Surrey Birding (1 Viewer)

[RJSeargent]

Sean, it must have been you I saw as I drove around yesterday morning. Tried Farnham this morning in the snow storm as Tice's Meadow had nil visibility. No Waxwings a Dogflud Way or around the many fruit bearing trees at the Upper Car Park. Will try later.

Rich

 

[Clive Watson]

With the car out of action due to the snow, and the buses and trains likewise, I spent today wandering around checking out potential Waxwing spots and sure enough, I found a flock in Goldsworth Park around the southern end of the lake. Unfortunately, they weren't very vocal and only stayed a couple of minutes, hence I've only got the poor record shot below to show you. I make it 18 Waxwings and 3 Starlings in the photo. Still, these are the first Waxwings I've ever found in Surrey and the first anywhere since 1991 (which was in the more Waxwing-friendly town of Sheffield).

Other birds of Goldsworth Park today included a flock of 8 Redpoll (presumed Lesser) flying over (seem to be quite a few around at the moment), a few Redwing (seems to be a very poor winter for these so far) and even a Buzzard, being heavily mobbed by crows.

 

[Allan Hobbs]

Sean, it must have been you I saw as I drove around yesterday morning. Tried Farnham this morning in the snow storm as Tice's Meadow had nil visibility. No Waxwings a Dogflud Way or around the many fruit bearing trees at the Upper Car Park. Will try later.

Rich

Could have been me - I was around about 10 - 10.30
My dip list is longer than my life list!

Allan

 

[RJSeargent]

40 Waxwings in Lidl Car Park in Farnham again today.

Rich

 

[RJSeargent]

40 Waxwings in Lidl Car Park in Farnham again today.

Rich

50+ at 0900hrs today.

Merry Christmas.

Rich

 

[RJSeargent]

Any idea who reported the possible ad Caspian Gull at Tongham Lake on Boxing Day? This is tantalisingly close to Tice's Meadow.

Rich

 

[RJSeargent]

1 Great-Grey Shrike at Crooksbury Common at around 15:00. Also 2 Wood Lark and at least 5 Brambling.

Rich

 

[cooky]

Ash Ranges PM. Great Grey Shirke and Hen Harrier

 

[bbsbirder]

Any idea who reported the possible ad Caspian Gull at Tongham Lake on Boxing Day? This is tantalisingly close to Tice's Meadow.

Rich

It was Dave Smith. He was going to check photos he had taken but was 99% sure it was a Caspian.

Kevin

 

[bbsbirder]

1 Great-Grey Shrike at Crooksbury Common at around 15:00. Also 2 Wood Lark and at least 5 Brambling.

Rich

Great find with the Shrike. Was it on the heather section by the carpark?

Hope it hangs around to the 2nd when I'm next up.

Kevin

 

[RJSeargent]

Ash Ranges PM. Great Grey Shirke and Hen Harrier

Cooky,

what is the best place to see the Harrier?

Rich

 

[RJSeargent]

Great find with the Shrike. Was it on the heather section by the carpark?

Hope it hangs around to the 2nd when I'm next up.

Kevin

Kev,

it was opposite the Brambling Roost where I was standing. Flew north but appeared to be still on the common.

Rich

 

[cooky]

Cooky,

what is the best place to see the Harrier?

Rich

Rich

Not sure if best place but I saw it about 3pm from Crown Prince Hill (approx. SU 918 540) it flew west between Look Out Hill and Romping Downs.

Cooky

 

[RJSeargent]

2 x Grey Partridge at Loseley on Stakescorner Road. From the A3 go off through Compton and turn left into Stakescorner Road. After 100 yards or so there are two metal gates either side of the road. The birds were in the left field this morning and in the right yesterday. Given their rarity in Surrey they are perhaps worth viewing and will be a worthy addition to any 2011 Surrey list.

Rich

 

[RJSeargent]

Rich

Not sure if best place but I saw it about 3pm from Crown Prince Hill (approx. SU 918 540) it flew west between Look Out Hill and Romping Downs.

Cooky

Thanks, tried this morning to no avail but did see 1 x Dartford Warbler which is encouraging given the weather recently.

Rich

 

[NixAvianPix]

Interested to know the location of the Brambling roost on Ash Ranges, still trying to catch up with this species this winter. May try for the shrike and harrier tomorrow.

Nick

 

[RJSeargent]

Interested to know the location of the Brambling roost on Ash Ranges, still trying to catch up with this species this winter. May try for the shrike and harrier tomorrow.

Nick

Nick,

Brambling roost is at Crooksbury Common. Park in car park on the Elstead Rd. Walk up the gravel path for about 100m. The roost is on the right hand side (north) and best viewable from the high ground to the south. Birds generally go to roost from 1515hrs onwards. Great Grey Shrike seen there yesterday and Raven over this morning.

Rich

 

[RJSeargent]

2 x Grey Partridge at Loseley on Stakescorner Road. From the A3 go off through Compton and turn left into Stakescorner Road. After 100 yards or so there are two metal gates either side of the road. The birds were in the left field this morning and in the right yesterday. Given their rarity in Surrey they are perhaps worth viewing and will be a worthy addition to any 2011 Surrey list.

Rich

Both birds present this morning at 0730hrs.

Rich

 

[Jungle Cat]

Hi

I only know of one car park for Crooksbury and that is the Crooksbury Hill one. Is that the correct one for accessing Crooksbury Common cos last time I tried there it just seemed to lead to a wooded area with no open heathland. Was I in the wrong place? Any help would be much appreciated.

Clare

 

[NixAvianPix]

Thanks Rich for the info. I saw the bramblings at the roost at Crooksbury (allbeit diving straight in to the rhodies). Unfortunately couldn't relocate the shrike this afternoon although seen by others earlier. Some consolation, a pair of goldcrests gave really nice close views.

Nick