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.