9th August 2009

Earlswood was more productive than usual today. Whilst cycling along Cleobury Lane on my way to the lakes during the early morning, I stopped at the farms and at Big Cleobury Farm saw 3 Yellowhammers, which had only a hint of yellow on their heads so I guess they were immatures. This was an Earlswood tick for me, and has become the only record of this species in the area in the last decade that I'm aware of - very saddening.

At the lakes, I noted up to 9 Common Terns from the causeway. However, at c. 8:20 am I heard an unfamiliar call and then amongst the terns saw what I eventually identified as a juvenile Black Tern - I reckon it arrived at that time. Another birder (who I've met at the lakes on previous occasions) arrived not long after I spotted the tern, and confirmed the identification. Also seen were a Kingfisher at Windmill Pool and a Mute Swan at Engine Pool; whilst a Chiffchaff was heard singing along Valley Road. The Black Tern was still present when I left at c. 11:30 am. Coming home along Wood Lane, I noticed that a field had been recently ploughed and another harvested, whilst a combine harvester was at work in a field near Earlswood railway station.

I returned to the lakes during the late afternoon, and saw that the juvenile Black Tern was still present (still was when I left at c. 7:30 pm). Came back along Wood Lane again, and saw that the ploughed field had attracted 12+ Mistle Thrushes. Now that some of Earlswood's fields are easier to check for birds, I'd love to hear from people who see other birds like Yellowhammers, Linnets, partridges, etc attracted to them.

M.P. Griffiths