Friday 18th.September 2009

Two visits today , and for once , the weather was kind , after a dull morning , at lunchtime there were signs of the sun , and that was enough for me . My first call was the farm lake , and as if by magic , the clouds opened , and warm sunshine followed . The conditions immediately produced large numbers of hirondine , mostly Swallows , but with a few House Martins mixed in , some taking a drink , some feeding , all heading South . They were followed by a Grey Heron , which seemed to take exception to my presence , circling , noisily , several times , before heading off for a quieter spot . At the same time , I saw a pair of Common Buzzard , two fields away , and unfortunately heading away up the valley . The sunshine really brought the lake to life , with 50+ Common Darter recorded , all with two things on their minds , mate , and then lay the eggs for the continuance of the species . This was probably the largest number of Common Darter I had seen on the site this year , and definitely the largest numbers recorded mating and egg laying in tandem . I also recorded 2 Migrant Hawkers and a single Brown Hawker . I had a look around the harvested field edge , and found Common Field Speedwell , and also Field Pansy-Viola arvensis , along with lots of Scarlet Pimpernel . By the side of the lake , I found the seed pod of one of the Irises , split open and ready to broadcast it's seeds , very Autumnal I thought .

Butterflies were very few , but I did record 1 Speckled Wood , 1 Small White , 1 Meadow Brown and this Peacock that almost landed on my boots , looking like it had been roused from hibernation by the somewhat barmey afternoon .
My other stop was Keston Ponds , and almost straight away met up with old friends , 5 Mandarin ducks , 3 females and 2 males , unseen since early Spring . But , having only just returned , they were very wary , and stayed amongst the tree branches that were in the water .

If things go the same as last year , the falling Acorns and the people feeding bread , will soon get them out in the open . Also recorded , for the second day running was a Grey Wagtail , but I didn't even manage a bad shot today . Three butterflies were recorded , Speckled Wood , Large White and a fly through Red Admiral . Odonata recorded were , 25+ Common Darter , 2 Southern Hawker , 2 Brown Hawker and 15+ Common Blue Damselflies .

Between the middle and bottom pond , I found this fine specimen of Laetiporus sulphureus-Sulphur Polypore or Chicken of the Woods , a good sized specimen as can be seen by the 35mm. film canister , placed for size comparison . Further on , a photogenic Grey Squirrel posed for me , and I couldn't resist . And finally , as I was just finishing my walk , a reminder of a children's craze of a few years ago , Ninja Turtles . I found this terrapin sunning itself about 10 mtrs. out from the busiest part of the area , where the ice cream van parks . It wasn't worried , as long as it got all parts tanned , especially those large back paddles .

Hedgelaying near Leith Hill , near Dorking tomorrow , Buzzards and Ravens in the area .