• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Search results

thxpress_search_the_forum Search Opus
  1. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    On a related note to Ed's post above, I have recently started working at Winkworth Arboretum and have set up a blog to document bird and other wildlife sightings from the site: http://wildwinkworth.blogspot.co.uk/ Matt
  2. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Hope you've managed to catch up with them, Steve. 6 there today. Only 2 hunting while I was there between noon and 13:30, but I was more than happy with that! Matt.
  3. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Steve, I had one Short-eared Owl at Papercourt on Oct 6th, and there have been sporadic reports from there since Sept, but either people aren't reporting them or the birds are not frequenting the area this year in numbers comparable to last winter. Staines Moor may be a better bet, with 3...
  4. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Thanks guys, I found the car park and connected with the bird this afternoon, still singing and showing very well. Also seen: 5+ Redstart, 2 Red Kites, 2 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Hobby, 4 Sand Martin, amongst the usual suspects. Matt.
  5. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    John, is there a car park down that end of the common or is it a case of just parking at the Moat and walking down? Matt.
  6. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    An Osprey flew west low over the garden where I work in Jacobs Well at 15:45 this afternoon. Matt.
  7. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Fantastic to see two Ravens displaying over Crooksbury Common this morning, heading SW, then presumably the same two heading NE away from Thursley later on. Also at Crooksbury: at least 1 singing Dartford Warbler, two singing Woodlark, and perhaps 15-20 Crossbill. Also a very high Peregrine...
  8. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    At least 50 Reed Buntings today at Thursley Common, feeding on grass seed on icy puddles along the path directly east of Pudmore Pond. By far the highest number of this species I have personally seen together in the county. Matt.
  9. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Great Northern Diver showing well on the south basin again this morning. Only a brief glimpse of a Scaup before it was lost to the sun's glare. No sign of Scoter or BN Grebe. Nice to see a redhead Smew, 4+ Goldeneye and a Ruddy Duck though. Matt.
  10. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Hi Steve, Interested to read your post. I work as a gardener in Jacobs Well, between Woking and Guildford, and have recorded a marked increase in Red Kite sightings over the garden this year, peaking at three high-flying birds drifting south towards Guildford last Wednesday morning. Very...
  11. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Thanks chaps for the heads-up on the Nightjars at Crooksbury. Just back from a very productive (if rather drizzly!) hour there, where I enjoyed very close views of at least two or three of what must have been at least half a dozen birds churring in total, as you said Rich. Also saw one of maybe...
  12. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Cheers, John! I may head over there tonight then if the weather's looking okay. Matt.
  13. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Rich, What sort of time did you visit? I've only ever seen/heard Nightjar very close to/after dark, albeit very close. Would love to get a better view of one! Matt.
  14. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Rich, have you tried Whitmoor Common near Guildford for Stonechat? I saw a male and female there a few weeks back. Matt.
  15. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    John, Yes, that was indeed me! I got the text from Rich S and dashed over after lunch. Good to meet you, in retrospect as it were! Matt.
  16. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Just back from Cutt Mill. No luck seeing or hearing the Firecrest. Good to see Yellow-legged Gull on the House Pond though, and Goosander numbers increasing again it seems. Got nice views of Yellow-legged circling over the Tarn as I was leaving, before it flew back over the trees toward the...
  17. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Sounds a great day, John! Whereabouts is the house pond? I've just got back from Cutt Mill, was hoping to see the Goosander and Mandarin, but no luck. I wonder if I was looking in the wrong place? Matt.
  18. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Great pictures, Neil. Looks like they're in the same trees I saw some in (though nothing like the number there was today by the looks of it!) on Sunday. Let's hope they stick around over the weekend!
  19. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    If I see it again, I should say! Did wonder whether it could be the same bird though
  20. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    I didn't get a good enough look, unfortunately. I was stood just up the hill from the main pond, and it was circling up above the pines more towards the Common, but size and call were unmistakable. Will try and get a better look next time! Matt.
  21. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Cheers Rich. Realised after quoting your bit about the Shrike you were referring to the one on Crooksbury, not the Ranges!
  22. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    No flags today, and I managed to see the Shrike! First time around 11.30, saw it from the track out to the end of Crown Prince Hill (straight ahead at the crossroads up the hill, then fork to the right slightly as you start to go downhill) perched on top of a dead tree, out down in the dip to...
  23. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Thanks, John!
  24. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

    Where's the best place to park/enter the Ranges to see the Shrike? I haven't been up there for a while but recall there being parking space along the Mytchett Road past the Keogh Barracks? Then follow the track from there straight up to Crown Prince Hill?
  25. mattytheduke

    Surrey Birding

Back
Top