Beddington Farm - Another MEGA at the Farm!

Who would have thought Beddington Farm would turn up yet another Surrey Vice County MEGA today. There were a few pairs of eyes on the site today and a Red Kite, a few Fieldfare and Redwing were the product of Frank and my watch from the corner.

Devilbirder had re located the German ringed Caspian Gull X319 on the North Lake and after a brief visit to the corner made his way with Magnus to the area around the tip. Pete and Swifty were additions to the corner but there was little movement above. Frank and Pinpoint departed leaving the Swift and I on point!

My phone started going crazy with calls and a text from Devilbirder (DB) saying “Answer!!” I answered and heard an excited but slightly annoyed DB said “I’ve got a Twite”. This was great news as this would be only the second record for Beddington Farm. I packed and stashed my gear and saw Pete and Frank scurrying back towards the main gate.

I made my way over to the landfill fortunately the bird was far easier to locate than contacting me by phone. As with the majority of Beddington finds cameras secured the evidence of another Beddington MEGA. Twite are in decline and subject to a ringing programme which is one of the factors which drew attention to this bird within a small flock of Linnet.

Ring details: pink over silver on left leg and pink over red on right leg. Any information as to the ringing programme gratefully received. - South Pennines Ringing Project

What a year this has been. I have had seven Beddington ticks bringing my total to 188 and another Surrey Vice County tick bringing my total to 233. It just shows that you cannot leave the farm alone as there is always a surprise around the next corner. Nice one DB... Woo Hoo!

Surrey Vice County - Headley Heath - Hawfinch Heaven!

Waves of Hawfinch are still being reported around the country and in the South they are regularly appearing at sites that are close to home. I attempted a stake-out at the Farm which has so far failed despite my efforts. The day six went through was a footie day and I was no-where to be seen within the gates. I think it’s called the law of Sod!

This had also sown a small seed that perhaps I had missed this torpedo like bird, amongst the early morning Farm movement. A conversation with Pete Alfrey during a watch had put my mind at rest on that one! He had the heavy artillery out that day too clock the first two after registering the call on his sound equipment. The other group of four were lower and closer so would have been well within my sightline. Pete has the eyes of a hawk I have stood next to him on occasions when he has been describing where a bird is flying and I could not see it even through my binos!

I took a trip to Headley Heath this afternoon to see a few birds in action. There were a few birders dotted around including Mr & Mrs Tank and Dibley from the Farm! The wait turned out to be a fairly long one but I spotted two Hawfinch fly into a tree on the opposite side of the valley to the Farmers!

Scopes were trained on the birds with a concerted effort to get Mrs Tank a decent view of what she had been hanging around for, for so long! In the mean time other Hawfinch had joined the pair. The next challenge was to get flight shots in conditions where the cloud had covered the sun and it was looking decidedly gloomy! Thanks Tank!!

Various numbers were being mentioned as to the amount of birds present. The largest flock I saw was eight birds. I have at least laid my doubts to rest. I have not seen any likely candidates during my Farm watch. This species I have seen plenty of but my patch has only had three records therefore there is no harm in a refresher course elsewhere!