21st July 2009

Cycled to Earlswood during the early afternoon, and left during the evening. Laugh you might, but in my opinion the most notable birds seen at the lakes were 2 Sand Martins over Windmill Pool (have only seen small numbers of this species here this year). Also seen at the lakes were 9 Common Terns, 25+ Swallows, 5 Grey Herons and 4 Pied Wagtails (inc. 2 juveniles). A Kingfisher was heard at Terry's Pool. I then spent some time searching the lanes of the eastern parts of the Earlswood area; the best birds there were 10 House Martins and 1 Stock Dove at Waring's Green, 24 Swifts over fields and 2 Common Pheasants.
M.P. Griffiths

P.S. A Pomarine Skua was seen at Bartley Reservoir today, before it flew off southeast at c. 12:50 pm and wasn't relocated at the Bittell Reservoirs. There was no sign of it at Earlswood, though I didn't reach the lakes until just after 3:15 pm.