Spring day on Chobham Common

[rlchew]

I got out early this morning before the Easter traffic built up on the M25 and travelled down to Chobham Common in Surrey.

Chobham Common is a National Nature Reserve and Surrey Wildlife Trust reserve ....

Chobham Common

It was a beautiful sunny day with blue skies and the smell of coconut in the air from the flowering gorse . There seemed to be bird song everywhere with just the distraction of the sound of traffic on the nearby M3 and the occasional plane flying over . The M3 traffic sound quickly died down as it became a Bank Holiday car park!

The first bird that I saw was a male Dartford Warbler in song flight. I have always struggled to see these birds even when they can be located initially by their buzzing call but today I saw at least 5 males, all singing in flight or from the top of a prominent gorse bush.

I also saw at least 5 pairs of Stonechat, now in their much brighter summer plumage, and numerous singing Linnets, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Chiffchaffs.

Unfortunately, Willow Warblers, Common Whitethroats and Tree Pipits were absent but in a few weeks time this site will have many of these birds singing too.

A Common Buzzard lazily drifting over was the only raptor but later in the month or early May should see the Hobbys return.

If I needed a further sign that spring has arrived, this was provided by 5 Brimstones, 2 Red Admirals and 2 Peacocks.

I saw at least 10 Common Lizards (plus the sound of many more scurrying away in to the undergrowth at my approach) but unfortunately no Adders or Sand Lizards.

I had a thoroughly enjoyable day and here are a few photos (heavily cropped so not the best quality) .... click on them for a larger image.

Male Dartford Warbler



Male Stonechat



Female Stonechat



Female Stonechat



Common Lizard




Richard

[matt_xyz]

sounds like a good day Richard, and some nice shots. I've yet to see a Dartford Warbler.

Shame about the noise of the traffic and the planes though. It's becoming harder and harder to escape these sounds, especially in the South East

Matt

[jerryh]

The lizard looks almost metallic!
Nice one
Jerry

[Za]

Looks good there Richard, would you happen to know if there is a railway station within walking distance of the common?
I`d like to go there for a day out when I next get a day off work.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Za

Looks good there Richard, would you happen to know if there is a railway station within walking distance of the common?
I`d like to go there for a day out when I next get a day off work.

It's walkeable from Sunningdale Station.

Richard- obviously a great day out- I love Chobham- in summer a naturalist's paradise with great birds, reptiles, insects + plants. Good for Silver-stuuded Blue + Grayling later in the season + many of the acid loving dragonflies like Keeled Skimmer, Small Red Damselfly, Black Darter, etc.

It's a huge site- easy to get a bit lost!

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

It's walkeable from Sunningdale Station.

Richard- obviously a great day out- I love Chobham- in summer a naturalist's paradise with great birds, reptiles, insects + plants. Good for Silver-stuuded Blue + Grayling later in the season + many of the acid loving dragonflies like Keeled Skimmer, Small Red Damselfly, Black Darter, etc.

It's a huge site- easy to get a bit lost!

Is Chobham where a developer wanted to build some houses, or am I thinking of somewhere else?
If so....I'll go and lay down in front of their digger!

[Za]

Thanks Aeshna, I`ll head there next chance I get.
Za

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

sounds like a good day Richard, and some nice shots. I've yet to see a Dartford Warbler.

Shame about the noise of the traffic and the planes though. It's becoming harder and harder to escape these sounds, especially in the South East

Matt

Thanks Matt

Dartford Warblers are cracking little birds.

As I am sure you are aware, they were formerly very rare and often the small populations were at risk from hard winters .... no problem now .

Now I think they can be seen at most suitable lowland heath habitat in southern England although as I suggested in my post they can be elusive. Yesterday, they were easy to see for the first 2 hours or so but then seemed to disappear from sight and sound.

I agree that quiet corners in the south east are very difficult to find now .... and I didn't even mention the screaming kids and barking dogs in addition to the M3 and the planes .

Richard

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by Za

Looks good there Richard, would you happen to know if there is a railway station within walking distance of the common?
I`d like to go there for a day out when I next get a day off work.

Za

aeshna has kindly replied to you.

My knowledge of birds is quite good but my knowledge of the UK railway network is suspect .

I am glad that someone volunteered the information you wanted. I hope you get a chance to visit Chobham Common as it is an outstanding site.

Richard

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

It's walkeable from Sunningdale Station.

Richard- obviously a great day out- I love Chobham- in summer a naturalist's paradise with great birds, reptiles, insects + plants. Good for Silver-stuuded Blue + Grayling later in the season + many of the acid loving dragonflies like Keeled Skimmer, Small Red Damselfly, Black Darter, etc.

It's a huge site- easy to get a bit lost!

Thanks aeshna

I have been to Chobham Common 3 or 4 times in recent years for the birds and as you say it is a huge site and easy to get lost.

The information that you have provided regarding the butterfly and dragonfly specialities is very interesting .... I can feel another visit may well be required later in the summer .

Richard