A bit of background to the large numbers of Chaffinches on site this week. As suggested on the 14th, it is highly likely that the flock built as passage birds, moving high overhead, were attracted down by their congeners who were taking advantage of a good feeding opportunity. SG had seen small flocks of 10-15 birds moving NE to N over Banstead and Epsom Downs that same morning, and a trawl of east Kent coastal data reveals Chaffinch movements of 1,100 E (Abbotscliffe) on 13th; 604 S (Sandwich Bay) and 270 NE (Abbotscliffe) on 16th; and 703 ESE (Sandwich Bay) and 1,190 E (Abbotscliffe) on 17th.
Canons Farm: 3 CANADA GOOSE, 1 TREECREEPER, 2 NUTHATCH, 3 SONG THRUSH, 170+ FIELDFARE (Broadfield), 100+ REDWING (mostly Broadfield), 150+ CHAFFINCH (Bog Field), 50+ LINNET (Bog Field), 2 YELLOWHAMMER (Reeds Rest Cottages)
Banstead Woods: 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 COAL TIT, 4 GOLDCREST
Observers: Paul Goodman
Observers: Paul Goodman
