A walk around Belmont today revealed a singing GOLDCREST at The Gallop. I wandered up the path that leads to Oaks Park at the top of Fairlawn Road and the biggest surprise was stumbling upon a male PHEASANT which called and I later flushed as I walked further up, this is the closest Pheasant I've ever seen to home. Also, it was nice to see that HOUSE MARTINS and BARN SWALLOWS are breeding close to home with about 5 or 6 of the former and a single of the latter. A GREY HERON flying west towards Banstead Downs was also nice to see. Also present was a singing male COMMON WHITETHROAT, a SONG THRUSH and a BLACKCAP.
I was impressed by the habitat up here with the golf course, horse fields and hedgerows. Pheasant, Grey Heron, House Martin and Swallow during a twenty minute walk in the drizzle at 8pm just up the road from home isn't bad for Belmont and I will make more visits including one tomorrow morning.
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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.
My Banstead Downs year list 2010
Blog Archive
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2010
(110)
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June
(19)
- 19/06/2010
- 18/06/2010
- 12/06/2010
- Peregrine still present 11/06/2010
- Shrike has truly gone
- Shrike vanishes after clear night
- ***MEGA-ALERT*** local male RED-BACKED SHRIKE show...
- Local Nightjars! 02/06/2010
- 01/06/2010
- 26/05/2010
- 24/05/2010
- 23/05/2010
- 22/05/2010
- 18/05/2010
- 16/05/2010
- 15/05/2010
- 14/05/2010
- 13/05/2010
- 12/05/2010
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June
(19)
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