4th January 2009

I was at Earlswood Lakes between 9:30am and 11:00am this morning. The area was fairly quiet, possibly as it was so cold, but there were some good birds to be seen amongst the usual suspects.

A large flock of long-tailed tits was present in the trees around Terry's Pool, as were three great spotted woodpeckers, which may be the same birds that were reported recently. All three birds were very noisy and not as shy as usual, allowing me to get quite close to them. Further along, a small charm of goldfinches held a couple of siskin, but no lesser redpolls were seen.

Three greenfinches were noted where Terry's Pool meets Engine Pool. On Engine Pool itself, a small flock of Canada geese had settled on the ice, along with one grey heron, small numbers of black-headed gull and herring gull, and one lesser black-backed gull. A small area of unfrozen water held many mallard, a few coot, one lone great crested grebe and one tufted duck.

Windmill Pool was also relatively quiet, although a goldcrest and a female bullfinch were seen just past the sailing club. A second patch of unfrozen water on the opposite side held more mallard, Canada geese, tufted duck and gulls.

A kestrel was patrolling the area along Valley Road, regularly perching in the trees and on the top of a telegraph pole. A few pied wagtails were seen by the engine house.

There was no sign of any goosander or the mandarin today.

Possibly of interest to anyone birding the area surrounding Earlswood Lakes, four golden plover were seen with approximately 1,000 woodpigeon in the field opposite Earlswood station, OS reference SP094745. Also, about a dozen meadow pipit were seen near Ambleside nursery at OS reference SP109746.