As I arrived milky sunshine was being replaced with the proper stuff , which then lasted all day . The most noticable thing was the birdsong , mainly Great Tit and Song Thrush that was filling the site . Wrong end of the day , but I had a look in at the Bittern reedbed , but all was quiet , apart from a few Coots and Gadwall . Up the other end of the lake Tufted Ducks , Great Crested Grebe and a few Black Headed Gulls were all that were on offer . On the main path behind the Bittern's reedbed , I found what I thought was the first Blackthorn flower of the year , but with
closer inspection , it proved to be Bird Cherry , all the Blackthorn being still tight in bud . Just further along the first of 12/15 Cetti Warblers that I heard today , burst into song . The scrub area only produced a Green Woodpecker , a few Tits and a small Goldfinch flock . Very little over the other side of the railway until I reached the river . The riverside path produced the first of many small flocks of Long Tailed Tits , which seem to have split up from their large winter numbers . As usual , several Bullfinches were heard and occassionally glimpsed . Grey Heron were heard over on the far bank , but had flown before getting a sighting . A flock of Black 
Headed Gulls were on the mud flats together with a pair of Shellduck . As on previous visits , a single Redshank flew off noisily on my approach . The Sunken Marsh just held a female Pheasant , another flock of Long Tailed Tits , and about six of the Cetti Warblers already mentioned . On the outlet to the river near the paperworks , I got a good view of what I thought was a Greenshank when I went round with Steve , and confirm that it definately was . With it on the mud were a pair of Teal and several Mallard . Rounding Brooklands , I stopped to talk to two anglers , who mentioned that they have seen a Bittern a couple of times in the last week on that lake . The footpath produced yet more Long Tailed Tits and also two Goldcrests . Crossing back over the railway , I thought I would have a look at the usual place for Water Voles , but none were showing . I followed the 
ditch and came across the first one almost in the same spot where Steve and I had the Firecrest , and where he got those fantastic shots . Without much cover , they were very edgy , but further 
along I found another young looking animal that was happy to sit eating whilst I snapped away .
closer inspection , it proved to be Bird Cherry , all the Blackthorn being still tight in bud . Just further along the first of 12/15 Cetti Warblers that I heard today , burst into song . The scrub area only produced a Green Woodpecker , a few Tits and a small Goldfinch flock . Very little over the other side of the railway until I reached the river . The riverside path produced the first of many small flocks of Long Tailed Tits , which seem to have split up from their large winter numbers . As usual , several Bullfinches were heard and occassionally glimpsed . Grey Heron were heard over on the far bank , but had flown before getting a sighting . A flock of Black Headed Gulls were on the mud flats together with a pair of Shellduck . As on previous visits , a single Redshank flew off noisily on my approach . The Sunken Marsh just held a female Pheasant , another flock of Long Tailed Tits , and about six of the Cetti Warblers already mentioned . On the outlet to the river near the paperworks , I got a good view of what I thought was a Greenshank when I went round with Steve , and confirm that it definately was . With it on the mud were a pair of Teal and several Mallard . Rounding Brooklands , I stopped to talk to two anglers , who mentioned that they have seen a Bittern a couple of times in the last week on that lake . The footpath produced yet more Long Tailed Tits and also two Goldcrests . Crossing back over the railway , I thought I would have a look at the usual place for Water Voles , but none were showing . I followed the ditch and came across the first one almost in the same spot where Steve and I had the Firecrest , and where he got those fantastic shots . Without much cover , they were very edgy , but further along I found another young looking animal that was happy to sit eating whilst I snapped away .Later , the 'plop' of an animal into the water gave the opportunity for a swimming shot . I checked the Bittern spot again , but without any sighting , and then decided to head off to Fackenden Down , to see if any reptiles had been teased out with the warm sunshine .
The first thing I saw on arrival was a male Brimstone , my first butterfly of the year , to be followed by a second at the other end of the site . The first pair of refugia , well lying alongside them , produced 
another year first , a male Adder taking the rays , still looking earthy after his winter underground . Was this going to be a special day - no , in fact , apart from two Slow Worms , no
other reptiles were found . Out of interest , the report on last year's monitoring of the site , identified 75+ different Adders on the site . No I can't identify them , but I know a man who can , so when I find them , I send a shot of the head pattern , and he can put a number to each 
individual . Another first for the year on site , was Primroses in flower . Birdwise , only Magpies and Carrion Crows put in an appearance whilst I was on site . A pleasant enough visit in the sunshine , but disappointing in numbers of reptiles found , after a good start .
another year first , a male Adder taking the rays , still looking earthy after his winter underground . Was this going to be a special day - no , in fact , apart from two Slow Worms , no other reptiles were found . Out of interest , the report on last year's monitoring of the site , identified 75+ different Adders on the site . No I can't identify them , but I know a man who can , so when I find them , I send a shot of the head pattern , and he can put a number to each individual . Another first for the year on site , was Primroses in flower . Birdwise , only Magpies and Carrion Crows put in an appearance whilst I was on site . A pleasant enough visit in the sunshine , but disappointing in numbers of reptiles found , after a good start .Tomorrow , hedgelaying under the Downs near Dorking , don't think the sun is going to be with us .
males and just 1 female , all three were taking a nap . I walked on to the Little Owl site , and again did not see it . Coming back , I followed the River Ravensbourne , more of a stream here , and along it's banks found two flocks of Tits , one mainly Long Tails and the other mixed Long Tailed/Blue/Great Tits and with them a single Goldcrest . Standing quietly watching them , the quiet was broken with the arrival of a Great Spotted Woodpecker , who obviously wanted to let everyone know that he was there . Leaving the woods , I put up his cousin , a Green Woodpecker from the edge of a horse paddock , which flew off ' yaffling ' as it went .
time , as all four white cockerells were showing red , and it wasn't just their combs . Several times I tried to break them up , but they took no notice of me , and even later on when the farmer's wife tried , they just ran off and started again , in the end , she left them to it . It was 
certainly a ' no holds barred ' contest , and the white birds were turning red at an alarming rate . At one stage , the pair fighting both collapsed to the ground and lay motionless for a few 
minutes . I thought they were both dead , four legs pointing skywards . After what seemed like an age , one lifted it;s head , slowly got up , to be followed by the other , and a few seconds later ,
the battle continued . Mind you , some cockerells wern't interested in the contest , and just got 
on with production of eggs . They'll probably be all up the pub tonight , buying each other pints .
A bit further along the track , Lords and Ladies-Arum maculatum .
And of course the very common Dog's Mercury-Mercurialis perennis , already in bud .
him fly off , but he didn't go far , just onto the lawn to have a go at the remains of an apple , giving the chance of one shot . Something disturbed him and he flew off behind the garage , and whilst I was waiting to see if he would come back , a pair of Jackdaws perched on the trellis with 
the fat ball dangling . Their carry on made me smile . I think the one on the right was a female , and she was giving him the old wing shimmering bit and at the same time calling to him . He had 
that ' GBH of the Donalds ' look on his face and it looked like she was telling him to ' keep his strength up' , if he was to do a good job this breeding season . I don't know where the bird on the left got it , but it has a ring on one leg . Anyway , the whole thing made me smile . 
rising into the air noisily for no apparent reason . The female Stonechat was still in the same area , but with a circular saw working from a tractor by the logpile , she was even more nervous . Noticable by their absence were the Pied Wagtails , as I only had one overfly during my visit . No sign of Winter Thrushes at all today . As I approached the Trout Fishery , the white geese were all in the field below and very vocal . In the same field were 11 Moorhen and 4 Rabbits . 4 Canada Geese lifted off the Fishery and headed for another field to join others . In total they numbered 24 , a big inrease since last visit . At the gate to the 
Fishery , I found what could be bothering the white geese , 2 Mute Swans were 'Swan-upping' in the margins . Here's one of the 'uppers' and in the foreground , just for Warren , one of the 15 Coots on site is just about fo dive . Also on the increase are the Tufted Ducks , numbering 6 male 
and 3 female now . The Egyptian Goose was right over the other side with the 'Bitsers' . Leaving the Fishery , with one angler , I headed further on up the track to look for a Little Owl site that I had been told about . Just before reaching the spot , I had one very quick sighting as an Owl flew 
in , but by the time I got close , all I saw was the back of it's head in it's hole . Hopefully , I'll get it another day .
fungi growing on it's branches . A really good specimen of Tremella msennterica-Yellow Brain 
Fungus , followed by Exidia glandulosa-Witches Butter . Along with the fungi , was a nice 
specimen of lichen , but I must admit , I don't know which one it is .
was quite close and had joined up with the 'Bitsers' and a Mallard . This shot shows what a small Goose the Egyptian is . Making my way back to the car , I found the Skylark flock numbering 12 and also the Linnet flock , numbering a depleted 6 .
feeding amongst the horses , then , all as one rising noisily into the air , moving to another part of the farm for a short while , then all rising and moving again . Also in lager numbers were the Corvids , with Jackdaws mixed in with the Carrion Crows and the Magpies . The Woodpigeon numbers were pretty much constant with my last visit . 
the same area , as were the good number of Pied Wagtails . Each horse seemed to have a pair following it around . The scrubby trees behind the log pile held the mixed Goldfinch/Chaffinch/Greenfinch flock . 
shots of it before it joined the others in the water . I still think it is a bit iffy , but it is obviously mainly that breed . The iffy Grey Lag type was consorting with the white geese , which is 
probably how it got that white mask .
As I approached the stile , I found this Pied Wagtail having a wash and brush up in one of the many puddles .
The Fieldfares were feeding mainly in the open middle of the field and the Redwings were feeding on the areas around the sides , under the overhanging trees , where the snow had thawed completely , but making the ground resemble the Somme . Also in this field were about 4/5 Pied Wagtails , more than the usual pair I have found on previous visits . On the far side , a flock of 50/60 Starling were following the grazing horses around . On the way to the Trout Fishery , there were large numbers of Gulls in the air , mostly Black Headed , but some Common mixed in as well . It isn't a walk in this area without the Rose Ringed Parakeets being seen or heard , and I had a pair in an Old Oak which has many old Woodpecker holes in it , and also a fly over of four later on . Once again I found the Trout Fishery about 2/3rds. frozen over . All seemed pretty much as before with the exception of the second Little Greebe showing again , the female Tufted has now been joined by another female and also a male . The Fishery is very exposed and although milder today , I soon got cold looking around . I gave one more scan , and noticed something on the very far bank . When I first saw it , it was asleep , with it's head under it's wing , but from a distance , it looked like a small Egyptian Goose , but not quite right . At about this time , the Fishery Balliff arrived and entered the fenced off lake , via the locked gate . Seemed like a good time to go trespassing again I thought and followed him in . As it happened , he was a nice chap and keen on wildlife , and he took me round to get a closer look . As we approached , the resident white geese announced our arrival and everything was alerted . At least now I could see the head , and once again it didn't look right . In this shot it is with one of the 'Bitsers' and a Mallard type . 
It'll probably turn out to be another 'Bitser' , but any ideas ? Just as we were walking back 
around the bank , a male Teal flew in and landed on the ice , once again , well distant from where we were , but it's the first that either of us have seen on the site . On the return part of the walk ,
I found several more Pied Wagtails in amongst the horses , probably 10+ in number . Also with the horses were many more Black Headed and Common Gulls .
