O what a night....( evening actually)

actionfinch · #1 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 09:55 AM

A night to remember , 22/6 , a deserted heathland ( well almost ) in surrey , mission , woodcocks and nightjars.
Me and nige were down early to take in the beauty of the surrounding area and to watch a lovely orange glow beset the countryside... the slight drown of the M3 and a few passing areoplanes didnt matter, we were in our own world..
A flyby by a green woodpecker greeted us, and so a small chorus of song birds.... we were after the big ones..
Awaiting the sun to set a little further ,bang

, i caught a glimse of my first woodcock...

affixing my bins to my eyes i tracked its flight as i listened to its very bluetit like tweet...

mouth dropped to the floor i bagged my first woodcock..

Eyes adjusting to the ever fading light , what was that

, a nightjar...calling that continuous rattle ,that seems to take an infinate breath to conduct..
I heard my first nightjar ,in real life as well.

This time a couple more woodcocks joined in the teasing flight ,was it a nightjar no a woodcock story.... but i was giving up with the light , my special ops night vision googles I left at home..

Just hearing one was a milestone , but like most people i wanted to see one...then bam

20 ft or so in front of me, flew a nightjar...mouth on the floor

taking in its beautiful flight and glide...I just couldnt believe my luck.
Nige tracked it to the top of a nearby try where we spent a couple of minutes listening and looking at it, catching an early night snack.
A brilliant night and well worth the wait and the cold breeze coming in...
just to finish off , on the way back we spotted 2 glow worms ...

thanks nige i prowdly ticked them off my list this morning...

Adam Cheeseman · #2 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionfinch

the slight droun of the M25 and a few passing areoplanes didnt matter, we were in our own world.....

If you mean Chobham Common that'll be the M3.

Cheers,

Adam

actionfinch · #3 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 10:02 AM

Thank you Adam

.. i have just amended that .. and yeah it was Chobham common.
Nice place i thought .

htcdude · #4 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionfinch

Me and nige were down early to take in the beauty of the surrounding area and to watch a lovely orange glow beset the countryside... the slight droun of the M25 and a few passing areoplanes didnt matter, we were in our own world..

How romantic

The glow worms clinched it for me though, very unexpected

And yes Adam it was the M3

Nige

actionfinch · #5 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 10:04 AM

Im excited ... i have changed it now...lol

Za · #6 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 10:09 AM

Sounds like a great night, I have only been to Chobham in the mornings, sounds like its definitely worth a visit later in the day.
Saw my first ever woodcock there a few weeks ago, I almost stood on it, it flew up about 2 feet from me, shame I couldnt get a picture.
Za

Jonners · #7 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 10:11 AM

Ha ha! Brilliant, you two. Sounds just like some very pleasant evenings I have spent locally at West Stow. It's almost like it's a special, secret world into which few ever venture, but which adds to its charm. Super birds too. Well done, and thanks for sharing your experience... it might just have given me a shove to go and do something similar

actionfinch · #8 (**permalink**) 24-06-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonners

Ha ha! Brilliant, you two. Sounds just like some very pleasant evenings I have spent locally at West Stow. It's almost like it's a special, secret world into which few ever venture, but which adds to its charm. Super birds too. Well done, and thanks for sharing your experience... it might just have given me a shove to go and do something similar

It sure was.... hope it has gave u the push...

I dont know if it would be the same , first time experiences are always the best , and im still very green at millions of places to go ... so i will confess im like a kid in a sweet shop , when i go to a new place... but thats the buzz i get out of it as well as the birds..

Adam Cheeseman · #9 (**permalink**) 24-06-2011, 02:55 PM

Chobham Common is a great place but it can be so much better as it hasn't really had the habitat management it needs or deserves of recent years for reasons too long and complicated to go into here. Far too many trees on site. Just hope the future bodes well for it.

Cheers,

Adam

Ladywell · #10 (**permalink**) 24-06-2011, 03:11 PM

Sounds as though it was a magical night!! I had a similar one in Clumber Park with a local bird group - we saw and heard nightjar (first for me) and woodcock (I had seen woodcock before as we have them round here). Similarly, our bonus were glow worms - which, despite being country born and bred, I had never seen before. Glad you enjoyed your evening.