April 2010

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Thurs 1 Apr 2010:
p.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK, 6 TEAL, 2m GADWALL, 2 COMMON BUZZARD, 17 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 1 KESTREL, 1 SPARROWHAWK. Gordon

a.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1f SPARROWHAWK (M.east). Simon Elson

a.m. very quiet. 2 SWALLOW, 1 SAND MARTIN, 2m SHOVELER (Moors), 6 TEAL (4 M.West, 2 Spynes), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew E over Spynes), 10 GREYLAG GOOSE (flood plain by sewage works), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (over N.Downs), 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 7 CHIFFCHAFF, 1m PHEASANT, 2 LINNET, 2 REED BUNTING (Spynes reedbed). Graham
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Fri 2 Apr 2010: 15.15hrs-17.30hrs. 1m PHEASANT (M.Farm), 41+ STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 5 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 2 TEAL (pair Spynes), 5 CORMORANT (Spynes), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (1 Spynes, 1 WC lagoons), 1m KESTREL (M.east), 2 REDWING, 6+ SWALLOW, 20+ SAND MARTIN, 5+ CHIFFCHAFF, 1 BLACKCAP (heard M.CP). Ian

a.m. c40 SAND MARTIN, c20 SWALLOW, 1 HOUSE MARTIN, 5m BLACKCAP, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 19 CHIFFCHAFF, c12 GADWALL, 6 SHOVELER, 8 TEAL, 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), c12 GREYLAG GOOSE, 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew E over Spynes), 2 SHELDUCK (flying E, seen from Moors), 2 COMMON BUZZARD (together over landfill), 3 COMMON GULL (1 ad. & 2 1st-year, Spynes), 1m SPARROWHAWK, 1 KESTREL, 1 LITTLE EGRET (Willow Wood), 1 GREY WAGTAIL (over), c15 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 1m & 1f PHEASANT (M.Farm), 7 LINNET, 2 MISTLE THRUSH, 6 REDWING, c45 GOLDFINCH (Moors), 11 RING-NECKED PARAKEET, 1 COMMON SNIPE (near Willow Wood), 2 MEADOW PIPIT (heard). Gordon & Graham


LITTLE EGRET (Graham)
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Sat 3 Apr 2010: p.m. 1 WILLOW WARBLER, c10 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 BLACKCAP (m & f, M.CP), 5 SWALLOW, c40 SAND MARTIN, 1f WIGEON (M.West), 4 SHOVELER (Moors), 3 TEAL, 124 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 1m PHEASANT (M.Farm). Gordon

a.m. 3 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 HOUSE MARTIN. Steve
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Sun 4 Apr 2010: mid-p.m. Female FERRUGINOUS DUCK (still present at Moors near railway line, but did not show for the first half hour, then kept distant and elusive, keeping close to overhanging branches, it was still present when we left at 15.30hrs), 2 COMMON BUZZARD (over Moors). Graham & Sue

late a.m. 1f FERRUGINOUS DUCK (flooded area of Moors near railway line - new site tick.) Ian (also seen by Gordon, Graham, Johnny Allan, Frank Prater, Steve, Jerry & Thomas.)

a.m. 11+ SWALLOW, 10+ CHIFFCHAFF, 2m BLACKCAP, 2 WILLOW WARBLER (singing M.CP), 20+ STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 2 PHEASANT (m & f M.Farm), 8 TEAL (3 pairs Spynes, 1 pair Moors), 3 COMMON SNIPE (1 M.West, 2 Moors), 5+ SAND MARTIN, 13 GADWALL, 1f GOLDENEYE (now thought to be a possible 1st-w male, M.Lake), 4m SHOVELER (Moors). Ian & Gordon


FERRUGINOUS DUCK (Graham)
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Mon 5 Apr 2010: a.m. 7 SHOVELER (6m & 1f Moors), 16 GADWALL, 12 TEAL, 2 MANDARIN (m & f flew over M.Lake), 2 SHELDUCK (WC, then Spynes), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew W over M.east), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (WC1-Gordon), 2500 JACKDAW (left roost at Nutfield Ridge-Gordon), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (M.Farm), 1 SPARROWHAWK, 3 LITTLE OWL (1 M.Farm, 1 oaks S of Spynes, 1 hedge to E of Spynes), 1 COAL TIT (heard Nutfield Churchyard-Gordon), 6 WILLOW WARBLER, 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 12 BLACKCAP (11m & 1f), 5 BULLFINCH, 1m YELLOWHAMMER, 2 SKYLARK, c65 SAND MARTIN, c20 SWALLOW, 1 HOUSE MARTIN. Gordon, Ian & Graham
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Tues 6 Apr 2010: a.m. 3 COMMON SNIPE, 2 MEADOW PIPIT, 1 SWALLOW, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 KESTREL, 12 GADWALL, 1 SHOVELER (all Moors/WC lagoons). Thomas, Jerry & Gordon

a.m. 1 LITTLE EGRET (over WC mound heading towards Moors), 1f LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC mound, then same bird at M.West), 1 1st-w male GOLDENEYE (WC1.took off, then relocated at M.Lake), 2 SHELDUCK (m.& f Spynes), 4 SHOVELER (3m & 1f Moors), 4 GADWALL (2 Moors, 2 M.West), 1m TEAL (M.West), 1 KESTREL (over WC mound), 1 SPARROWHAWK (over WC2), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (high over WC mound, headed towards landfill), 2 MEADOW PIPIT (over WC mound), 2 MANDARIN (flew in from N and landed briefly on top of dead tree in hedge by cycle path N of Spynes before flying off towards M.Lake), 4 EGYPTIAN GEESE (flew E at M.east), 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 6 BLACKCAP, 3 WILLOW WARBLER, 2 BULLFINCH, 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL (Spynes), 1 LAPWING (M.West), 1m REED BUNTING (Spynes), 5 LINNET. Graham & Gordon


MANDARIN (Graham)
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Weds 7 Apr 2010: a.m. 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (Spynes - first for year, earliest local spring record, the previous earliest being 8 Apr 1987). Neil

a.m. 1 LITTLE EGRET (over WC1, flew E), 4 WIGEON (2m & 2f circled over WC lagoons, relocated at M.West), 3m SHOVELER (Moors), 2 SHELDUCK (m & f Spynes), 2 GADWALL (M.West), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (over M.CP, flew E), 16 SAND MARTIN, 1 SWALLOW, 4 WILLOW WARBLER, 4m BLACKCAP, 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 SPARROWHAWK (over Spynes), 3m REED BUNTING (1 WC1, 2 Spynes), 2 LITTLE OWL (same tree, M.Farm sheep paddocks), 1 SKYLARK, 1m PHEASANT, 23 STOCK DOVE (all M.Farm), 4 GREY HERON, 2 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 1 GREEN WOODPECKER, 7 JAY, 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (over), 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL (Spynes). Graham
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Thurs 8 Apr 2010: evening. 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 3 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), 6 GADWALL, 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 20 CORMORANT (all Spynes/M.West area). Gordon

early p.m. 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 3m BLACKCAP, 7 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 SWALLOW (all Spynes/M.West area). Matt

12.15hrs, 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (NW corner of Spynes Mere, by path). Neil

07.15hrs-12.00hrs. 5 SHOVELER (4m & 1f Moors), 7 GADWALL (Moors), 1m TEAL (Moors), 1m SHELDUCK (Spynes), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 7 CANADA GOOSE, 8 GREYLAG GOOSE, 10 MUTE SWAN, 5 COMMON SNIPE (2 Moors, 3 M.West), 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 2 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 6 MEADOW PIPIT (Moors), 2m REED BUNTING, 9 CHIFFCHAFF, 9 BLACKCAP (7m & 2f), 5 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (over Moors), 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL (Spynes), c30 SAND MARTIN, 2 SWALLOW, 4 RING-NECKED PARAKEET, 2 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 2 BULLFINCH (m & f), 1 LAPWING (Spynes), 1 COAL TIT (Spynes, by volunteers car park), 1f KESTREL, 2 SPARROWHAWK. (54 species noted) Graham
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Fri 9 Apr 2010: late p.m. 5m SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL (all Moors). Gordon

early p.m. 4 LAPWING, 5 COMMON SNIPE, 64 STOCK DOVE (on newly ploughed field), 2 COMMON BUZZARD, 3 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 4 GADWALL, 2 TEAL. Gordon

1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (singing by cycle path at Middle Pit, M.east), 3 COMMON SNIPE (M.West). Neil
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Sat 10 Apr 2010: 05.45hrs-08.10hrs. 1 LITTLE EGRET (over WC lagoons, flew to Moors), 2 GADWALL (pair WC2), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 1m TEAL (M.West), 1 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), 2 LAPWING (1 M.Farm, 1 M.West chasing off all fly-over corvids), 57 RING-NECKED PARAKEET (over WC lagoons in small groups, all heading E), 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (Middle Pit, M.east), 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 9m BLACKCAP, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 7 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 1m YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm), 1m REED BUNTING (Spynes), 4 BLACK-HEADED GULL (Spynes), 1m PHEASANT (Spynes), 2 LINNET (pair Middle Pit, M.east). 15 SONG THRUSH. Graham
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Sun 11 Apr 2010: 2 COMMON BUZZARD (over WC mound). Neil

a.m. 8 SHOVELER (7m & 3f Moors), 4 TEAL (2 Moors, 2 M.West), 14 GADWALL (8 Moors, 6 Spynes), 35 TUFTED DUCK (Glebe Lake), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (WC lagoons), 5 GREYLAG GOOSE (on nests Spynes), 1 (possibly 2) GREEN SANDPIPER (1 WC lagoons, then 1 Spynes), 1 LAPWING (on territory M.West), 25 SAND MARTIN (M.West), 8 SWALLOW (M.West), 1 ROOK (M.Farm), 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 4 COMMON BUZZARD (inc. 2 together, N.Ridge), 1 NUTHATCH (N.Ridge), 2 COAL TIT (pair N.Ridge), 2 GOLDCREST (pair N.Ridge), 18 BLACKCAP (inc. 2f), 22 CHIFFCHAFF (new site record count), 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 8 CARRION CROW nests, 6 MAGPIE nests. (68 species). Gordon

06.35hrs-10.00hrs. 8+ BLACKCAP, 7+ CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WARBLER (heard near Spynes), 10+ SAND MARTIN (M.east), 10+ SWALLOW (M.east), 6+ STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 2 ROOK (M.Farm), 1 SPARROWHAWK (over M.West), 10+ GADWALL, 4 TEAL (1 pair Middle Pit, 1 pair Moors), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 1 LAPWING (M.east), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Spynes), 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL (Spynes), 12+ SHOVELER (Moors, 5 flew of high to NE). Ian
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Mon 12 Apr 2010: evening. 1 WATER PIPIT (short grassed area of Moors near railway line - site year tick, only 8th site record, the last being 22-30 Mar 2003), 5 COMMON SNIPE, 1m KESTREL (all Moors), 1000+ JACKDAW (landfill site). Gordon

evening. 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (over WC lagoons heading for Moors). Jerry

approx 15.30hrs. 1 OSPREY (headed over Sth. Merstham from Mercers CP, flew fairly low NW (appeared to be following several imm. Herring Gulls) - first for year & 11th site record). Graham & Sue (first spotted by Sue)

early a.m. 6 SHOVELER (Moors), 3 GREYLAG GOOSE (over M.CP), 1m SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1 LAPWING (Spynes), 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL (Spynes), 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (hedge to N of Middle Pit), 12m BLACKCAP, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 5 CHIFFCHAFF. Graham
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Tues 13 Apr 2010: early p.m. 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (hedge to N of Spynes), 1m SHELDUCK (Spynes), 4 TEAL (2m & 2f M.West), 2 SHOVELER (M.West), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Spynes), 2 LAPWING, 2 BLACKCAP, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1f KESTREL. Gordon

a.m. 5 SHOVELER (4m & 1f Moors), 7 GADWALL (4m & 3f Moors), 2 TEAL (pair M.West), 1f SHELDUCK (Spynes), 4 SKYLARK, 1 YELLOWHAMMER, c150 CARRION CROW, c200 JACKDAW (all M.Farm), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew E over Spynes), 1 WILLOW WARBLER (Spynes), 2 COMMON WHITETHROAT (Spynes, with possibly another 2 at Middle Pit), 9 CHIFFCHAFF, 6m BLACKCAP, 2f BULLFINCH (M.CP & M.east), 1 SWALLOW, 8 SAND MARTIN, 1 LITTLE OWL (oaks to S of Spynes), 2m REED BUNTING (Spynes reedbed), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (over M.West, flew in from North Downs), 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP). (No sign of Water Pipit at Moors). Graham

early a.m. 5 BLACKCAP, 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1 WILLOW WARBLER. Gordon
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Weds 14 Apr 2010:
evening: 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 1m SHELDUCK, 1 LAPWING, 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL (all Spynes), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (singing along hedge by cycle path between Middle Pit & M.Farm - first for year, found by Gordon, also the earliest local spring record, the previous being 15 April 2007), 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (Middle Pit), 1 SKYLARK, 6 ROOK, 65 STOCK DOVE, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 2 LITTLE OWL (all M.Farm), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE , 2 COMMON SNIPE, 1 MEADOW PIPIT (all Moors), 1 GREY WAGTAIL (WC), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (over landfill), 2 SWALLOW, c25 SAND MARTIN, 2 MISTLE THRUSH (Nutfield Marsh), 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL (flying W over M.east - first for year, found by Gordon). Gordon, Neil & Graham

a.m. Brief visit. 2 LINNET (WC mound), c1000 JACKDAW, c800 CARRION CROW, 2 ROOK (all landfill site), 1 COMMON SNIPE, 6 SHOVELER (5m & 1f), 4 GADWALL (2m & 2f), 13 MUTE SWAN, 2 GREYLAG GOOSE, 1m BLACKCAP (all Moors). Graham
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Thurs 15 Apr 2010: p.m. 12 PIED WAGTAIL, 1 TEAL, 3 SHOVELER, 3 COMMON SNIPE, 5 LINNET. Gordon

p.m. 3 LAPWING (over), 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 3 SAND MARTIN, loads of LITTLE GREBE (all Spynes/M/West area). Ken Noble

mid-p.m. 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes). Graham

10.00hrs-12.00hrs. 1 SHELDUCK (flew from Moors and landed on WC1), 4 SHOVELER (2 pairs (Moors). Simon Elson

10.30hrs-12.30hrs. 2 LAPWING (displaying Spynes), 2 TEAL (pair M.West), 1m KESTREL, 1 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), 2 SPARROWHAWK (displaying to N of Spynes), 2 SAND MARTIN (Spynes), 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 1 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (Spynes), 12 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 6 BLACKCAP. Graham
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Fri 16 Apr 2010: a.m. 17 MUTE SWAN, 4m SHOVELER (Moors), 4 GADWALL (3m & 1f Moors), 1m SHELDUCK (M.West), 1m TEAL (M.West), 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (WC1 -flew to Moors, 1 Spynes), 1 LAPWING (M.West), 1 MEADOW PIPIT (in song flight over Moors), 1 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 1f SPARROWHAWK (over M.Farm), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC mound)12 CHIFFCHAFF, 18 BLACKCAP (13m & 3f plus Gordon had 2 more at N.Ridge). 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 SWALLOW, 9 SAND MARTIN, 2 HOUSE MARTIN (over Willow Wood), 9 DUNNOCK, 3 LINNET. Graham


LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Graham)
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Sat 17 Apr 2010: 19.30hrs. 4 RED-CRESTED POCHARD (WC2-of very dubious origin), 3 WILLOW WARBLER, c10 CHIFFCHAFF, 10 BLACKCAP, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (hedge N of Middle Pit), 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (flew from Moors), 4 SHOVELER (3m & 1f Moors), 6 TEAL (4 Moors, 2 M.west), 2 COMMON SNIPE (1 Moors, 1 M.West), 3 BLACK-HEADED GULL (over), 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 SPARROWHAWK. Gordon

early- mid p.m. 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (singing from hedge on N bank of Middle Pit, M.east), 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 BLACKCAP, 2 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 1m SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1m KESTREL (over M.east), 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors). Graham & Sue, joined at WC mound by Ken Noble

mid-p.m. 1m WHEATEAR (WC mound), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors). Des Ball

early p.m. 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West - first for year), 4 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), 2 TEAL (pair M.West), 7 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 10 BLACKCAP. Gordon
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Sun 18 Apr 2010: (Unconfirmed report of 1m & 1f Wheatear at M.Farm.)

evening. 3 RED-CRESTED POCHARD (WC2 - escapes), 1 LITTLE EGRET (WC ditch), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (M.Farm), 7 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm), 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (1 Spynes, 1 WC lagoons), 10 SWALLOW. Gordon

early a.m. 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.Lake-Ian), 1 1st-summer male WHEATEAR (horse paddocks, M.Farm then, presumably the same bird, on field M.Farm), 7 CHIFFCHAFF, 12 BLACKCAP, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 5+ COMMON WHITETHROAT, 4 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 1 SHELDUCK (flew W over M.CP), 4 MANDARIN (2m & 2f over M.Farm, appeared to land in tree, but not relocated, possibly flew onto brook), 4 TEAL (pair M.West, pair Moors), 1m SHOVELER (Moors), 7 GADWALL, 5 COMMON SNIPE (4 M.West, 1 Spynes), 3 LAPWING (M.West), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 3 BULLFINCH (2m & 1f M.east), 30+ SAND MARTIN, 5 SKYLARK (2 M.Farm, 3 over M.east), 3 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm), 1 KESTREL, 1 LINNET, 3 ROOK (M.Farm), 2 LITTLE OWL (oaks S of Spynes), 2 HERRING GULL (1 Chilmead Farm, 1 Moors). Gordon, Ian & Graham


WHEATEAR (Graham)
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Mon 19 Apr 2010: early p.m. 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West), 4 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), 2 TEAL (pair M.West), 7 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 10 BLACKCAP. Gordon

a.m. 1f WHEATEAR (WC mound), 1 LITTLE EGRET (flew over WC mound heading for Moors), 8 SAND MARTIN, 1 SWALLOW, 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 10 BLACKCAP, 3 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (Spynes), 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 3 LINNET, 1m BULLFINCH, 1f SPARROWHAWK, 1m KESTREL, 2 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 5 HERRING GULL, 2 ROOK (M.Farm), 3 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew E over Spynes), 1m SHOVELER (Spynes), 2 TEAL (pair M.West), 1 LAPWING (Spynes), 2 LITTLE OWL (in same oak S of Spynes), 2 SKYLARK (M.Farm). (1 possible Garden Warbler singing at M23 end of Spynes Mere.) Graham


WHEATEAR (Graham)
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Tues 20 Apr 2010: evening. 1 female COMMON REDSTART (by path near WC car park - found by Des Ball - first for year), 1 SWIFT (over WC car park - first for year), 4 GADWALL (over), 2 WHEATEAR (1m & 1 1st-summer m or female WC mound - found by Des Ball, moved to WC1 bank), 1 SHELDUCK (briefly WC1 - Gordon), 2m SHOVELER (Gordon). Des, Gordon, Tom & Graham

p.m. 2m YELLOW WAGTAIL (M.Farm, flew towards Spynes), 1 HOBBY (over Willow Wood, heading for M.Farm - first for year), 40+ SAND MARTIN, 2 SWALLOW, 3 HOUSE MARTIN, 4 SEDGE WARBLER (3 in bushes around Spynes reedbed, 1 behind Aqua Sports boatyard), 130 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 KESTREL, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 LAPWING, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (Spynes - no sign of Dunlin). Gordon

09.00hrs. 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (Spynes sand spit - no sign of Dunlin), 1 MEADOW PIPIT (over), Gordon

early a.m. 1 DUNLIN (Spynes sand spit), 2 SEDGE WARBLER (singing Spynes reedbed and Middle Pit in SE corner), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 7-9 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 3 REED BUNTING (Spynes), 2 TEAL, 2 GADWALL (all M.West), 3 WILLOW WARBLER, 5 BLACKCAP (4m & 1f), 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 BULLFINCH, 2 JAY, 20+ SAND MARTIN, 1 SWALLOW, 2 STOCK DOVE, 2 ROOK (over). Matt

early a.m. 1 summer-plumaged DUNLIN (Spynes sand spit, up to 08.05 at least - first for year), 1 SEDGE WARBLER (singing from bushes by Spynes reedbed - first for year), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (WC2), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors, in breeding plumage), 1m SHOVELER (WC1), 2 GADWALL (pair WC1), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew W Spynes), 8 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 7 BLACKCAP, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 1m PHEASANT (Chilmead Farm), 5 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 1 SWALLOW, 8 SAND MARTIN, 1m BULLFINCH, 1m REED BUNTING, 1m YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Graham


DUNLIN (Graham)------------------------------------COMMON REDSTART (Graham)



COMMON SANDPIPER (Graham)---------------------- -----WHEATEARS (Graham)

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Weds 21 Apr 2010: Approx 17.40hrs. 1f COMMON REDSTART (still showing at same spot behind SWT car park), 5 SWIFT (over Willow Wood. Jerry

16.30hrs-17.15hrs. 1f COMMON REDSTART (still showing at same spot behind SWT car park). Graham

p.m. Brief visit. 1f COMMON REDSTART (behind SWT car park by WC entrance), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 4 WILLOW WARBLER, 7 BLACKCAP, 5 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 3 HOUSE MARTIN, 2 TEAL (pair M.West), 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL (Spynes). Gordon

early p.m. 1f COMMON REDSTART (very elusive in scrub behind SWT car park by WC entrance), 1f WHEATEAR (to right of short-grassed area of Moors), 4 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1m PHEASANT (Moors), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 SHELDUCK (WC lagoons), also 1 Grass Snake out in full view on the Moors path. Matt

08.30hrs-11.15hrs. Highlights: 2f WHEATEAR (WC mound), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (over M.Farm), 1 SWIFT, 1f SPARROWHAWK (all M.Farm), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (M.east), 1 LITTLE OWL (oaks S of Spynes). Andrew Pearce

a.m. 1f WHEATEAR (WC mound), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (WC lagoons), 2 GREEN SANDPIPER, 6 WILLOW WARBLER, c70 SAND MARTIN, 2 HOUSE MARTIN. Jerry

a.m. 1f COMMON REDSTART (yesterday's bird still present by the closed path to the rear of the SWT car park by the Water Colour entrance - refound about 10.00hrs), 1f WHEATEAR (WC mound), 3m SHOVELER (WC lagoons then flew to Moors), 1m GADWALL (WC1), 2 TEAL (pair M.West), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West), 10 WILLOW WARBLER, 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 8 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 5 BLACKCAP, c70 SAND MARTIN, 3 HOUSE MARTIN, 5 SWALLOW, 1 SKYLARK, 6 STOCK DOVE, 1 MISTLE THRUSH (all M.Farm), 1m REED BUNTING (Spynes). Graham
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Thurs 22 Apr 2010: a.m. 2 GADWALL (pair WC1), 3 TEAL (2m & 1f Moors), 11 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 18 BLACKCAP (including 3f), 7 CHIFFCHAFF, 4 WILLOW WARBLER, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 2 REED WARBLER (1 in hawthorn at viewing point at M.CP, 1 perched singing in willow by Spynes reedbed - first for year), 1m REED BUNTING (Spynes reedbed), 1m YELLOWHAMMER, 1 SKYLARK (all M.Farm), 3 SWIFT, 3 HOUSE MARTIN (all over Willow Wood), 5 SWALLOW, 9 SAND MARTIN, 1 LAPWING (M.West), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 3 COMMON BUZZARD (soaring together over M.West). (No sign of Common Redstart.) Graham


REED WARBLER (Graham)
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Fri 23 Apr 2010: evening. 2 WHEATEAR (1m & 1f on Moors by WC mound), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (WC2), 1m SHELDUCK (WC2). Jerry

a.m. 3 SEDGE WARBLER (1 singing WC1, 1 seen and heard by Spynes reedbed, 1 in bushes in water at M.Lake by flooded path), 1 REED WARBLER (heard singing at Middle Pit, Mercers east), 9 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 10 BLACKCAP, 3 WILLOW WARBLER, 7 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, c15 SWIFT (high over M.Lake), 6 SAND MARTIN, 2 SWALLOW, 2 WHEATEAR (m & f WC mound, then flew over to Moors), 2m SHOVELER (Moors), 2 GADWALL (m & f WC1), 2 TEAL (m & f M.West), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew N over Moors), 4 HERRING GULL (one on Chilmead Farm), 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL (Spynes), 2 LAPWING (M.West), 1 LITTLE OWL (oaks S of Spynes), 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 5 JAY, 1m KESTREL, 5 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 1 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 1m REED BUNTING (Spynes reedbed). Graham


WHEATEAR (Graham)
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Sat 24 Apr 2010: 10 COMMON TERN. Des Ball

1 WILLOW WARBLER (Spynes), 3 BLACKCAP (2m & 1f Spynes), c5 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1m WHEATEAR (Moors), 1 REED BUNTING (Spynes), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (over M.Farm), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Spynes), 16 GREYLAG GOOSE (M.east area), 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1m PHEASANT (M.Farm), 1 SHELDUCK (WC), 3 GREAT CRESTED GREBE (WC), 1 KESTREL, 5 GADWALL (Moors), 27 TUFTED DUCK (WC), 26 HERRING GULL (Spynes). Kevin

1 COMMON TERN (flew lowish over M.West and Spynes then off N - first for year), 1 GARDEN WARBLER (Spynes, in bushes behind reedbed), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (Spynes sandbar), 2 LAPWING, 1 LITTLE EGRET, 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL, c80 HERRING GULL, 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 KESTREL (all Spynes), 7 HOUSE MARTIN, 4 SWALLOW, 1 LINNET (all WC), 1m WHEATEAR (short grassed area of Moors near WC mound). Jerry

a.m 16 SWIFT, 1 LINNET, 1 Canary sp. (N of boating lake. It was trilling away and had brilliant yellow on its wings), 1 BULLFINCH, 2 LONG-TAILED TIT, 3 COMMON BUZZARD, 10 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 3 LAPWING (displaying), 2 COMMON SANDPIPER, 4 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 REED WARBLER, 1 KESTREL, 1 LITTLE EGRET (perched in tree on island, Spynes). Ken Noble

06.20hrs-12.10hrs. 12 BLACKCAP, 12 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 GARDEN WARBLER (hedge by brook between M.Farm & M.West), 1 REED WARBLER (in bush Spynes reedbed), 8+ CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WARBLER (S bank Spynes), 4 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 3 STOCK DOVE, 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (calling on top of dead tree by cycle path N of Spynes), 5 GADWALL, 2m SHOVELER (Moors), 1m WHEATEAR (short grassed area of Moors near WC mound), 1 LAPWING (displaying), 1 LITTLE OWL (oaks S of Spynes), 1 young brood of COOT (Spynes), 3 CORMORANT, 3 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West), 1 GOLDCREST (Nutfield Church car park), 2 SPARROWHAWK (m & f N.Ridge), 25 HERRING GULL (heading S), 1 COMMON BUZZARD. (54 species seen). Ian

a.m. 1 HOBBY, 1 LITTLE EGRET, 1 GARDEN WARBLER (first for year), 70+ HERRING GULL (mainly adults, M.West), 11 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (M.West), 3 BLACK-HEADED GULL (over), 1 REED WARBLER. Gordon
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Sun 25 Apr 2010: Bird race day. Highlights: 1 GREENSHANK (over -Thomas - first for year), 1 WHIMBREL (over -Des Ball- first for year), 1f MARSH HARRIER (near M23 - Gordon - 5th site record), 2m WHEATEAR, 4 COMMON TERN, 2 MANDARIN, 5 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 1 CUCKOO (heard - first for year), 10 COMMON BUZZARD, 2 HOBBY, 1 GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (by stile between M.CP & M.Farm - Neil - first for year & 9th site record). A total of 88 species reported today.
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Mon 26 Apr 2010: evening. 24 ROOK (landfill site), 1m WHEATEAR (short grassed area of Moors near WC mound), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (WC), 2m SHOVELER (WC), 8 GADWALL (WC & Moors). Gordon

17.50hrs. 2 WHIMBREL (flew N over Sth. Merstham from local patch). Graham

early a.m. 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1 REED WARBLER, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 6 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 6 SAND MARTIN, 2 SWALLOW, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 2 BLACKCAP (all Spynes/M.West area). Matt

a.m. 1m SHELDUCK (WC2, then Moors), 1m WHEATEAR (short grassed area of Moors near WC mound), 15 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (heard), 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 7 BLACKCAP, 1 GARDEN WARBLER, 2 REED WARBLER (Spynes reedbed), 15 SWIFT, c25 SAND MARTIN, 6 SWALLOW, 1m PHEASANT (Chilmead Farm), 2 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 4 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 2m GADWALL (Spynes), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (1 Spynes, 3 flew E), 1 pair MALLARD with brood of 5 young (M.West), 2 COMMON SANDPIPER (Spynes, one later moved to WC1). Graham & Paul
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Tues 27 Apr 2010: evening. 1f YELLOW WAGTAIL (sewage works), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 2 SPARROWHAWK, 2 REED WARBLER (Spynes). Gordon

a.m. 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (WC1), 1m WHEATEAR (short grassed area of Moors near WC mound -possibly 'Greenland' race leucorhoa), 1m SHELDUCK (on bank of brook at Moors), 4 RED-CRESTED POCHARD (3m & 1f WC1, escapes), 3 GADWALL (2m & 1f, WC1), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew E over Spynes), 3 LAPWING (displaying M.West), 1 SAND MARTIN (only hirundine seen), 4 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 3 REED WARBLER (2 Spynes, 1 WC1), 8 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 3 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 2 GARDEN WARBLER, 8 BLACKCAP, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 2 BULLFINCH (m & f Middle Pit), 2m REED BUNTING, 2m YELLOWHAMMER, 1 pair GREYLAG GOOSE (with 3 young, Spynes). Graham


GARDEN WARBLER (Graham)
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Weds 28 Apr 2010: early p.m. 20 SWIFT, 12 SAND MARTIN, 4 HOUSE MARTIN (all WC lagoons), 1 SKYLARK, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 2 LINNET, 2 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 LITTLE OWL (all M.Farm), 2 GARDEN WARBLER, 1 REED WARBLER, 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 BLACKCAP, 6 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 SHELDUCK (all Spynes/M.West). Matt

a.m. 1 CUCKOO (across M.West, appeared to land in oaks by metal gate), 2 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West, then presumably the same at M.Lake), 4 RED-CRESTED POCHARD (3m & 1f WC1, escapes), 2m SHOVELER (Moors), 3 GADWALL (Moors), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Moors), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (heading E), 2 GREYLAG GOOSE with 7 young (Spynes), 10 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 2 REED WARBLER (1 WC1, 1 Spynes reedbed), 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 GARDEN WARBLER, 6 BLACKCAP, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 3 SWALLOW, c10 SWIFT, c10 SAND MARTIN, 2 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 4 LAPWING (M.West), 1m PHEASANT (Chilmead Farm). Paul & Graham
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Thurs 29 Apr 2010: early p.m. 1 PEREGRINE, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 REED WARBLER. Gordon
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Fri 30 Apr 2010: p.m. 1 HOBBY (hunting over M.east), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 4 REED WARBLER (Spynes reedbed), 1 TREECREEPER (M.east), c80 SWIFT, c60 SAND MARTIN. Gordon

a.m. 3 COMMON TERN (2 over Spynes heading W, 1 over WC heading N), 1 WHEATEAR (M.Farm - Graham), c80 SWIFT, c10 SAND MARTIN, 4 SWALLOW, 1 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 5 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 2m BLACKCAP, 3 REED WARBLER (Spynes reedbed), 1 SEDGE WARBLER (Middle Pit, then Spynes reedbed), 4m & 1f RED-CRESTED POCHARD (WC1, escapes), 2 GADWALL (WC1), c20 HOUSE SPARROW (M.Farm), 4 LAPWING (displaying M.Farm), 3 COMMON SANDPIPER (2 M.West, 1 M.Lake - Paul), 3 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 2 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm), 1f SPARROWHAWK, 2 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 GARDEN WARBLER (Middle Pit - Paul). Paul & Graham

early a.m. 1 WHEATEAR (M.Farm), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M.east), 2 MANDARIN (over), 3 GARDEN WARBLER (Middle Pit), 1 TREECREEPER (Spynes), 3 SHOVELER (2m & 1f displaying Moors), 3 GADWALL. Gordon
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