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