Visit to Chobham Common - Saturday 3rd July

The group pictured with our guests from Japan, Yoshie and Naobumi Hojo (front row, second from left and centre)

It was blustery as we arrived at the Jubilee Mount car park on the edge of Chobham Common at 4.00pm to be met by the Japanese couple who had asked via the internet if they could join us for our visit.

Thirteen of us set out across the common hoping to see typical heathland birds and particularly a Dartford Warbler or two. The blustery weather was against us though and most of the birds were staying well concealed. We did get good views of a Kestrel hovering nearby, a Tree Pipit and of the frequent departures from nearby Heathrow airport. The only birds we saw in abundance were Carrion Crows.

We said goodbye to our Japanese visitors at about 6.00pm and retired to the pub in nearby Chobham village for an excellent meal before heading back to the common as dusk approached. This time we hoped to see Nightjars and Woodcock. Almost immediately on leaving the car park, a warbler entertained a couple of us for several minutes with a beautiful trilling song but we never managed to see it among the tall undergrowth even though it seemed to be near the top. As the light faded we were rewarded by hearing Nightjars 'churring' not far away and some caught a glimpse of one on the return trip to the car park. We were also rewarded by views of a Woodcock quartering its territory in the fading light.

A pleasant evening but a few more species would have made it much more enjoyable.

Stuart Harrison