In other news- Canon's Farm

Yellowhammer


Been there both days of the weekend with Kevin McManus. Saturday was particulary good with mostly good weather and some good local birds.

CANON'S FARM/BANSTEAD WOOD 12/12/2009

Best birds were:

2 BRAMBLINGS- in north eastern most field at edge of Banstead Wood with CHAFFINCHES
1 COMMON BUZZARD feeding in the 'Big Field'
36 YELLOWHAMMERS
158+ FIELDFARES
50-100 REDWINGS
25 SKYLARKS
450 CHAFFINCHES
100+ LINNET
1 LESSER REDPOLL

Also

1+ ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET
10-20 GREENFINCH (very rough)
c.10 HOUSE SPARROWS
up to 10 GOLDFINCH
c.5 COMMON GULLS
c.30 BLACK-HEADED GULLS (very rough)
10+ HERRING GULLS
50+ STARLINGS (very rough)
c.30 JACKDAWS (very rough)
CARRION CROWS
WOODPIGEONS
MAGPIES

etc

In the more wooded areas the following were noted

2 COAL TIT (1 of which at Banstead Wood)
1+ TREECREEPER
c.5 NUTHATCHES (3 of which at Banstead Wood)
3+ GOLDCRESTS (1+ of which at Banstead Wood)
2 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS (1 of which at Banstead Wood)


On the bus, approaching Banstead a female/immature SPARROWHAWK flew in front of the bus and into an alleyway

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CANON'S FARM 13/12/2009

Not quite as good but still an enjoyable day, the Sunday was a bit wetter.

5+ YELLOWHAMMERS
1 COMMON BUZZARD still in the 'Big Field'
1 LITTLE OWL heard near/at edge of BANSTEAD WOOD.
c.250 CHAFFINCHES
c.100 FIELDFARES (very rough)
c.50 REDWINGS (very rough)
6 MISTLE THRUSHES
3 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS
c.20 LINNET (very rough)
1 GREY HERON in field near COMMON BUZZARD's favoured area
10-15 MEADOW PIPITS
1+ SKYLARK
2 GREEN WOODPECKERS
2 GOLDCRESTS
2 REDPOLLS (presumably LESSER)
2+ GOLDFINCH
2+ GREENFINCH
10-20 HOUSE SPARROWS
c.20 STOCK DOVES

also

1+ ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET
7 COLLARED DOVES together in the residential area at the beginning of Canon's Lane
up to 5 HERRING GULLS
up to 5 COMMON GULLS
c.30 BLACK-HEADED GULLS (very rough)
20-30 STARLINGS
1 ROBIN
1 WREN
2 DUNNOCKS
c.30 JACKDAWS (very rough)
CARRION CROWS
WOODPIGEONS
MAGPIES

etc

At Epsom Downs 1 KESTREL was sitting on a street light also PIED WAGTAIL in car park near the Lunch Box not seen by me, and a handful of BLACK-HEADED GULLS around there.