Waves of thrushes have been hitting the country with good numbers being picked up inland. I expected to see a few at Epsom and Walton Downs today but how many would I find gorging on the multitude of bushes bearing berries.
I took a now familiar route which initially takes me past the Grandstand down to Langley Vale and Langley Bottom Farm and back up the lane to cover the fields surrounding Langley Vale Woods and back up through The Gallops and fields to Tattenham Corner.
There didn’t seem to be much movement overhead but the fields held good flocks of Chaffinch, Skylark, Linnet and Goldfinch. The fields with sacrificial crops were the most productive but it was a game of patience waiting for flocks to take to the skies so that I could sift through them.
Groups of Redwing were found in the berry copse with a few Fieldfare chacking as they moved from the treetops. A Mistle Thrush was the only candidate that did want to stick around for the paparazzi again announcing its arrival as I was sat on a bench refuelling!
A Red Kite was raptor of the day with Kestrel missing from the day list. It helped to stir up the fields which also had a Sparrowhawk patrolling them which helped with the count!
The farmer was out ploughing the fields which had attracted numerous gulls, starling, pigeons and Corvids who were taking full advantage of the disturbed cuisine. The Grandstand is always a good place to start with the gulls. A few Common Gull and Lesser Black Backed recorded today.
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