Iceland Gull at Beddington & Lesser Spotted Woodpecker site

Another immature ICELAND GULL has been returning to Beddington Farm in recent days. It was still present today where 2.Black-tailed Godwits flew over. Other evidence of wader passage included 2.Dunlin at Spynes Mere, Holmethorpe Sand Pits all day. Yesterday the first 2.Willow Warblers of the year were singing at Headley Heath.

A pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have been showing every day since last Friday at and just east of Aberdour School at Canons Farm. Early morning is the best time.

DIRECTIONS

Park at Canons Lane (NOT BEYOND CANONS FARMHOUSE) and go through gate just west of Canons Farmhouse, follow the path until you come to the big wheat field. Do not take the path across this field, instead turn left. You should now be able to see the school playing field. The birds have been seen at the edge of the wood at the west side of the field and also around the edge of the circular grassy field just east of the pitches.

Twitchable White-front and first summer migrants arrive

Graham James discovered a 1st-winter WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE at Holmethorpe Sands Pits this morning. It looks quite settled and favours the field just south of Spynes Mere but when disturbed or the fancy takes the flock as a whole it gets on Spynes Mere itself, too. It was associating with a mixed flock of Greylags and Canada Geese. Also at Holmethorpe, 3.Little Egrets were at The Moors SWT, a Green Sandpiper was seen at Mercers West Pit and Middle Pit and the pair of Shelduck were on both Spynes Mere and Mercers West Pit. A Mediterranean Gull was seen on Mercers Lake.

At Beddington Farm 2 very early migrants were found, a Little Ringed Plover and a Wheatear. An adult Mediterranean Gull was also present there.

At Canons Farm 3.Stonechats were frequenting the fence c.200.metres east of the derelict barn at the junction of Canons Lane/Reads Rest Lane.