A early morning jump today, I was out on the Downs just after first light, convinced that I was bound to get at least one decent passerine migrant! Did I heck . . .
A nice little crop of uncommon patch birds but nothing notable away from the Downs; I had a LINNET fly over the west enclosure, 2 TREECREEPERS and 3 COAL TITS at the bikers' patch where there was at least 5 COMMON CHIFFCHAFFS (in total there was 10 or so today)and at least one WILLOW WARBLER. GREEN WOODPECKERS were in evidence, I noted 5 birds and all of those that I got a good view of turned out to be juveniles. Also today I heard a singing GARDEN WARBLER and 5+ BLACKCAPS. 1 STARLING view over. There were at least 2 female BULLFINCHES present today. At least 9 RING-NECKED PARAKEETS flew over. BLUE, GREAT and LONG-TAILED TITS were much in evidence this morning and part from the Treecreepers and Coal Tits they didn't carry much with them, though for the nutty patch that isn't too bad so I shouldn't complain. 3 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS were present today. A decent count of c.23 FERAL PIGEONS passed over this morning following yesterdays reasonable pigeon passage consisting of a mainly northward movement of about 60 WOODPIGEONS, 1 STOCK DOVE and 4 FERAL PIGEONS.
Other than the pigeons, yesterday yielded little of interest other than the undoubted highlight of the day in the form of at least 8 HOUSE MARTINS flying west, calling. 1 KESTREL was hunting over 'nomansland', the bare area north of the east and central enclosures. Yesterday was much the same Warbler-wise with at least 6 COMMON CHIFFCHAFFS and at least 1 WILLOW WARBLER.
JAY numbers are good at the moment.
How long will it be until I get a Pied Flycatcher, Redstart Whinchat or Wood Warbler or even just a Spotted Flycatcher or EVEN just a Wheatear!?!?!? I'm not sure how much more I can take.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Welcome
This blog details bird sightings from Banstead Downs and the local area (Belmont, Cheam, Epsom, Ewell, Carshalton, Banstead etc; but no Beddington Farm). Most sightings are my own but I will post any other interesting reports up.
See below for Firecrest viewing instructions.
See below for Firecrest viewing instructions.
Firecrest viewing instructions and news release
VIEWING INSTRUCTIONS
AS OF LATE FEB 2010
Park at the south end of Burdon Lane (which runs just parallel to, and just west of, Belmont Rise).
Enter Banstead Downs Golf Course, which is obvious from where you've parked.
As you enter, look to your right, you will almost immediately see a noticeboard. This is where the wooded footpath begins.
Walk c.220 metres along the wooded footpath to the current favoured area between telegraph poles 657 and 3 and search for the birds.
The birds CAN be seen anywhere along the wooded footpath (or, occasionally, elsewhere) though, so if you don't see them in this favoured area, check the rest of the footpath. Also note that the favoured area is subject to change but I will alert you to any changes)
If you encounter any problems or want further information please feel free to contact me at birdnut@surfbirder.com.
PLEASE BE AWARE
The birds have always been present only between October and March, however, no news, negative or postive, is released between March and August inclusive and it would be appreciated if everybody could co-operate with this for obvious reasons.
AS OF LATE FEB 2010
Park at the south end of Burdon Lane (which runs just parallel to, and just west of, Belmont Rise).
Enter Banstead Downs Golf Course, which is obvious from where you've parked.
As you enter, look to your right, you will almost immediately see a noticeboard. This is where the wooded footpath begins.
Walk c.220 metres along the wooded footpath to the current favoured area between telegraph poles 657 and 3 and search for the birds.
The birds CAN be seen anywhere along the wooded footpath (or, occasionally, elsewhere) though, so if you don't see them in this favoured area, check the rest of the footpath. Also note that the favoured area is subject to change but I will alert you to any changes)
If you encounter any problems or want further information please feel free to contact me at birdnut@surfbirder.com.
PLEASE BE AWARE
The birds have always been present only between October and March, however, no news, negative or postive, is released between March and August inclusive and it would be appreciated if everybody could co-operate with this for obvious reasons.
No comments:
Post a Comment