last year's drought, even if it's not been vintage summer weather.

Curlew chick.

Saturday 1st

July began grey and breezy, with the westerly wind of the last few days still in situ. Upon my arrival at Thursley Common a Green Sandpiper flushed from Pudmore suited the somewhat autumnal mood. This sense of seasonal shift was tempered a little during my walk, though, with plenty of breeding evidence, including recently fledged Redstarts, Tree Pipits and Stonechats.

Stonechat and Tree Pipit.

Unsurprisingly, Swifts were on the move again, and a vigil from Shrike Hill produced 106 heading west. Less expected on the vis-mig front was a Little Ringed Plover – a scarce bird here. It appeared over Pudmore, calling lots, before bombing south-east over Pylon Pool and away. Teal and Water Rail were also logged at Pudmore.

Little Ringed Plover.

The highlight of the session came towards the end. One of the adult Curlews had been calling all morning and, eventually, I was able to locate the male with three small chicks out on West Bog. I sat patiently and they eventually came close, affording awesome views. The adult was in constant communication, with the youngsters foraging away happily.

Curlew family.

Encounters with young Curlews out here are rare and usually distant, so this was special. It also marks a rare instance of successive breeding years out here for this iconic local species. 

Firecrest and Willow Warbler were heard singing at Hydon's Ball during a mid-afternoon walk.

Sunday 2nd

No birding.

Monday 3rd

No birding.

Tuesday 4th

Another cool, breezy morning saw me check a few waterbodies. I started at Pudmore, Thursley Common, where I was most surprised to put up a noisy Oystercatcher. It flew to the other end of the bog and settled, but not for long, and soon departed north, shrieking as it went. Oyc is a genuine site rarity here, with this only the sixth record …

Oystercatcher.

I then checked Tuesley, which was quiet. It was pleasing to see several Black-headed Gull juveniles off the nest. Breeding here has been late in 2023, but thankfully the dreaded bird flu has avoided the site so far …

I finished off at Snowdenham Mill Pond. The Mute Swan family were still present, though minus one cygnet. Kingfisher, 22 Mandarin and a Firecrest were also logged.

Wednesday 5th

It was a typically steady summer session at Shackleford this morning, though a Little Egret west was good value – only my third site record. A Little Owl also showed. A Polecat/Ferret roadkill was a surprise along Puttenham Lane, too; I've only seen a handful in south-west Surrey and never this close to Godalming.

Little Owl and Little Egret.

With the westerly breeze still fixed in, a few Swifts were noted powering west over Eashing Fields during a half-hour lunchtime watch, with 71 totted up. A Hobby – a good 1-km bird – and double-figures of House Martin were in tow as well.

Skylark.

Thursday 6th

Following a notably cool night, it was dewy and a little misty this morning, and Tuesley Farm gave off more than a faint whiff of autumn, not least due to the presence of a Redshank. Still in full breeding regalia, this species is a true early July classic in south-west Surrey and is really quite rare outside of this timeframe.

Redshank.

It was foraging happily but alert and skittish. One of the many beauties of local birding is the contextualisation of what's rare. On the coast, I wouldn't bat an eyelid at a Redshank, but here it's special – and what a cracking wader it is. One of Britain's most unappreciated birds I’d say.

A surprise flock of 12 Sand Martins moving east was another seasonal indicator. Summer has felt rather brief this year ...

I checked Eashing Farm on the way home. Another goodie was to be found here, on the little reservoir: two pairs of Tufted Duck! This is a genuine Eashing area mega, with only two previously documented records, one of which was a seriously gripping flyover Mark L had at Eashing Fields in April. Four juvenile Mandarin were also on the water.

Tufted Duck.

Friday 7th

It was warm enough to work outside today and five Sand Martins south late morning were an unexpected garden tick, not least due to their scarcity in the Eashing area.

Saturday 8th

It was muggy this morning, after a night of thunderstorms. I had time for a quick check of Tuesley, where a Little Ringed Plover was pottering about. It eventually flew off south and likely was the same bird Dave had at Thursley some 20 minutes later.

Little Ringed Plover.

Four Common Terns were also present, with two of them juveniles. This species has enjoyed a fine breeding season at next-door Enton Lakes, where three pairs have bred.

Common Tern.

Sunday 9th

Another rather muggy, grey morning, this time at Unstead SF where a relatively flying visit produced 45 species. Among them was a singing female Water Rail in Dry Lagoon – a nice breeding season record. A Raven and seven Sand Martins flew south and a female Gadwall was on South Meadow.

Gadwall.

Monday 10th

A male Stonechat at Eashing Fields during a quick, warm and breezy lunchtime walk was the first here – or anywhere in the 1-km – since 23 March. My first Painted Lady of the year flew through as well.