Waxwings galore

WAXWINGS have been very much the theme in the local area recently. There have been three or four big flocks around. Here is a video of the Belmont flock of 27.birds (around 60. at one point yesterday). 2.female SMEW were seen at Holmethorpe Sand Pits today at Mercers Lake. This species seems to be becoming a regular feature at this site.

Crane remains for 3rd day and biggest Waxwing flock of winter so far

The 1st winter COMMON CRANE is remarkably present for its third today on the lake at Beddington Farm this morning. The bird is viewable from various points along the public footpath running from Beddington Park to Mitcham Common (depending on its exact location). Park off the A237 London Road and walk up Mile Road.

At Holmethorpe Sand Pits a flock of 19.WAXWINGS were reported this afternoon by the railway behind the Water Colour Lagoons at 4.10pm. The female GOLDENEYE remains on Mercers West Pit this morning.

MEGA twitchable local COMMON CRANE

At Beddington Farm today a juvenile COMMON CRANE flew in at 10.30am and stayed on the lake till early afternoon at least. The bird was well-twitched (being the first local twitchable bird and one of a very few if any twitchable genuine birds in London and Surrey) and was a stunner. The fifth local MEGA to be found in as many days. A Water Pipit was seen on the lake in the morning and a Little Egret was seen at the south side. Also on the lake while the Crane was showing was a 1st winter drake Wigeon, an Egyptian Goose and 2.Shelduck while 2+Reed Buntings flitted around the edge.

Hat trick achieved

For the third day in a row a new local MEGA has been found. Today it came in the form of a SNOW BUNTING feeding at Beddington with 2.Reed Buntings, 3.Yellowhammers (site rarity) and 80+Linnets. A nice supporting cast to go with it, too (see Twitter feed).

At Holmethorpe one of the redhead SMEW remained on Mercers Lake and the duck GOLDENEYE also remained on Mercers West Pit. This site also had a good supporting cast (see Twitter feed).

Also, 2.WAXWINGS flew west over Priest Hill, Ewell today.

Another day of good movement

Another local MEGA today was found in the snow: 4.PINK-FOOTED GEESE at Holmethorpe Sand Pits for 1.5 hours then flew SW. Unfortunately, the observer did not have his mobile with him at the time so could not release the news.

Beddington got a bit of excitement today with a GREY PLOVER, 2.CURLEWS and 3.Ruffs on the lake today with a good supporting cast (see Twitter feed).

Cold weather causes MEGA local movement

Local MEGAS have been plentiful today following the freak weather conditions for the time of year. Top of the bill goes to the flock of 14.BEAN GEESE that flew over Beddington Farm this morning. This is the first record for the Sutton area in a very long time. Also at Beddington today were two significant local birds: 3.GREY PLOVERS and 2.GOOSANDERS (drake and redhead). This was backed up by a supporting cast of moving birds which included 3.Dunlin, 60+Northern Lapwings, 100+Fieldfares and 50+Skylarks.

Holmethorpe Sand Pits notched up an impressive tally today with wildfowl again taking precedence. 3.redhead SMEW were seen today on Mercers Lake at the NE end. A female GOLDENEYE was at Mercers West Pit and a flock of 14.PINTAIL were seen to fly west while 3.GOLDEN PLOVERS flew SW.

Canons Farm was disappointing with the only noticeable movement being a single Northern Lapwing that flew east. Also there today was a Common Buzzard, a Little Owl and a Grey Heron.

Friday 26th November

A Firecrest was seen in the last twenty minutes of light this afternoon along the wooded footpath at the west side of Banstead Downs Golf Course between posts 657. and 678. . Park at the end of Burdon Lane, Belmont/Cheam; either at the golf course car park or on the road.

At Holmethorpe Sand Pits yesterday 2.Common Snipe were at Spynes Mere; 20+Yellowhammers were at Mercers Farm at the end of the cycle track; 25.Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at Water Colour Lagoon 1. and singles of Treecreeper and Goldcrest were recorded at the Mercers Country Park car park. Also at Holmethorpe yesterday were 2.Redwings and a single Fieldfare.

In my Belmont garden I recorded singles of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Robin and Blackbird this afternoon and Sparrowhawk, Chaffinch and Long-tailed Tit were reported there earlier in the day - still waiting for the flock of Waxwings to arrive in my very attractive-looking berry tree . . .

A Pied Wagtail was at the Shanklin estate off Hulverstone Close both early this morning and late in the day. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was present for its second day in Belmont Park, showing well there. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was present with the usual collection of Black-headed Gulls at Overton Park on the school there.

No news either way on the Common (Mealy) Redpolls at Headley Heath nor the Waxwings off Tattenham Way at Shawley Crescent (Epsom) today . . .

Firecrest still present today

One Firecrest still late this afternoon along the wooded footpath at the west side of Banstead Downs Golf Course today. Park at the Golf Club over nearby at the end of Burdon Lane and as you enter the course you will see a noticeboard immediately on your right; this is the start of the footpath. Firecrests can be seen anywhere along this footpath but usually near the middle. Today the bird was present near post 678 and was vocal and showing well.

Recent highlights

Common (Mealy) Redpoll (bottom right) with Lesser Redpolls

At Headley Heath, a huge flock of c.400.Lesser Redpolls was discovered on Sunday containing several COMMON (MEALY) REDPOLLS, today double figures of Mealies were present with the huge Redpoll flock. Also 1.Bullfinch there today.

DIRECTIONS:

Park at the car park near the village, opposite the cricket pitch and walk SW, you will pass a clear stony area and today the birds were flocking in the area that you will reach if you continue on, bearing left at the clear stony area.

Waxwings

Near Epsom Downs, off Tattenham Crescent, at Shawley Crescent a small flock of 5.WAXWINGS were discovered on Friday. On Saturday morning the flock swelled to 11. and all birds were still present this morning. Park at Shawley Crescent and there is an obvious green area on a slope. There is a rowan tree with a mistletoe in it and this is the tree that the birds favour. They can also get in the taller trees surrounding so make sure you check all these too.


At Banstead Downs recently the Firecrests have been seen to return for the winter at the golf course west of the A217. Park at Banstead Downs Golf Club and walk along the wooded footpath at the west side of the site bordering the gardens of The Drive. The birds are normally somewhere around half way but can be found pretty much anywhere along that path.


At Canons Farm recent highlights have included a male HEN HARRIER, a SHORT-EARED OWL and a CORN BUNTING but all have been quite brief.


Sites not covered here in detail unless a significant local rarity turns up there are as follows:
Beddington Farm - plenty of info on www.diporglory.co.uk
Canons Farm and Banstead Woods - plenty of info on canonsfarm.wikia.com
Holmethorpe Sand Pits - plenty of info on holmethorpe.blogspot.com