A FIRECREST was present today along the wooded footpath at Banstead Downs Golf Course, between posts 3 and 1 but on the golf course side of the vegetation on the left hand side, as you walk south, if you know what I mean. Access via Burdon Lane, Belmont.
I met up with Lee (the maintenance manager at the golf course), Ralph Hobbs from Natural England and John Peacock from the Banstead Commons Conservators after school this afternoon to discuss the Firecrests and management of the site in consideration of them.
Today seemed to be near-perfect timing as the weather was much better than the previous few afternoons and the first singing bird of the year was performing for all to hear (though seeing it was a bit more of a problem! - it was a lot more elusive than usual).
In the end, everyone was pretty happy to agree to cut back some of the holly at the edge which was starting to protude into the golf course in early October or late September. If the birds do breed then this will be a time of minimal disturbance, and if they don't and they leave for the summer (more likely) then they will probably not be back by then.
Obviously, seeing as they have started to sing it seems appropriate to start to withhold news of their presence soon (and my policy is to stop releasing news in March, anyway) and it would be great if anyone who does visit could not release news past, say, next week.
Between Sutton Lane and the golf course 3 SONG THRUSHES were present as well as a GREEN WOODPECKER.
In Sutton a PEREGRINE was on the Reed Building this morning and it, or another, was seen later in the day on the glass building north of it.
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Firecrests
The FIRECRESTS have still been present recently, though I haven't seen them since the 09/02/2010. Here are the recent reports:
- 21/02/2010 2 still present
- 15/02/2010 1 still near post 657
- 12/02/2010 1 still near post 1
23/02/2010
Today I made a brief trip with a combined visit to the golf course and the core site between the railway and Sutton Lane.
3+ SONG THRUSHES were in/around the current sheep pen (2 singing) and good numbers of JACKDAWS were heard going to roost in the distance.
3+ SONG THRUSHES were in/around the current sheep pen (2 singing) and good numbers of JACKDAWS were heard going to roost in the distance.
22/02/2010
Sorry for the lack of posting recently, last week I was on half term and really should have spent some time on the Downs but I didn't visit once, instead I spent all of my time over at Canon's Farm and Banstead Woods!
Banstead Downs
2 BULLFINCHES were at the Merlin Pasture also 4 GOLDFINCHES there. Something made all of the passerines alarm call excitedly, I don't think I've ever heard birds alarm so intensely!
Banstead Downs
2 BULLFINCHES were at the Merlin Pasture also 4 GOLDFINCHES there. Something made all of the passerines alarm call excitedly, I don't think I've ever heard birds alarm so intensely!
Tuesday 9 February 2010
09/02/2010
2 FIRECRESTS showed well together along the wooded footpath, just before post '3' from just before 4pm to 4.20pm or so. Also 1 REDPOLL sp. flew over there. A GOLDCREST called from an isolated conifer at the bike track (this being a Banstead Downs year tick) and a BULLFINCH flew over, calling, at the main site between the railway and Sutton Lane. At least two ROSE-RINGED PARAKEETS were heard, but not seen, flying over the golf course as I arrived.
I met a very entertaining and pleasant man called Brendan whol finally connected with the birds after something like his 3rd or 4th attempt. He reported seeing a BLACKCAP near where the Firecrests were showing, a couple of weeks ago.
At Belmont Park this morning, on the way to school, I enjoyed excellent views of a female SPARROWHAWK as it sat at relatively close range on an isolated twig between bouts of trying to get at something that was hiding in a clump of holly. Possibly the best views I have had of a Sparrowhawk, my favourite raptor.
I met a very entertaining and pleasant man called Brendan whol finally connected with the birds after something like his 3rd or 4th attempt. He reported seeing a BLACKCAP near where the Firecrests were showing, a couple of weeks ago.
At Belmont Park this morning, on the way to school, I enjoyed excellent views of a female SPARROWHAWK as it sat at relatively close range on an isolated twig between bouts of trying to get at something that was hiding in a clump of holly. Possibly the best views I have had of a Sparrowhawk, my favourite raptor.
Monday 8 February 2010
08/02/2010
GOLDFINCH was a Banstead Downs year tick today. Very quiet today with very little of note, 1 GREENFINCH and 1 JAY being the only other slightly noteworthy species.
A large flock of c.30 GOLDFINCHES (many singing) were at Overton Park today as were 2 PIED WAGTAILS.
A large flock of c.30 GOLDFINCHES (many singing) were at Overton Park today as were 2 PIED WAGTAILS.
Sunday 7 February 2010
Peregrine still in Sutton
Yesterday one PEREGRINE was seen on the building just north of the Reed Building, in Sutton.
Thursday 4 February 2010
Sutton Peregrine still present yesterday
Yesterday (03/02/2010) I saw a PEREGRINE atop the Reed Building, just behind the train station, in Sutton. Good to see that they are still around.
04/02/2010
At the golf course a FIRECREST was present (heard only) along the wooded footpath near post 1. SPARROWHAWK (1w male) flew past, very close to me, at the railway bridge. 1 STOCK DOVE flew over and this was a Banstead Downs year tick for me (31). I am pretty sure that I saw a Green Woodpecker breifly in the current sheep enclosure (where there are currently 10 sheep grazing). 2 JAYS were noted and 3+ ROSE-RINGED PARAKEETS flew over.
A FIRECREST was reported yesterday along the wooded footpath at 2pm between post 657 and 678 and also the previous day near post 678.
A FIRECREST was reported yesterday along the wooded footpath at 2pm between post 657 and 678 and also the previous day near post 678.
02/02/2010
A MISTLE THRUSH flew over Shanklin, Belmont, today.
At the Downs a DUNNOCK was subsinging and 2 SONG THRUSHES were present along with 2 BULLFINCHES, 120+ JACKDAWS to roost. 6+ ROSE-RINGED PARAKEETS flew over and 2 JAYS and a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER were present.
Little of note on 03/02/2010 because of the poor weather.
At the Downs a DUNNOCK was subsinging and 2 SONG THRUSHES were present along with 2 BULLFINCHES, 120+ JACKDAWS to roost. 6+ ROSE-RINGED PARAKEETS flew over and 2 JAYS and a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER were present.
Little of note on 03/02/2010 because of the poor weather.
Monday 1 February 2010
01/02/2010
In the local area, the walk to school produced a couple of surprises, a BLACKCAP at Hulverstone Close, calling and seen with the naked eye, and a GREEN WOODPECKER heard calling at Overton Park by the school, just before I went in. On the 29th January, 17 GOLDFINCHES were in a tree there, many singing.
In the afternoon I did the usual winter after-school walk at the golf course. I heard a probable Firecrest briefly but couldn't locate it. A single JAY was present there and a ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET flew over. Somebody again reported a FIRECREST at 1.20pm 20 metres beyond the post labelled 657. Good to see that somebody else is regularly working Banstead Downs, I hope they will find me something good in spring.
I cut across the A217 to the main part of the site where 1+ SONG THRUSH was present as well as 1-2+ BULLFINCHES, 3 JAYS and a singing CHAFFINCH, quite early. One female was also noted (and one was along Burdon Lane). 2 adult COMMON GULLS flew over and a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER called. 40 JACKDAWS flew to roost.
In the afternoon I did the usual winter after-school walk at the golf course. I heard a probable Firecrest briefly but couldn't locate it. A single JAY was present there and a ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET flew over. Somebody again reported a FIRECREST at 1.20pm 20 metres beyond the post labelled 657. Good to see that somebody else is regularly working Banstead Downs, I hope they will find me something good in spring.
I cut across the A217 to the main part of the site where 1+ SONG THRUSH was present as well as 1-2+ BULLFINCHES, 3 JAYS and a singing CHAFFINCH, quite early. One female was also noted (and one was along Burdon Lane). 2 adult COMMON GULLS flew over and a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER called. 40 JACKDAWS flew to roost.
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