Hidden Worlds Wildlife Guiding

28/08/2024

A male Ruddy darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) warming itself on the dam at Great Pond, Epsom Common.

27/08/2024

In late Spring this lowland heath was dripping in birdsong and the promise of new life. The sounds of cuckoo, tree pipit, woodlark, Dartford warbler, and stonechat filled the daytime air, before dusk gave way to the eerie churrings and quips of nightjars and the grunts and squeaks of roding woodc**k.

The air is quiet now but the heather is loud in colour, a sea of purples, pinks and mauves. It's a time of transition in the year again. The Summer migrants have reared their young and started their journeys South, whilst the resident birds aren't far away, but are much quieter without their song. Individuals from the new generation of Dartford warblers materialise occasionally atop the furze, and the stonechats c**k their tails from fencepost to fencepost. Many birds are going through moult, so are hidden away undergoing the process. And in turn, I find their feathers as treasure.

Here and there I find little remnants of the nesting season just passed. The remains of where a woodc**k made a nest and laid her eggs, full of soft down nestled into the heather litter. The feathers are so soft they're almost imperceptible to the touch.

So mysterious and peculiar are woodc**k, people used to believe they flew to the moon. They don't, of course. They're just secretive. Their quiet, crepuscular ways and exquisitely cryptic plumage keep them out of view. Occasionally a person might accidentally flush one on their walk, as it roosts on the ground by day. Other than that, only after dusk do they become vaguely visible, when they take to the woodland edge with their grunt-squeaks.

Round the edges of shallow pools, I find more of their downy feathers. I see their splayed footprints and the tiny holes where their long beaks have probed the mud for worms.

Such a strange beautiful thing, a bird that's like half owl half wading bird. With rounded wings of soft intricate feathers yet a long probing beak like a snipe, and big eyes sat right high upon its head, it's beautifully 'weird'.

27/08/2024

The cryptic underwing markings of the Grayling butterfly makes this species a real master of camouflage.

Against the backdrop of its archetypal heathland habitat, this butterfly can sit unnoticed on the warm sandy soil or on the bark of a tree.

These beauties are on the wing now on the larger heaths of Surrey. I spotted this one on Thursley Common last week.

26/08/2024

Every feather tells a story..

Exploring some very old derelict remains this evening, I found the tail feather of a female Kestrel.

I guess she must have snagged it as she squeezed through this little hole in the wall. I imagine she probably had a nest in there at some point this year. I wonder where her young are now.

The building is completely sealed shut so any avian residents inside are undisturbed by people.

I collected her feather as treasure.

13/07/2024

What a glorious walk around Sheepleas today! Thank you to all who came along, it was a pleasure to show you around and spot so many treasures together.

What a stunning array of chalk grassland wildflowers.. Nettle leaved bellflower, clustered bellflower, Harebell (pictured), pyramidal and common spotted orchids, lady's bedstraw, eyebright, vervain, marjoram, bird's foot trefoil, wild mignonette, fairy flax, common rock rose, salad burnet, scabious, common century, agrimony, St John's wort and wild basil to name a few...

Huge patches of spear thistle and ragwort attracted numerous bees and beetles. We saw an impressive clump of deadly nightshade, as well as delicate annuals like scarlet pimpernel and other splashes of red in the form of wild strawberries. The shady woodland areas were filled with sprays if Enchanter's nightshade.

The meadows were dotted with beautiful marbled white butterflies along with ringlets and meadow browns. A nice highlight was a dark green fritillary, a quintessential chalk grassland butterfly.

Day flying moths such as 6 spot burnet and cinnabar added to the colours of the meadows too.

We looked at small mammal feeding remains and traditional land management practices like hazel coppicing too.

A vocal family of buzzards was a nice highlight, as well as a huge Roman snail.

* * * I'll shortly be putting together an Autumn to Winter tour program. Do let me know what you'd like to see. * * *

12/07/2024

There's still plenty of space left on tomorrow's (Saturday 13th July) wildlife wonders tour at Sheepleas. We're meeting at 11am at Shere Road car park and we'll be:-

* identifying rare and special chalk grassland and woodland wildflowers

* listening to bird songs and calls and identifying the sounds we hear

* seeking mammal field signs to learn who lives in the woods

* looking out for summer butterflies and day flying moths

* using the sweep net, we will examine bugs, beetles, bees and more up close

To book, click https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wildlife-wonders-tour-at-sheepleas-tickets-882669567437?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wildlife-wonders-tour-at-sheepleas-tickets-882669567437?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile

Tickets are £15 each but kids go free, just message me to secure their place(s)

10/06/2024

A beautiful Common spotted orchid at Spynes Mere Nature Reserve yesterday afternoon.

10/06/2024

There are 3 places left on our bat watching experience at Sheepleas this coming Friday!

Don't miss out - book now at:-

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bat-watching-and-info-tour-at-sheepleas-tickets-882940397497?aff=oddtdtcreator

Kids go free - just message me to secure their place(s)

09/06/2024

The brilliant deep pink of Grass vetchling in a meadow at Langley Vale..

31/05/2024

What a brilliant evening we had with the bats on Epsom Common tonight!

Thank you to all who attended. 30% of booking fees go to Epsom Common Association who support conservation work on this superb nature reserve.

Despite the chilly weather, we had spectacular viewings of FIVE species of bat!

Soprano pipistrelle
Common pipistrelle
Daubenton's bats
Noctule
Serotine

What an amazing experience getting close to such incredible mammals. The only mammals in the world who can FLY!

If you missed out on tonight's treat, there are still a few places available on the Sheepleas bat experience on Friday 14th June, and lots on the Horton Country Park one on Friday 21st June. Book your tickets now at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/hidden-worlds-wildlife-guiding-80732216133

30/05/2024

A gorgeous sunset at Horton Country Park a few evenings ago.

This tranquil spot will be one of our focal points for bat watching on my Spectacular bats experience on Friday 21st June.

See eventbrite link for details and booking. Tickets £11.55 each but kids go free. Just message me to secure their place(s)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spectacular-bats-experience-at-horton-country-park-tickets-913184709047?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

30/05/2024

This stunning plant is a Greater butterfly orchid. It was one of many I found at a lovely location in the Surrey Hills this week.

27/05/2024

A little glimpse of what to expect at our Spectacular bats experience at Horton Country Park on Friday 21st June.

Serotine bats at dusk last night. These are one of our largest bat species here in the UK, and they have very broad wings.

To book your space, click https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spectacular-bats-experience-at-horton-country-park-tickets-913184709047?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Tickets £11.55 each but kids under 16 go free (just message me to reserve their space(s)

26/05/2024

Sitting here soaking in the evening chorus.
A pair of Mandarin duck have settled down to sleep beside the water. A song thrush is singing its heart out in the hedge, accompanied by the songs of Garden warbler, Wren, Blackbird, chiffchaff and Dunnock.

The occasional "chik" of a Great spotted woodpecker punctuates the air, alongside the soft twittering of goldfinches. House Martins are hawking over the water before heading to roost at the adjacent housing estate.

Shortly the bats will emerge to hunt. Daubenton's bats will skim over the surface of the water gleaning insects, and pipistrelles will twist and turn just above me. Then the big bats - the noctules and serotines - will hawk high above the trees, taking steep swoops to catch moths.

We'll be immersing ourselves in this experience right here at Horton Country Park on Friday 21st June.
Book here
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spectacular-bats-experience-at-horton-country-park-tickets-913184709047?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spectacular-bats-experience-at-horton-country-park-tickets-913184709047?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile

Tickets £11.55 each but kids under 16 go free - just message me to secure their place(s)

24/05/2024

Germander speedwell (bright blue) and Thyme leaved speedwell (white and blue) growing alongside eachother on the stony chalky ground of the Surrey Hills.

21/05/2024

Join me at Sheepleas on Saturday 13th July for an all-round wildlife foray.

• Discover Summer wildflowers, learning the key identification features of plants, and
all about their habitat requirements.
• Explore trees and their role in the environment
• Learn to identify birds by song and call
• Learn wildlife field signs – clues left behind by animals and birds in the wild, that tell
us about who’s been here.
• Spot and learn to identify butterflies, bees, day-flying moths, crickets, bugs, beetles
and other insects
Who knows what we may see? This is a good tour for those interested in a bit of everything!
Tour length approx 2.5 miles, slow paced

An all-round natural history bonanza through beautiful habitat - insects, plant identification, bird song, wildlife field sign detection.

20/05/2024

Look at these colourful critters...

These are Black and red froghoppers (Cercopis vulnerata). I found these at Bookham Common at the weekend. Don't they have beautiful bold chequered markings?

They're in the insect order Hemiptera AKA true bugs.

Froghoppers are colloquially known as 'spittlebugs'. Have you ever noticed little puffs of foam on vegetation? These little puffs of 'spittle' are secreted by the froghopper nymphs and serve as protective foam nests, keeping them shielded from predators. The foam became known as 'cuckoo spit', because it appears around the same time as the cuckoo arrives. (Just like the Cuckooflower, so named because it flowers around that time).

And as the name suggests, froghoppers are excellent jumpers, able to leap substantial distances owing to their powerful hind legs.

19/05/2024

A little taster of what to expect on our upcoming bat watching and info tour at on Friday 14th June...

Stood at this scenic spot in the Surrey Hills, overlooking the distant lights of the capital city, we'll marvel at the amazing spectacle of Natterer's bats and pipistrelles coming out to hunt. Above the treeline, we'll look out for the bigger bats, serotines and noctules too.

Don't miss out, book now at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bat-watching-and-info-tour-at-sheepleas-tickets-882940397497?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bat-watching-and-info-tour-at-sheepleas-tickets-882940397497?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile

Tickets are £15 each but kids under 16 go free, just message me to secure their place(s)

17/05/2024

Turn up the volume...

I am soaking in the glorious song of the Woodlark (Lullula arborea) in deepest .

It's rapid descending notes and yodels are so pure and clear sounding. They're one of the earliest starters in the year, displaying and singing as early as February in preparation for breeding season.

The woodlark is one of our flagship bird species. They nest close to the ground deep in the heather.

16/05/2024

4 little ravens sitting in the trees...

Not so little mind you, these 4 babies are rather big now, having recently fledged.

At this stage they're very close-knit, sticking together and not venturing too far away from the nest site, but they're slowly gaining independence and will eventually disperse when they're ready.

Ravens tend to pair for life, and the parents of this little family have nested in this same location for several years now, and have raised several broods.

14/05/2024

I love these sweet little characters...

This is a Bloody-nosed beetle. (Timarcha tenebricosa)

The reason for such a startling name for such a pretty little creature is the beetle's defence mechanism. When alarmed, the bloody nosed beetle emits an unpleasant tasting liquid (hemolymph, which is like blood) from its face.

Look out for them shambling along short turf on chalk grassland from now throughout Summer.

13/05/2024

This unusual looking flower is a broomrape.

There are several species of this parasitic family of plants, most of which are named after their usual 'host' plant.

Broomrapes lack chlorophyll, drawing their nutrients directly from the host plant!

This one is probably Common broomrape (Orobanche minor), which parasitises various legumes and asters.

Found on Fairmile Common, Surrey last week.

11/05/2024

Who else enjoyed the Northern Lights last night? What a show!

And what an absolute treat to see something so magical in our little corner of the world.

The stars were amazing too, I could make out Cassiopeia and The Plough in the night sky.

Viewed from Epsom Downs.

11/05/2024

What a glorious morning at Nature Reserve! A lovely group of ladies joined me for a wildflower foray around the chalk and , and we found a stunning array of species including:-

Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)
Sanicle (Sanicula europaea)
Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon)
Bugle (Ajuga reptans)
Common hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)
Thyme leaved speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia)
Ivy leaved speedwell (Veronica hederifolia)
Germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)
Field speedwell (one of 3 possible close species) V. persica being Common field speedwell, V. agrestris being Green field speedwell and V. polita being Grey field speedwell.
changing forget-me-not (Myosotis discolor)
field forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis)
bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
woodruff (Galium odoratum)
wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
crosswort (Cruciata laevipes)
cowslip (Primula veris)
salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor)
green hound's tongue (Cynoglossum germanicum)
green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens)
creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)
wild columbine (Auilegia vulgaris)
garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
common dog violet (Viola riviniana)
dog's mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
common cleavers (Galium aparine)
cut leaved cranesbill (Geranium dissectum)
Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
silverweed (Potentilla anserina)
herb Bennet/ wood avens (Geum urbanum)
great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum)
lords and ladies (Arum maculatum)
Holly (Ilex auifolium)

Hazel (Corylus avellana)
Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
yew (Taxus baccata)
sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)

green hairstreak butterfly (Callophrys rubi)
dingy skipper butterfly (Erynnis tages)
brimstone butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni)
Dark edged bee fly (Bombylius major)

I was kicking myself at the end of the tour, when I went for a little wander by myself in the opposite direction and what did I find right on the other edge of the car park? Bird's nest orchids! I was hoping to show some to our attendees today.
I also found some common twayblade orchids.

If you'd like to join me at Sheepleas to learn all about the flora of this exquisite place, check out the next scheduled botanical events below:-

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chalk-grassland-orchids-butterflies-and-other-wildlife-tour-at-sheepleas-tickets-882639768307?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chalk-grassland-orchids-butterflies-and-other-wildlife-tour-at-sheepleas-tickets-882639768307?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/woodland-chalk-grassland-orchids-butterflies-wildlife-tour-sheepleas-tickets-882649567617?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/woodland-chalk-grassland-orchids-butterflies-wildlife-tour-sheepleas-tickets-882649567617?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile

07/05/2024

I found this Snail eating beetle (Phosphuga atrata) today at Sheepleas. It's a type of Carrion beetle, and as its common name suggests, it does indeed feed upon snails!

When the beetle bites into the snail, a substance is secreted from its mouth, which dissolves the snail's body tissue. The beetle then slowly feeds upon the gooey, liquefied snail matter!