30th September - Thursley Common, Surrey

There was plenty of sunshine about over the weekend, but from around midday on Sunday the clouds rolled in and the temperature fell quite quickly in a fresh north east wind.  We had come for a short walk around Thursley Common.

From the car park we walked to the board walk at the southern end of the car park.  Common Darters were using the slats on the board walk to warm up, the wood still retaining some warmth.

A little further along the boards there was another dragonfly, this time though black.  The shape and behaviour were the same as the Common Darter, and researching later back home I established that this was an over mature male Common Darter.

The path then took us through Scots Pines, both alive and fallen, I remarked to Helen that we may find a Fly Agaric fungus, and after saying it I saw one just pushing through the pine needles.

The quintessential fungi, often seen with fairies or elves sitting on them in children's books it is a mildly poisonous fungi.

As we walked along the path we were entertained by an acrobatic flyer above us, loops and twists were at first impressive to watch, but after a few minutes the noise was annoying drowning out any chance of hearing a bird call.

Finally it flew away, and almost immediately we heard Coal Tits, and then a Stonechat.  I located the Stonechat with another small bird which turned out to be a Dartford Warbler.  It flew off and I was able to get some shots as it moved through the trees.

It was typical Thursley now, a fresh breeze, and silent, the silence punctuated every so often with the distant call of a Crow, and above the mew of a Buzzard.  A Kestrel flew away from us over out heads and settled in a pine tree, but refused to turn around.

Walking around the ponds the Kestrel was seen again, flying up from the middle of the bog, and hovering over a grassy area.

It then banked away, taking a quick glance at me.

Walking around the pond there was very little about.  The interest was found actually on the board walk, a Fox Moth's caterpillar.  On two Helen found what turned out to be the larvae of a wasp.  The larvae would have buried itself into the caterpillar and eaten it from within, but Helen managed to get them off.

It was now quite cold, and we weren't dressed for the weather, and headed back towards the car park.  On the way we stopped for a Stonechat perched in a nearby tree, always an attraction.

Only a short walk but nice views of the Dartford Warbler and Kestrel