Beddington Farm - Classic Farm Weather and a Tick!

Today was almost classic Beddington Farm weather and by that I mean NE/E wind without the low cloud and drizzle. The opportunity was not to be missed therefore I trudged onto the Inner sanctum at reasonable o clock!

Nick Gardner had beaten me by around twenty minutes and had already bagged the Spotted Redshank on the North Lake. He then went off to look for the Twite leaving me on guard over the Lake.

Whilst scanning the islands I picked up a Little Ringed Plover which was the first of the year at the Farm. The bird was evading the attentions of a nearby coot but remained on the island so that I could get some fuzzy pictures.

Next up was a Barnacle Goose which flew high over the lake heading North. The bird circled over the proposed area of wet grassland and was clearly looking to set down in what was turning out to be a fierce wind. This species is considered a category d species with the majority of birds in the south eminating from feral populations! This was a time for celebration as amazingly enough this was a Beddington tick for me edging me that bit closer to the two hundred species mark!

I caught up with Nick and the Barnie on the south lake and the former and I wen’t back to the area where the Twite are frequenting. Sure enough after a short time the birds were heard and then pitched up by the pipes to feed! 

A good choice of venue for this morning’s outing but the Farm is a must during this sort of weather! Woo Hoo!

Beddington Farmlands - Turned out All Twite!

I joined forces with Peter Alfrey this morning and a blitz on Beddington Farmlands was the order of the day. The day progressed with a group of migrating Common Gull on the North Lake and a movement of Meadow Pipit in a general NW direction. We managed to dodge a Wheatear on the NE corner of the lake.

We were returning to look for the Wheatear when Pinpoint noticed two birds on top of the mound feeding by some piping on the E side of the North Lake. “Koje don’t move” I froze and looked at the birds crickey two dark heavily striped passerines with yellow bills. The silence was broken by the rattle of cameras shutters and after a burst of action the Twite was documented!

 One bird was considerably darker than the other both showing varying amounts of the pink rump as they flicked their wings. Both continued feeding at close quarters to us seemingly untroubled by our presence. Wow these moments were truly amazing!

A couple of Sand Martin passed overhead during our vigil. Pete circulated the news but due to their location there was little chance of the birds being twitched.

A hybrid Pochard x Tufted Duck(?)was seen on the North Lake earlier in the day.

A Little egret was seen in the channel between the North Lake and proposed area of wet grassland.

The Wheatear was eventually found which was good timing, as I had to leave Pete who was clearly up for finding more migrants. 58 species were recorded during the four mile and six hour session. 

ebird list

Holmethorpe Sandpits - A Spring in My Step!

This year I have not been fortunate enough to find a Wheater although it is early days and perhaps I am being too hard on myself. Birds I have “twitched” on my regular stomping grounds have also eluded me. I was not deterred by this run of Wheatear form and spent the day at Holmethorpe Sandpits where incidentally Gordon had found a couple of birds on the site of the sand Quarry. 

It did not take too long to locate the two birds which were mobile and distant but were associating with each other. The first was a splendid male in pristine plumage and the second I originally thought was a female but have had a change of heart on this having looked at my pictures. Notice the broad eye-stripe and greyish mantle.

I had been in contact with Gordon and re visited Glebe lake where a Green Sandpiper was sunning itself.

A small flock of Yellowhammer was busy feeding on the ploughed field on the approach to the quarry. This species is not as common in the Vice County probably due to the change in farming practices.

Collared Dove can also be difficult to locate but the pair at Mercer’s Farm graced me with their presence on the return journey.

The paddocks at the Farm are always worth checking as this area looks promising for Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel and other such gems. Today it only held a ringed Meadow Pipit!

Fifty three species were recorded in a six hour and six mile stint on a glorious sunny day. ebird list

The birds were in full song suggesting spring is just around the corner! Woo Hoo!

Canon's Farm - Camera Not At The Ready!

I have a few hours to spare before the Sutton game this afternoon and took a trot down to Canons Farm to cover the area with my ebird app in full operation. It turns out my walk was in the form of a figure 8. I missed the Wheatear and the Stonechat the other day and had no better luck today.

There were several Yellowhammer visible around Lunch Wood where all the mornings action appeared to emanate from. 

I was caught out by two groups of Canada Goose that honked their way overhead heading over Georges Field. My camera was in my bag and not ready for action. When will I learn?! 

It was only seven Canada’s who incidentally are not recorded that often but I must shape up and be prepared as I will miss something more tasty in the future!

A Red Kite was spied with a couple of Buzzard over the back of the wood completing the excitement for the morning. 

Hopefully the world will descend on Sutton Utd with no other football being played today!

The Wandle Trail - Poulters Park and Beddington Farmlands!

I returned to the River Wandle at Poulters Park this afternoon to catch up with the Yellow Browed Warbler which did show briefly in the area of the small industrial area. One of the Siberian Chiffchaff was associating with a Firecrest which was busy feeding during the spells of sunshine.

I spent the evening with Pete Alfrey covering the hides along the permissible footpath to Beddington Farmlands. A Green Sandpiper was viewed feeding along the exposed muddy edges in front of the hide at the proposed area of wet grassland.

Five Shelduck were also noted: four on the wet grassland and one on the north lake. There were a reasonable number of gulls the main purpose of the visit but nothing of note was found before the majority departed to roost on the reservoirs. Half a dozen Snipe were observed feeding on a small island on the north lake. A full list will be posted on ebird.

Canons Farm and Epson and Walton Downs - Tales of Two Farms!

I set out fairly early this morning to cover two areas of farmland Canons Farm and Epsom and Walton Downs. The later had farmer Giles’s out ploughing fields which was attracting the local corvids a few gulls and a Red Kite which had been drawn in by the swirling masses. This activity had also solved the puzzle of why there was not a single gull on the racecourse!

I was also experimenting with the ebird android app which allows you to record bird sightings on the move and I must say is very user friendly and even plots your route which is shown on the sightings page at the end of the outing! They just need to sort out the worlds recording boundaries Rep of Georgia in Asia and Whiskered Tern on my Surrey list… Errm I don’t think so!  

I bumped into a couple of Red Legged Partridge and decided to follow them as they scarpered up the hill. I lost sight of them to flush a Woodcock that was sitting on the edge of the tree line separating fields. I wonder if this is the same bird that I had flushed from the edge of the now ploughed field!

Canons Farm was pretty non-eventful with a couple of good sized flocks of Linnet. Bog field is still flooded and I guess it’s only a matter of time before a shorebird pitches up there but I guess that requires a stupid o clock start before the bird moves on at the sight of the first dog!

A good day with a general thumbs up for ebird!

Frensham Common - Shrike on Vampire Flats!

I had a free day and decided to go out in search of the Great Grey Shrike that has been frequenting Frensham Common on Vampire Flats which is situated between Kings Ridge and Frensham Little Pond. The area was named after a de Havilland DH.115 Vampire T.Mk11 aircraft which ran out of fuel having been diverted from Odiham to Farnborough Airfield. The pilot and passenger bailed out before the plane crashed on 3^rd November 1955.

There were a small group of birders staking out the area in which the Shrike had frequented for a couple of weeks. It showed on the top of dead trees some distance from the small gathering of folk. The numbers dwindled leaving two brave souls to stake out the bird as it traversed the area.

A Sparrowhawk did not assist matters as it took up position on a low dead branch which was situated between us and the bird. Buzzard and a single Red Kite were also observed during the stake out.

A pleasing sight, were the numerous Dartford Warbler that were frequenting the area. This species has truly made a comeback on the Surrey Commons.

Pairs of Stonechat were also seen in display flight which kept me occupied during the periods that the Shrike was not on view. Woodlark and Skylark were also seen and heard in the area.

Mid afternoon I took a walk around Frensham Little Pond noting Pochard, Tufted, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Mute Swan on the Lake. The passerines were also taking advantage of the sunny weather to feed around the margins of the lake.

I called in at Cut Mill Pond and Crooksbury Common before making my way home. Thank goodness for the lighter evenings!