May 2012


Please note: Neil Randon has taken over the running of this blog from Thursday 16th Feb. Please report your sightings to Neil at neil.randon@googlemail.com from now on.
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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Thurs May 31, 2012: p.m: 3 COMMON BUZZARD, 6 MUTE SWAN (4 cygnets with M.West pair), 1 LITTLE OWL, c8 HOUSE MARTINS (collecting mud at WC2). Gordon Hay
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07.00hrs-11.15hrs. 2 RAVEN (flew N from landfill site calling), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes), 2 SHELDUCK (Moors), 2 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 KESTREL, 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm sheep paddocks), c60 SWIFT (WC), c6 SAND MARTIN (Spynes), 1 HOUSE MARTIN (WC2), 2 REED WARBLER (1 Spynes reedbed, 1 WC1), 2 BLACKCAP (M.CP), 7 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 REED BUNTING (Moors), 1 YELLOWHAMMER (Spynes). Graham James
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Wed May 30, 2012: p.m: 2 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes), 9 LAPWING (M.West), 1 LITTLE EGRET (sub-adult, Spynes sandbar), 3 GADWALL (Spynes). Gordon Hay
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a.m. 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (WC2), 2 GADWALL (Spynes), 4 COMMON BUZZARD (over N.Downs), 3 REED WARBLER (2 WC1, 1 Spynes reedbed), 3 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 BULLFINCH (M.CP). (No sign of Common Scoter). Graham James
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Tues May 29, 2012: 17.00hrs-19.00hrs: 1 m COMMON SCOTER (WC1), 2 RAVEN (landfill - one was missing inner secondaries), 3 ROOK (N.Ridge), 17 GREYLAG GOOSE, 1 GARDEN WARBLER, 1 REED WARBLER, 1 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Neil Randon
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p.m: 1 m COMMON SCOTER (WC1). Gordon Hay
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a.m. 1 first-summer m COMMON SCOTER (WC1), 1m SHOVELER (WC2), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2 island), 12 HOUSE MARTIN (WC2), 4 juv. PIED WAGTAIL (WC2), 1 REED WARBLER (Moors), 7 COMMON WHITETHROAT (Moors), 1m BLACKCAP (Moors), 1 CHIFFCHAFF (Moors), 1 ROOK (flew NNW over Moors). Graham James
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COMMON SCOTER (N.Randon)
COMMON SCOTER (N.Randon)
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Mon May 28, 2012: 12.30hrs-12.45hrs: 1 m COMMON SCOTER, 2 m POCHARD, c20 COMMON SWIFT, 1 REED BUNTING (WC1). Also 1 Grass Snake, 1 Emperor Dragonfly. Matt Farmer
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a.m: 1 m COMMON SCOTER (WC1). Neil Randon
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06.05hrs-09.40hrs. 1 1 first-summer m COMMON SCOTER (WC1), 1 RAVEN (flew NNE over Spynes, mobbed by Carrion Crow & Jackdaw), 1 COMMON TERN (flew W over M.Farm), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 1 GADWALL (pair Spynes, pair Moors), 2m POCHARD (WC1), 1m SHOVELER (Moors), 1 LAPWING (M.West), 2 LITTLE OWL (1 sheep paddocks M.Farm, 1 oaks S of Spynes), 9 HOUSE MARTIN (WC2), 4 REED WARBLER (3 Spynes, 1 WC1), 8 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 4 BLACKCAP, 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 4 REED BUNTING, 2m YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Graham James
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COMMON SCOTER (N.Randon)


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Sun May 27, 2012: a.m: 1 m COMMON SCOTER (WC1). Paul Sell, Keith Sell, Tom Cahalane, Neil Randon et al
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COMMON SCOTER (N.Randon)
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mid-a.m. 1 1 first-summer m COMMON SCOTER (WC1), 1 COMMON BUZZARD. Graham James
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05.30hrs-10.45hrs: 1 m COMMON SCOTER (WC1 - first seen by John Benham at 10.00hrs - 9th local record), c7 MUTE SWAN (incl 1 pair with Cygnet Spynes), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 2 m POCHARD (WC1), 3 GADWALL (1 m Spynes, 2 m Moors pools), c25 MALLARD (incl 2 broods of 6 young Moors pools), 1 m SHOVELER (still chasing f Tufted Duck WC), LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes Sandspit), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (WC1), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew from WC2), 3 LITTLE OWL (1 M.Farm, 2 oaks S of Spynes), c6 COMMON SWIFT, c2 SAND MARTIN2 PHEASANT (2 m M.Farm), c6 PIED WAGTAIL (incl 1 juv WC2), 1 SKYLARK (In Display Flight over M Farm), c3  COMMON BUZZARD, 1 imm f SPARROWHAWK (Willow Wood), c6 REED WARBLER (c2 Spynes reedbed, c2 north bank Spynes, 1 Redhill Brook Moors, 1 WC1), 1 m REED BUNTING (Moors). Ian Kehl
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Sat May 26, 2012: p.m. 2m POCHARD (WC1), 2 GADWALL (pair WC1), 1 REED WARBLER (pool at W end M.CP), 3 PIED WAGTAIL (1m & 2 juv. Moors), 1 GREY WAGTAIL (WC2), 2f MALLARD (1 with 4 young, 1 with 6 young, all at Moors), 1 MOORHEN (with 4 young Moors). Graham James
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2 COMMON TERN (landed briefly on WC island), c300 HERRING GULL, (Landfill & Spynes), 3 GADWALL, 4 POCHARD (pair Spynes & 2 males WC), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (Spynes). Gordon Hay
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Fri May 25, 2012: 09.45hrs-11.30hrs: 4 SHELDUCK (2 Spynes, 2 M.West), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 1 WHITE WAGTAIL (WC2 island), 1 SEDGE WARBLER, (Spynes - nr Mute Swan nest), 1 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Paul Sell
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06.05hrs-11.30hrs. 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2 island), 4 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1m SHOVELER (WC2), 1m GADWALL (Spynes), 2 COMMON BUZZARD (over N.Downs), 2 LITTLE OWL (1 sheep paddocks M.Farm, 1 oaks S of Spynes), 2 PHEASANT (pair M.Farm), 6 SWIFT, 1 SWALLOW, 2 SAND MARTIN, 1 GREY WAGTAIL (WC1), 1 MISTLE THRUSH (heard E end of Spynes), 4 REED WARBLER (2 Spynes, 2 WC1), 11 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 3 GARDEN WARBLER, 5 BLACKCAP, 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 ROOK, 2 REED BUNTING, 2 YELLOWHAMMER. Graham James
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a.m: 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 4 SHELDUCK, 1 LAPWING, 1 MUTE SWAN (cygnet), 1 GADWALL, 2 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 2 LITTLE OWL, 5 REED WARBLER, 3 GARDEN WARBLER, 1 MISTLE THRUSH. Gordon Hay
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CORMORANT (P.Sell)
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (P.Sell)
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Thurs May 24, 2012: 12.10hrs-13.10hrs: 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 2 GARDEN WARBLER, 2 REED WARBLER, 3 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Also 1 Small Copper, 1 Green-veined White and 5 Holly Blue butterflies. Matt Farmer
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06.10hrs-11.15hrs. 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes), 3 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (2 Spynes, 1 Moors), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm sheep paddocks), 1 GREY WAGTAIL (WC1), 2 REED WARBLER (1 WC1, 1 Spynes reedbed), 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 BLACKCAP, 4 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 MISTLE THRUSH, 3 BULLFINCH, 2 YELLOWHAMMER. Graham James
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Wed May 23, 2012: 06.40hrs-12.30hrs. 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes), 2 LAPWING (M.West), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (N.Ridge pool), 6 COMMON BUZZARD (inc. 5 together over Parkwood, N.Ridge), 1m PHEASANT (M.Farm), 2 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 3 SWALLOW, 3 SAND MARTIN, c12 SWIFT, 12 CHIFFCHAFF, 6 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT (1 Spynes, 1 along hedge N.Ridge), 1 BLACKCAP, 1 REED WARBLER (Spynes), 1 GOLDCREST (N.Ridge), 1 TREECREEPER (N.Ridge), 4 NUTHATCH (together N.Ridge), 3 juv. LONG-TAILED TIT (M.West), 2 ROOK (N.Ridge), 4 BULLFINCH, 2 YELLOWHAMMER (pair Spynes). Graham James
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Tues May 22, 2012: 06.35hrs-12.30hrs. 1 RAVEN (N.Ridge, mobbed by corvids, later flew S over N.Ridge), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 2 COMMON BUZZARD, 2 SPARROWHAWK, 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm sheep paddocks), 10 CHIFFCHAFF, 4 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 GARDEN WARBLER, 3 BLACKCAP, 2 REED WARBLER (Spynes reedbed), 1 NUTHATCH (heard Parkwood, N.Ridge), 4 ROOK (N.Ridge), 2 BULLFINCH (Spynes), 3 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Graham James
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p.m: 2 RAVEN, 5 KESTREL, 1 COMMON BUZZARD (Nutfield Ridge). Gordon Hay
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Mon May 21, 2012: 06.40hrs-11.30hrs. 1 COMMON TERN (flew W over Spynes/M.West), 1m SHOVELER (Moors), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M.Farm), 1 LITTLE OWL (oaks SW of Spynes), 2m PHEASANT (M.Farm), c80 SWIFT, c40 SAND MARTIN, 7 HOUSE MARTIN, 3 REED WARBLER, 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 8 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 BLACKCAP, 2 BULLFINCH, 2 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Graham James
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Sun May 20, 2012: 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2), 2 HOBBY, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 2 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 1 MISTLE THRUSH (M23 end of M.Farm). Gordon Hay
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Sat May 19, 2012: 05:40hrs - 10.15hrs: 1 m SHELDUCK (Spynes), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Pair Spynes), 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (raft M.Lake), c5 SAND MARTIN, c5 HOUSE MARTIN, c5 SWALLOW4 PHEASANT (1 m, and 1 m and 2 f, all M.Farm), 1 LITTLE OWL (hedgerow Chil Farm opposite main entrance M.Park), c50 COMMON SWIFT (incl pair mating on wing over Moors), c3 GARDEN WARBLER, c200 STARLING (majority on Moors and mainly juvs), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (Spynes sandspit), c5 REED WARBLER (c2 Spynes Reedbed, c1 north bank Spynes, 1 bush flooded pools by landfill Moors, 1 WC1), 1 m SHOVELER (with f TUFTED DUCK WC2). Ian Kehl
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Fri May 18th, 2012: 06.40hrs-10.40hrs. 2 RED KITE (over WC1 circling high and drifting W), 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 COMMON TERN (M.Lake), 3 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 2 GADWALL (pair Spynes), 11 STOCK DOVE (E end of M.Farm), 2 GARDEN WARBLER )1 Middle Pit, 1 E end of Spynes), 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT (E end of Spynes, chasing each other in hedge), 7 CHIFFCHAFF, 4 BLACKCAP, 15 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 4 REED WARBLER (3 Spynes, 1 WC1), 1m LINNET (Middle Pit), 4 GOLDFINCH, 3 BULLFINCH, 3 REED BUNTING, 2 YELLOWHAMMER. Graham James
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1 COMMON TERN (M.Lake), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes), 2 LAPWING. Gordon Hay
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Thurs May 17, 2012: a.m: 2 RAVEN (flew N over M.West at 07.40hrs – first spotted by Gordon Hay), 3 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 2 COMMON BUZZARD, 2 PHEASANT (pair flield S of Spynes), 1 LITTLE OWL (oaks S of Spynes), 1 KESTREL, 250+ SWIFT, 4 SWALLOW, 2 REED WARBLER (Spynes), 1m REED BUNTING (Spynes), 2 YELLOWHAMMER. Graham James
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1 GREENSHANK, 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes, then flew N at c 13.00hrs), 2 RAVEN (M.Farm. At least one different from May 12 pair), c300 COMMON SWIFT, 1 KINGFISHER. Gordon Hay
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12.30hrs-13.10hrs: 1 GREENSHANK, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 1 SHELDUCK, 1 REED WARBLER, 4 REED BUNTING (Spynes). Matt Farmer
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Wed May 16, 2012: p.m: 2 RAVEN (Together over M.Farm. Drifted E and spiralled up with 5 COMMON BUZZARD over M23 - neither looked like the recent birds at site. 1st bird - only missing one inner secondary on right wing. 2nd bird - full set of primaries and secondaries), 1 HOBBY (hawking over M.West), 1 m KESTREL, 3 GADWALL. Gordon Hay
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1m YELLOW WAGTAIL (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 2 GADWALL (pair Spynes), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 2 PHEASANT (pair N.Ridge), 3 SKYLARK (M.Farm), 2 SWALLOW, c30 SWIFT, 5 SAND MARTIN, 4 COMMON BUZZARD, 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 16 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 4 BLACKCAP, 3 GARDEN WARBLER, 2 REED WARBLER (Spynes), 5 BULLFINCH. Graham James 
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YELLOW WAGTAIL (G.James)
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Tues May 15, 2012: p.m: 1 RED KITE (c13.00hrs. Drifted S then N over rubbish tip), 1 PEREGRINE (over tip - made a playful stoop at a high flying CORMORANT), 4 COMMON BUZZARD, c400 COMMON SWIFT, c200 SAND MARTIN, 30 SWALLOW, c25 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL. Gordon Hay
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Mon May 14, 2012: p.m: 240 HERRING GULL, 24 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL, 1 LAPWING, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West). Gordon Hay
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06.40hrs-10.20hrs. 1 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (over), 1m GADWALL (Spynes), 2 COMMON SANDPIPER (Spynes), 1 LAPWING (M.Farm), 2m PHEASANT (M.Farm), 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm sheep paddocks), 1 KESTREL, 10 STOCK DOVE (M.Farm), 300+ SWIFT (WC), 3 HOUSE MARTIN (WC), 5 SAND MARTIN (WC), 3 REED WARBLER (Spynes), 15 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT (Spynes), 1 GARDEN WARBLER (Middle Pit), 8 BLACKCAP, 7 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 BULLFINCH (M.CP), 2 REED BUNTING (1 Spynes, 1 WC1), 1 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Graham James
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COMMON SWIFT (G.James)
HOUSE MARTIN (G.James)
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Sun May 13, 2012: 05:40hrs-10.35hrs: 1 m SCAUP (M.Lake, then WC2), c12 BLACKCAP (incl c2 f), 2 SHELDUCK (1 m M.West, 1 over Spynes), c2 GADWALL (1 m over M.Lake, then prob same bird later over WC, 1 Spynes), 1 m SHOVELER (WC2), 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (1 over WC, 1 Nutfield Marsh), c6 SAND MARTIN, c1 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 m PHEASANT, c4 SWALLOW, c20 COMMON WHITETHROAT, c5 BUZZARD (incl 4 together over Gatton Park), 5 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M.Farm), c7 BULLFINCH (incl 1 pair near Aquasports, 2 pairs together W of Spynes), 3 WHEATEAR (1 m and 2 f M.Farm, nearest field to M23), 2 LITTLE OWL (1 M.Farm, 1 oaks S of Spynes), c20 SWIFT, c4 GARDEN WARBLER, c50STARLING (incl c20 juvs), c6 ROBIN (incl 1 juv), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes sandspit), c1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 TREECREEPER, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (E of Mid-Pit nr cycle path), 1 HOBBY (WC), 1 'COMMIC' TERN (over WC - almost certainly Common). Ian Kehl and Gordon Hay
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p.m: 1 m SCAUP (last seen before finally departing), 3 WHEATEAR (M23 field), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West), 2 LAPWING. Gordon Hay
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Sat May 12, 2012: 1 m SCAUP, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (M.West), 2 LAPWING. Gordon Hay
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Fri May 11, 2012: 06.35-11.45hrs. 1 RED KITE (flew S over Chil.Lane and N.Ridge at 10.25hrs, mobbed by corvids – first for year- 124th species), 4 LITTLE EGRET (flew E together over M. Farm at 06.45hrs), 1m WHEATEAR (M23 end M.Farm), 1m SCAUP (M.Lake), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 1m GADWALL (Spynes), 1m SHOVELER (WC2), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 1f SPARROWHAWK, 2 KESTREL, 1 LITTLE OWL (M.Farm), 3 STOCK DOVE, 1m PHEASANT (M.Farm), c130 SWIFT, 1 SWALLOW, c10 HOUSE MARTIN, c8 SAND MARTIN, 1 REED WARBLER (north bank of Spynes), 8 BLACKCAP, 3 GARDEN WARBLER (1 Spynes, 2 Moors dell), 31 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 ROOK (N.Ridge), 1m BULLFINCH, 2 REED BUNTING, 1m YELLOWHAMMER. Graham James
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RED KITE (G.James)
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Thurs May 10, 2012: p.m: 1 m SCAUP, 2 m POCHARD, 1 HOBBY, c150 COMMON SWIFT, c80 SWALLOW, c50 HOUSE MARTIN, c150 SAND MARTIN. Gordon Hay
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Wed May 9, 2012: p.m: 1 COMMON TERN (M.Lake), 87 GREYLAG GOOSE (M.Farm), 7 CANADA GOOSE (brood possibly adopted from another pair), 8 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 3 GADWALL, 1 m SCAUP, 1 HOBBY, c125 COMMON SWIFT, c80 SWALLOW, c50 HOUSE MARTIN, c180 SAND MARTIN. Gordon Hay
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a.m: 1 m CUCKOO (calling in remnants of Willow Wood 07.30hrs). Gordon Hay
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a.m. 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 1m SHOVELER (M.Lake), 1 MALLARD (with 2 young WC1), 2 CANADA GOOSE (1 with 5 young Spynes, 1 with 2 young Spynes), 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Spynes), 1m PHEASANT (M.Farm), c6 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 BLACKCAP, c8 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (singing S side of Spynes), 4 REED WARBLER (2 Spynes reedbed, 1 N bank Spynes, 1 singing by Willow Wood), 2 SEDGE WARBLER (1 NW corner M.Lake, 1 by railway at Moors), 3 GARDEN WARBLER (2 Middle Pit, 1 SE corner of Spynes), 2 REED BUNTING, 1 YELLOWHAMMER. Graham James
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COMMON WHITETHROAT (G.James)
SEDGE WARBLER (G.James)
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Tues May 8, 2012: p.m: 1 m SCAUP, 1 m POCHARD, 1 WILLOW WARBLER. Gordon Hay
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12.25hrs–13.05hrs: 1 SEDGE WARBLER (in bushes by jct of Cormongers Lane/Nutfield Road. View from Cormongers Lane by red 'new road layout ahead' sign), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (same bushes as Sedge Warbler), 1 KINGFISHER, 8 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 5 BLACKCAP, 4 GREY HERON, 22 SWIFT, 3 SWALLOW, 9 SAND MARTIN. Matt Farmer
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09.25hrs-12.30hrs. 1f WHEATEAR (M23 end of M.Farm), 1 SEDGE WARBLER (bushes on railway embankment by flooded area of Moors), 2 REED WARBLER (1 Spynes reedbed, 1 in reeds N bank Spynes), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes sandspit), 4 SHELDUCK (1 pair Spynes, 1 pair M.West), 1m SHOVELER (M.Lake), 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL (M.West, then Spynes), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (flew N over M23 end of M.Farm), 1 KESTREL, 2m PHEASANT (M.Farm), 1 LITTLE OWL (oaks S of Spynes), 1f KINGFISHER (Moors), 2 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, c80 SWIFT, c150 SWALLOW (mainly WC1), c50 HOUSE MARTIN (mainly Moors), c30 SAND MARTIN, 28 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (singing S side of Spynes), 2 GARDEN WARBLER (1 by cycle path at Middle Pit, 1 SE corner Spynes), 12 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 REED BUNTING (2 Moors, 1 Spynes reedbed). Graham James
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LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (G.James)
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Mon May 7, 2012: 06:05hrs - 13.45hrs: 1 m WHINCHAT (Horse Paddocks M.Farm), 1 HOBBY (low over west entrance to M.Park), 1 RAVEN (N of patch – flew W), 1 m WHEATEAR (M.Farm, nearest field to M23), 1 m SCAUP (M.West), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), c30 MALLARD (incl. 3 broods, one of 6 and one of 4 at Moors pools, and another of 2 at WC1), 1 GADWALL (Spynes), 1 m SHOVELER (WC2), c110 TUFTED DUCK (incl. c84 M.Lake), c20 COOT (incl. 2 young Moors pools), c6 MOORHEN (incl. 1 in old Crows nest 20' up, M.Park!), c8 LITTLE GREBE (incl. 1 young Spynes reedbed), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (WC1), 4 BLACK-HEADED GULL (4 1st summer birds M.Lake), 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (M.Farm), c50 SAND MARTIN, c100 HOUSE MARTIN, c75 SWALLOW, c10 COMMON SWIFT, c2 KESTREL, c8 BUZZARD (Incl 3 together over Nutfield Ridge), 2 KESTREL, c20 GREYLAG GOOSE (incl. 6 goslings Spynes), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (M Farm), c15 CANADA GOOSE (incl. 2 broods of 1 and 5 goslings Spynes), c3 GREY HERON (incl. 1 adult & 1 juv Moors pools by landfill), 1 ROOK (tree by landfill), 4 PHEASANT (3 m and 1 f M.Farm), 2 LITTLE OWL (1 M Farm, 1 oaks south of Spynes), 1 GREY WAGTAIL (Over M.Farm), 2 BULLFINCH (pair E of Mid-Pit), 1 REED WARBLER, 5 BLACKCAP, c2 GARDEN WARBLER (1 M23 end Spynes, 1 S of Middle Pit), c10 CHIFFCHAFF, c20 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 m REED BUNTING (Spynes), 2 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Ian Kehl and Graham James
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a.m: 1 RAVEN flew W from Chaldon to Reigate Hill, 1 m SCAUP, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 m PEREGRINE, 7 COMMON BUZZARD, 2 LITTLE OWLS, 1m WHEATEAR (in field adjacent to M23), 500 SWALLOW, 400 HOUSE MARTIN, 300 SAND MARTIN, 3 REED WARBLER,30 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 20 BLACKCAP, 3 GARDEN WARBLER. Gordon Hay
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WHINCHAT (G.James)


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Sun May 6, 2012: 14.00hrs-14.30hrs: 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 20 TUFTED DUCK, c60 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 SWALLOW, 2 PIED WAGTAIL (all WC). Karen Johnson
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a.m: 2 COMMON SANDPIPER, 3 SHELLDUCK, 4 GADWALL , 1 m SCAUP, c84 TUFTED DUCK, 2 LITTLE OWL (1 M.Farm & 1 along rubbish tip boundary), c40 COMMON SWIFT, 120 SWALLOW (many had roosted overnight at WC), c240 SAND MARTIN, c160 HOUSE MARTIN, 3 YELLOW WAGTAIL (2N & 1S), 4 REED WARBLER (2 Spynes & 2 WC1). Gordon Hay
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Sat May 5, 2012: WHINCHAT (Moors – found by Gordon – first for year), 4 COMMON BUZZARD, 1m KESTREL, 1m SHOVELER (WC2), c60 SWIFT. 6 SWALLOW, c50 HOUSE MARTIN, c20 SAND MARTIN. Graham James
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1 m WHINCHAT (Moors. First for year - 122nd species), 1 m YELLOW WAGTAIL (First for year - 123rd species), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes), 4 SHELLDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 1 m SCAUP (M.West), 2 KESTREL, 1 HOBBY, 3 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 SPARROWHAWK, c400 SWIFT, 180 SWALLOW, 120 SAND MARTIN, 50 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 12 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 GARDEN WARBLER (Middle Pit). Gordon Hay
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06:00hrs-09.50hrs: 1 f WHEATEAR (Prob Leucorhoa ssp. Briefly on fence post by flooded pools Moors near 'Dell' by Railway Line then flew to Landfill side of Moors), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 2 GADWALL (flooded pools Moors), 1 m SHOVELER (WC chasing f Tufted Duck!)1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes sandspit), 1 KINGFISHER (flying low along Redhill Brook, Moors), 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (M.Farm), c70 RING-NECKED PARAKEET (mainly tree nr Fordbridge and W of M.Lake), 1 PHEASANT (M Farm), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (Spynes), c50 SWALLOW, c30 HOUSE MARTIN, c20 SAND MARTIN (WC), c5 COMMON WHITETHROAT, c10 BLACKCAP, c3 LESSER WHITETHROAT (1 WC entrance, 1 S of Spynes, 1 M23 end Spynes), 1 REED WARBLER (Spynbes). Ian Kehl

WHINCHAT (G.James)
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Fri May 4, 2012: (15 Dotterel at Canons Farm from c13.45hrs until 21.15hrs when they flew off)
1 m SCAUP (M.West), SHELDUCK(4), 3 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 HOBBY,
1 GARDEN WARBLER (Middle Pit), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (Spynes). Gordon Hay
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Thurs May 3, 2012: late p.m: 1 m SCAUP, c30 COMMON SWIFT, c40 SWALLOW, c50 SAND MARTIN, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT. Gordon Hay
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p.m: 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 SHELDUCK, 1 GADWALL, 1 KESTREL, 1 PHEASANT, c50 Swallow, c20 Sand Martin, 19 Swift 13 Common Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting. Matt Farmer
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Wed May 2, 2012: a.m. 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1m SCAUP (M.Lake), 2 SHELDUCK (pair Spynes), 1m GADWALL (WC1), 1m SHOVELER (WC2), 2 BLACK-HEADED GULL (M.Lake), 1f SPARROWHAWK (Spynes), 1m PHEASANT (M.Farm), 2 KINGFISHER (pair Spynes, nesting excavating in sand cliff), c40 SWIFT, c10 SWALLOW, c30 SAND MARTIN, c80 HOUSE MARTIN, 2f WHEATEAR (N.Ridge), 1 REED WARBLER (Middle Pit), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (N.Ridge), 17 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 11 BLACKCAP, 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 TREECREEPER (with nest building in oak in NW corner of M.Farm), 1m REED BUNTING (Spynes overflow), 1m YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Graham James
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WHEATEAR (G.James)

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Tues May 1, 2012: a.m. 1 summer-plumaged DUNLIN (flew from WC2 and landed at WC1 but remained hidden, seen flying east 20 minutes later), 1 SEDGE WARBLER (Spynes reedbed – first for year), 1 REED WARBLER (Spynes), 1m SCAUP (M.Lake), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes sandspit), 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (flew to WC2), 3 BLACKCAP, 6 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 TREECREEPER (oak in NW corner M.Farm, may be nest prospecting), 2 YELLOWHAMMER (M.Farm). Graham James
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p.m: 1 SEDGE WARBLER (first for year - 121st species), 1 REED WARBLER (Spynes), 1 m SCAUP, 1 DUNLIN (1st summer circled WC, landed for 15 mins then flew E at c09.45hrs), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 2 TREECREEPER (pair nesting M.Farm), 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT. Gordon Hay