Surrey Birding (1 Viewer)

[Johnny Allan]

Hi Rich and Rich,

many thanks for the info and hospitality today:

http://surreybirding.blogspot.com/

Can you give us a shout as soon as Willow Tit is seen again. I'll twitch it if necessary.

Kind regards

Johnny Allan

 

[RJSeargent]

Hi Rich and Rich,

many thanks for the info and hospitality today:

http://surreybirding.blogspot.com/

Can you give us a shout as soon as Willow Tit is seen again. I'll twitch it if necessary.

Kind regards

Johnny Allan

Johnny,

you'll be the first to know. I still can't believe the decline in the species. I used to see them regularly at Butterwood and when I twitched the Ring-necked Duck at Passfield most birders spent most of their time looking at the Willow Tits at the path entrance. As a kid I used to see them daily at Pennington Flash and indeed I usually go up to see them when visiting relatives. Not sure whether they are overlooked in some locations with some claiming Marsh Tit as the default setting. I think the call is key here, especially if the bird is at a feeder for seconds only, and this clinched it for me on Sunday - otherwise I might have claimed Marsh given the time I actually got to look at it through my bins. I spent most of Sunday evening, rather to the amusement of my wife, sat listening to various calls of both species on the internet, on CD and on the birdguides app and did not hear one which would have made the bird we saw a Marsh; the call was the contact call which was perhaps called louder as an alarm call given our proximity to the feeders.

Rich

 

[RJSeargent]

Forest Green today for a quick recce with a BTO ringer keen on finding an area to ring and study Marsh and Willow Tits. 5 Marsh Tits present during the trip and they were calling in the spring sunlight. Whilst we sat and chatted a Curlew, somewhere overhead, called and a Buzzard mewed somewhere to the West. Alarm calls at one part of the visit proved to be prudent as a Sparrowhawk flew low over the feeders. Overall the ringer was pleased with the location and has decided on locations for the nets. Let's hope he proves a positive.

Rich

 

[JohnnyH]

More birds seen heard whilst spectating, running the line at Seale this morning - singing Yellowhammer, Skylark, 2 displaying Kestrels, & singing Goldcrest. Might have start a Sat morning footie list lol :king:

John.

 

[kevinguest]

Holmethorpe CP 28/2

Curlew on Mercers West this morning.... Thanks Gordon for phone call.

Kojak

ps It sounds as though the Curlew are back at Thursley Common....

 

[gerrywestdean]

mealy redpolls

Today I finally found a flock of Redpolls that I could scrutinise; it contained at least 3 Mealy Redpolls. These were all obvious ones, but it is possible there were others there that went unnoticed. Also I only managed to check about 70% of the flock so there could be more Mealies. This flock of 300 birds was on Witley Common. Park in the Lea Coach Road car park. The birds were on the slope between there and the grazing area. Eventually the flock split up and most flew to the west side of the grazing area. They often fed in dense groups in very young birches, as they hold most of the food. Creep around and you should get good views, but they will all panic from time to time for no obvious reason. I was able to observe them for an hour, between 1300 and 1400.

 

[kevinguest]

Gerry

Thanks for the information. I will check the weather and will have a look for the flock

Regards

Kojak

 

[kevinguest]

Went to Witley Common with John Allan and found 60 - 80 Redpoll near the Lea Coach Rd carpark... Had one Mealy Redpoll there could have been more but the flock was mobile and then did a vanishing act on us... We had a walk round but could only find the odd bird.....

Gerry did you find the flock after we spoke to you?

Regards

Kojak

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

I had a good look around Witley Common this morning, but no sign of the Redpoll flock. I found just two Lessers in with a flock of Siskin and Goldfinch. They may have moved to neighbouring heaths (Mare Hill or Thursley?) but my car was sick, so couldn't check them out.

Did have 6 Crossbill fly over though.

 

[gerrywestdean]

Both yesterday and today I failed to find the 300-strong Redpoll flock and think they must have moved on. Today I did find 10 Redpolls - 2 were obvious Lessers, 4 were obvious Mealies, and I think the remaining 4 were probably also Mealies, but could not get enough on them. They were observed for 10 minutes. When they flew it was only for a short distance, but I could not refind them.

 

[Surrey_Ed]

Had a large redpoll flock (circa 50) at Busbridge & Tuesley Farm today which indeed contained (at least) one mealy. Very flighty indeed and hard to pin said bird down, however about half an hour of observation left me satisfied with the i.d. For more information http://busbridgeandtuesleysightings.blogspot.com/

 

[JohnnyH]

The Great Northern Diver & 1w Drake Scaup still present at Staines Res this morning on the South Basin. Went on to Thorpe in search of Smew but dipped.

John.

 

[JohnnyH]

Thursley Common was quiet this morning, only 2 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, & 4 Stonechats noted.

John.

 

[RJSeargent]

Quick foray up to Staines Reservoir for the Great Northern Diver which was stilll there and showing well. Wasn't aware of the Black-necked Grebe that had been reported earlier in the day so was pleased to see one on the south basin. Returned via Longside Lake and again picked up the 1st winter drake Smew in amongst the Goldeneye.

Rich

 

[Johnny Allan]

Hi there,

Franko told me that he had a very 'white looking' Redpoll which stands out from Mealys in Richmond Park for the second time today and he feels it may be an Arctic Redpoll. Apparently it has a large, clear white rump and he can't make out any streaking on the undertail covs. I'll be looking tomorrow, it's been in the Pen Ponds plantation where an obvious ditch runs into it. Go up from the Ham Gate walking up the road for disabled drivers.

Johnny

 

[RJSeargent]

Visit to Tilford this morning for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. One head on the Nature Reserve side of the bank but not seen. Two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were holding territory on the far bank and were chasing anything which could been seen as competition. Two Green Woodpeckers, three Nuthatch along with Treecreeper also in the wood. Received a text from Johnny Allan telling me of Common Scoter at Frensham Great Pond so managed to bag another Surrey Year bird with the stunning male present as I arrived. Thanks Johnny.

Rich

 

[JohnnyH]

No sign of yesterday's Common Scoter at Frensham this morning, but 8 Goosander were present on the Great Pond when I arrived.

John.

 

[JohnnyH]

One Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard calling at Tilford this morning & Buzzard over. At Thursley 2 Curlew were present around Shrike Hill & min of 4 Woodlark. Other species seen - Kestrel, min of 2 Buzzard, & Goldcrest.

John.

 

[kevinguest]

Holmethorpe CP 09/03

(?) Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

A 1st winter bird was found by Graham James in a field by Spynes Mere. Thanks Graham and Gordon for the phone calls.

No evidence of rings or wing clipping / damage. Another one to add to the pending acceptance list.

 

[kevinguest]

Busbridge & Tuesley Farm 11/03

c6 Brambling in a garden. Many thanks Ed for your assistance today.

Regards

Kojak