Saturday morning before the clocks changed I headed off to Thursley Common. The sun was rising and a large full moon setting low over the western sky as I drove towards Elstead.
The car park had three other cars in it as I arrived. The area near the moat showed the burn of last year’s extensive fire. The main boardwalk had been fenced off and a sign saying enter at your own risk. A woodlark (Lullula arborea) was singing near the main path. The sound seemed to be coming from every direction. This puzzled me until I realised that it was above me hanging in the air on fast whirring wings. A beautiful sound which I have not heard for a long time.
Not having seen birdwatchers for some time I was reticent in what I was going to do. I had read on the Surrey birding Facebook page a few days earlier that the Rustic bunting (Emberiza rustica) and Little bunting (Emberiza pusilla) were present partly due to having a regular supply of seed being put out for them. I didn’t want to rush there so enjoyed a slow walk whilst others who I met went on ahead.
The day was bright but chilly at 4°C, with a brisk south Easterly wind. The ground was still wet in places from all the winter rain. Pools of water both large and small were dotted around.
I steeled myself to meet the group who I guessed were ahead of me. Being an introvert and enjoying my own company when birdwatching it takes some effort to push through the ‘shyness’ to connect with others. There was a group of about 10 men with large camera lenses and telescopes. All I had with me as I’d scrambled quietly out of the house, was my small 10 X 25 RSPB binoculars which are rather worn and dirty!
I stood quietly by a couple of guys one of which who saw me peering into the gorse. He informed me that there was a Little bunting in it. I was not disappointed. There were in fact two. They eventually flew off.
There was other bird activity which helped the wait. A small flock of crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) calling loudly flying over. It felt like being part of a migration. The sky seemed to be alive, with their ‘chunky’ sounds.
Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) fed on the seeds, meadow pipits (Anthus pratensis) ‘seeped’ around in the distance and a stonechat (Saxiciola torquata) displayed behind us. Throughout the morning a curlew (Nunemius arquata) called in the background. A warm sound which is rare in this part of the world. Towards the end of the walk I managed to see it flying low over the bog.
We had been standing around for some time, others in the group had been there longer. I felt better when one guy got of his little stool and left. I had been thinking I wanted to leave yet didn’t want to appear rude. The main reason was I was very cold as I hadn’t really prepared for it. As I was summoning up the courage to leave. I heard a short ‘tup’ and the guy next to me turned at the same time and we saw a movement in the gorse behind us. The bush was lower than the sun which was helpful as it was rather bright above. I managed to get a fix on the Rustic bunting and he said to the others ‘its over here’! (I had heard talk that this was what the main group were after). He lost it as he moved. I had it still in my sights so guided him to the spot. I wasn’t sure it was the bird in question after seeing it through my binoculars. He kindly let me look through his telescope where I had a good clear view of it. He exclaimed ‘stonking’! It then took off and moved infront of the group.
It was time to go. I took my leave thanking the guy and headed off slowly with a warm glow. Every person that came by me I wanted to tell what I’d seen. All of them were birdwatchers so they would understand!
You may be wondering what all the excitement about the two buntings is, basically they are rare. Here is a link to a website which gives you more information. They both have extensive ranges. The Little bunting is seen more frequently than the Rustic bunting. I do have a couple of personal records of seeing them but not such a good sighting as this one. It is special to find a species on your own but I can’t complain when someone else finds it instead and spreads the news. These buntings have been around on Thursley all winter, pictures of them have been appearing on Twitter and Facebook since October if not before.
I continued on my walk and was delighted to meet a father and son also heading in the direction I had left. The lad who was around 6 years old told me ever since he had heard of the Little bunting he wanted to see it! We wished each other well and departed. I prayed that the lad wouldn’t be disappointed. It was wonderful to see how this young lad is having an introduction to birdwatching with his keen father and enjoying a walk together.
They told me they’d seen some redpolls (Carduelis flammea) feeding by the pools on the path. I was beginning to think I’d missed them. Around 30 flew up into a nearby birch where I could see the red cap on an individual, which gives the bird its name. One of them had its head obscured but I could see a pinkish flush on its upper breast feathers. They looked so cozy tucked into the branches of the birch. That made me smile to myself!
Just before the incident with the redpoll a pair of crossbills landed on top of a pine. I had seen a flock fly over earlier but they were just bouncing dots in the sky. The sun lit up these individuals on the tree so I could clearly see there colours and crossed bills. Thursley has come up trump’s again with these beauties! I saw them here for the first time a number of years ago.
I was nearly back at the car park and heard the woodlark again. This time it was scurrying over the ground singing its song. The dark pinkish red of its legs were showing well against the ground.
The last bird to be identified by its song was in the pine trees was a singing goldcrest (Regulus regulus).
All in all I’m glad that I decided a few days previous to go to Thursley Common National Nature Reserve. I nearly didn’t due to my state of mind. Due to waking early and it being a Saturday after all I went for it. In fact I realised on the way home that it was an act of worship! Appreciation of creation is closely followed by adoration.
Birds recorded using Birdtrack:
Species recorded (Birds): 19
Black-headed Gull (6) Canada Goose (10) Carrion Crow (3) Common Crossbill (8) Common/Lesser Redpoll (30) Curlew (1) Goldcrest (1) Goldfinch (4) Little Bunting (2) Magpie (2) Mallard (4) Meadow Pipit (2)Pheasant (1) Reed Bunting (3) Rustic Bunting (1) Skylark (1)Stonechat (3) Woodlark (1) Wren (1)