There was some heavy rain overnight with winds building up
through the morning. I was undecided where to go but made the lucky decision to
travel light and have a wander around the Farm. I met up with Nick “Pyro”
Gardner and we both wandered down to the hide. Dodge was the only one there
and his opening gambit was I’ve just heard a Bearded tit go over and it could
be on the South lake.
Pyro and I walked along the side of the South lake listening
out for the familiar ping call of this species. About twenty minutes later
Dodge had heard the bird again on the island in front of the Sand Martin bank
on the North Lake. A short dash back to the hide ensued!!
 |
| (Bearded Reedling) |
There was a small tour visiting the Farm and everyone
gathered on top of the Sand Martin bank. A bird was heard calling and was
briefly seen by some. Last year I spent time at London Wetland Centre
listening to pinging all afternoon but did not see the birds.
 |
| (Bearded Reedling) |
Bearded Tit (Reedling) is a Surrey VC tick as well as a
Beddington tick so my own rules state that I have to see the birds to be able
to count them for either list. Was lightning going to strike again because it
seemed like forever before I had my first glimpse of a male bird.
 |
| (Bearded Reedling) |
Just as I was rattling off some shots Dodge called a
Short-eared Owl which from the corner of my eye I could see it being mobbed by
crows. Another Short-eared Owl later and it was apparent there was a pair of
Bearded tit maybe even a third.
 |
| (Male left and Female right ) |
The pair began showing well at the front of the island and the
conclusion was that there were only two birds present a male and female. I took
some more shots and then had a small celebration. Another Surrey VC gap had
been filled having missed a few in Surrey and this was the second VC tick, in a
week woo hoo!!
