Today was sunny so I took myself off to the Surrey Hills to
catch up on some gaps in my year list. What I had not allowed for was the
blasting wind which ripped across the hill tops. Crossbill was my target bird
and first stop was a walk around Leith Hill and Dukes Warren.
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| (Raven) |
Raven has become a more regular feature in Surrey over the
last few years. I was not surprised when this large corvid appear across the horizon.
I few pictures later and all that could be heard was its familiar call as it
sailed away into the distance.
I took a Crossbill free walk around Dukes Warren I decided
to head towards the tower where maybe I would have better luck on the way. I
drew a blank but I did venture to the top of the tower and scored with three
birds.
It was blowing a gale on top of the tower but the views were
magnificent. I bumped into Stuart who used to be a key holder at the Farm and
after a catch up chat it was time to get out of the wind and head back for the
car. It must have been 10c warmer at the bottom.
Another species that has become increasingly rare in Surrey
is the Grey Partridge. Origins of birds that occur will always create debate
but there had been recent reports in the Chelsham area. Thankfully the M25
would make this a relatively short journey to Beech Farm Rd where the search
would begin.
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| (Red-legged Partridge) |
I found a couple of lay-by along Beech Farm Rd and began
scanning the edges of the fields. Red legged Partridge were the first game bird
to make an appearance. Both birds seemed content feeding in front of the hedge
line.
I moved further down the road and scanned a field that was
littered with Fieldfare, Redwing and Starling. I returned to the top of the
road by Beech Farm where the Grey Partridge had last been reported but there
was no sign of them and the sun was now beginning to drop.
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| (For the last time he didn't see us!!) |
I’m not sure where my thought process went from here but it
turned out to be genius! I returned to the field with the Fieldfare in and
parked by the green swing gates just past Milbury Cottage. I was just getting
my camera out of the boot and bingo the two Partridge ran up the field stopping
to have a domestic along the way before walking up to the brow of the small
incline. That was truly a stroke of luck and this species was in the bag and
just in the nick of time!
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| (Grey Partridge) |
