19/12/2009

the wooded footpath, post 657


A very photographic post for once! Finally got a chance to do some prolonged daytime birding at the Downs and I wasn't disappointed. I was hoping that waterfowl of some description would fly over today given the weather conditions, but I wasn't expecting much so it was a brilliant surprise to catch 6 LAPWINGS as they flew roughly west south west over, in the distance. I managed one or two really dire record shots of 5 of them. This was a nice Banstead Downs tick and puts me on 72 for the Downs and for the 69 year.
Lapwings
It seems that a few other people throughout London have been treated to over-head Lapwings today at sites like the Downs, where they are always exciting.


2 FIRECRESTS remained along the wooded footpath at the golf course and showed well in the snowy bushes there, allowing for some record shots of them in the snow. I am going to try to get a good photo of them soon. I've realised how bad my best one (from last year) is in comparison to my Firecrest shots from the New Forest. SEE THE LEFT OF THE BLOG FOR DIRECTIONS ETC.



Firecrest

Another pleasant surprise came in the same of 4 (almost certainly 4, anyway) BLACKCAPS at the eastern section of the golf course. 1 male was seen at the woodland edge then 3 (1 male, 1 female +1 unsexed) showed together a bit further in, though this gathering could have involved the first individual.

male Blackcap
Redwing
the bike track

2 FIELDFARES were in the scrub at the back of the central/east enclosures and 30-40 REDWINGS (very rough) were in the area as a whole.Fieldfare

Flyovers, other than the Lapwings, included 1 COMMON GULL and 1 PIED WAGTAIL.

1 MEADOW PIPIT was heard calling at the south end of the eastern enclosure and a pair of BULLFINCHES showed (for once) just south of the central enclosure.
Bullfinch

LONG-TAILED TITS, BLUE TITS and GREAT TITS were in evidence today.

Long-tailed Tit

2 JAYS were noted.
Jay

WOODPECKERS were represented by singles of both GREEN and GREAT SPOTTED.

MAGPIES, CARRION CROWS and WOODPIGEONS were, as usual, obvious.

BLACKBIRDS were in evidence with between 10 and 20 seen today.
Blackbird (1st winter male)

A probable Linnet was heard briefly.

A very enjoyable day in all.



IN OTHER NEWS


1 COAL TIT was calling at Burdon Lane.