23/05/2010

The COMMON WHITETHROAT was still singing at 'Merlin Pasture' at Banstead Downs also 5 COMMON SWIFTS over my garden and my parents reported a JAY in the the garden this afternoon.

22/05/2010

Banstead Downs 6.06pm-7.17pm GOLDCREST singing and showing well, COAL TIT heard (one of the birds from my garden), COMMON WHITETHROAT still 'Merlin Pasture' and another 2 birds throughout the site, 7+ COMMON SWIFTS, 2 COMMON CHIFFCHAFFS, 5 STARLINGS over, 3 HERRING GULLS over, several family groups of LONG-TAILED TITS, 1+ GREEN WOODPECKER, 3 WILLOW WARBLERS, BULLFINCH, lots of JACKDAWS +CARRION CROWS got up but couldn't locate a bird of prey (which this behaviour might indicate), SONG THRUSH, 2 BLACKCAPS.

In Belmont a HERRING GULL over St. John's Church and a BLACKCAP was singing in my garden.

16/05/2010

While waiting for the S1 at the north end of Banstead Downs this morning I noted the following:

JACKDAW 2-4 over Downs, calling
COMMON WHITETHROAT still north end of Downs
MISTLE THRUSH heard singing Belmont Park
several COMMON SWIFTS over my flat
GOLDCREST Downs Road near my Flat singing

07/05/2010

A GOLDFINCH over my Belmont garden today.

07/05/2010

On the way to school today I picked up a YELLOW WAGTAIL that flew roughly north/north east over Hulverstone Close. Also on the way to school a MISTLE THRUSH was at Belmont Park.

In my Belmont garden a BLACKCAP was singing and one of the resident COAL TITS was calling away as usual in the early morning.

On the way back from school, via Sutton, the male PEREGRINE was on the Reed Building.

02/05/2010

Singing BLACKCAP Cheam Park. At my Belmont garden 2 COLLARED DOVES, displaying male GREENFINCH, 2 COAL TITS, female COMMON BLACKBIRD, 2 immature HERRING GULLS over.

As would be expected for the site, the car park around the kiosk at Epsom Downs yielded a charming male PIED WAGTAIL which showed well, albeit briefly.

01/05/2010

At Banstead Downs in one set of bushes a GARDEN WARBLER was singing along with 2 of the site's 3 BLACKCAPS and 1 of the site's 2 LESSER WHITETHROATS that day. Also 2 COMMON WHITETHROATS, 3 WILLOW WARBLERS (2 singing), 2 singing male COMMON CHIFFCHAFFS, 9+ COMMON SWIFTS and a probable Sand Martin roughly west.

6 COMMON SWIFTS circling over my flat early afternoon. No further sign of these. They were certainly the local breeding birds but haven't settled into their routine yet. They spend much of the beginning of their stay hawking over the north end of Banstead Downs before staying closer to Belmont when they begin to nest (I'm not 100% sure where exactly that is).

21/04/2010

I was very surprised to look out of my window and get stunning views of a GARDEN WARBLER, my first of the year, which showed well feeding in sycamores in my garden, just outside the window for a few minutes before flying to the car park. Also a female COMMON BLACKBIRD with nesting material went to bush.

17/04/2010

BLACKCAP singing my Belmont garden. Singing MISTLE THRUSH Belmont Park.

15/04/2010

GREY HERON over Belmont. BLACKCAP singing my Belmont garden.

08/04/2010

Belmont my garden COAL TIT calling.

02/04/2010

singing COAL TIT my Belmont garden. 3 HOUSE SPARROWS (2 males) Belmont Pastures showing well.

27/03/2010

The first WILLOW WARBLER of the year was singing near 'The Mound' today also 3+ CHIFFCHAFFS in the area. 3+ BULLFINCHES, 1 GREEN WOODPECKER and 1 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER were also present along with 3 SONG THRUSHES and 1+ MISTLE THRUSH.

A male BLACKCAP was singing in my Belmont garden early this morning.

I would give you details of the sightings over the last few days but I foolishly left my wallet, notebook and coat at school over the weekend.

garden excitement 22/01/2010

At about 1.20 this afternoon mum alerted me to a huge number of birds in our Belmont garden, next to Banstead Downs. This included a party of LONG-TAILED and BLUE TITS. More significant, however, was a GOLDFINCH that was thinking about visiting the feeders before flying off, though I didn't see it. This species very rarely lands near the garden and if it does it never gets this far in! Also, REDWINGS very rarely come to the garden but several were feeding on the lawn for a brief period before flying off with the 60 or 70 that were lurking nearby (there was also a BLACKBIRD). Also 8 CHAFFINCHES were feeding at the bottom of the bird table and a couple more were up in the trees. Very odd! Loads of birds of species that wouldn't normally associate all staying for the same short period of time. I'm off to Manchester now! Back on Monday.