Weather: WSW f2-3, sunny spells, isolated showers. Milder.
A quiet morning was followed by a positively splendid afternoon. Star bird was a ♂ Ring Ouzel, that spent up to two hours along the edges of Tattenham and Chipstead Meadows, often alighting on the trees surrounding the horse stables. The years first Swallow headed northwards, a little on the late side. Not to be outdone was a marked passage of Common Buzzards, 18 of which headed NE to SE, including groups of 8 and 5. The local breeders were kept busy escorting these migrants away from 'their' airspace. A single Red Kite was also a high easterly mover. Farm work in Broadfield encouraged a feeding frenzy of corvids and pigeons. Finally, it would appear that the Red-legged Partridge of a week ago hasn't left us yet, as it was seen happily sat on top of a fence post in Harrier Field.
Canons Farm: 26 COMMON BUZZARD (of which 18 were overflying migrants, flying NE to SE), 1 RED KITE (flying east), 1 SPARROWHAWK, 3 KESTREL, 3 PHEASANT, 1 RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Harrier Field), 12 ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET, 150 STOCK DOVE, 150 WOODPIGEON, 18 SKYLARK, 1 SWALLOW (north over Skylark Field, 77th species recorded this year), 2 MEADOW PIPIT, 3 PIED WAGTAIL, 1 RING OUZEL (♂ along field edges close to horse stables - Tattenham/Chipstead Meadow, 78th species recorded this year), 2 REDWING (horse stables), 1 WHEATEAR (♂ Skylark Field), 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 TREECREEPER (Ruffett's Wood), 2 ROOK, 250 CARRION CROW, 100+ LINNET, 1 SISKIN (Tattenham Meadow), 5 YELLOWHAMMER
Banstead Woods: 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 8 CHIFFCHAFF (all singing)
Observers: Geoff Barter, Steve Gale
