10th April 2009

Cycled to Earlswood during the early morning, and had a number of good sightings but got rather wet because it rained (as forecast). At Windmill Pool, saw 2 Common Terns, 3 Greylag Geese and a female duck that could be a Garganey x Mallard hybrid. Also observed over and around the lakes were 5 Swallows, 5 Sand Martins, 2 House Martins, 8 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 5 vocal Jays, 2 Grey Wagtails and 2 Reed Buntings.

Then I visited nearby Dickens Heath, where I had a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and a Reed Bunting at the ponds, and a Green Woodpecker and another Chiffchaff at the nature reserve.

Returned to Earlswood during the late afternoon to get some decent pics of the possible hybrid duck and got this video:


The 2 Common Terns were still present and active:


M.P. Griffiths