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.
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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.
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