Redstarts are finally added to my year list at Thursley Common.

Saturday 18th June 2022.

One of the male Redstarts at Thursley Common this morning.

I took a drive north today to the superb location of Thursley Common, for Redstart was my target species today as one of the ‘Lazee Birders’ recommended it to get a guaranteed Redstart on my year list. Thankfully, the information was correct as Andy and myself got to see at least two singing males on the edge of the heath as well as a wealth of other superb sightings.

Another photo of the male Redstart.

A Woodlark on the main footpath.

Though very muggy and warm, it was much more overcast than yesterday and occasionally, it actually rained albeit not that heavy. It was most definitely shorts and polo shirt weather as we parked up in the large car park to make our way slowly to the heath. Almost immediately, I heard a singing Redstart nearby and retracing our steps and then going up another path, I soon found the male bird perched high up in a Silver Birch tree. Our first Redstart of the year was finally on our year list at the umpteenth attempt! A second male bird was seen on the edge of some conifers and showed very well on various song perches.

The cryptic patterning of the upperparts of the Woodlark help camouflage the birds on the ground. 

This juvenile Stonechat was one of many seen this morning.

We walked slowly south along the sandy track, taking in the wildlife before us including good numbers of Stonechats here on the heath. I must have counted at least four to five juveniles as well as at least two adult pairs, all of which showing really well with the male birds bursting into song now and then. Further over the heath, the ‘bubbling’ call of Curlew could be heard, but what was disheartening was the amount of dogs off their leads. Within the New Forest, they are closing car parks to stop dog walkers on the heath to help save the breeding Curlews from disturbance and I think they should exercise that here should the dogs get out of hand.

Another photo of the juvenile Stonechat.

A male Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly settled down on the footpath as the rain fell.

On a more positive note, there were a good number of Woodlarks seen with a family flock of at least four birds seen and an additional two more along the footpath and not venturing too far away when we walked past. As well as the Stonechats, a male Dartford Warbler was heard singing and eventually we clocked it flitting low in the heather. A singing male Reed Bunting was heard out on the heath, but there was no sighting of the bird this time. There was no sighting of any Hobbies either, but high overhead, a small group of 3 Red Kites circled and then drifted off along with a Common Buzzard.

My first Silver-studded Blue butterflies for many a year were seen by the footpath. 

I managed just a quick photo of the male Dartford Warbler before it disappeared into the heather.

It wasn't just birds that kept us well entertained; it was the insects too. Our first Silver-studded Blue butterflies showed well along the footpath, the first of this species I have seen in a very long time; so I was well pleased with this sighting. I also found a Silver Brown-lines moth on the heath and Andy was quick to find a Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly perched on the sandy soil by the footpath as I quickly got to photograph it as the rain came down. The rain started to get a little heavy and so we made our way back slowly to the car and a well-earned drink.

One of the male Redstarts popped down from its high perch to land in front of us by the footpath.

The male Stonechat was keeping a sharp eye on its youngsters.

On my way back along the A3, I decided to go back into Chalton Village to see if the Turtle Doves would be showing again and as Andy needed this species for his year list, I made our way to where we saw them last Sunday. We were not to be disappointed as I picked out a ‘purring’ male high up in a tree some distance away and Andy was more than happy. Other birds seen here included a Red Kite and a Common Buzzard drifting over the countryside and a few Mistle Thrushes flying around. Good numbers of Swallows were fluttering over the road as we made our way to the Red Lion Pub for a nice pint and a packet of Crisps within the pub garden. Happy days. In the early hours of this morning, I did hear a moth trying to get into the bedroom, but I knew the blinds and curtain would stop it from entering the bedroom despite the window being open. However, this afternoon, when I opened the curtain, there was a superb Eyed Hawk-moth perched on one of the blinds! Incredible! 

Above, a Brown Silver-lines moth on the heath this morning and below, the Eyed Hawk-moth in my bedroom.