Monday, 16 August 2010
Friday, 13 August 2010
Summer 2010: the long awaited post!
At long last, an update! Sorry for the lack of posts over the last few months, I've been busy with volunteering work, courses and coursework, lots of birding, and for over a month now a part-time gardening job. I have far too many notes to go through and pick out highlights for the last few months, so much of the following is from memory!
The Mute Swan pair at Terry's Pool hatched cygnets, of which two remain and are a good size now but sticking to Engine Pool. A male Mandarin Duck was seen again on several occasions, moulting into eclipse plumage, but was either very elusive or able to fly elsewhere as he pleased; last seen July 10th. A Shoveler put in an appearance at Terry's Pool. Tufted Ducks have been seen most visits, but no ducklings unfortunately. Great Crested Grebes have done well this breeding season, with six broods seen so far. I've seen single Hobbies a few times, including over the lakes twice, and Craig Reed had one over a Norton Lane garden. As usual, not many waders have been seen, apart from Common Sandpipers which I saw regularly during the Spring passage but very few so far during this return passage period. Had a probable Curlew/Whimbrel fly silently over the lakes distantly. Common Terns have been ever present in good numbers (reaching the 30s on one occasion), and it's been a good year for Arctic Terns, with birds seen on three more occasions since the previous posts (20 on May 6th was the most I saw - amazing!). 1 or 2 Cuckoos held territory in the area, and it seems very likely that a pair of Little Owls have bred.
Sky Larks were noted at Fulford Heath, and a Yellow Wagtail was seen around Windmill Pool one day. Following the Wheatear sightings along Springbrook Lane, I had 2 Whinchats along there on different occasions. The year has been really good for warblers, and I've now seen every species on the Earlswood list at Earlswood this year! Hot on the heels of the Grasshopper Warbler was a Wood Warbler I saw singing in Big Clowes Wood on May 4th, a county rarity and the first confirmed record for Earlswood since 2001 so a real highlight; only saw it because I tagged along with a birder doing a breeding bird survey in the woods on the other side of the railway! Earlier that same day I had a Sedge Warbler in scrubland near Earlswood Railway Station, which was a patch tick too! There was no sign of the Wood Warbler on subsequent visits. Thanks to recent habitat changes at the lakes, Reed Warblers have been present in record numbers but elusive; fortunately I managed to note 5 (4 singing) one day. Although really pleased with this year's warblers, I wouldn't mind seeing a Yellow-browed Warbler! Another highlight was finding a pair of Spotted Flycatchers breeding. I was quite concerned at the absence of Marsh Tit in the woods this summer, but am pleased to report that 2 were heard/seen in Big Clowes Wood on July 30th; if only Willow Tit would return. 2 Ravens were seen north of the lakes on July 15th, whilst a recently harvested field at Fulford Heath attracted 16+ Rooks (most I've seen in area, I think) on July 24th. I've been hearing a Yellowhammer singing at Fulford Heath on many occasions this summer.
Most recent highlight was an Oystercatcher flying over the lakes calling on July 26th, which is the 100th bird species I've seen at Earlswood this year, and puts me on 112 for the patch life list.
Yesterday:
12/08/2010 = Noted 28+ Common Terns, 50+ Swallows, 18 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Reed Bunting (feeding fledgling), 1 Reed Warbler (apparently feeding young in dense bushes) and 1 Common Whitethroat during two visits to the lakes.
Weather-wise, this weekend is looking good for birding...
M.P. Griffiths
P.S. Thanks to those birders who've passed their sightings on to me in the last few months; as always these will be very useful for the Earlswood bird book I'm still planning to produce.
The Mute Swan pair at Terry's Pool hatched cygnets, of which two remain and are a good size now but sticking to Engine Pool. A male Mandarin Duck was seen again on several occasions, moulting into eclipse plumage, but was either very elusive or able to fly elsewhere as he pleased; last seen July 10th. A Shoveler put in an appearance at Terry's Pool. Tufted Ducks have been seen most visits, but no ducklings unfortunately. Great Crested Grebes have done well this breeding season, with six broods seen so far. I've seen single Hobbies a few times, including over the lakes twice, and Craig Reed had one over a Norton Lane garden. As usual, not many waders have been seen, apart from Common Sandpipers which I saw regularly during the Spring passage but very few so far during this return passage period. Had a probable Curlew/Whimbrel fly silently over the lakes distantly. Common Terns have been ever present in good numbers (reaching the 30s on one occasion), and it's been a good year for Arctic Terns, with birds seen on three more occasions since the previous posts (20 on May 6th was the most I saw - amazing!). 1 or 2 Cuckoos held territory in the area, and it seems very likely that a pair of Little Owls have bred.
Sky Larks were noted at Fulford Heath, and a Yellow Wagtail was seen around Windmill Pool one day. Following the Wheatear sightings along Springbrook Lane, I had 2 Whinchats along there on different occasions. The year has been really good for warblers, and I've now seen every species on the Earlswood list at Earlswood this year! Hot on the heels of the Grasshopper Warbler was a Wood Warbler I saw singing in Big Clowes Wood on May 4th, a county rarity and the first confirmed record for Earlswood since 2001 so a real highlight; only saw it because I tagged along with a birder doing a breeding bird survey in the woods on the other side of the railway! Earlier that same day I had a Sedge Warbler in scrubland near Earlswood Railway Station, which was a patch tick too! There was no sign of the Wood Warbler on subsequent visits. Thanks to recent habitat changes at the lakes, Reed Warblers have been present in record numbers but elusive; fortunately I managed to note 5 (4 singing) one day. Although really pleased with this year's warblers, I wouldn't mind seeing a Yellow-browed Warbler! Another highlight was finding a pair of Spotted Flycatchers breeding. I was quite concerned at the absence of Marsh Tit in the woods this summer, but am pleased to report that 2 were heard/seen in Big Clowes Wood on July 30th; if only Willow Tit would return. 2 Ravens were seen north of the lakes on July 15th, whilst a recently harvested field at Fulford Heath attracted 16+ Rooks (most I've seen in area, I think) on July 24th. I've been hearing a Yellowhammer singing at Fulford Heath on many occasions this summer.
Most recent highlight was an Oystercatcher flying over the lakes calling on July 26th, which is the 100th bird species I've seen at Earlswood this year, and puts me on 112 for the patch life list.
Yesterday:
12/08/2010 = Noted 28+ Common Terns, 50+ Swallows, 18 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Reed Bunting (feeding fledgling), 1 Reed Warbler (apparently feeding young in dense bushes) and 1 Common Whitethroat during two visits to the lakes.
Weather-wise, this weekend is looking good for birding...
M.P. Griffiths
P.S. Thanks to those birders who've passed their sightings on to me in the last few months; as always these will be very useful for the Earlswood bird book I'm still planning to produce.
Monday, 14 June 2010
Moth Trapping Night
There's a moth trapping night being held at Clowes Wood tomorrow night. Further details at:
www.wkwt.org.uk/home/news-and-events/cinderellas-not.aspx
www.wkwt.org.uk/home/news-and-events/cinderellas-not.aspx
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
International Biodiversity Day walks at Earlswood
Currently on another course but have a break at the moment and have been alerted to this event coming up very soon at Earlswood:
www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/events/4870/dawn-chorus-and-early-morning-wildlife-stroll
More info at:
www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/news/2723/wild-walks-for-international-biodiversity-day
Anyone who's interested had better quickly register their interest in tagging along, as it's this Saturday! Not sure if it starts at 3:00 or 3:30 am, but will post here if I find out.
Matt
Edit: Paul Wilkinson (walk leader) tells me he's aiming to get there for 3:00 am.
www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/events/4870/dawn-chorus-and-early-morning-wildlife-stroll
More info at:
www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/news/2723/wild-walks-for-international-biodiversity-day
Anyone who's interested had better quickly register their interest in tagging along, as it's this Saturday! Not sure if it starts at 3:00 or 3:30 am, but will post here if I find out.
Matt
Edit: Paul Wilkinson (walk leader) tells me he's aiming to get there for 3:00 am.
Sunday, 16 May 2010
Friday, 23 April 2010
23rd April 2010
2 Arctic Terns over Engine Pool, still present 7:00 pm. Also up to 11 Common Terns and 1 Common Sandpiper.
Grasshopper Warbler and Cuckoo at scrubland south of Windmill Pool yesterday.
M.P. Griffiths
Grasshopper Warbler and Cuckoo at scrubland south of Windmill Pool yesterday.
M.P. Griffiths
Sunday, 18 April 2010
8th-18th April 2010
As I'm so far behind with updating this blog, here's some main highlights:
08/04/2010 = Had my first Common Sandpiper and Willow Warblers (2) at the lakes this afternoon at Terry's Pool. Also saw 17 Fieldfares quite high over Clowes Wood. Steve Lloyd had a total of 4 Willow Warblers around the lakes in the morning. Later, Kevin Bates noted 4 Common Terns and a Sand Martin. Bob Roberts had a Kestrel along Wood Lane and a Reed Bunting at Gypsy Lane.
09/04/2010 = Saw 4 Buzzards soaring around Earlswood Common. During evening 2 Greylag Geese appeared at Terry's Pool and there were 14+ bats around Engine Pool.
10/04/2010 = Had a Rook, singing Skylark and a Lapwing along Norton Lane early morning. 3 Shovelers and a Kingfisher noted at the lakes.
11/04/2010 = 25 Tufted Ducks at Terry's Pool was probably the most I've seen at Earlswood. Kevin Bates had a few House Martins and 2 Swallows over the lakes in the evening.
14/04/2010 = Saw 2 Rooks and a Kestrel fly over the lakes. Probably the same Barnacle Goose x Greylag Goose hybrid that I saw earlier this year flew in and landed on Terry's Pool.
15/04/2010 = The Barnacle Goose x Greylag Goose hybrid was at Engine Pool, with a Grey Wagtail at Windmill Pool.
16/04/2010 = At the lakes, David Scott had 2 Willow Warblers at Terry's Pool, plus 4 Common Terns.
17/04/2010 = Had a Common Sandpiper over Engine Pool then gain height and leave, plus a Kingfisher at Windmill Pool. Passing through "Springbrook Scrubland" found my first Common Whitethroat of the year and 4 Reed Buntings, plus a Fox and a Muntjac Deer. At Springbrook Lane, spotted a distant bird on the railway embankment which I suspected was a Wheatear (reckon I saw the same bird next day). Moving on to Terry's Green, saw 11 Fieldfares in a field near the STW, but there was no point checking the STW as there were workmen present. Tired, but managed to walk back to the lakes and was rewarded with a Grass Snake on the path around Terry's Pool.
18/04/2010 = A Mistle Thrush was singing along Wood Lane near New Fallings Coppice. During my WeBS counts, had 4 Common Sandpipers including 3 on islands at Terry's Pool, and 4 presumed Lesser Redpolls flew quite high over Engine Pool. Passing through "Springbrook Scrubland" saw a Lesser Whitethroat (Earlswood tick!) singing, as well as a Common Whitethroat. Spent an hour at Springbrook Lane and just before giving up a male Wheatear appeared on fence posts along the Spring Brook feeder channel and showed well for about 10 minutes before flying off.
Common Terns noted on almost every visit.
Another update soon, I promise!
M.P. Griffiths
08/04/2010 = Had my first Common Sandpiper and Willow Warblers (2) at the lakes this afternoon at Terry's Pool. Also saw 17 Fieldfares quite high over Clowes Wood. Steve Lloyd had a total of 4 Willow Warblers around the lakes in the morning. Later, Kevin Bates noted 4 Common Terns and a Sand Martin. Bob Roberts had a Kestrel along Wood Lane and a Reed Bunting at Gypsy Lane.
09/04/2010 = Saw 4 Buzzards soaring around Earlswood Common. During evening 2 Greylag Geese appeared at Terry's Pool and there were 14+ bats around Engine Pool.
10/04/2010 = Had a Rook, singing Skylark and a Lapwing along Norton Lane early morning. 3 Shovelers and a Kingfisher noted at the lakes.
11/04/2010 = 25 Tufted Ducks at Terry's Pool was probably the most I've seen at Earlswood. Kevin Bates had a few House Martins and 2 Swallows over the lakes in the evening.
14/04/2010 = Saw 2 Rooks and a Kestrel fly over the lakes. Probably the same Barnacle Goose x Greylag Goose hybrid that I saw earlier this year flew in and landed on Terry's Pool.
15/04/2010 = The Barnacle Goose x Greylag Goose hybrid was at Engine Pool, with a Grey Wagtail at Windmill Pool.
16/04/2010 = At the lakes, David Scott had 2 Willow Warblers at Terry's Pool, plus 4 Common Terns.
17/04/2010 = Had a Common Sandpiper over Engine Pool then gain height and leave, plus a Kingfisher at Windmill Pool. Passing through "Springbrook Scrubland" found my first Common Whitethroat of the year and 4 Reed Buntings, plus a Fox and a Muntjac Deer. At Springbrook Lane, spotted a distant bird on the railway embankment which I suspected was a Wheatear (reckon I saw the same bird next day). Moving on to Terry's Green, saw 11 Fieldfares in a field near the STW, but there was no point checking the STW as there were workmen present. Tired, but managed to walk back to the lakes and was rewarded with a Grass Snake on the path around Terry's Pool.
18/04/2010 = A Mistle Thrush was singing along Wood Lane near New Fallings Coppice. During my WeBS counts, had 4 Common Sandpipers including 3 on islands at Terry's Pool, and 4 presumed Lesser Redpolls flew quite high over Engine Pool. Passing through "Springbrook Scrubland" saw a Lesser Whitethroat (Earlswood tick!) singing, as well as a Common Whitethroat. Spent an hour at Springbrook Lane and just before giving up a male Wheatear appeared on fence posts along the Spring Brook feeder channel and showed well for about 10 minutes before flying off.
Common Terns noted on almost every visit.
Another update soon, I promise!
M.P. Griffiths
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
7th April 2010
Easily the highlight of this afternoon's visit was an Arctic Tern with 5 Common Terns at the lakes, which I must've watched for over two hours because I knew it was very early and just had to make fully sure my ID was correct. With two Arctics also reported in Hertfordshire today, but none earlier that I'm aware of, this appears to be the joint-first Arctic Tern reported in the UK this year, and the earliest occurrence at Earlswood - well chuffed!!! Other birds of note were 15+ Sand Martins, a House Martin and 4+ Swallows.
M.P. Griffiths
M.P. Griffiths
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
6th April 2010
Another afternoon visit but quieter today, with 2 Common Terns, up to 5+ Swallows, 7 Sand Martins and a House Martin all at Windmill Pool being the most notable birds seen. Met a birder, Phil Stainton, who's been visiting the lakes for many years and is kindly going to pass some records of his on to me - I know I keep asking for them, but if anyone else has Earlswood records then they'd be gratefully received and acknowledged in the book.
M.P. Griffiths
M.P. Griffiths
Monday, 5 April 2010
5th April 2010
Bob Roberts saw a Common Tern, 12 Swallows and a Chiffchaff (others heard) around Windmill Pool, plus a total of 16 Tufted Ducks at the lakes.
During an afternoon visit, I finally noted my first House Martin of the year at Windmill Pool, plus up to 3 Common Terns, 15 Swallows, 3 Sand Martins and a Sparrowhawk. 8 Lapwings flew over the lakes, whilst 3+ Chiffchaffs were observed around the sides.
M.P. Griffiths
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During an afternoon visit, I finally noted my first House Martin of the year at Windmill Pool, plus up to 3 Common Terns, 15 Swallows, 3 Sand Martins and a Sparrowhawk. 8 Lapwings flew over the lakes, whilst 3+ Chiffchaffs were observed around the sides.
M.P. Griffiths
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