I spent most of last Friday at Thursley Nature Reserve which is one of the largest remaining fragments of a once more extensive area of heathland in Surrey. Covering an area of 325 ha Thursley NNR holds extensive areas of open dry heathland, peat bogs, pine and deciduous woodlands.
This was my very first visit and to say I was impressed is an understatement and I will return again soon.
This was my very first visit and to say I was impressed is an understatement and I will return again soon.
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| pretty much the first birds I saw were a pair of Stonechats this is the male, there were a number of pairs across the site |
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| and the next birds seen were Dartford Warblers I saw at least five birds during the day, all viewed distantly from the footpaths, this is a heavily cropped image. |
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| this is the bird I was hoping to see, a very confiding male Cuckoo and he didn't disappoint. |
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| this could have been a great image, if I had managed to get the whole bird in the frame! |
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| a familiar Cuckoo pose |
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| this male Redstart also showed well |
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| Mistle Thrush one of two and they always kept their distance! |
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| Woodlark undoubtedly my best ever views of this species and well chuffed to see them so close! |
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| Woodlark |
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| Four-spotted Chaser there were a few of these around the ponds |
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| a number of Common Lizards were using the Boardwalks to hunt and bask, including this fine male, if only I had got it all in focus! |
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| and a Water Lily to end a fantastic day! |
