April 2013

Please note:  
Please report your sightings to Neil Randon at neil.randon@googlemail.com.
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a 
Tues 30 April, 2013: pm: assortment of warblers, 2 GREYLAG GOOSE (pair with 7 goslings, Spynes), 1 LESSER REDPOLL (over). Gordon Hay


Mon 29 April, 2013: pm: 2 REED WARBLER (first for year - 119th new species), 1 SEDGE WARBLER, 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, c15 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 3 GARDEN WARBLER, 10 BLACKCAP, 12 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WARBLER (all Spynes and Middle Pit), 2 MISTLE THRUSH (pair), c30 COMMON SWIFT, 80 SAND MARTIN, 50 HOUSE MARTIN. Gordon Hay 

Sun 28 April, 2013: 1830-1945hrs: 2 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2 island then flew off), 1 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (M.CP. First for year – 118th new species). Neil Hadden 

05.50hrs-09.30hrs: 1 CURLEW (On ground M.Farm 6.30 am, then flew off N calling. First for the year - 116th new species), 2 GARDEN WARBLER (1 to NW of Middle Pit, 1 by cycle path in SE corner of Middle Pit. First for the year - 117th new species), c3 LESSER WHITETHROAT (1 S of Spynes, 1 tree by M.West gate, 1 singing m WC), c20 COMMON SWIFT (incl c15 over WC), c6 HOUSE MARTIN (over Aqua Sports), 2 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (pair WC2 island), c6 CHIFFCHAFF, c10 BLACKCAP, c15 COMMON WHITETHROAT, c7 SWALLOW (incl 6 on wires M.Farm), c30 SAND MARTIN (majority 'prospecting' the sand bank at M.West), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (over landfill), 1 ROOK (over Moors), 2 LITTLE OWL (1 in oak Nutfield Marsh, 1 M.Farm), 1 STOCK DOVE (Nutfield Marsh), 1 m PHEASANT (M.Farm), c20 MALLARD (incl f with c9 small ducklings M.West), c3 SEDGE WARBLER (1 singing m to west end M.Lake, c2 singing m WC1). Ian Kehl and Gordon Hay
 
Sat April 27, 2013: 07.45hrs-8.15hrs: 1 m BLACK REDSTART (horse paddocks, M.Farm). Neil Randon
 
Fri April 26, 2013: 17.45hrs: 1 m BLACK REDSTART (on roof of Stable Cottage opposite horse paddocks, M.Farm). Jerry Blumire 

pm: 1 m BLACK REDSTART (by horse paddocks, M.Farm), 1 m WHEATEAR, c50 MARTIN. Gordon Hay

13:00hrs: 1 m BLACK REDSTART (by horse paddocks, M.Farm), 1 m WHEATEAR, YELLOWHAMMER, LINNET (all M.Farm). Matt Farmer

am: 2 COMMON TERN (M.Lake), 1 HOBBY (sheltering in the trees of M.Lake), LESSER WHITETHROAT Middle Pit), 1 SEDGE WARBLER (bedragled bird in the bullrushes pool of Spynes), c15 SWALLOW, c70 SAND MARTIN, 5 HOUSE MARTIN, 2 SHOVELER (pair on WC). Gordon Hay

Thurs April 25, 2013: 14.21hrs: 1 RED KITE (drifted over WC1 and then over Holmethorpe Ind.Est. gaining height). Matt Farmer

1 RINGED PLOVER (Spynes - first for the year - 114th new species), 2 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER  (1 Spynes, 1 flooded field WC1), 2 HOBBY (one mobbing COMMON BUZZARD. First for the year – 114th new species), 6 LAPWING, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (Middle Pit), 1 SEDGE WARBLER (by entrance to Mercer's Farm gate – first for the year – 115th new species). Gordon Hay

Wed April 24, 2013: 2 SPARROWHAWK, 2 COMMON SWIFT, 2 KINGFISHER (pair on WC1). Gordon Hay

Tues April 23, 2013: pm: 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (at corner of M.Farm at M.West end), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 2 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 11 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 6 BLACKCAP, 5 JAY, 2 KESTREL. Matt Farmer

Mon April 22, 2013: 2 LITTLE EGRET, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Spynes), 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT (around Spynes/Middle pit area), 5 SHOVELER. Gordon Hay 
 
Sun April 21, 2013: 6.25hrs-11.10hrs: 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT (singing m Middle Pit by cycle path – new for the year – 113th new species), 1 f GOLDENEYE (M.West), c5 WILLOW WARBLER (in trees around M.Lake), c6 CHIFFCHAFF, c15 BLACKCAP incl at least 2 f), c12 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 SWALLOW, c25 SAND MARTIN (incl c20 prospecting the sand bank at M.West), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 2 SHELDUCK (pair flew into Spynes from S), 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 2 TEAL (pair Moors Pools, by wooden bridge), c9 GADWALL (c5 M.West, pair WC1, pair Moors), 5 LITTLE OWL (pair in oak Nutfield Marsh, pair in single oak S of Spynes, 1 M.Farm), c10 JAY, 1 f SPARROWHAWK (over Chilmead Farm), 4 BLACK-HEADED GULL (over WC). Ian Kehl and Gordon Hay

Sat April 20th, 2013: 14.30hrs-16.30hrs: 6 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 KESTREL, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 ROOK (all Nutfield Ridge), 1 BRAMBLING (in Willows along path N side of M.Lake - first for the year- 112th new species). Jerry Blumire

BRAMBLING (Jerry Blumire)

1 LITTLE EGRET, 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 2 SHELDUCK, 3 GADWALL, 10 TEAL, 7 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 14 SAND MARTIN, 3 SWALLOW, 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL (flying W), 6 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 9 BLACKCAP, 5 WILLOW WARBLER, 3 CHIFFCHAFF. Steve Gale

1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Spynes), 4 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, c20 SAND MARTIN (M.West), 1 m BULLFINCH (W of M.West), 5 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 1 m BLACKCAP (S of M.West), 1 LITTLE OWL. Peter Emery

am: 2 SHELDUCK, 4 GADWALL, 1 f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 LAPWING (over), 2 JACK SNIPE, 6 COMMON SNIPE, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 2 BLACK-HEADED GULL (over), 1 LITTLE EGRET, c25 COMMON WHITETHROAT, 30 BLACKCAP, 15 WILLOW WARBLER, c35 CHIFFCHAFF, 1m WHEATEAR (on M25 field), 1 COMMON SWIFT, c40 SAND MARTIN (nest prospecting at M.West), 1 SISKIN (over). Gordon Hay

Fri April 19, 2013: 16.35hrs: 1 OSPREY (over M.Lake, then WC - first for the year - 111th new species) Graham James
 
Thurs April 18, 2013: 1 COMMON SWIFT (over Fordbridge), 1m WHEATEAR (on grassed area behind WC houses, possibly Greenland race). Jerry Blumire

08.00hrs-08.10hrs: 1 COMMON SWIFT, 7 SAND MARTIN, 1 HOUSE MARTIN (WC1), 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (trees by Fordbridge), 1 YELLOWHAMMER (over, calling). Matt Farmer
 
Wed April 17, 2013: 17.45hrs: 1 ARCTIC TERN (M.Lake). David Campbell

15.30hrs: 1 ARCTIC TERN (M.Lake). Matt Farmer

14.30hrs: 1 ARCTIC TERN (WC1 at 14.45hrs, then M.Lake - first for the year – 110th new species), 1 COMMON SWIFT, 5 COMMON WHITETHROAT, c10 SAND MARTIN (prospecting the sand cliff of M.West), 2  POCHARD (pair Spynes). Gordon Hay

Tues April 16,2013: am: 1 COMMON SWIFT (First for the year – earliest recorded date on patch - 109th new species. First found by Graham James over south Merstham then seen flying S over M.Lake), c45 SWALLOW, 5 HOUSE MARTIN, 50 SAND MARTIN, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (Spynes sandbar), 2 COMMON WHITETHROAT, good numbers BLACKCAP, WILLOW WARBLER, CHIFFCHAFF, 1 m WHEATEAR (on Nutfield Ridge). Gordon Hay

pm: 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (Moors, in field next to fordbridge). Stephen Slaughter
Mon April 15, 2013: no reported sightings
 
Sun April 14: 6.40hrs-11.05hrs: 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (Sheep paddocks, M.Farm. First for the year – 108th new species), c20 WILLOW WARBLER (mainly in trees around M.Lake), c18 CHIFFCHAFF, c12 BLACKCAP, c3 SWALLOW, c2 SAND MARTIN, 1 HOUSE MARTIN, c23 TEAL (2 Spynes, 4 M.West, c7 floodplain by sewage farm, c10 Moors), 1 WATER RAIL (Spynes reedbed), c5 SNIPE (c3 Spynes, c2 Moors), 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (pair Moors), 2 SHELDUCK (Pair flew low over M.Farm heading W), 7 SHOVELER (6 Middle Pit, 1 WC1), 1 REDWING (Nutfield Marsh), 2 FIELDFARE (Nutfield Marsh), 1 f KESTREL (1 Moors), c4 COMMON BUZZARD, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (1 M.West, 1 floodplain by sewage farm), 1 m BULLFINCH (M.Park), 2 TREECREEPER (pair Moors, by wooden bridge), 1 ROOK (1 flew in to landfill), 1 MEADOW PIPIT (over WC mound), 2 KINGFISHER (chasing each other over WC2). Also Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies - first for the year. Ian Kehl and Gordon Hay

Sat April 13: am: 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 2 LITTLE EGRET, 4 SNIPE, 6 SWALLOW, 1 HOUSE MARTIN, 18 SAND MARTIN, 1 FIELDFARE, 3 BLACKCAP, 4 WILLOW WARBLER, 7 CHIFFCHAFF. Steve Gale 

Fri April 12, 2013: 07.00hrs-10.00hrs: 2 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), c15 SAND MARTIN, 3 SWALLOW, 1 HOUSE MARTIN (WC1), 4 WILLOW WARBLER, 7 CHIFFCHAFF, 12 LESSER REDPOLL (S of M.West/N of M.Farm near footpath), 1 REED BUNTING (Moors). Neil Randon

LESSER REDPOLL (Neil Randon)
Thurs April 11, 2013: 17.30hrs-19.15hrs: 1 COMMON SANDPIPER (sleeping on Spynes small island), 3 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 4 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (on grass at back of WC1), 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 f REED BUNTING (M.Lake). Neil Randon 

LITTLE EGRET (Neil Randon)
1 COMMON SANDPIPER (Spynes. First for the year – 107th new species) 1 f GOLDENEYE (M.West), 1 YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (1 adult on grass at back of WC1), 1 SWALLOW, 4 SAND MARTIN, 3 SHELDUCK, 14 SHOVELER, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (M.West), 48 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, c15 CHIFFCHAFF, 15 FIELDFARE, 30 REDWING, 2 NUTHATCH, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 1 GOLDCREST, 2 STOCK DOVE (pair nesting, Nutfield Church). Gordon Hay

12.30hrs-13.30hrs: 2 HOUSE MARTIN (First for the year – 106th new species), 9 SWALLOW, 13 SAND MARTIN, 1m BLACKCAP (First for the year – 105th new species), 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 LITTLE EGRET, 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 GREY WAGTAIL, 1f BULLFINCH (all M.Lake), 1 SNIPE (over Moors). Matt Farmer

Wed April 10, 2013: late pm: 1 COMMON TERN (1 M.Lake. First for the year – 104th new species), 22 SAND MARTIN. Gordon Hay

3 SWALLOW (M.Lake. First for the year – 103rd new species), 7 SAND MARTIN, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 3 JACK SNIPE, 3 GREEN SANDPIPER, 11 SHOVELER, 30 TEAL, 3 SWALLOW (M.Lake), 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 15 CHIFFCHAFF, 12 LESSER REDPOLL (in grassy field on M.Farm). Gordon Hay
 
Tues April 9, 2013: am: 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL (flew E. First for the year – 101st new species), 1 WILLOW WARBLER (singing at WC entrance of M.Lake. First for the year – 102nd new species), 2 LITTLE EGRET, 1 SHELDUCK, 9 SHOVELER, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, c15 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 GREY WAGTAIL (flew east), 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 m SISKIN, c70 REDWING, 25 FIELDFARE, 3 YELLOWHAMMER, 4 LINNET (Nutfield Marsh). Gordon Hay

Mon April 8, 2013: 1 SAND MARTIN (over M.Lake. First for the year – 100th new species), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 24 SHOVELER, c20 TEAL, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 8 FIELDFARE, c20 REDWING. Gordon Hay

1 m Black Redstart on the tiles of houses on Southcote Road, Merstham 

Sun April 7, 2013: 1615hrs-1815hrs: 4 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 1m SHELDUCK (WC1), 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (2 Moors, 2 Spynes), 2m REED BUNTING (Spynes), 1m YELLOWHAMMER, 1 MEADOW PIPIT (M.Farm), 1 COMMON BUZZARD (Nutfield Marsh), c 20 FIELDFARE, c4 REDWING (Chilmead Farm), 1 KINGFISHER (Moors). Neil Hadden 

6.50hrs-11.00hrs: 1 f GOLDENEYE (M West), 1 PEREGRINE (1 prob adult f circling to NW of M.Lake with 2 Common Buzzards), 2 LITTLE EGRET (1 Moors, 1 M.Lake then brook to north of M.Farm), 1 m SHELDUCK (flew low over WC heading E), 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (pair Moors), 7 SHOVELER (Mid-Pit), c12 TEAL (6 Spynes, c6 Moors), 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (NW corner of M.Lake), c3 SNIPE (1 Spynes, 2 M.West), 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Spynes), c10 COMMON GULL (incl 7 M.West), c2 REDWING (Moors), c14 FIELDFARE (2 Nutfield Marsh, c12 Moors), c8 CHIFFCHAFF, c4 YELLOWHAMMER (3 Nutfield Marsh, 1 M.Farm), 1 PHEASANT (M.Park then M.Farm), 5 STOCK DOVE (Chilmead Farm), 1 KESTREL (1 Moors), c7 COMMON BUZZARD (incl 3 together on 2 occasions), 1 LITTLE OWL (single oak S of Spynes), c2 KINGFISHER (1 M.Lake, 1 M.West). Ian Kehl and Gordon Hay

6.00hrs-6.50hrs: 1 MANDARIN (m over WC1. First for the year – 99th new species), LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2 – on island), 1 LAPWING (M.Farm). Gordon Hay

Sat April 6, 2013: pm: 1 BLACK REDSTART (female, at the front of Canal Cottage, near the sailing club – M.Lake. First for the year - 98th species). Derek Lea 

pm: 1 LITTLE GULL (adult, M.Lake). Jerry and Thomas Blumire

Fri April 5, 2013:
14.00hrs-16.45hrs: 1 LITTLE GULL (adult, winter plumage, feeding on M.Lake), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2 island), 1 LITTLE EGRET (Moors), 1 SHELDUCK (Spynes), 2 COMMON BUZZARD (over M.Farm), 2 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (M.Lake), 1 BULLFINCH, c20 REDWING (Moors). Neil Randon



LITTLE GULL on Mercers Lake (N.Randon)
12.00hrs– 12.45hrs: 1 LITTLE GULL (adult, winter plumage, M.Lake), 1 YELLOW LEGGED GULL (adult, on grass with other gulls behind WC1), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2), 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 2 LESSER REDPOLL, 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 10 REDWING (all over). Matt Farmer

Thurs April 4, 2013: am: 1 LITTLE GULL (adult, winter plumage, M.Lake). Gordon Hay
 
Wed April 3, 2013: am: 1 LITTLE GULL (adult winter plumage, M.Lake), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2). Peter Emery
 
Tues April 2, 2013: 12.30hrs: 1 LITTLE GULL (adult winter plumage, M.Lake). Matt Farmer

1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2 island), 1 KINGFISHER, 1 CHIFFCHAFF. Jerry Blumire

am: 3 m WHEATEAR, 35 FIELDFARE, 2 REDWING (Nutfield Ridge), 1 SHELDUCK, 3 SNIPE (Spynes). Tom Cahalane

am: 6 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (6 feeding on the sandbar of Spynes Mere until 09.20hrs when flew off NE, only one bird in partial summer plumage. First for year – 97th new species), 1 LITTLE GULL (adult winter plumage, M.Lake) 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2 island), GREEN SANDPIPER (over The Moors), 14 LESSER REDPOLL (by the Car Park at Spynes), 5 SISKIN (over). Gordon Hay

Mon April 1, 2013: am: 1 LITTLE GULL (winter plumage adult, M.Lake), 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (WC2), 2 SPARROWHAWK, 5 FIELDFARE, 45 REDWING, 2 SISKIN, 3 LESSER REDPOLL. Gordon Hay