1st April

Weather: SE then S f2-3, sunny, dry, milder.

Despite a southerly airflow and much prolonged observer activity, it was a fairly quiet day at the farm. That said, a number of 'notable' species were recorded, including Greylag Goose, Peregrine, Great Black-backed Gull and Brambling. Summer migrants were thin on the ground.

Greylag Geese, Perrott's By Wood, 01/04/16 (Duncan Jennings)

Canons Farm: 1 GREY HERON, 2 GREYLAG GOOSE (alighted in fields close to Perrotts Farm, then Stoney Knob, before heading NE over Banstead Woods), 2 CANADA GOOSE, 2 MALLARD, 2 PHEASANT (both ♂♂), 8 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 PEREGRINE (over Bog and Can Hatch Field), 3 KESTREL, 2 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 LITTLE OWL (Broadfield/Horse Pasture), 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 2 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 6 ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET, 20+ SKYLARK, 100+ WOOD PIGEON, 25+ STOCK DOVE, COLLARED DOVE, 2 NUTHATCH, 1 STONECHAT (♀ Harrier Field/Horse Pasture), 2 MISTLE THRUSH, 15+ SONG THRUSH, 1 CHIFFCHAFF (Ruffet Wood), LONG-TAILED TIT, 12+ JAY, 50+ CARRION CROW, 12 CHAFFINCH, 1 BRAMBLING (a vocal ♂ alongside Circle Field), 80+ LINNET, 15 GOLDFINCH, 2 BULLFINCH (Perrot's Wood), 6 YELLOWHAMMER

Yellowhammer, Harrier Field hedge, 01/04/16 (Steve Gale)

Banstead Woods: 2 GREYLAG GOOSE (as above), 2 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 PEREGRINE (Sheep Brow), 2 KESTREL, 3 GREEN WOODPECKER, STOCK DOVE, 1 SKYLARK (Hither Field), 6 JAY, 2 NUTHATCH, 3 TREECREEPER, 4 COAL TIT, 7 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 BULLFINCH (♂)

Song Thrush, Canons Farm, 01/04/16 (Duncan Jennings)

Other wildlife: Marsh Marigold starting to flower at Piddly Pond.

Observers: Geoff Barter, Steve Gale, Paul Goodman, Duncan Jennings