Beddington Farm - Epic displacement of birds!

I am sure that when the Beddington Farm hard core patch watchers gathered they did not expect the scale of displacement of birds that unfolded throughout the day. The small band of myself, Dodge and Tank gathered in the hide started proceedings off with a steady flow of 263 Lapwing and a single Golden Plover all flying NW and a Dunlin on the North Lake. Pete Alfrey joined the group having abandoned the comfort of the observatory window. Frank completed the set with Tomas returning from his owl circuit later on it the morning.

Another 70 Lapwing pass though SW before a Grey Plover whizzed E across the lake. Pete was quickest on the lens securing shots of the bird. Dodge and I remained in the hide as Pete and Tank went to check the valley for any likely passerines en route they saw a Ruff on the South Lake which prompted Dodge and I to part the relative shelter of the hide.

The South Lake was the next focus of attention with an Avocet sat on the ice near the E bank. The bird looked a bit worse for wear but flew off a short time later. Tank and Pete re-located the Ruff and a Dartford Warbler on the mound. Dodge called and photographed a Kittiwake that was using the railway as a navigational aid. This species is not annual at the Farm. I hope to post a pic here at some point.

A couple of Golden Plover were seen along the path which has recently taken a battering from machinery replicating a ploughed field. Another group of 26 Lapwing passed over heading SW. I departed for a lunch date with my girlie to hear that a Knot, Dunlin, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Black-tailed Godwit had flown over the Farm.

I returned to the Farm having had a very pleasant lunch and a couple of hot chocolates to thaw my inner self out. Movement of birds was slowly drying up so Pete and I went on another walk in the blizzard to mop up any other species that might have dropped in whilst our backs were turned.

A Ruff was found feeding in the canal along with Jack Snipe. We returned to the main gates to photograph the Golden Plover who were now seeking shelter behind clumps of earth. Just as we were about to leave 8 Pintail flew high NW.

A chat with Tomas who had returned for his evening owl watch ensued before Pete and I called it a day! What a day it turned out to be with so many different species of shorebird passing through or seeking sanctuary at a site that has taken a battering from the developers in recent times.

The days displaced birds:-

Avocet, Knot, Ruff 2, Bar-tailed Godwit 20, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover 2, Dunlin 3, Golden Plover 13, Pintail 15, Wigeon 3, Great Crested Grebe, Fieldfare 150+, Meadow Pipit 70+,Lapwing 350+, Woodcock.

The Farm will always produce great records in the right conditions, which is why the faithful stick to its confines maintaining the areas reputation as a premier site for bird watching in London and Surrey! Please check Pete Alfreys and Dodge's blogs for photos of all species recorded during this amazing day!

Roll on tomorrow!!