July 2011

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Sun 31 Jul 2011: a.m. 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 3 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 200+ SWIFT (over rape field M.Farm). Gordon Hay

06.00hrs-09.10hrs. 3 COMMON SANDPIPER (1 M.Lake, 2 M.West), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (pool at landfill side of Moors), 1m POCHARD (Spynes), 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes, then WC2), 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (ad. M.West), 6+ CORMORANT (inc. 3 imm Spynes), 1 KINGFISHER (heard M.Lake then seen over pool by Cormongers Lane orchard), 1 LITTLE OWL (ad. M.Farm), 1m GREY WAGTAIL (M.West), 2 SWIFT (M.west), 3+ HOUSE MARTIN (WC), 4+ GREEN WOODPECK (inc. ad. with 2 juv. on fence by sheep paddocks, M.Farm), 3+ GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (inc. ad. male with juv. near Willow Wood), 8+ STOCK DOVE, 2 NUTHATCH (juv. by Spynes overflow pond & prob. juv. N of Middle Pit), 1 TREECREEPER (juv. N of Middle Pit). Also 1m Roes Deer in grass field S of Spynes. Ian Kehl
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Sat 30 Jul 2011: No reported sightings.
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Fri 29 Jul 2011: No reported sightings.
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Thurs 28 Jul 2011: (c13.15hrs. A very probable HONEY BUZZARD flew W at Quarry Hangars NR, off Springbottom Lane, chased off by a Common Buzzard.) Richard Bartlett

early p.m. 1 juv. STONECHAT (on top of a big thistle opposite the sheep paddocks, M.Farm), 3 LITTLE OWL, 2 BULLFINCH, 2 YELLOWHAMMER, 7 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 7 SWIFT, 2 SWALLOW, 94 LAPWING, 4 LINNET, 2 LESSER WHTETHROAT (back of Spynes). Matt Farmer

a.m. 3 COMMON SANDPIPER (2 Spynes, 1 M.West), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), c110 LAPWING (inc. 9 young birds), c75 TUFTED DUCK, c35 LITTLE GREBE, 2 KESTREL, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 20+ COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 BLACKCAP, 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 LITTLE OWL. Gordon Hay
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Weds 27 Jul 2011: c11.30hrs. 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 1 MEADOW PIPIT (both flew to WC2 island). Neil Randon

a.m. 1 NUTHATCH (oaks N of Middle Pit), 1 juv. LITTLE OWL (sheep paddocks, M.Farm), 8 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 53 LAPWING, c40 SAND MARTIN, 2 SWIFT, 5 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 SWALLOW, 6 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 BLACKCAP, 2 LINNET, 2 BULLFINCH. Graham James
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Tues 26 Jul 2011: No reported sightings.
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Mon 25 Jul 2011: 07.30hrs-09.20hrs. 2 juv STONECHAT (sheep paddocks, M.Farm), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 5 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 6 CHIFFCHAFF (inc family group of 5), 3 LITTLE OWL (sheep paddocks, M.Farm). Paul Kerry

(Paul's videos - click here)


STONECHAT juv. (P. Kerry)


LITTLE OWLS (P. Kerry)
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Sun 24 Jul 2011: p.m. 130 LAPWING, c120 BLACK-HEADED GULL (inc. c30 young birds). Gordon Hay

(16.35hrs. 1 Hobby flew N over South Merstham.) Graham & Sue James
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Sat 23 Jul 2011: 05.55hrs-09.00hrs. 1 HOBBY (over WC lagoons at 08.50hrs), 6 POCHARD (4 M.West, 2 WC1), 1 GADWALL (M.West), 85+ TUFTED DUCK (inc. 1f with 4 small young Spynes), 8 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 23+ LAPWING (Spynes), 20+ RING-NECKED PARAKEET (over M.CP at 06.00hrs), 1 SWIFT, 2+ HOUSE MARTIN, 50+ SAND MARTIN (inc. several still using nest holes at M.West), 1 SWALLOW (over Spynes), 1 juv LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 10+ COMMON WHITETHROAT (mainly juvs), 7+ HOUSE SPARROW (M.CP by boatyard), 20+ GOLDFINCH (inc. 2 juvs), 1m BULLFINCH (Spynes). Ian Kehl
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Fri 22 Jul 2011: No reported sightings.
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Thus 21 Jul 2011: p.m. 30+ LAPWING, 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 3 CANADA GOOSE, MUTE SWANS, COOTS (all Spynes). Simon Elson

early p.m. 2 LITTLE OWL (on posts at sheep paddocks, M.Farm), 2 YELLOWHAMMER, 4 SWALLOW, 4 SWIFT, 89 LAPWING (Spynes), 2 COMMON BUZZARD (circling over M.West). Matt Farmer

a.m. 2 REED BUNTING, 3 REED WARBLER, 2 GREY HERON (Moors), 3 CORMORANT (WC1), LITTLE GREBE, GREAT CRESTED GREBE, COOT, HOUSE MARTINS, SAND MARTINS. Also Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly at Moors). Simon Elson
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Weds 20 Jul 2011: a.m. 1 HOBBY (over M.Farm, near Mill Cottage), 1 WILLOW WARBLER (N of Middle Pit), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 30+ SAND MARTIN (M.Farm), 3 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 6 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm), 1 MISTLE THRUSH (near Mill Cottage) Also a Diamond-back Moth (M.Farm). Graham James

a.m. 1 COMMON TERN (M.Lake), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West), 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 3 SHOVELER (WC), 4 GADWALL (WC, then M.West), c70 LAPWING, 85+ TUFTED DUCK (inc. 1f with 4 young Spynes), 12 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 MISTLE THRUSH. 2 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm). Gordon Hay


HOBBY (G. James) --------------------------------DIAMOND-BACK MOTH (G. James)
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Tues 19 Jul 2011: 1 LINNET (paddocks M.Farm). Simon Elson

early p.m. 1 juv. STONECHAT (feeding on cow parsley by oak near bend in path from M.Farm to M.West, but elusive), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (E end of Spynes), 2 GREY WAGTAIL (over), 2 YELLOWHAMMER, 2 BULLFINCH (M.Farm). Also 1 Brown Argus (E end of Spynes). Matt Farmer
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Mon 18 Jul 2011:
early evening. 2 DUNLIN (still present M.West), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 3 GADWALL. Gordon Hay

06.30hrs-09.15hrs. 2 DUNLIN (M.West). 8 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1f SPARROWHAWK, 1 BULLFINCH, 1 juv. GREY WAGTAIL (WC1). Graham James
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Sun 17 Jul 2011: 82 LAPWING, 1 KINGFISHER (brook). Gordon Hay

(08.05hrs. A Red-rumped Swallow at Weirwood Reservoir, E. Sussex.) Birdguides
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Sat 16 Jul 2011: p.m. 1 juv. STONECHAT (still present at sheep paddocks, M.Farm to 16.20hrs at least), 1+ HOBBY (one flew along path between WC lagoons and past me at about knee height. Possibly a second bird over M.West), 4+ SWIFT, 15+ SAND MARTIN, 1 juv GREY HERON (Spynes sandspit), 35+ BLACK-HEADED GULL, 25+ HERRING GULL (inc 2 juv M.West), 8 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 2+ CHIFFCHAFF, 15+ LAPWING, 1m SPARROWHAWK (over Middle Pit), . Ian Kehl

early p.m. 1 juv STONECHAT (by sheep paddocks, M.Farm - first for year), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm) . Gordon Hay

(1 Whimbrel at Beddington SF early this morning found by Grant Prater.) Johnny Allan's blog
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Fri 15 Jul 2011: No reported sightings.

(Beddington SF: c13.30hrs. A BLACK KITE flew over lake and then headed N.) message from Johnny Allan (Johnny Allan's photos - click here , Peter Alfreys photos - click here )
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Thurs 14 Jul 2011: p.m. 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 1m POCHARD, 22 EGYPTIAN GOOSE. Gordon Hay

early p.m. 1 HOBBY (drifting over Spynes towards the M23), 1 juv LITTLE OWL (sitting on a pallet at M.Farm ], 3 REED WARBLER, 19 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 2 YELLOWHAMMER, 2 BULLFINCH, 4 SWALLOW. Also 10 species of butterfly. Matt Farmer

(a.m. An Essex Skipper at The Moors near methane plant.) Graham James


ESSEX SKIPPER (G. James)
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Weds 13 Jul 2011: (mid-a.m. A Turtle Dove flew E over Catlin Gardens, Godstone.) Gordon Hay

06.30hrs-09.20hrs. 1 REED WARBLER (Spynes), 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 16 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (13 Spynes, 3 WC2), 1f KESTREL, 1f BULLFINCH. Graham James
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Tues 12 Jul 2011: 18.40hrs-19.50hrs. 5 REDSHANK (M.West then flew to Spynes sandspit at 19.05hrs, still present at 19.40hrs at least). Gordon Hay & Graham James

16.15hrs-16.30hrs at least. 5 REDSHANK (M.West), 1m (eclipse) RED-CRESTED POCHARD (WC1). Gordon Hay

1m POCHARD (WC1). Simon Elson


REDSHANKS (G. James)

(A Yellow Wagtail at Canon's Farm, Banstead today and 2 Redshanks and a Black-tailed Godwit at Beddington SF.) Sutton Birding on Twitter

(A link has been added to a new blog - Holmethorpe Nature Diary. If anyone wishes to contribute their wildlife sightings to it, please email me with an account, exactly as you would like it to appear, and any photos of local flora and fauna.)
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Mon 11 Jul 2011: a.m. 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (Spynes), 7 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 4 REED WARBLER (3 Spynes, 1 Moors), 8 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1 COMMON BUZZARD (headed N over Spynes), 3 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (WC1), 1m REED BUNTING (Spynes). Also 1f Purple Hairstreak (S path of Spynes). Graham James


COMMON BUZZARD (G. James)-----------------------------PURPLE HAIRSTREAK (G. James)
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Sun 10 Jul 2011: As usual, no reported sightings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Canon's Farm, Banstead: 9 Crossbills flew S over farmhouse at 09.25hrs.) Sutton Birding on Twitter
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Sat 9 Jul 2011: (c10.40hrs. The Red-rumped Swallow still present at Unstead SF.) message from Johnny Allan

05.50hrs-08.55hrs. 12+ GREAT CRESTED GREBE (inc. pair with 4 small young M.Lake, pair with 2 small young (WC2), 2 large young (WC1), 3 LITTLE OWL (1 ad. & 1 juv sheep paddocks M.Farm, 1 ad. oaks S of Spynes), 17+ LAPWING (M.West), 3 YELLOWHAMER (2m & 1f Spynes), 17 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (14 Spynes, 3 WC2), 15+ SWIFT, 5+ HOUSE MARTIN, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 3 BLACKCAP, 1 GREY WAGTAIL (juv. WC1).
Ian Kehl
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Fri 8 Jul 2011: (Johnny Allan's superb photos of the Red-rumped Swallow at Unstead SF - click here )

(20.35hrs. The Red-rumped Swallow still showing at Unstead SF.) message from Shaun Robson

(WALBOC area: Unconfirmed report of a Cattle Egret in a field with no general access, with cattle at c11.30hrs. No sign since. Seen by four observers. via Alex Bowes) message from
Johnny Allan

(19.12hrs. The Red-rumped Swallow still present at Unstead SF.) message from
Johnny Allan

(c17.55hrs. A Red-rumped Swallow at Unstead SF.) message from
Johnny Allan

early p.m. 1 HOBBY (took a Sand Martin), 1 SPARROWHAWK (with prey), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 12 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, c20 LAPWING. Gordon Hay
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Thurs 7 Jul 2011: No reported sightings.

(c08.30hrs. 11 Black-tailed Godwits circled Beddington SF and then flew SE.) message from Johnny Allan
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Weds 6 Jul 2011: No reported sightings.
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Tues 5 Jul 2011: 1 REED WARBLER, 1 REED BUNTING (Moors). Simon Elson
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Mon 4 Jul 2011: (32 Green Sandpipers at Beddington today!!!!!) Dip or Glory

early p.m. 1 SKYLARK, 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 STOCK DOVE (all M.Farm). Also at least 2 Purple Hairstreaks (large oak N bank Spynes), 1 Marbled White (towards M23 end of Spynes), 2 Essex Skippers, 1 Green-veined White. Matt Farmer

a.m. 1 NUTHATCH (S of Spynes), 19 LAPWING, 10 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1 REED WARBLER, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 2 YELLOWHAMMER. Also 2 (possibly 3) Purple Hairstreaks (1 on bush N bank Spynes, 2 flying round top of Ash by SWT car park Spynes). Graham James


PURPLE HAIRSTREAK (G. James)
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Sun 3 Jul 2011: No reported sightings.

(Two Common Cranes over Hermitage Road, Kenley at c14.00hrs.) SBC website

(A White Stork seen over Milford at 13.15hrs.) message from Johnny Allan
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Sat 2 Jul 2011: (A White Stork flew E over Send towards A3 at 19.13hrs.) message from Johnny Allan

p.m. 1 COMMON TERN (WC1), c20 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 1m SHOVELER (WC2), 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 1 GARDEN WARBLER. Gordon Hay

a.m. 2 COMMON TERN (M.Lake 05.50hrs-06.10hrs), 1m RED-CRESTED POCHARD (of unknown origin - WC1), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 17+ LAPWING (Spynes/M.West), 10 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 36+ BLACK-HEADED GULL (1 M.Lake, 35+ WC1), 2 LITTLE OWL (inc. 1 juv M.Farm), 1 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 12+ SWIFT, 15+ SAND MARTIN, 1 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 3 juv. GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (in different areas of M.CP), 20+ COMMON WHITETHROAT, 4 REED WARBLER (2 Spynes, 2 Moors), 8+ GREENFINCH (inc. 4 juv). Ian Kehl

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Fri 1 Jul 2011: a.m. 14 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 1 NUTHATCH (oak S of Spynes), 13 LAPWING, 11 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (S path of Spynes), 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 1f/juv BLACKCAP, 3 REED WARBLER (Spynes), 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 1f KESTREL, 2 SKYLARK, 2 YELLOWHAMMER, 1m REED BUNTING, 2 BULLFINCH (pair M.CP). Also 1 Purple Hairstreak (hedge on S side of Spynes), 1 Essex Skipper, 1 Brown Argus. Graham James


PURPLE HAIRSTREAK
(G. James)


ESSEX SKIPPER (G. James)
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