Superb wildlife at Woolmer Pond this afternoon.

Friday 3rd June 2022.

Both the Cuckoo and the Hobby sharing the same tree north of Woolmer Pond. 

I took the long drive up to Woolmer Pond this afternoon, not just for the soul purpose of seeing a Redstart for the first time this year, but also to check all the other superb wildlife this superb place has to offer. Though mostly overcast throughout my trip here, the sun did pop out occasionally and best of all, it was quite warm, though there was a breezy north-easterly stopping it being muggy.

The bracken has really grown since the last time I was at Woolmer Pond.

A male Common Blue Damselfly.

To cut to the chase, I will start with the bird life and yet again, there was no sightings of any Redstarts and although this time I could walk through Woolmer Forest to the Heath on the other side, the best it got is when I heard at least two males singing within the Forest, but when I neared the area where they were singing, it all stopped and the birds did not show. Bugger! My wait for my 190th species of the year goes on! Nevertheless, I did see some superb birds on my walk including a superb Hobby. First seen flying low over the Pond itself, hawking for Dragonflies, I watched a bird successfully catch a Dragonfly after flying near down to ground level and then flew off north to enjoy its catch. It was later seen in a bare tree, sharing it with a Cuckoo no less (a female bird I presume as it did not call, while a nearby male was in song somewhere in the Forest), near the entrance to the Forest by the large lake (see photos). Though a bit distant, both the Hobby and Cuckoo showed very well while I rested by the gate to take some reasonable photos.

Above, a male Azure Blue Damselfly and below, a pair of mating Common Blue Damselflies.

On the Pond, there were at least 3 pairs of Lapwing seen, with birds either displaying, or chasing off Crows or simply resting on the muddy areas. The water level was very low and though heavy rain is forecast for tonight, I think it will take a good week's worth of rain to fill this Pond up again. While watching a brood of Canada Geese with their yellowy four youngsters, a small wader flew in and it was indeed a Little Ringed Plover. I could not find a second bird, so whether it was a bird passing through or possibly breeding, I don't know; but a nice sighting anyway. Both Grey Heron and Little Egret fished the deeper part of the water and a small flock of 4 Tufted Ducks swam on the main pool. A pair of Stock Doves flew over the Pond and headed off northbound. 

Above I brought along a Moth Pot with me and successfully potted this Brown China-mark, one of several fluttering about by the Pond. Below, a smart Lapwing on the Pond.

While walking along the edge of the Pond, I was pretty sure I heard a Garden Warbler sub-singing deep within trees, though there was no sighting of the bird, nor was the Blackcap singing nearby seen either. Small birds were at a premium at this location along the Pond, so I was keeping an eye on the insects that were abundant along the footpath. Both Common Blue and Azure Damselflies were on the wing in good numbers, though Dragonflies were rarely seen and if I did see one, they belted did not hang around long enough for an ID. I did find a cracking little moth, a Brown China-mark flitting about in the tall grass and managed to pot it briefly to grab a few photos.  

Above, a Grey Heron made the most of the shallow water. Below, a distant Little Ringed Plover sitting on the mud near a family group of Canada Geese.  

I checked out the Cottage garden and although peaceful and with no Army Cadets within it like last time I was here, it was also a bit void of any birds too. The bracken has now grown to at least 3 foot high, which supported good numbers of Brown Silver-lines moths that flew up all over the place within the bracken. Maybe due to it being overcast, I did not see one butterfly while I walked around the area, which I found unbelievable as this area is so productive for these insects. Exiting the Garden, I made my way along the footpath to the Forest, enjoying a family flock of Stonechats flying about the Gorse bushes and also joined by a female Yellowhammer that rested briefly for a quick preen on the barbed wire fence. A few Linnets passed by as I entered the Forest, keeping an ear out for any Redstarts calling. No such luck, but there were plenty of Coal and Blue Tits within the canopy of the Conifers and a Mistle Thrush flew out of the wood and headed off south. I then spent the next 15 minutes enjoying both the Cuckoo and Hobby perched in the dead tree.

Above, there were good number of Brown Silver-lines moths in the Cottage garden and below, a female Yellowhammer dropped in along the footpath.

Passing the small iron gate, I then heard a distant Redstart singing within the woodland and so took a footpath south which led up a hill with the woods either side. Once I reached the end of the footpath, overlooking part of the heathland, there was still no sign of any Redstarts, but a Tree Pipit was heard singing and then found perched on a lone tree close to the footpath (see photo). I then walked back to the main path through the woodland and on the way, I found a pair of Dartford Warblers chasing each other over the heather and when perched, allowed me a few photos of these delightful little birds. A pair of Common Buzzards soared overhead, my first and only ones of the day, as they headed off slowly east over the heathland.

Above, a juvenile Stonechat was part of a family flock along the main footpath to the Forest and a little later in the day, this male adult bird, below, showed very well on a sprig of Gorse. 

Walking back through the woodland back towards the Pond, I heard TWO Redstarts singing and so quicken my pace, I got to within distance of one of the birds but it suddenly went all quiet from them and despite waiting patiently for them to show, there was no sighting whatsoever. This species must now go down as the bogey bird of 2022! Looking up to the heavens, I noticed how dark the clouds were overhead and so made a hasty retreat back towards the car along the northern side of the Pond. Again, there were good numbers of Common Blue Damselflies scuttering about low over the heather and bracken and I found a Common Wave moth along the footpath too.

The Hobby looking out for passing Dragonflies.

The Cuckoo that sat quietly next to a Hobby!

A male Stonechat showed very well, perching nicely on some bracken close to the footpath and the four Tufted Duck showed well on the still water too, but little else of note as I made my way back through the woodland to the small car park for a good glug on my drink and make my way southbound along the A3 and home. I could actually spend a long time at this location because there is so much wildlife to see and enjoy and probably with patience, I expect one would see a lot more than what I saw today.      

Above, the Tree Pipit perched in a conifer by the heath. Below, the male Dartford Warbler on the heath.