I would like to thank everyone for their support during the time I have run the blog. See you at the patch. Graham
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Wed 29 Feb 2012: p.m. 1 ad. MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Spynes), 1 imm. m PEREGRINE (M.Farm), 1 f GOLDENYEYE, 2 SHELDUCK (M.West), 1 COMMON BUZZARD Gordon Hay
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Tues 28 Feb 2012: p.m. 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 2 SHELDUCK, c70 TEAL, 26 SHOVELER, 12 GADWALL, c80 TUFTED DUCK, 7 POCHARD, c120 COMMON GULL (Spynes), 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (M.Lake), 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 KESTREL, c300 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 2 MEADOW PIPIT (Moors). (Also 1 winter-plumaged Black-headed Gull with totally white wings, could be confused with Med Gull in flight.) Gordon Hay
11.00hrs-13.00hrs. 3 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 5 POCHARD (1 WC1, 2 M.Lake, 2 Spynes), 1 LITTLE OWL, 1 SKYLARK, 8 GOLDFINCH (M.Farm), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Moors), 1 KESTREL (M.West). Simon Elson
07.05hrs-10.15hrs. 1 imm. m PEREGRINE (M.Farm), 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 22 SHOVELER (inc 15 Moors), 10 GADWALL, 7 POCHARD, 36 TEAL (inc 31 Moors), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 25 SNIPE (20 Moors, 5 Spynes), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.Lake), 1m PHEASANT (M.Farm), 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), c200 WOODPIGEON (M.Farm), 1 SKYLARK (M.Farm), c120 LINNET (M.Farm), 4 GOLDCREST (M.CP), 2 TREECREEPER (M.CP), c30 LONG-TAILED TIT (M.CP), 2 LESSER REDPOLL (M.CP), 2 BULLFINCH (pair Middle Pit), 4 REED BUNTING (2 Moors, 2 Spynes), 2 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm) (No sign of Goldeneye). Graham James
LITTLE EGRET (G. James) --------------------- REED BUNTING (oddly coloured?) (G. James)
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Mon 27 Feb 2012: (Beddington SF: A Great White Egret on main lake this morning.) message from Johnny Allan (It flew S at 10.48hrs - call from David Campbell - no sign of it over Holmethorpe airspace up to 12.25hrs.) Dodge's photos - click here
p.m. 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 1m KESTREL, 11 POCHARD, 20 TEAL, 5 SHOVELER, 12 GADWALL, 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 2 CANADA GOOSE, c95 FIELDFARE (c75 M.Farm, c20 behind Inn on the Pond), 1 SISKIN. Gordon Hay
07.10hrs-09.15hrs. 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 3 SHOVELER, 5 POCHARD, 6 TEAL, 8 GADWALL, 1 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), 8 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 1m PHEASANT (M.Farm), 1 SKYLARK, 2m REED BUNTING (1 Spynes, 1 WC1), 1m YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). (No sign of Scaup.) Graham James
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Sun 26 Feb 2012: p.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 9 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 5 REDWING, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 SKYLARK (singing over M Farm), 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP). Jeremy and Thomas Blumire
p.m. 1/2 LITTLE EGRET ( 1 Moors, over WC mound), 1 PEREGRINE (west over Moors), 1 WATER RAIL (W side of Fordbridge). Neil Hadden
pm. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.West), 3 POCHARD, 17 SHOVELER, 47 COMMON GULL(Spynes), 7 MEADOW PIPIT, 5 SKYLARK, 2 GOLDCREST (Spynes). Gordon Hay
14-25hrs-15.15hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP, 1 f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 12 COMMON SNIPE (6 M.West, 6 Spynes), LITTLE GREBE, 1 f POCHARD, LAPWING, COMMON GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL, CORMORANT, TEAL, MISTLE THRUSH (Spynes), 1 LITTLE OWL, 250+ STOCK DOVE, 3 SKYLARK, JAY (M.Farm). Tomás Cahalane
a.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.Lake), 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M West), 13+ COMMON SNIPE (11 Spynes, 1 M. West, 1+ Moors), 1 SPARROWHAWK (Middle Pit), 2 LITTLE OWL (1 M.Farm, 1 in oaks to south of Spynes), 18 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 8 POCHARD (2 M.Lake, 2 M.West, 4 WC1), 38 TEAL (6 M.West, 32+ Moors), 27+ SHOVELER (10+ Mid-Pit, 16+ Moors Pools, 1 WC2), 6 COMMON GULL, 2 GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL (1 M.Lake, 1 over Cormongers Lane), 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), 3+ REDWING (M.CP), 1 GOLDCREST (Cormongers Lane), 2 YELLOWHAMMER (1 M.Farm, 1 Spynes), 1 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Ian Kehl
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Sat 25 Feb 2012: 12:15hrs – 12:50hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP, 5 LITTLE GREBE, 3 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 15 COOT, 3 MOORHEN, 1 GREY HERON, 42 TUFTED DUCK, 5 SHOVELER, 3 GADWALL, COMMON GULL, BLACK-HEADED GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL, HERRING GULL, 2 TEAL (M.Lake), 3 DUNNOCK, 3 SKYLARK, 10 STOCK DOVE, 35 LAPWING, 5 CARRION CROW, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 15 GOLDFINCH, LINNET, GREENFINCH, CHAFFINCH, HOUSE SPARROW (M.Farm). Tomás Cahalane
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Fri 24 Feb 2012: p.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.Lake), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1f PEREGRINE (over M.Farm), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (N.Ridge), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), c30 TEAL, 25 FIELDARE, 20 REDWING, 92 LINNET (M.Farm), 1 SISKIN (M.CP car park). Gordon Hay
07.10hrs-11.25hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (SW end M.Lake), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 6 GREYLAG GOOSE, 18 CANADA GOOSE, 29 SHOVELER (22 at Moors), 5 POCHARD, 36 TEAL (28 at Moors), 12 GADWALL, 3 COMMON SNIPE (2 M.West, 1 Moors), 1 KESTREL, 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 2 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 1 MEADOW PIPIT (WC), 1 GOLDCREST (M.CP), c35 LINNET (M.Farm), 3 LESSER REDPOLL (behind WC mound), 2 REED BUNTING (Spynes), 1m YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). (No sign of any Smew.) Graham James
SCAUP (G. James) ----------------------------------LITTLE EGRET (G. James)
CORMORANT (G. James) ------------------------------GOLDCREST (G. James)
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Thurs 23 Feb 2012: p.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.Lake), 4 redhead SMEW (3 M.Lake, 1 WC1), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 KESTREL, c300 WOODPIGEON (M.Farm). Gordon Hay
07.10hrs-11.15hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (S side M.Lake - nearing full adult plumage, the amount of black on the bill appears to be reducing), 4 redhead SMEW (M.Lake, one moved to WC1 later in morning), 1 ad. summer-plumaged MEDITERRANEAN GULL (flew N calling over M.Lake & M.West), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 4 POCHARD, 10 SHOVELER, 8 TEAL, 6 GADWALL, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Spynes), 4 COMMON SNIPE (1 M.West, 3 Spynes), 2 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 40+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 11 COMMON GULL, 13 CORMORANT (Spynes), 1 GREY HERON (over), 1m PHEASANT (Middle Pit), 2 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 12 REDWING (WC), 2 GOLDCREST (pair M.CP, male in full song), c40 LINNET, 1 REED BUNTING (Spynes), 1 YELLOWHAMMER (Spynes). (Also 1 Brimstone butterfly at Middle Pit.) Graham James
SCAUP (G. James)
SMEW (G. James) ---------------------------------MEDITERRANEAN GULL (G. James)
GREEN WOODPECKER (G. James)
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Weds 22 Feb 2012: 08.15hrs-10.40hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (S side of M.Lake), 3 redhead SMEW (2 WC1, 1 M.Lake), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 3 SHOVELER, 4 POCHARD, 4 GADWALL, 2 TEAL, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 KESTREL, 2 SKYLARK, c60 LINNET (M.Farm), 2 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Graham James
SCAUP (G. James) -----------------------------------SMEW (G. James)
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Tues 21 Feb 2012: 07.15hrs-11.35hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (southern side M.Lake), 4 redhead SMEW (3 M.Lake, 1 WC1), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (over M.west), 4 POCHARD, 4 SHOVELER, 4 GADWALL, 6 TEAL, 2 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, c30 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 11 COMMON GULL, c400 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 1m KESTREL, c50 REDWING (N.Ridge), 1 COAL TIT (Chil.Lane), c25 CHAFFINCH (M.Farm), 2 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Graham James
p.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.Lake), 1 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1 imm. m PEREGRINE (perched in oak M.Farm), 2 COMMON BUZZARD, 2 KESTREL, c30 TEAL, 12 SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL, c40 COMMON GULL, c180 LAPWING, 15 REDWING. Gordon Hay
16.40hrs-17.15hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.Lake), 4 redhead SMEW (3 WC1, 1 M.Lake). Neil Randon
SCAUP (G. James)-------------------------------------SMEW (G. James)
CORMORANT (G. James)
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Mon 20 Feb 2012: 07.20hrs-10.30hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (near adult plumage, M.Lake - I still have concerns over the extent of black on the bill), 3 redhead SMEW (1 WC1, then moved to M.Lake and joined 2 more), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 5 POCHARD, 16 SHOVELER, 3 GADWALL, 19 TEAL, 12 CANADA GOOSE, 1 GREYLAG GOOSE, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 4 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), 1 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 4 REDWING, 2 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 2 SISKIN (M.CP), 2 BULLFINCH (pair Middle Pit), 2 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Graham James
SCAUP (G. James)
SMEW (G. James) -------------------------------------LITTLE EGRET (G. James)
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Sun 19 Feb 2012: p.m. 2 redhead SMEW (M.Lake c 12.45hrs). Derek Washington
a.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP, 3 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1 f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1 LITTLE EGRET (The Moors), 9 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes, over), 1 LITTLE OWL, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 300 LINNET (M.Farm), 2 COMMON SNIPE, 18 SHOVELER, 50 TEAL, 15 GADWALL (The Moors) Gordon Hay
a.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP, 2 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 9 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes, over), 1 LITTLE OWL, 100+ LINNET (M.Farm), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 1 COMMON SNIPE, 12+ SHOVELER, 30+ TEAL (The Moors), 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (M.Lake), 6+ COMMON GULL, 27+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes) Ian Kehl
SMEW (D. Washington)
COOT (D. Washington)
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Sat 18 Feb 2012: p.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (towards western end M.Lake with Tufted Ducks), 1 1st/w ICELAND GULL (Spynes). David Campbell
p.m. 1 1st/w ICELAND GULL (Spynes). Peter Brooker
15.15hrs-16.00hrs 1st/w ICELAND GULL (Spynes - confirmed by Johnny Allan as being 'New Whitey' - a bird regularly seen at Beddington.), 1 SHELDUCK (M.West). Neil Randon
p.m. 1 1st/w ICELAND GULL (Spynes, to 16.00hrs at least. Confir Neat dark tip to pink bill, slightly more black on lower mandible, dark-eyed with slight mask around eye, faint chocolate barring to undertail coverts. Different bird from the previous two birds this year), 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.Lake), 3 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 2 SMEW (1 M.Lake, 1 WC1), 1 SHELDUCK (M.West), 9 COMMON SNIPE (Spynes), 2 KESTREL, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 180+ LINNET, 120 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm). Gordon Hay
(The dark eye of this Iceland Gull suggests that it is an abraded and/or bleached first-winter bird and not a second-winter as originally thought. A second-winter should show a pale iris, although this bird could possibly be a second-winter that has retained first-winter eye colour!)
ICELAND GULL (N. Randon)
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Fri 17 Feb 2012: early p.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.West - boats on M.Lake have forced most birds off), 6 redhead SMEW (1 M.Lake, 5 M.West), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK, c140 TUFTED DUCK, 5 POCHARD, 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Spynes), 2 KESTREL, 440+ LINNET (M.Farm), 5 YELLOWHAMMER. Gordon Hay
08.00hrs-11.55hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.Lake), 4 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (pair M.West, then Spynes), 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 3 POCHARD (M.Lake), 12 GADWALL, 29 TEAL, 10 SHOVELER, 5 GREYLAG GOOSE (flew W), 2 CANADA GOOSE (Spynes), 9 COMMON SNIPE, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (1 M.West, 1 Spynes), 1 WATER RAIL (Moors), 1f KESTREL (Moors), 6 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 1 MEADOW PIPIT (WC), 8 FIELDFARE (Moors), 1 REDWING (Moors), c60 LINNET (M.Farm), c30 GOLDFINCH (inc. 1 leucistic bird, Moors), 1 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Graham James
SCAUP (G.James)
SMEW (G. James) --------------------------------------LITTLE EGRET (G. James)
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Thurs 16 Feb 2012: (Five Iceland Gulls, a Glaucous Gull, a Caspian Gull and a Mediterranean Gull at Beddington this morning.) Johnny Allan on Twitter
early pm. 1 1st/w m SCAUP, 7 redhead SMEW, 9 REDWING, 2 JAY, 1 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 1 TREECREEPER, 1 GOLDCREST (all M.Lake). Matt Farmer
early p.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP, 4 redhead SMEW (all M.Lake). Simon Elson
12.30hrs-13.30hrs; 16.40hrs-17.15hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP, 7 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 7 COMMON SNIPE, 1 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Neil Randon _____________________________________________________________
Weds 15 Feb 2012: (A 1st/w Glaucous Gull at Beddington today.) Sutton Birding on Twitter
p.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP, 4 redhead SMEW, 1 probable ICELAND GULL (all white with black tip to bill but couldn't rule out leucistic Herring Gull, only present briefly) (all M.Lake). Neil Randon
early p.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP, 1 redhead SMEW, 2m POCHARD, 1 SISKIN (over) (all M.Lake). Matt Farmer
07.15hrs-12.00hrs. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.Lake), 7 redhead SMEW (M.Lake - new record count), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 CURLEW (M.West), 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 3 GREYLAG GOOSE (over), 2 CANADA GOOSE (Spynes), 9 POCHARD, 63 TEAL, 37 GADWALL, 12 SHOVELER, 378 TUFTED DUCK (new record count), 3 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 15 COMMON SNIPE, 3 KESTREL, 1 COMMON BUZZARD (over Moors), 4 WATER RAIL, 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 2m PHEASANT (Spynes), 6 SKYLARK (M.Farm), c60 PIED WAGTAIL (M.Farm), 8 MEADOW PIPIT (M.Farm), 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 60+ FIELDFARE, 15+ REDWING, 1 REDPOLL sp. (over), c150 LINNET (M.Farm), 2 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Gordon Hay & Graham James
More photos - click here
SMEW (G. James)
SMEW (G. James)
SCAUP (G. James) -------------------------------------CURLEW (G. James)
LITTLE EGRET (G. James) ---------------------------------PHEASANT (G. James)
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Tues 14 Feb 2012: (Beddington SF: 5 Iceland Gulls inc. the Kumlien's.) Dip or Glory
early p.m. 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.Lake - further west along southern bank than yesterday), 4 redhead SMEW (2 M.Lake, 1 M.West, 1 Glebe Lake), 2f GOLDENEYE (1 M.West, 1 GLEBE LAKE), 17 POCHARD, 56 GADWALL, 8 SHOVELER, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 5 COMMON SNIPE, 140+ LAPWING, 2 WATER RAIL (1 flood plain by sewage works, 1 M.Lake), 3 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, c60 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, c30 COMMON GULL, c400 HERRING GULL, c200 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 2m PHEASANT (M.Farm), c40 MOORHEN, 2 SPARROWHAWK, 1 KESTREL, 1 COMMON BUZZARD, c220 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 1 KINGFISHER, 2 GREY WAGTAIL, c20 FIELDFARE, 14 REDWING, c300 LINNET (M.Farm), 3 BULLFINCH, 1 YELLOWHAMMER. Gordon Hay
09.05hrs-11.40hrs. 2 redhead SMEW (1 M.Lake, 1 M.West), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors) 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 23 MALLARD, 13 GADWALL, 26 SHOVELER, 39 TEAL, 123 TUFTED DUCK, 12 POCHARD, 4 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 22 LITTLE GREBE, 150 LAPWING, 14 COMMON SNIPE, 11 MUTE SWAN, 131 COOT, 32 MOORHEN, 2 CORMOANT, 1 GREY HERON, 615 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 18 COMMON GULL, 21 HERRING GULL, 11 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 9 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. (Also probable sighting of SCAUP (M.Lake) ). Simon Elson (WEBS count)
early p.m. 1 redhead SMEW, 1m POCHARD, 1f GADWALL (all M.Lake). Matt Farmer
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Mon 13 Feb 2012: (So far, the opinion seems to be that the Aythya 'hybrid' seen today is, in fact, a genuine Scaup. Hopefully better photos will confirm this.)
p.m. 296 TUFTED DUCK, 18 POCHARD, 45 LITTLE GREBE, 14 GADWALL, 8 SHOVELER, c20 TEAL. (No sign of Curlew or Yellow-legged Gull.) Gordon Hay
early p.m. 1 ad. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (WC2 - first for year & 91st species for year), 3 MEADOW PIPIT, 2 LINNET, 3 TEAL (over). Matt Farmer
a.m. 4 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 CURLEW (M.West), 1 1st/w m SCAUP (M.Lake, near main entrance by fishermen's jetty - found by Gordon. Maybe same bird as before but in advanced plumage - 93rd species for year), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 2 WATER RAIL (1 Fordbridge on M.CP side, 1 flew across M.Lake), 12 GREAT CRESTED GREBE (M.Lake), 11 GADWALL, 17 POCHARD, 3 SHOVELER, c10 TEAL (M.West), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (flew from M.West), 2 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), 2 GREYLAG GOOSE (Spynes), 50+ FIELDFARE, 50+ REDWING, 6 SISKIN, 5 BULLFINCH. Graham James (joined by Gordon Hay for 30 mins)
SMEW (G. James) -----------------------------------------CURLEW (G. James)
WATER RAIL (G, James) ------------------------------GOLDENEYE (G. James)
SCAUP or hybrid (G. James)
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Sun 12 Feb 2012: (12.20hrs. 1 ad. Mediterranean Gull flew N over Sth Merstham from direction of M.Lake - a different bird to that on 10th Feb with just a dark wedge behind eye.) Graham James
15.45hrs-16.20hrs. 15 LAPWING, 11 MAGPIE, 10+ TUFTED DUCK, 3 GADWALL (all M.West), 2 SHELDUCK, 2 CORMORANT, 1 LITTLE GREBE (all Spynes). Tom Cahalane
07.45hrs-11.10hrs. 5 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (pair M.West, then Spynes), 20+ GADWALL, 6 SHOVELER, 8 POCHARD, 12+ TEAL (M.West), 44+ GREYLAG GOOSE (M.Farm), 88+ CANADA GOOSE (M.West), 5 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 20+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 12+ COMMON GULL, 58+ LAPWING, 4 COMMON SNIPE (Moors), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (M.Farm), 1f KESTREL (Chil.Farm), 1 KINGFISHER (Fordbridge), 7 MEADOW PIPIT, 10+ FIELDFARE, 30+ REDWING, 1 TREECREEPER (Moors), 10+ GREENFINCH, 2 SISKIN (inc m in full song), 2 BULLFINCH, 1f REED BUNTING (Spynes). Ian Kehl
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Sat 11 Feb 2012: 12.15hrs-12.50hrs. 2 redhead SMEW, 1m PINTAIL, 103 TUFTED DUCK, 1m POCHARD, 4 SHOVELER, 11 GADWALL, 28 MALLARD, 2 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 5 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 15 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 6 HERRING GULL, 23 COOT (all M.Lake), 5+ HOUSE SPARROW (by Aqua Sports centre), 14 REDWING, 25+ FIELDFARE (M.CP), 1 GREENFINCH, 1 JAY, 2 JACKDAW, 6 BLUE TIT, 3 GREAT TIT, 2 CHAFFINCH (all M.CP car park). Tom Cahalane
10.00hrs-12.30hrs. 1 ad. MEDITERRANEAN GULL (WC2), 4 MUTE SWAN, 10 CANADA GOOSE, 2 TUFTED DUCK, 3 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 1 MEADOW PIPIT (all WC1), 4 RING-NECKED PARAKEET, 1 DUNNOCK, 1 GREENFINCH (all M.CP), 3 LONG-TAILED TIT, 2 GOLDFINCH, 1 GREY HERON, 1 STARLING, 2 GREAT TIT, 2 GREENFINCH, 3 MEADOW PIPIT (all Spynes). Dave Warren
08.45hrs-10.15hrs. 1 MEDITERRANEAN GULL (WC1), 1 DUNLIN, 2 TEAL, 1 WATER RAIL (all Fordbridge), 5 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 8 LITTLE GREBE, 1f REED BUNTING (all WC1), 1 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (over), 1 GREEN WOODPECKER (over), 39+ CANADA GOOSE (inc 23+ Moors and 16 over WC), 3 MEADOW PIPIT, 2 REED BUNTING, 1f YELLOWHAMMER (WC ditch), 56 GOLDFINCH, 30 LAPWING, 8 SHOVELER, 16 MALLARD, 2 TEAL, 17 COOT, 12 MOORHEN (all Moors), 11 BLUE TIT, 5 GREAT TIT, 2 ROBIN, 3 BLACKBIRD, (all along path by conifer Cormongers Lane), 41 CARRION CROW (in trees adjacent to the Moors and the land fill), 1f SPARROWHAWK (hunting Fieldfares), 15 FIELDFARE, 8 REDWING. Tom Cahalane
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Fri 10 Feb 2012: (Epsom Downs: 8 Waxwings to the left of the Derby Arms car park. Fiona Johnson) message via Johnny Allan
12.30hrs-13.30hrs. 4 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 2 SHELDUCK (M.West), 2 WATER RAIL (Fordbridge, M.CP side), 1 KINGFISHER (Fordbridge). Neil Randon
07.15hrs-10.30hrs. 2 redhead SMEW (1 M.West, 1 M.Lake), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 CURLEW (M.West), 1 ad. MEDITERRANEAN GULL ((WC2, then WC1), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 1m WIGEON (M.West), 16 GADWALL, 4 SHOVELER, 3 TEAL, 9 POCHARD, 3 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), 2 KINGFISHER (1 Fordbridge, 1 M.Lake), 3 REDWING, 3 SISKIN (M.CP), c60 LINNET (WC), 2 BULLFINCH. Graham James
CURLEW (G. James) ------------------------------- MEDITERRANEAN GULL (G. James)
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Thurs 9 Feb 2012: 13.30hrs-14.30hrs. 3 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 2 LITTLE OWL (1 M.Farm,. I heard oaks S of Spynes), 4 SISKIN (M.CP), 2 BULLFINCH (M.CP). Neil Randon
LITTLE OWL (N.Randon)
11:30hrs-14:30hrs. 23 CANADA GOOSE, 2 GADWALL, 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 25 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 14 COMMON GULL, 70 HERRING GULL (all WC2), 10 LINNET, 5 REED BUNTING, 7 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 17+ COMMON GULL, 37+ HERRING GULL (all WC1), at least 4 redhead SMEW, 3 SHOVELER, 2 POCHARD, 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 KINGFISHER (all M.Lake), 13 REDWING, 2 FIELDFARE, 2 TREECREEPER, 2 STOCK DOVE (all M.CP). Richard Perry
a.m. 3 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 2f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 6 SHOVELER, 10 POCHARD, 23 GADWALL, 2 TEAL, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.Lake), 1 WATER RAIL (Fordbridge), 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 1 MEADOW PIPIT (WC1), 6 REDWING (M.CP), 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 6 SISKIN (M.CP), 38 LINNET (WC1), 1f BULLFINCH. Graham James
SMEW (G. James) --------------------------------------GREEN SANDPIPER (G, James)
WATER RAIL (G. James) ------------------------------SISKIN (G. James)
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Weds 8 Feb 2012: 13.30hrs-14.30hrs. 4 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1 ad. MEDITERRANEAN GULL (briefly M.Lake). Neil Randon
SMEW (N. Randon)
07.30hrs-10.00hrs. 2 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 2f GOLDENEYE (M.West) 1 DUNLIN (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 2 LITTLE EGRET (1 Fordbridge, 1 flew W over Spynes/M.West), 17 GADWALL, 7 SHOVELER, 7 POCHARD, 119 CANADA GOOSE (M.West), 9 MUTE SWAN, 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 4 SISKIN (M.CP), 3 BULLFINCH. Graham James
DUNLIN (G. James) ---------------------------------LITTLE EGRET (G. James)
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Tues 7 Feb 2012: mid-p.m. 3 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1m PINTAIL, 2 SHELDUCK, 2 MUTE SWAN, 2 CANADA GOOSE, 4 TUFTED DUCK, 10FIELDFARE, 1f BULLFINCH, 6 COOT, 2 GREAT TIT (all Spynes), 5+ GREYLAG GOOSE, 3m BULLFINCH (M.West). Dave Warren
late a.m./early p.m. 4 redhead SMEW (1 M.West, 3 M.Lake), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes). John Benham
early p.m. at least 6 redhead SMEW (6 M.Lake, 1 M.West - possibly one of the M.Lake birds), 6 POCHARD, 1 KINGFISHER, (all M.Lake), 1 SISKIN (M.CP), 1 CURLEW, 1f GOLDENEYE, 7 POCHARD (all M.West), 2 SHELDUCK, 2 POCHARD, 1 COMMON SNIPE (all Spynes), 4 MEADOW PIPIT, 13 SKYLARK, 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 2 LESSER REDPOLL (all M.Farm). Matt Farmer
a.m. 2 redhead SMEW (NE corner M.Lake), 1m PINTAIL (M.Lake), 2f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 CURLEW (M.West, probably same bird as on 4th & 5th, in exactly the same place as before), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 21 SHOVELER, 37 GADWALL, 8 POCHARD, 5 TEAL, 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M.Lake), 14 CANADA GOOSE (M.West), 1 KINGFISHER, 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 1 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 2 FIELDFARE (WC), 1 GOLDCREST, 3 SISKIN (M.CP), 5 BULLFINCH, 1 REED BUNTING. Graham James
SMEW (G. James) ---------------------------------- PINTAIL (G. James)
CURLEW (G. James) --------------------------------GOLDENEYE (G. James)
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Mon 6 Feb 2012: 07.20hrs-11.05hrs. 3 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1m PINTAIL (M.West), 12 SHOVELER, 40 GADWALL, 14 POCHARD, 2 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 48 GREYLAG GOOSE (flew NW), 10 CORMORANT, 1 LITTLE EGRET (Fordbridge), 1 COMMON SNIPE (Fordbridge), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (low over Spynes), 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), c80 RING-NECKED PARAKEET, 12 FIELDFARE, 1 GOLDCREST (M.CP), 3 REDWING, 6 SISKIN, 4 BULLFINCH, 10 GREENFINCH, 2 REED BUNTING. Graham James
Four gulls bearing rings at WC1 (details have been sent to Euring project - two results received and posted on Local Photos blog) - click here
SMEW (G. James) ----------------------------------- PINTAIL (G. James)
GADWALL (G. James) ------------------------------BULLFINCH (G. James)
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Sun 5 Feb 2012: p.m. 2 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (M.West), up to 5 COMMON SNIPE (various locations), 1 PEREGRINE (E over Moors), 1 WATER RAIL (Moors), 1f REED BUNTING (M.CP). Neil Hadden
13.55hrs-16.00hrs. 3 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 imm m PEREGRINE (M.Farm), 2 SHELDUCK (M.West), 43 CANADA GOOSE (M.West), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew W), 9 SHOVELER, 14 GADWALL, 10 TEAL, 6 POCHARD, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Middle Pit), 1 COMMON SNIPE (Fordbridge). Graham & Sue James
09.00hrs-12.30hrs. 4 DUNLIN (Spynes, flew W at 09.00hrs - 91st species for year), 1 CURLEW (M.West), 4 PINTAIL (3m & 1f M.West), 1 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 WIGEON (M.Lake), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (1 Spynes, 2 over Moors), 3 COMMON SNIPE (1 M.West, 2 Fordbridge), 1 WATER RAIL (Fordbridge), 1 GREY HERON (Moors), 1 SKYLARK (over), 2 SONG THRUSH, 1 TREECREEPER (M.CP), 3 BULLFINCH, 7 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Neil Randon
CURLEW (N. Randon) ------------------------------PINTAILS (N. Randon)
SMEW (N. Randon) -----------------------------------YELLOWHAMMER (N. Randon)
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Sat 4 Feb 2012: p.m. 1f SMEW (M.Lake 15.50hrs), 1 CURLEW (M.West), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (M.West), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Spynes), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M.West), 1 LONG-TAILED TIT (M.Lake). Tom Cahalane
13.35hrs-14.00hrs, 1 CURLEW, 1f GOLDENEYE, 1m PINTAIL, 2 SHELDUCK (all M.West). Graham James
early p.m. 1 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1 CURLEW (M.West), 1m PINTAIL (M.West). John Benham
1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 2 SHELDUCK (M.West), 1 SANDPIPER sp. (Moors), 1 FIELDFARE. Dave Warren
a.m. 6 redhead SMEW, 1 imm. PEREGRINE, 8 WIGEON, 12 SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL, 6 MALLARD, 15 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 140+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 12 HERRING GULL, 120+ BLACK-HEADED GULL (all M.Lake), 1 CURLEW, 3 TEAL, 3 FIELDFARE, 1 REDWING, 1 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 1 WATER RAIL (heard), 2 JACKDAW (WC1), 8 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 11 LITTLE GREBE, 6 TUFTED DUCK, 35+ COOT, 2 JAY. Tom Cahalane
CURLEW (T. Cahalane)
a.m. up to 6 redhead SMEW (M. Lake, 2 took off and flew W at 11.00hrs, 4 took off and flew E at 11.05hrs - new local record count), 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), c5 WIGEON, 1 WATER RAIL, 1 KINGFISHER (both Fordingbridge), 1 MEADOW PIPIT (WC1), 4 BULLFINCH (2m & 2f Cormongers Lane orchard). Neil Hadden
a.m. 3 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 1 CURLEW (M.West, present to 10.00hrs at least - first for year (90th species)), 1 LITTLE EGRET (on field Chil Farm then Moors), 1m PINTAIL (M.West), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (pair M.West), 16+ POCHARD, 30+ GADWALL, up to 17 SHOVELER, 25+ TEAL, 8 WIGEON, 5 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 35+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 20+ COMMON GULL, 2 COMMON SNIPE (Moors), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 8+ FIELDFARE, 20+ BLACKBIRD, 1 NUTHATCH, 2 BULLFINCH, 1 REED BUNTING. (The only open water is on Mercers Lake & Mercers West Pit.) Ian Kehl
CURLEW (G. James)
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Fri 3 Feb 2012: (Paul's videos of a male Sparrowhawk at Bletchingley on Jan 24 2012 - click here and here )
early p.m. 1 LITTLE EGRET, 1 WATER RAIL, 1 GREY HERON, 1 COMMON SNIPE, 9 TEAL, 1 MEADOW PIPIT (all Moors). Matt Farmer
07.50hrs-11.20hrs. 1 redhead SMEW (M.Lake), 3 PINTAIL (1m & 2f WC2, moved to M.West by 09.30hrs), 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 imm.f PEREGRINE (Moors), 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew E from WC2), 3 GREYLAG GOOSE (over), 29 SHOVELER, 40 TEAL, 8 POCHARD, 35 GADWALL, 7 COMMON SNIPE (Moors), 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 7 FIELDFARE, 1 REED BUNTING. Graham James
Brief visit early a.m. 1m PINTAIL (WC2), 2 LITTLE EGRET (Fordridge, Moors side), 70+ LAPWING, 12 GREYLAG GOOSE (over). Matt Farmer
PINTAIL (G. James)
PINTAIL (G. James) -------------------------------------SMEW (G. James)
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Thurs 2 Feb 2012: early p.m. 1 redhead SMEW (WC1, showed occasionally 12.00hrs-12.30hrs), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 16 HERRING GULL, 12 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 26 COMMON GULL, 1 GREEN WOODPECKER (all WC1), 29 TEAL, 2 REDWING, 2 FIELDFARE (all Moors). Richard Perry
12.00hrs-13.30hrs. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 PINTAIL (pair M.West), 1 DUNLIN (M.Lake, flew towards WC - first for year), 1 WIGEON. Neil Randon
DUNLIN (N. Randon)
early p.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 2 PINTAIL (pair M.West), 4 WIGEON (Middle Pit), 2 SHELDUCK, 1m POCHARD, 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (all Spynes), 2 TREECREEPER, 1m BULLFINCH, 2 JAY, 1 GOLDCREST (all M.CP), 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 5 STOCK DOVE (all M.Farm). Matt Farmer
a.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 ad. m PEREGRINE (over Spynes/M.West then flew S), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 2 PINTAIL (pair M.West - first for year), 1 CHIFFCHAFF (M.CP, by water's edge at conservation area - first for year) 6 WIGEON (4m & 2f M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 2 TEAL (M.West), 13 SHOVELER, 49 GADWALL, 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 2 COMMON SNIPE (M.West), c2500 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 14 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, c25 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, c15 COMMON GULL, c300 HERRING GULL, 1 KINGFISHER (M.Lake), 3 REDWING, 1m BULLFINCH. (No sign of Smew.) Graham James
PINTAIL (G. James)
PEREGRINE (G. James) -----------------------------CHIFFCHAFF (G. James)
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Weds 1 Feb 2012: 2 redhead SMEW. (SBC website - no further details.)
1 LITTLE EGRET, 1 JACK SNIPE, COMMON SNIPE, LAPWINGS and many TEAL (all Moors). Steve Bolton (SWT Ranger) (there is strictly no access to The Moors NR but it can be viewed from the perimeter cycle path)
a.m. 1f GOLDENEYE (M.West). (No sign of Smew at WC or Spynes/M.West). Simon Elson (SWT Warden)
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