December 2011

Jerry has set up a blog "The Great Outdoors" - click here. I have added this link to the blog list.
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Sat 31 Dec 2011: No reported sightings.
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Fri 30 Dec 2011: p.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 24 SKYLARK, 70+ STOCK DOVE, c50 CHAFFINCH (Chil.Farm), 2 LESSER REDPOLL (over), c60 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, c30 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 40+ GADWALL, 12 SHOVELER, 8 TEAL, 7 POCHARD, 12 JAY. Gordon Hay
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Thurs 29 Dec 2011: a.m. 1f or 1st/w GARGANEY (refound by Ian - flooded area of Moors by railway line - Fudge Duck pool - it is now looking far more like a 1st/w male, with pale flanks. Head, neck and breast seem to be darker. Also seems to be acquiring grey scapulars), 2f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 imm m PEREGRINE (flew low over Spynes/M.West), 40 CANADA GOOSE (Moors), 5 POCHARD, 38+ TEAL, 10 GADWALL, 4 SHOVELER, 2 COMMON SNIPE (Moors), 50+ GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 26+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 17 COMMON GULL, 400+ BLACK-HEADED GULL, 2 WATER RAIL (1 seen, 1 heard Moors), 1 KINGFISHER (heard M.Lake), c40 RING-NECKED PARAKEET (M.CP). Ian Kehl & Graham James


GARGANEY (G. James)
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Weds 28 Dec 2011: p.m. c300 LAPWING (Spynes/M.West), 8 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 33 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 3 POCHARD, 12 SHOVELER. Gordon Hay

09.00hrs-11.15hrs. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Middle Pit), c300 LAPWING, 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 18 GADWALL, 16 TEAL, 3 POCHARD, 2 SHOVELER, 23 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, c20 COMMON GULL, 1 COMMON BUZZARD (S over Spynes), 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm - back in roost hole), 11 PIED WAGTAIL (M.Farm), 5 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP), 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 2 BULLFINCH (pair M.CP), 4 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Graham James


GOLDENEYE (G. James) --------------------------- YELLOWHAMMER (G. James)___________________________________________________________________

Tues 27 Dec 2011: a.m. 2f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 1 WATER RAIL (Moors), 26 CANADA GOOSE (M.West, then 23 Moors), 5 GREYLAG GOOSE (over M.West), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M.West), 6 SHOVELER, 26 GADWALL, 51 TEAL, 6 POCHARD, 8 COMMON SNIPE (2 Spynes, 6 Moors), 92 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (M.Lake/Spynes), 9 COMMON GULL (Spynes), 3 GREY HERON (over Moors), 1 SKYLARK (in song flight M.Farm), 1 FIELDFARE, 2 BULLFINCH (M.West). Ian Kehl & Graham James


GOLDENEYE (G. James)


LITTLE EGRET (G. James)
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Mon 26 Dec 2011: (06.10hrs. A Woodcock heard calling, flew W over Sth Merstham.) Graham James

late p.m. 2 LITTLE OWL (sheep paddocks, M.Farm). (No sign of Barn Owl.) Thomas Blumire & Jerry Blumire

a.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 1 WATER RAIL (Moors side of Fordbridge), 7 CANADA GOOSE (WC lagoons), 43 LITTLE GREBE (M.West), 8 POCHARD, 35+ TEAL, 20+ GADWALL, 3 SHOVELER, 15 COMMON SNIPE (1 Spynes, 14 Moors), c300 LAPWING, 108 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (inc 89 M.Lake), 12 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 2 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 2 MEADOW PIPIT (over), 50+ FIELDFARE (over), 10 LESSER REDPOLL, 4 SISKIN (over), 7 BULLFINCH (Spynes), 2 YELLOWHAMMER. (No sign of Barn Owl but may still be in roost hole.) Gordon Hay & Graham James


LITTLE EGRET (G. James) -------------------------GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS (G. James)
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Sun 25 Dec 2011: a.m. 1 BARN OWL (in Little Owl roost hole in oak at sheep paddocks, M.Farm), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1m SHELDUCK (M.West), 11 POCHARD, 3 SHOVELER, c145 GOLDFINCH, 21 COMMON SNIPE (Moors pools), c80 TEAL, 25 FIELDFARE, 30+ REDWING, 35+ SKYLARK (M.Farm), 2 SPARROWHAWK, 13 REDPOLL sp, 5 SISKIN, 5 MEADOW PIPIT, 1 TREECREEPER. Gordon Hay

(Best to view the Barn Owl at distance from the northern end of the cycle track at Mercers Farm at dusk if views of it flying are to be obtained.) GJ
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Sat 24 Dec 2011: p.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1m SHELDUCK (Spynes), 2 WIGEON (Middle Pit), 82 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1m BULLFINCH, 2 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 10 SKYLARK (8 over, 2 M Farm). Thomas Blumire & Jerry Blumire

p.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 PEREGRINE, 1m SHELDUCK, 2 WIGEON (Middle Pit), 7 POCHARD, 60+ MALLARD, 4 COMMON SNIPE (3 Spynes, 1 Moors), 45 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, c75 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, c350 HERRING GULL, 1m KESTREL, 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 6 REDWING, 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 5 SISKIN (over), 1 REDPOLL sp, 1 BULLFINCH. Gordon Hay

late a.m.-early p.m. 1 FIELDFARE (WC mound), 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 1 TREECREEPER, 1 GOLDCREST, 6 SISKIN with 14 REDPOLL sp (all M.CP), 21 LINNET (M. Farm), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (NW over Middle Pit), 190 STOCK DOVE (N to W over Spynes), 1 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 20 REDWING (Chil.Lane), 1 SPARROWHAWK (mobbed by crow over Chil Farm), 4 COMMON SNIPE (Moors). Neil Hadden

08.05hrs-11.25hrs. 5 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (over M.West), 1m SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 4 POCHARD, 62+ TEAL (inc. 57+ Moors pools), 1f SHOVELER (M.West), 8+ COMMON SNIPE (6+ Spynes, 2+ Moors), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 70+ GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (58+ Spynes, 12+ M.Lake), 40+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 10+ COMMON GULL. Ian Kehl
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Fri 23 Dec 2011: No reported sightings.
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Thurs 22 Dec 2011: a.m. 9 GREAT CRESTED GREBE (M.Lake), 49 CANADA GOOSE (WC1), 2f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHOVELER, 2 TEAL, 23 GADWALL, 3 POCHARD, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 10 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), c400 LAPWING (Spynes/M.West), 1m KESTREL, 9 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 8 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 4 COMMON GULL, c150 HERRING GULL, c800 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 5 GREEN WOODPECKER, c180 RING-NECKED PARAKEET (in trees on Moors side of Fordbridge early a.m.), 3 SKYLARK, 6 FIELDFARE, 2 REDWING, 8 LESSER REDPOLL (1 M.CP, 7 near sewage works), 6 SISKIN (near sewage works), 3 BULLFINCH (M.CP). Graham James


BULLFINCH ------------------------------------- LESSER REDPOLL (G. James)
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Weds 21 Dec 2011: 09.30hrs. 3 LONG-TAILED TIT, 2 BLUE TIT, 1 GREEN WOODPECKER, 4 RING-NECKED PARAKEET, 1 GOLDCREST, 2 BULLFINCH (pair), 3 GOLDFINCH (all M.CP car park). Dave Warren
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Tues 20 Dec 2011: p.m. 2f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1m SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Middle Pit), 8 POCHARD, 40+ GADWALL, 25 TEAL, 4 SHOVELER, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 204 LINNET (M.Farm), c40 FIELDFARE. Gordon Hay

10.05hrs-12.10hrs. 8 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 43 LITTLE GREBE, 181 COOT, 11 MOORHEN, 13 CORMORANT, 6 MUTE SWAN, 1 GREY HERON, 1 CANADA GOOSE, 1 SHELDUCK, 39 MALLARD, 51 GADWALL, 12 SHOVELER, 81 TEAL, 136 TUFTED DUCK, 5 POCHARD, 67 LAPWING, 1 COMMON SNIPE, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 808 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 5 COMMON GULL, 168 HERRING GULL, 14 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 29 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 PEREGRINE. Simon Elson

a.m. 2f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M.West), 21 GADWALL, 3 SHOVELER, 1 POCHARD, 7 TEAL, 6 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 1 GOLDCREST (M.CP), 12 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP car park). Graham James


GOLDENEYE (G. James) ----------------------------SHELDUCK (G. James)
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Mon 19 Dec 2011: a.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 unidentified gull (WC1 - see photos below), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 7 GREAT CRESTED GREBE (M.Lake), 26 GADWALL, 27 TEAL, 13 POCHARD (6 Spynes, 7 M.West), c45 MALLARD (over WC1), 28 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 19 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 8 COMMON GULL, 1 FIELDFARE, 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 2 COAL TIT, 1m SISKIN (all M.CP car park). Graham James


GOLDENEYE --------------------------------------------LITTLE EGRET (G. James)


unidentified gull (G. James)
(Whilst the yellow legs and lack of streaking on head and neck suggested this was a Y-L Gull, doubts have been raised because there is no obvious red orbital eye-ring and mantle tone is very near to that of Herring Gull. One suggestion has been that this is an omissus-type Herring Gull, which do have yellow legs, but the wing pattern and head-shape seem wrong. Another suggestion has been Lesser Black-backed x Herring Gull. Opinions would be appreciated.)

The general opinion is that it is either a female Herring Gull of the race 'omissus' or a hybrid. (many thanks to those who put forward their suggestions to its ID). Graham
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Sun 18 Dec 2011: 14.15hrs. 2 GOOSANDER (pair flew W over M.Lake gaining height - seen from Sth Merstham - first for year). Graham James

08.05hrs-11.15hrs. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 5 POCHARD, 79+ TEAL (inc. 73+ Moors pools), 1f SHOVELER (M.West), 40+ GADWALL, 6+ COMMON SNIPE (1 Spynes, 1 M.West, 4+ Moors), 8+ GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 26+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 8+ COMMON GULL, 2f PHEASANT (M.Farm), 1f KINGFISHER (Moors), 1 FIELDFARE (WC1), 5+ REDWING (eastern end Spynes), 1 GOLDCREST (M.CP car park), 1 COAL TIT (M.CP car park). Ian Kehl
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Sat 17 Dec 2011: p.m. 82+ TEAL (Moors), 4 POCHARD, 2 SHOVELER, 32+ CORMORANT, 6 COMMON SNIPE (3 Moors, 3 Spynes), 21 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 48 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 KINGFISHER (Moors), 3 GREY HERON, 1 FIELDFARE, 52 LINNET (M.Farm), 1 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm), 1 REDPOLL sp, c70 GOLDFINCH (Moors). Gordon Hay

a.m.-p.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 5 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 36 LITTLE GREBE, 83 CANADA GOOSE, 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 90 MALLARD, 90 TEAL, 62 GADWALL, 3 SHOVELER, 3 POCHARD, 257 TUFTED DUCK, 1 WATER RAIL (Spynes), 31 MOORHEN. 180 COOT, 180 LAPWING, 320 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 30 PIED WAGTAIL, 125 LINNET, 50 GOLDFINCH, 150 CHAFFINCH, 3 REDPOLL sp, 1 SISKIN, 5 YELLOWHAMMER. Steve Gale
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Fri 16 Dec 2011: 14.35hrs at least. 1 ad. MEDITERRANEAN GULL (M.Lake - appears to be the same small bird seen on 22 Nov), 2500+ BLACK-HEADED GULL, 1 WATER RAIL (M.Lake), 3 LESSER REDPOLL. Gordon Hay
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Thurs 15 Dec 2011: p.m. 74 GADWALL, 6 POCHARD, 5 TEAL, 1m SPARROWHAWK, 1m KESTREL, 32 LITTLE GREBE (M.West), 15 LINNET. Gordon Hay

c15.00hrs. 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (WC2 island). Simon Elson

early p.m. 1 female or1st/w GARGANEY (with 3m Teal on shoreline of Middle Pit), 2 POCHARD, 14 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (all Spynes), c120 GOLDFINCH, 1 KESTREL, 29 STOCK DOVE, 3 YELLOWHAMMER (all M.Farm). Matt Farmer

c10.30hrs. 40+ TEAL, 70+ MALLARD (on flood at Moors), 1 COMMON SNIPE, 1 KINGFISHER, 1 PHEASANT (all heard Moors), up to 30 GOLDFINCH, 1 JAY, 2 MISTLE THRUSH (all Moors). Simon Elson

a.m. 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 1m POCHARD (Spynes), 1 SHOVELER (M.West), 31 GADWALL, 43 TEAL (flew from Moors to WC1), 1 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 12 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 6 COMMON GULL, 1 FIELDFARE (M.Farm), 5 SISKIN (over), 2 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Graham James & Dennis Moore
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Weds 14 Dec 2011: p.m. 1f or 1st/w GARGANEY (Spynes). Jerry Blumire

p.m. 1f or 1st/w GARGANEY (Spynes), 70+ LINNET, 120+ GOLDFINCH, c60 CHAFFINCH (all by dung heaps M.Farm), 6 POCHARD, 1 KESTREL, 3 BULLFINCH, 97 CANADA GOOSE (Moors). Gordon Hay
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Tues 13 Dec 2011: p.m. 1f or 1st/w GARGANEY (Spynes), c350 LAPWING, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 5 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 25 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (18 Spynes, 7 M.Lake), 12 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 30 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP car park). 2 YELLOWHAMMER. Gordon Hay

a.m. 3 POCHARD, 1 SHOVELER, 39 GADWALL, 2 TEAL, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 2 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 5 SKYLARK, 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 5 YELLOWHAMMER (all M.Farm). Graham James
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Mon 12 Dec 2011: 14.00hrs-14.25hrs at least, The 1st/w or female GARGANEY (showing well at Spynes with Teal (age and sex is debatable, opinions welcomed) - now confirmed to be a Garganey), 1 WATER RAIL (squealing from Spynes reedbed - Gordon). Gordon Hay & Graham James


GARGANEY (G. James)

a.m. 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (2 WC2, 2 mating Spynes), 6 POCHARD, 5 SHOVELER, 15 TEAL, 23 GADWALL, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 10 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 31 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), c300 HERRING GULL, c400 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 7 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 2 COMMON GULL (all WC1), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 2 REDWING, 1 FIELDFARE (all M.CP), 1 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP), 1 SISKIN (WC), 4 BULLFINCH (Middle Pit), 1 REED BUNTING (Spynes reedbed). Graham James


LITTLE OWL (G. James) --------------------------------FIELDFARE (G. James)


SISKIN (G. James)
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Sun 11 Dec 2011: (Beddington SF: 3f Goosanders flew S mid-a.m. ) Sutton Birding on Twitter

(A Great White Egret reported to have flown S over New Malden at 08.15hrs.) message from Johnny Allan

07.55hrs-11.05hrs. 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors pools by wooden bridge to 10.50hrs at least), 1 WATER RAIL (Moors side of Fordbridge, showing well), 4 POCHARD, 35+ GADWALL, 1m SHOVELER (Spynes), 63 TEAL, 9 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 2 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 10+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 5+ GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 8+ COMMON GULL, 1 KINGFISHER (Moors), 3 MEADOW PIPIT, 3 FIELDFARE (Moors), 5+ LESSER REDPOLL (feeding in birch at Moors, by WC mound). (No sign of the putative Garganey.) Ian Kehl
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Sat 10 Dec 2011: (10.40hrs. A Barn Owl showing well in barn by derelict barn near Read Rest Cottages at Canon's Farm, Banstead, seen all day and hunting over harrier field late afternoon.) message from David Campbell

p.m. putative 1st/w or female GARGANEY (Spynes, then M.West, now appears to be showing some grey feathering on upperparts), 1 imm m PEREGRINE, c160 STOCK DOVE, 69 TEAL (inc 62 Moors), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), c8 POCHARD (Spynes), c12 SHOVELER. Gordon Hay
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Fri 9 Dec 2011: p.m. The unidentified duck again at Spynes, c30 GOLDFINCH, 7 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Gordon Hay

a.m. 5 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (2 Spynes, 3 over Moors), 6 POCHARD (3 Spynes, 3 M.West), 48 GADWALL (42 M.West, 6 Spynes), 31 TEAL (7 Spynes, 9 M.West, 15 Moors), 4 SHOVELER (M.West), 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 6 COMMON SNIPE (Moors), 15 CORMORANT (Spynes), 37 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 2 FIELDFARE (S of Chil.Ponds), 28 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP car park - Paul), 1 SISKIN (M.CP car park - Paul), 3 REED BUNTING (M.east), 7 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). (No sign of unidentified duck.) Paul Kerry & Graham James


CORMORANTS (G. James)

(Further emails received suggest that the unidentified duck is probably a hybrid.) GJ
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Thurs 8 Dec 2011: mid-p.m. unidentified duck (again at Spynes by bushes along S bank behind reedbed, today looks more like ad/w male Garganey.) Gordon Hay

early-mid a.m. c45 LITTLE GREBE (inc 37 M.West), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M. West), 37 GADWALL (3 Spynes, 34 M.West), 2m SHOVELER (M.West), 2 POCHARD (1m Spynes, 1f M.West), 46 TEAL (11 Spynes, 35 Moors), 1 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 14 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 13 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, c400 HERRING GULL, 2 COMMON GULL, c500 BLACK-HEADED GULL (all M.Lake), 1 KESTREL (M.West), 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 3 SISKIN (over M.CP), 2 LESSER REDPOLL, 1 GOLDCREST (all M.CP car park), 1 REED BUNTING (Spynes reedbed). (No sign of yesterday's duck.) Graham James
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Weds 7 Dec 2011: p.m. unidentified duck (Spynes), c30 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP), c80 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm). Gordon Hay

a.m. 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors/WC1), up to 30 TEAL, up to 80 LAPWING (all at flood at western end of Moors), 2 COMMON SNIPE (Moors). Simon Elson

Videos of unidentified duck - click here


unidentified duck (P. Kerry)

(Note the breast-colour, reduced amount of streaking/spotting on breast compared to Teal and pale loral spot visible in pic 2, the strong, wide and whitish supercilium and the obvious bulk of the body in pic 3.
Various suggestions to its ID have included 1st/w Garganey, aberrant-plumaged Teal, Garganey x Teal hybrid and juvenile Baikal Teal.
Any suggestions would be welcomed, please leave comments on Local Bird Photos blog.)
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Tues 6 Dec 2011: p.m. c3000 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 5 COMMON GULL, 14 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 39 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 400+ HERRING GULL, 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 3 FIELDFARE, 1 MISTLE THRUSH (M.Farm), 1 CHIFFCHAFF (heard NE corner M.CP), 5 GOLDCREST, 15 REDPOLL sp (over), 1 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Gordon Hay

a.m. Brief visit. 38 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 1 COMMON SNIPE, 17 FIELDFARE (all Moors), 46 ROOK, c200 HERRING GULL, 18 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 21 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, c300 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 1f PHEASANT (all Chil.Farm), 1 GOLDCREST, 2 LESSER REDPOLL (all M.CP). Graham James


BLACK-HEADED GULL (G. James)
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Mon 5 Dec 2011: p.m. 2 POCHARD (1m Spynes, 1f M.West), 1f WIGEON (M.West), 3 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 2 SPARROWHAWK, 2 KESTREL, c450 STOCK DOVE, c50 FERAL PIGEON, 2 GOLDCREST, 1 TREECREEPER, 18 LESSER REDPOLL, 3 BULLFINCH, c350 LINNET (M.Farm), c200 CHAFFINCH (M.Farm). Gordon Hay

07.30hrs-12.05hrs. 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 17 CANADA GOOSE (WC1), 2 POCHARD (pair Spynes), 15 GADWALL, 2f WIGEON (M.West), 3 SHOVELER (M.West), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 6 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 25 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (M.Lake), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 1 MEADOW PIPIT (M.Farm), 1 FIELDFARE, 5 REDWING, 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 4 GOLDCREST (1 M.CP car park, 3 N.Ridge), 1 COAL TIT (M.CP car park), 4 LESSER REDPOLL (1 M.CP car park, 3 N.Ridge), 4 SISKIN (over), 1 REED BUNTING (M.Farm), 12 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Graham James


LITTLE OWL (G. James)-----------------------part of the gull flock at Chilmead Farm
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Sun 4 Dec 2011: late p.m. 65 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (M.Lake), 70 TEAL (68 Moors, 2 M.West), 42+ GADWALL, 2f WIGEON (M.West), 6 POCHARD, 1 Aythya hybrid (M.Lake), 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (1 Middle Pit, 1 M.West), 1 SPARROWHAWK, 2 MEADOW PIPIT, 1 MISTLE THRUSH (M.Farm), 8 FIELDFARE, 1 COAL TIT (M.CP), 2 GOLDCREST (M.CP), 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 20+ REDWING, c80 GOLDFINCH (Moors), 7 LINNET. Gordon Hay

09.30hrs-12.25hrs. 30+ GADWALL, 63 TEAL, 10+ SHOVELER, 50+ MALLARD (inc 30+ Moors pools), 2f WIGEON (Spynes), 2 POCHARD (1m Spynes, 1f WC1), 26+ GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 27+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 14+ COMMON GULL, 3 COMMON SNIPE (2 Spynes, 1 Moors), 1 LITTLE OWL (oaks S of Spynes), 2 KINGFISHER (together Moors), 17+ PIED WAGTAIL (Chil,Farm), 1 COAL TIT (M.CP car park), 12+ LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP car park), 6+ ROOK (Chil.Farm). Ian Kehl
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Sat 3 Dec 2011: p.m. 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Middle Pit), c50 GADWALL (Spynes), 8 SHOVELER (WC1), 1f POCHARD (WC1), c30 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (M.Lake), c1000 HERRING GULL (M.Lake), c15 REDWING, c20 FIELDFARE, 45 MAGPIE (roosting M.CP), 4 YELLOWHAMMER. Gordon Hay
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Fri 2 Dec 2011: p.m. 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (1 M.West, 1 flew to Chil.Ponds) 1 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 KESTREL, 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 22 LINNET (M.Farm), c30 LESSER REDPOLL (inc. one ringed bird, M.CP car park). Gordon Hay

07.30hrs-08.55hrs. 1 ad. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL, c300 HERRING GULL, c15 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 12 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, c20 ROOK, 5 PHEASANT (3m & 2f) (all Chil.Farm). Graham James


YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (centre) ----------------GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS (G. James)


PHEASANTS (G. James)
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Thurs 1 Dec 2011: (No sign of possible ad. Caspian Gull at M.Lake 15.25hrs-15.45hrs, but light poor.) Graham James

(14.50hrs-15.00hrs at least. Possible ad. Caspian Gull (on M.Lake). Gordon Hay

p.m. 2f WIGEON (M.West), c70 GADWALL, 5 POCHARD, 18 SHOVELER (M.West), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 2 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 20 LINNET, 28 SKYLARK, 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 1 PHEASANT (all M.Farm), 9 FIELDFARE (Spynes), 3 GOLDCREST, 1 REDPOLL sp, 1 TREECREEPER (all M.CP). Gordon Hay
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November 2011

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Weds 30 Nov 2011: p.m. up to 50 FIELDFARE (Moors & Chil.Lane), c6 REDWING (Chil.Lane), 9 PHEASANT (Chil.Lane), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Middle Pit), 1m YELLOWHAMMER (hedge S of M.West), 1 WATER RAIL (Fordbridge). Neil Hadden

p.m. 1 ad. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Chil.Farm), 2f WIGEON (M.West), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 3+ REDWING, 1 LESSER REDPOLL, 1 COAL TIT, 1 GOLDCREST (all M.CP car park), 1 YELLOWHAMMER (over). Gordon Hay

a.m. 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (WC2), 19 GADWALL, 6 SHOVELER, 27 TEAL, 1f WIGEON (M.West), 1f POCHARD, 658 LAPWING, 48 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (M.Lake), 28 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, c300 HERRING GULL, c20 COMMON GULL, c1500 BLACK-HEADED GULL (all Chil.Farm), 1 LITTLE OWL (oaks S of Spynes), 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 4 GOLDCREST (2 M.CP, 2 Spynes), 2 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Graham James


REED BUNTING (G. James)
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Tues 29 Nov 2011: mid-p.m. 1 ad. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (moved to M.Lake), 56 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 95 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, c30 COMMON GULL, c2500 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 1 KINGFISHER (all M.Lake). Gordon Hay

early p.m. 1 ad. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL, 24 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (all Chil.Farm), 5 GOLDCREST, 1 COAL TIT, c20 REDPOLL (19 definitely Lesser and one with pale streaked rump - all M.CP car park), 8 POCHARD, c30 GADWALL, 15 TEAL, 10 SHOVELER. Gordon Hay
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Mon 28 Nov 2011: p.m. 2 GOLDEN PLOVER (over Spynes with Lapwing flock, Lapwings settled on sandspit but Golden Plovers flew on), c60 LAPWING (Spynes), 110 ROOK (Chil.Farm), 500+ JACKDAW, 18 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 25 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER, 28 GADWALL, c25 TEAL, 8 SHOVELER, 45 FIELDFARE (S of Chil.Ponds), 1 imm. m SPARROWHAWK. Gordon Hay

p.m. 1 WATER RAIL (brook near methane plant, Moors). Des Ball

a.m. 1 COAL TIT, 1 GOLDCREST, 1 TREECREEPER (Paul) (all M.CP), 30+ FIELDFARE, c8 REDWING (all S of Chil. Ponds). (No sign of Firecrest). Paul Kerry, Eric Davies & Graham James
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Sun 27 Nov 2011: p.m. 5 BULLFINCH (feeding on berries), 27 COLLARED DOVE (roosting in trees in car park) (all M.CP). Thomas Blumire & Jerry Blumire

15.00hrs-15.45hrs 3 BULLFINCH (feeding on berries M.CP). Neil Randon

p.m. 4 GOLDCREST, 2 COAL TIT, 1 LESSER REDPOLL, 3 LONG-TAILED TIT (all M.CP car park) (no sign of Firecrest). Neil Randon

a.m. 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 2 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 2 REDPOLL sp (over), 2 FIELDFARE. Gordon Hay

09.30hrs-11.50hrs. 1 FIRECREST (M.CP car park. 09.45hrs-10.05hrs), 2+ COAL TIT, 3+ GOLDCREST, 1 TREECREEPER (all M.CP car park), 14 SHOVELER, 35+ TEAL, 15+ GADWALL, 1f POCHARD (M.West), 6+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 6+ COMMON GULL, 5+ COMMON SNIPE (Spynes island). Ian Kehl
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Sat 26 Nov 2011: p.m. 1 FIRECREST (in holly & oaks between M.CP car park and Aqua Sports centre), 9 GREYLAG GOOSE, 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, c75 TEAL (inc. c70 Moors), 15 SHOVELER, 49 GADWALL (M.West), 3 WIGEON (1m & 2f M.West), 6 POCHARD, c600 LAPWING, 35 CORMORANT, 2 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, c40 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 KESTREL, 1f SPARROWHAWK, 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 32 FIELDFARE (25 Moors, 7 Spynes), 3 GOLDCREST, 1 TREECREEPER, 2 REDPOLL sp (over), 60+ GOLDFINCH (Moors), c500 STARLING (heading to roost). Gordon Hay

late a.m. 1 KINGFISHER (heard at WC2), 1 SISKIN (over M.CP), 2 GOLDCREST (M.CP & M.West), 1m KESTREL, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 1 REED BUNTING (Middle Pit), 36 GADWALL (6 Middle Pit, 1 Spynes, 29 M.West), 6 POCHARD (5 Spynes, 1 M.West), 12 TEAL (2 Spynes, 10 M.West), 2 WIGEON, 11 SHOVELER (M.West), 632 LAPWING (490 Spynes, 142 M.West). 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 2 SKYLARK (M.Farm). Jerry Blumire
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Fri 25 Nov 2011: early p.m. A mixed flock consisting of BLUE TITS, GREAT TITS, LONG-TAILED TITS, 2 COAL TIT, 2 TREECREEPER, 2 GOLDCREST, 1m SISKIN (no sign of Firecrest) (M.CP car park). Matt Farmer

07.30hrs-10.50hrs. 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (WC1), 24 GADWALL, 7 TEAL, 7 POCHARD, 10 SHOVELER, 582 LAPWING, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 4 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 18 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, c150 HERRING GULL, c600 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 3 STOCK DOVE, (all Chil.Farm), 46 ROOK (Chil.Farm), 1 SISKIN (over M.CP), 1 GOLDCREST (M.CP car park), 1 COAL TIT (calling M.CP car park), 1m BULLFINCH (M.West). Graham James


GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (G. James) -------------- ROOK (G. James)
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Thurs 24 Nov 2011: p.m. 1 ad. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Chil.Farm), 80+ HERRING GULL, c2000 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 12 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (all Chil. Farm), 3 WIGEON (1f M.West, 1 pair Moors), c20 FIELDFARE (Moors), 3 REDWING, 35 GADWALL, 7 POCHARD, 8TEAL, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), c600 LAPWING, 2 SPARROWHAWK, 8 ROOK (Chil.Farm, inc. mating pair), 1 REDPOLL sp.(over). Gordon Hay
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Weds 23 Nov 2011: a.m. 1 FIRECREST (N side of M.CP car park c09.20hrs), 2 REDPOLL sp, 2 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 2 POCHARD (Spynes), 10 LINNET (M.Farm), c300 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), c500 LAPWING (Spynes), 7 EGYPTIAN GOOSE. Gordon Hay

07.30hrs-10.00hrs. 1 FIRECREST (in bushes and trees N side of M.CP car park, showed briefly on 5 occasions between 07.40hrs-09.30hrs, often favouring trees by M.Lake bank), 3 GOLDCREST, 8 LESSER REDPOLL, 2 SISKIN (over), 3 REDWING (all M.CP car park). Graham James ______________________________________________________________

Tues 22 Nov 2011: (09.00hrs. 6 Common Crossbills flew N over Godstone.) Gordon Hay

14.15hrs-14.30hrs 1 ad. MEDITERRANEAN GULL (WC1). Graham James

p.m. 1 ad. MEDITERRANEAN GULL (WC1 - 13.45hrs-14.30hrs), 16 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 300 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 60 FERAL PIGEON (M.Farm), 2 SPARROWHAWK, 7 GOLDCREST (M.CP), 1 TREECREEPER, 1 SISKIN, 1 REDPOLL sp. (over), 4 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 4 POCHARD, c20 SHOVELER, c25 TEAL, c30 GADWALL, c600 STARLING, 12 EGYPTIAN GOOSE. Gordon Hay

More photos & video clip - click here


MEDITERRANEAN GULL (G. James)
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Mon 21 Nov 2011: 07.05hrs-11.50hrs. c30 GREYLAG GOOSE (flew S), 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (WC2), 6 POCHARD, 7 TEAL, 11 SHOVELER, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 2 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), 528 LAPWING (512 Spynes, 16 M.West), 1f SPARROWHAWK (Spynes), 1 KINGFISHER (WC1), 4 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 12 LESSER REDPOLL, 3 GOLDCREST, 1 COAL TIT (all M.CP car park), 6 LINNET (Spynes), 1f BULLFINCH (M.CP). Graham James
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Sun 20 Nov 2011: a.m.-p.m. 2 GREY HERON, 5 SHOVELER (flew in from N), 5 TEAL (flew in from E), 1 GREEN WOODPECKER, c15 LONG-TAILED TIT, 10+ FIELDFARE (roosted in poplars by landfill), 1 KINGFISHER (heard), 1 WAGTAIL sp (heard) (all Moors), a lot of movement of CORMORANTS between Spynes and Gatton and a lot of movement of gulls at landfill. Simon Elson

09.30hrs-12.15hr. 5+ EGYPTIAN GOOSE (5 flew W from Spynes, then 2 on WC2), 2m POCHARD (Spynes), 2+ SISKIN (over M.CP car park), 3+ TEAL (M.West), 17+ SHOVELER
(12+ M.west, 5+ WC1), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 400+ LAPWING (300+ Spynes, 100+ M.West), 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 2+ COMMON GULL (Spynes). Ian Kehl

a.m. c20 SHOVELER, c20 GADWALL, 7 COMMON SNIPE (Middle Pit), 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 1 GREY WAGTAIL (M.West), 4 GOLDCREST, 2 TREECREEPER, 1 COAL TIT, c40 LONG-TAILED TIT (in two flocks), 7 LESSER REDPOLL, 1 SISKIN (all M.CP), 3 FIELDFARE (WC mound), c10 MEADOW PIPIT, 3 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Gordon Hay
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Sat 19 Nov 2011: (Phil Boswell located the FIRECREST in the NE corner of Mercers CP car park late yesterday afternoon - see yesterday's entry.)

p.m. c2000 gulls (c80% HERRING GULLS, also BLACK-HEADED GULLS, COMMON GULLS & LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS), 7 ROOK, 152 STOCK DOVE (all Chil.Farm). Jerry Blumire

p.m. 8 POCHARD, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 1 WATER RAIL (heard Spynes), 1 SPARROWHAWK, 5 GOLDCREST, 1 COAL TIT, 1 SISKIN , 3 LESSER REDPOLL (all M.CP), c50 GOLDFINCH, c300 STARLING (coming to roost), 21 REDWING, 7 FIELDFARE. Also 1 Pipistrelle Bat. Gordon Hay

early-mid a.m. 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 3 POCHARD, 14 GADWALL, 34 TEAL, 14 SHOVELER, c500 LAPWING, 4 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 1 KINGFISHER (WC1), 26 MOORHEN, 2 REDWING, c40 FIELDFARE (over), 5 GOLDCREST, 2 TREECREEPER, 1 COAL TIT (all amongst roving tit flock M.CP), 2 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP), 2 REED BUNTING. Graham James


LESSER REDPOLLS ---------------------------------HERRING GULL 2nd-winter


SHOVELER male & female (G. James)
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Fri 18 Nov 2011: p.m. 1 FIRECREST (NE end of M.CP car park late p.m.), at least 4 COMMON BUZZARD (over N.Downs, seen from WC mound), c200 WOODPIGEON (heading E, WC mound), 1 (poss 2) GREY WAGTAIL (WC), 1 KINGFISHER (WC), 8 MEADOW PIPIT (WC). Phil Boswell

p.m. c10 FIELDFARE (Moors), 6 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (WC1), c6 COMMON SNIPE (c3 Spynes, 3 Moors), 1 REDWING (Chil.Lane). Neil Hadden

p.m. 5 GOLDCREST, 2 TREECREEPER, 2 REDPOLL sp. (over) (all M.CP), 24 SHOVELER, 30+ GADWALL, 6 POCHARD, 5 WIGEON, c50 TEAL, 1 KINGFISHER, 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 1 (poss 2) KESTREL, 11 ROOK (Chil.Farm), c40 GOLDFINCH (M.Farm), c30 LINNET (Chil.Farm). Gordon Hay
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Thurs 17 Nov 2011: p.m. 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 20 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Gordon Hay

p.m. 1 FIRECREST (4th site record), 4 GOLDCREST, 1 TREECREEPER, 1 COAL TIT, 14 LESSER REDPOLL (all M.CP car park), 527 LAPWING, 1 WIGEON, 4 POCHARD (all Spynes - no sign of Mandarin). Jerry Blumire

a.m. 1f MANDARIN (Spynes) 1 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 2 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 4 WIGEON (M.West). Gordon Hay

07.40hrs-12.10hrs. 1 BRENT GOOSE (Spynes. flew in from E at 09.24hrs and flew off high to W at 09.36hrs), 1f MANDARIN (Spynes - first for year), 1 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 35 TEAL, 5 POCHARD (4 Spynes, 1 WC1), 7 SHOVELER, 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 2 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 2 KINGFISHER (W end of M.Lake), c40 FIELDFARE (M.Farm), 4 MEADOW PIPIT (over), 12 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP), 1 COAL TIT (M.CP), 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 1 GOLDCREST (M.CP), 2 BULLFINCH. Graham James


BRENT GOOSE (G. James)


MANDARIN (G. James)


LITTLE EGRET (G. James) ---------------------------LESSER REDPOLL (J. Blumire)
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Weds 16 Nov 2011: early p.m. 1 POCHARD X TUFTED DUCK hybrid (M.West), 14 POCHARD, 70 TEAL, 5 WIGEON, 30+ GADWALL, 14 SHOVELER, 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 3 COMMON SNIPE, 2 GOLDCREST (M.West), c70 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 85+ LINNET (60+ M.Farm, 25+ Chil.Farm), 4 MEADOW PIPIT, 2 ROOK (Chil.Farm). (No sign of Brent Goose at M.West.) Gordon Hay

07.05hrs-10.30hrs. 1 BRENT GOOSE (flew onto WC2 from NE at 07.19hrs, disturbed by jogger and flew off W at 07.26hrs. It, or another flew over M.Farm from WNW at 09.11hrs, circled farm and headed low NW - may have landed on M.West - first for year), 1m PEREGRINE (flew E over Mercers CP car park at 09.25hrs), 6 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M.West), 26 TEAL, 16 SHOVELER, 16 GADWALL, 3 WIGEON (2m & 1f M.West), 9 POCHARD (M.West), 7 COMMON SNIPE (1 M.West, 6 together over M.Farm), 506 LAPWING (484 Spynes, 22 M.West), 1 WATER RAIL (calling WC1), 3 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 22 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP car park), 2 BULLFINCH (M.West). Graham James


BRENT GOOSE (G. James)
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Tues 15 Nov 2011: (11.00hrs. A FIRECREST reported at Mercers CP.) Birdguides (no further details)

11.00hrs-13.00hrs. 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 5 CORMORANT, 8 TEAL, 2m SHOVELER, 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, MALLARD, TUFTED DUCK, LITTLE GREBE, COOT, BLACK-HEADED GULLS, LAPWING (all Spynes), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (mobbed by Carrion Crows and Skylarks to N of Spynes), GADWALL, TEAL, SHOVELER, LITTLE GREBE, LAPWING, BLACK-HEADED GULL, COOT, TUFTED DUCK (all M.West), 1 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 2 POCHARD, COOT, BLACK-HEADED GULL, TUFTED DUCK (all M.Lake). Simon Elson

a.m. c80 GREYLAG GOOSE (headed N over M.Farm), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M.West), 17 SHOVELER, c35 TEAL, c20 GADWALL, 6 WIGEON (2m & 4f M.West), 7 POCHARD (5 M.West, 2 M.Lake), 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 KESTREL, 2 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 400+ LAPWING (Spynes), 4 LITTLE OWL (1 M.Farm, 1 Chil.Farm, 2 calling Moors), 1 KINGFISHER (WC1 - GH), 1 GREY WAGTAIL (M.West) c30 MEADOW PIPIT (over), 2m PHEASANT (field S of Spynes), 4 FIELDFARE (over), 2 TREECREEPER (M.CP - GH), 3 YELLOWHAMMER, 3 REED BUNTING. Gordon Hay & Graham James

More photos if the gull - click here


Interesting gull at Water Colour Lagoon 1 (opinions welcomed)
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Mon 14 Nov 2011: p.m. 50+ LESSER REDPOLL (inc. one larger and stockier bird, M.CP car park), c50 FIELDFARE, c30 REDWING, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 6 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 4 POCHARD (M.West), 10 MEADOW PIPIT, 1 GOLDCREST. Gordon Hay

a.m. 3 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 5 WIGEON (2m & 3f M.West), 11 SHOVELER, 8 POCHARD (7 M.West, 1 WC1), 45 TEAL, 10 GADWALL, 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (WC2), 26 CANADA GOOSE (24 WC1, 2 Spynes), 372 LAPWING (Spynes/M.West), 1 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 1 KINGFSHER (WC1), 6 PHEASANT (2m & 4f M.Farm), 2 GREY WAGTAIL (1 WC ditch, 1 landfill side of Moors), 12 REDWING (Chil. Lane), 11 SISKIN (flew from alder by Moors brook), 2 BULLFINCH (M.CP). Graham James
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Sun 13 Nov 2011: (early p.m. A redhead Goosander on Bay Pond, Godstone.) Gordon Hay

a.m. A Surrey Bird Club field trip this morning to Holmethorpe SPs produced 47 species but nothing more notable than Gordon's sightings this morning. A Red Amiral was seen at The Moors. Kevin Duncan et al

11.05hrs. 2 COMMON BUZZARD (together over M.Lake, drifted NW). Graham James

early a.m. 1 POCHARD X TUFTED DUCK hybrid (M.Lake), 70 TEAL, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 4 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), c1180 WOODPIGEON (flew SSW), 15 SKYLARK, c40 FIELDFARE, c10 REDWING, 3 REDPOLL sp. (over), 1 SISKIN (over), 3 REED BUNTING (WC1), 1 YELLOWHAMMER. Gordon Hay
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Sat 12 Nov 2011: p.m. 1 KESTREL (Moors), 2-3 MISTLE THRUSH, 2 REDWING (all Chilmead Lane), 1f GOLDENEYE, 28 TUFTED DUCK, 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (all WC2), 4 SHOVELER (WC1). Also 2 Common Darter & 1 Hawker sp. (Moors). Neil Hadden

p.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (WC2), 78 TEAL, 38 GADWALL, 5 WIGEON (M.West), 14 SHOVELER, 1 POCHARD, 525 LAPWING, 1 COMMON SNIPE, 3 PHEASANT, 1 KINGFISHER (Moors), c300 HERRING GULL, c100 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 1 COMMON GULL, 4 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 82 REDWING (near Spynes), 2 FIELDFARE, c40 LONG-TAILED TIT, 4 GOLDCREST. Gordon Hay
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Fri 11 Nov 2011: 07.55hrs-10.15hrs. Very poor visibility. 2m WIGEON (M.West), 8 SHOVELER (4 Spynes, 4 M.West), 3 POCHARD (2 M.West, 1 WC1), 16 TEAL (M.West/Middle Pit), 6 GADWALL (M.West), 1 SPARROWHAWK (low over M.Lake), 1 FIELDFARE (M.Farm), 2 GOLDCREST (1 M.CP car park, 1 Spynes), 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP car park), 2 REED BUNTING (WC1). Graham James
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Thurs 10 Nov 2011: p.m. 35 SKYLARK, 80 STOCK DOVE, 60 FERAL PIGEON, 60 LINNET, 1 COMMON BUZZARD (all M.Farm), 24 TEAL (M.West), 7 PHEASANT (1m & 6f M.Farm), 1 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE 1 COAL TIT (M.West). Gordon Hay

08.00hrs-12.20hrs. Very quiet. 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (briefly Spynes), 251 LAPWING (Spynes/M.West), 1 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), c80 GREYLAG GOOSE (over Spynes heading N), 9 CANADA GEESE (over WC heading W), 7 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 5 WIGEON (2m & 3f M.West), 12 TEAL, 15 GADWALL, 12 SHOVELER, 1m POCHARD (Spynes), 12 COMMON GULL, 5 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (sick/injured Spynes), c400 BLACK-HEADED GULL, c90 HERRING GULL, 1f KESTREL (M.Farm), 2 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 1m PHEASANT (calling N of Middle Pit), 2 SKYLARK, 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 6 FIELDFARE (M.CP), 11 REDWING (M.CP), 3 GOLDCREST (M.CP), 4 BULLFINCH. (No sign of Goldeneye.) Graham James


GREEN SANDPIPER (G. James)
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Weds 9 Nov 2011: (Beddington SF: A SNOW BUNTING present today giving Johnny Allan a new record Surrey year list with 196 species.)

p.m. 1 OSPREY (flew in from E at 15.10hrs, over WC lagoons before heading off SE), 1f/imm GOLDENEYE (M.West), 3+ WIGEON, 12 GADWALL, 8 SHOVELER, 6 TEAL, 44 COMMON GULL (inc 42 Spynes), 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), c370 LAPWING, 2 SPARROWHAWK, 2 KESTREL, 1 REDPOLL sp (over). Gordon Hay

07.20hrs-11.35hrs. 1f/imm GOLDENEYE (M.West - first of the autumn), 1f PEREGRINE (flew N over M.West, returned 10 mins later, caught a Lapwing and headed of with prey to W), 1f SPARROWHAWK (M.West), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (WC2), 14 SHOVELER, 1f POCHARD (WC1), 18 GADWALL, 23 TEAL, 4 WIGEON (3m & 1f M.West), 3 COMMON SNIPE (over Moors), c200 LAPWING (Spynes/M.West), 7 COMMON GULL, c50 HERRING GULL, 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 8 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 2 KINGFISHER (1 M.Lake, 1 Moors), 1m PHEASANT (M.Farm), 1 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 1 MEADOW PIPIT (over), 10 SISKIN (1 over Spynes, 9 over Moors), 4 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 8 FIELDFARE (Moors), 2 GOLDCREST (M.CP), 2 COAL TIT (M.CP car park), 6 BULLFINCH (2 M.CP, 4 over Middle Pit/Spynes), 15 GREENFINCH (M.Farm), c90 GOLDFINCH (c50 M. Farm, c40 Moors), 1 REED BUNTING (WC1). Graham James


GOLDENEYE (G. James)
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Tues 8 Nov 2011: (Beddington SF: possible 2nd/w ICELAND GULL to 10.59hrs at least,) Sutton Birding on Twitter (see Johnny Allan's blog)

(mid-a.m. 1 Golden Plover over Godstone.) Gordon Hay

early p.m. 32 GADWALL, 2 POCHARD, 7 WIGEON, 340 LAPWING, 5 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 GREY WAGTAIL (over), 2 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP car park), 45 LONG-TAILED TIT, 2 BULLFINCH, 1 GREENFINCH, 3 YELLOWHAMMER, 3 FIELDFARE, 10 REDWING. Gordon Hay

07.05hrs-10.55hrs. 61 CANADA GOOSE (flew from Moors to WC1), 52 GREYLAG GOOSE (flew E), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), c120 MALLARD (inc. c100 flew E from Moors), 2f POCHARD (WC1), 6 SHOVELER, 5 WIGEON (3m & 2f M.West), 24 GADWALL, 21 TEAL, 239 LAPWING (189 Spynes, 45 M.West, 5 over WC1), 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 5 COMMON GULL, c100 HERRING GULL, c300 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 1 GREY WAGTAIL (over), 3 MEADOW PIPIT (over), 3 REDWING (over), 1 CHIFFCHAFF (with tit flock Mercers CP car park ), 2 GOLDCREST (M.CP), c25 LONG-TAILED TIT (M.CP), 1 SISKIN (over), 5 BULLFINCH (1 pairs M.CP, 1m M.West), 2 REED BUNTING (WC1). Graham James


COMMON GULL (G. James)
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Mon 7 Nov 2011: a.m. 1 SHORT-EARED OWL (over WC mound at 07.05hrs, headed S - 6th local record), 1 1st/w LITTLE GULL (WC1 08.00hrs-08.10hrs, before heading S - first for year), 2 GOLDEN PLOVER (flew over M.West 10.15hrs, headed N - first for year), 13 SHOVELER, 10 GADWALL, 5 POCHARD (M.West), 3 WIGEON (2m & 1f M.West), c150 LAPWING (Spynes), 3 COMMON SNIPE (1 Spynes, 2 over M.Farm), 3 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1f KESTREL, 2 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 3 PHEASANT (1m calling Moors, 2f M.Farm), c12 MEADOW PIPIT, c1000 STARLING (left WC1 roost), 54 FIELDFARE (over), 11 REDWING (over), 1 MISTLE THRUSH (over), 5 GOLDCREST, c40 CHAFFINCH, 2 SISKIN (over), 50+ GOLDFINCH, 35+ LINNET, 13 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP car park), 4 BULLFINCH, 1 REED BUNTING (M.Farm). Gordon Hay & Graham James

Video - click here


LITTLE GULL 1st-winter (G. James)
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Sun 6 Nov 2011: (Beddington SF: A Brent Goose flew W at 09.55hrs and 5 probable Red-breasted Mergansers flew over early p.m.) Sutton Birding on Twitter

(Canons Farm, Banstead: c40 Brent Geese flew SW at 08.35hrs.) message from David Campbell

a.m. 1 FIRECREST (M.CP car park at c08.20hrs - no further sign but may still be in area), 1 REDSHANK (heading S calling at 07.30hrs), c100 CANADA GOOSE (Moors), 55 GREYLAG GOOSE (over), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 196 MALLARD (Moors), 24 GADWALL, 49 TEAL, 22 SHOVELER, 5 WIGEON (M.West), 17 POCHARD, 6 GOLDCREST, 2 COAL TIT, 2 TREECREEPER, 10 REDPOLL sp (inc 10 M.CP car park), 10 SISKIN (over), 145 GOLDFINCH, c70 LINNET, c120 STOCK DOVE, c800 WOODPIGEON (flew SW), c250 LAPWING, 1 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), c70 FIELDFARE (over), c60 REDWING (over), 1m SPARROWHAWK, 1 KESTREL, 10+ MEADOW PIPIT. Gordon Hay
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Sat 5 Nov 2011: (a.m. A Brent Goose at Frensham Great Pond and 4 Common Scoter at Frensham Little Pond. 2 Brent Geese at QE2 Reservoir and a Swift sp.(pale appearance) over Holly Lodge at Richmond Park.) messages from Johnny Allan

(late & unconfirmed report for Weds 2 Nov: 7+ BRENT GOOSE flew S over Orpin Road, South Merstham.) Becca

10.40hrs-13.00hrs. 99 CANADA GOOSE (61 Spynes, 38 M.West), 13 GREYLAG GOOSE (Spynes), 6 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 7 WIGEON (2m & 5f M.West), 4 TEAL, 12 SHOVELER, 1 POCHARD (M.West), 7 GADWALL, 210 LAPWING (Spynes/M.West), 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 10 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (WC1), c500 HERRING GULL, 17 COMMON GULL, c400 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 2f PHEASANT (M.Farm), c90 FERAL PIGEON (M.Farm), c60 WOODPIGEON (M.Farm), 1 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 1 MEADOW PIPIT (M.Farm), 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 2 REDWING (Moors), 6 BULLFINCH (2m & 1f M.West, 3f M.CP). Graham James


HERRING GULL 2nd/w (G. James) ------------- LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (G, James)


COMMON GULL (G. James) ---------------------------WIGEON male (G. James)
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Fri 4 Nov 2011: No reported sightings.

(early p.m. Crossbills heard, but not seen, over Redhill Common.) Gordon Hay
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Thurs 3 Nov 2011: p.m. 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 88 CANADA GOOSE, 22 CORMORANT (M.West), 30 REDWING, 12 BLACKBIRD, 2 MISTLE THRUSH, 2 LITTLE OWL (calling M.Farm), 5 GOLDCREST. Gordon Hay
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Weds 2 Nov 2011: (15.20hrs. 1 Common Buzzard flew low W over South Merstham.) Graham James

(28 Common Crossbills flew W over Redhill Common.) Gordon Hay

(07.16hrs. 1m Common Crossbill perched and calling on top of tall conifer in front garden of c170 Nutfield Road, South Merstham, flew off to north.) Graham James

p.m. 2 COAL TIT, 23 LONG-TAILED TIT (M.CP). Gordon Hay

early p.m. 4 REDPOLL sp, 2 FIELDFARE, 1 MEADOW PIPIT (all over), 1m SHOVELER, 1m GADWALL, 2 TEAL, 4 COMMON GULL (all WC lagoons). Matt Farmer

07.25hrs-11.15hrs. 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M.West), 10 GADWALL, 2 POCHARD (1m Spynes, 1f M.West), 7 TEAL, 3 SHOVELER, 7 WIGEON (M.West), 230 LAPWING, 1m KESTREL (M.Farm), 1m SPARROWHAWK (Moors), 5 COMMON GULL, 3 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, c250 WOODPIGEON (flew S), 2 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 4 GREEN WOODPECKER, 1 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 4 SKYLARK (over), 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 1 FIELDFARE (M.Farm), 4 SISKIN (over), c25 LINNET (M.Farm), 6 JAY, 1 REED BUNTING, 1 YELLOWHAMMER. Graham James
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Tues 1 Nov 2011: p.m. 1 SPARROWHAWK (Moors), 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (WC1), 2f PHEASANT (Chil.Farm), 12 REDPOLL sp. (M.CP car park), 1 SISKIN (M.CP), 3 COAL TIT, 2 BULLFINCH, 1 TREECREEPER (M.West), 7 REDWING, 3 WIGEON (M.West), 14 TEAL, 14 SHOVELER, 25 LONG-TAILED TIT, 3 GOLDCREST. Gordon Hay
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