London Wetland Centre - Group of Godwits!

I have been covering several sites of late, London Wetland Centre (LWC), Holmethorpe Sand Pits, Epsom Downs, Banstead Golf Course and of course my back garden. These days are in total contrast to turning up at the Farm and cementing myself for the duration of the day within the fenceline. The problem with the former is that you cannot be at all the sites at the same time therefore weather conditions take on a greater significance when choosing which area to cover! I have not attempted to cover them all in a day but again there is risk attached to moving sites.

The easterly blow in the week had me favouring the LWC and Holmethorpe with the chance of returning shorebirds. I left LWC too early on Friday missing a Black Tailed Godwit (Blackwit) on the main lake. The weather today continued to be sunny but with a change of wind round to a westerly. Not an ideal wind but there had been an increase of shorebirds at Rainham but in these conditions I decided to attend to other matters.

The SVC whattsapp group pinged with a message from Geoff Barter notifying the group of 22 Blackwits at the LWC and then a Common Sand at Holmethorpe from Gordon. I had seen plenty of both species but the number of Blackwit was interesting and close to my Beddington top count. A deep breath later and I was off making good time to LWC. The Blackwits were still there viewable from the WWT hide but their numbers had increased. Clicker time and a count of 39 was checked and recorded in my notebook. 

Now that is my highest SVC tally therefore worth the journey, which incidentally was again trouble free. There was a colour banded bird in the group with white over red on the left and orange and a number 7.. on the right leg. I was informed that this bird was banded by an Icelandic Group. Nice!

I had also noted that high tide at Hammersmith was at 1330hrs so decided to sit a while to see if anything else joined the huddle of birds. There were other species but they were being watched from the Peacock hide, a Common Sandpiper and a couple of snipe.  I arrived too late for the Sandpiper but sat it out in the hope the bird would appear along the front edge of the scrapes!

Time was again running out so I left happy with my days tally. Tices Meadow also recorded 14 Blackwits this morning. The news group is ticking over nicely!

Geoff I know you don’t look at my blog only the pictures I post on FB. But thanks anyway!

West Sutton - Glory of the Garden!

Each morning I spend an hour on garden watch before I head out to the gym or other SVC avian pastures. The count fluctuates around the fifteen species mark with regular entries of ten species. Gull numbers have decreased significantly since the Incinerator at Beddington Farm has become operational. House Sparrow numbers are reasonable with three to four nesting pairs in roofs of adjacent houses.

This morning’s vigil added another new species of raptor to the garden total. I literally bumped into a female Kestrel that was hovering outside the front of the house which I guess proves the theory that Londoners are never more than six foot away from a rodent of some description. As fortune would have it I had my camera in my hand to capture the moment before the Kestrel who fixed its gaze briefly on me before drifting out of sight.

I have had a run of raptors of late the last a pair of Buzzard on June 1st and....

the previous summer July 25th a Red Kite that circled low over the house.

I spent the rest of the morning at the London Wetland Centre where I recorded Redshank, LRP, Teal , House Martin, Sedge and Cetti’s Warbler. I appear to have left a bit prematurely with east winds bringing in a Black Tailed Godwit which was seen by staff and Arjun Dutta. Nice one Arjun!

Holmethorpe SP - Posse of Passerines!

Yesterday at Holmethorpe Sand Pits it turned out to be a great day for passerines. The numbers obviously boosted by recently fledged chicks. Blue and Great Tit were well represented as I traversed the site.

The Common Tern on Mercers Lake had their hands full fending off predatory Herring Gull as they swooped for the chance of an easy meal. This territorial behavior was successful as the gull did not stand a chance and soon gave up on its raid!

I regularly check the Oaks for Little Owl and spied a distant and seemingly well hidden (to the naked eye at least) bird that was resting on an open branch. I had travelled light therefore did not have the heavy artillery with me (scope and camera phone) and could only obtain fuzzy shots of the bird.

Nuthatch was easily within camera range spending most of their time inverted on another Oak feeding on the masses of insects that were on the bark and in the surrounding air.

I recorded 65 species in just over four hours Hobby, Sedge, Willow and Cetti’s Warbler were the other sightings of note.

Saturday I join Roger Booth and Hersham Ringing Group at Queen Mary Reservoir for their bird banding session. 

Banstead Downs Golf Course - Fire in the Hole!

I noticed a lot of insects as I peered out of the window this morning. It was quite entertaining watching the Starlings Swallow diving to catch their breakfast. This activity triggered the desire to get out into the local area to see what else was around.

My internal compass had me heading to Banstead Downs Golf Course which has public footpaths taking the casual rambler through woodland, grassland and open areas that are dissected by well maintained fairways.

I could have stayed out much longer than I did but made it back to the car just in time for the rain to start. I recorded twenty four species including Firecrest, Coal Tit and Kestrel. I will be keeping an eye on this area in the future.

London Wetland Centre Barnes - Trickle of Shorebirds!

With more unsettled weather forecast I decided to return to the London Wetland Centre with the prospect of catching up with shorebirds that I had missed during spring migration whilst down under. The site has had a good run of shorebirds of late therefore there was a good chance of more stopping off on the wader scrape. 

The centre opens at 0930hrs which gave me time to stick my head out of the window and look at birds frequenting my garden before a trouble free journey to Barnes.

The rain had descended by the time of my arrival so I utilized the glass fronted viewing area overlooking the main lake. I made my way to the Wader scrape hide ducking into other hides to dodge showers along the way. News was passed on regarding a couple of Green Sandpipers on the muddy area in the centre of the scrape and it was not long before they both appeared in that area. Both birds showed spotting across the mantle, back and scapulars indicating birds in breeding plumage.

The LRP and young were attracting a lot of attention in the Peacock hide so I decided to look through the gulls that were scattered about on the far islands. I had recently bought an adjustable mobile phone adaptor for my old Galaxy S4 and tested the quality of image at long range. The subject a 3^rd summer Great Black Backed Gull showing a pale tipped bill and brown feathering through the upper-wing. The mantle and back dark grey.

London Wetland Centre Barnes - Little Chance of No Rain!

The weather throughout the week has been grim with low pressure lingering over the UK bringing heavy rain and swirling winds. The prospect of another day of similar conditions saw me heading to the London Wetland Centre which is a well established reserve with plenty of cover should the heavens open up at any point during my visit.

I only visited this reserve once last year and I was a day too late to connect with the Savi’s Warbler that was a first for the county. I duly renewed my WWT membership in anticipation of making several visits to this well maintained reserve that is situated adjacent to the Thames at Putney.

The site is a key stop off point for birds that navigate the Thames as part of their migratory passage. A small number of Volunteers help staff provide maintenance of the landscape resulting in perfect habitats for breeding birds. 

There was not a great deal to report today but I recorded forty seven species including Little Ringed Plover and Common Tern.

Surrey Commons - A Day of Two Halves!

The days forecast was high winds and heavy showers which saw me head to Holmethorpe SP with a bit of hope that a late migrant might have been caught in the front. The resident Buzzards a Hobby and Kestrel were not perturbed by the winds. I spent a fair bit of time dodging showers but added a male Pochard and Mistle Thrush to my measly UK year tally.

By mid afternoon the showers were less frequent with some sunny spells. I decided to visit the Surrey Commons to connect with some of the summer visitors that frequent the heaths. This plan initially seemed to be a bad idea as I was driving deeper into the storm and had to sit it out in the car on arrival at Crooksbury Common. The weather improved but the walk around the heath was not that productive with Stonechat and a Tree Pipit the highlights in a twenty species haul.

By early evening it was time to move on to Thursley Common where I had spent many a year watching the species I was seeking. After a short wait at the Moat car-park the skies cleared and the wind disappeared leaving clear blue sunny skies which would provide perfect conditions for the evening bird quest.

Previous experience of this vast heath land was to play a part in locating the sought after species. It had been a few years since my last visit and looking around I couldn’t help but think something was missing but could not put my finger on what it was! 

I headed for the far side of Shrike Hill and waited for dusk and for the churring of Nightjar to begin. The first bird I heard was at 2145hrs watching it take a short flight coming to rest on a low branch. My binoculars are excellent in low light and I marveled at this amazing bird and the only species of Nightjar to visit our shores. By the time the light had faded I heard three birds with views of one.

I did not hear or see any Woodcock but I may have left the area too early. 

The mystery of what was missing was also solved with a small monument situated at the base of Shrike Hill.

This was a day of two halves weather wise. Today I will be off to support the London Broncos who face table topping St Helens at the Trailfinders Sports Club. The Broncos will be fresh after a week rest having been knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Halifax! Will this be enough for bottom to beat top in the Rugby Super League! Fingers crossed the Lionesses v Scotland Women's World Cup match will be on in the bar after the game!

Holmethorpe Sand Pits - Terned Up On Time!

I was definitely not an early bird and probably missed all the early morning worms but with rain coming in from the south a trip out could still be productive. Holmethorpe Sand Pits near Merstham Surrey always has the potential to pull in something special. I did not expect any raptor activity today but almost bumped into a Buzzard that was scavenging on the lane that runs parallel to the M25.

The numbers of hirundines were higher than previous visits. The insects were very low making the journey along the footpath tricky as groups of House Martin and Sand Martin buzzed low over the path that intersects the lagoons.

Mercers Lake has been pretty devoid of birds on the water but has to be checked as a matter of course. I spied two Common Tern that were hugging the tree line opposite a school party that were sailing on the lake. Both bird came to rest on buoys which had me hot foot it to the area with a view to take some photos. I got too the area too late but stuck around for a while just in case the birds returned. They did not return but I heard one call beyond the trees towards the activity centre.

I found both birds on separate pontoons the closest was easily within photo range. Note the extensive black in the bill tip short and even tail streamers and longer red legs distinguishing this species from Arctic Tern. My efforts at flight shots in the gloomy conditions were poor therefore this opportunity was not to be wasted.

The small landfill site was active today attracting a few gulls all of which were Herring Gull. The eye in this bird showing a red ring and bill already showing some red in the gonys-spot. The tertials look mottled and worn with white tips. The coverts also showing brown mottling suggesting overall a third summer bird.

I covered the remainder of the area logging 48 species before the heavens opened up. All sightings are put on Birdtrack via Nature Lister which is now operational on my phone thanks to some assistance from Jack Levine at Wildlife Recorder Ltd 

Link here:- https://www.wildlife.co.uk.

West Sutton - An Eye on the Sky!

Saturday is traditionally a day of sport for me. The Lionesses hosted New Zealand in their last Soccer World Cup warm up match and the Rugby League Challenge Cup Quarter Finals were both screened Live on the BBC. Sadly my adopted side London Broncos was already out of the Rugby competition but their next opponents St Helens featured against Wakefield Trinity. 

The forecast outside was clear and sunny with temperatures reaching 26c by mid afternoon. This had my eye focused on the garden with a chance of raptors but how high would they be with no cloud! It did not take long to fix my eyes on two Common Buzzard wheeling high above the garden. 

The cameras focus was stretched to its limit as the auto focus initially would not lock on the birds and it was only a matter of time before they disappeared into the haze. My garden raptor tally is poor but this was a new species for the garden tally. Red Kite was the last addition in 2018.

The garden was alive with House Sparrow with tits and finches joining the chorus. My feeders have not been filled since my trip to Oceania but the designated wild flower garden is attracting a host of insects. for the birds to feed on. A few Swift was also seen overhead.