05/11/2009- the Firecrests are back!

I was delighted today to discover 2 FIRECRESTS along the wooded footpath at the Golf Course at 16:25.

Also one crest sp. seen and heard briefly towards the beginning of the wooded footpath.

These are almost certainly the same birds that wintered last year and it was truly superb to see them return, especially following all the habitat destruction.

They were in their favoured area, near the wooden telephone pole number 678.

I am sure that they arrived some days earlier than this, I just haven't really had much of a chance to search for them recently.

TO VIEW THE FIRECRESTS

Park at the south end of Burdon Lane. Walk to the immediately obvious golf course. As you enter, you will almost immediately see a noticeboard on your right. This is the entrance to the wooded footpath. Walk slowly all the way down the footpath, the birds can be found ANYWHERE along here. As I say, the favoured area is approximately 300 metres along the path and roughly between the wooded telephone poles '1' and '678', in the trees and holy on your left as you walk south west along the path.

LAST WINTER

Last year, 2 birds were discovered 31/10/2009 and birds peaked at up to 6 26/01/2009. Around February 2009, the Firecrests more or less disappeared from the golf course but a pair was discovered in the South Wood at the core site of Banstead Downs and at least the male remained until mid-March, singing towards the end of his stay.

ALSO NOTED TODAY

1 COAL TIT
24 GREENFINCHES
c.10 LONG-TAILED TITS
9 WOODPIGEONS
1 CARRION CROW
1+ MAGPIE
1 WREN
2+ BLACKBIRDS

FLYOVERS

2 ROSE-RINGED PARAKEETS
2 JACKDAWS
2+ BLACK-HEADED/COMMON GULLS seen briefly over

A good number of BLACK-HEADED GULLS today at Overton Park with one or two COMMON GULLS thrown into the mix.

1+ GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER was present in and around the gardens just north west of the golf course.