16th February 2017

Two Red Kites drifted west over the farm in the afternoon and a female Stonechat was fresh-in, feeding in Owl Meadow before moving to the south side of Horse Pasture. A Little Owl was showing on the east side of Horse Pasture. Three Mallards over the farm included two that also crossed BW airspace. Counts of 50 Skylarks and 40 Linnets retained a wintery feel despite the warm weather and the first singing Yellowhammer of the year as part of a count of four. Five Meadow Pipits flew out of Owl Meadow and seven Rooks were feeding in Broadfield. Other sightings at the farm included a ♂ Pheasant, a Sparrowhawk, four Common Buzzards, three Common Gulls and a Kestrel.

The BW sector had three Lesser Redpolls, feeding in birches between Reads Rest Lane and Piddly Pond, as well as a Rook overhead.

♂ and ♀ Yellowhammers at Reads Bottom
adult Common Buzzard
juvenile Common Buzzard
♀ Stonechat at Reads Bottom
Goldcrest in Banstead Woods
♂ and ♀ Yellowhammers at Reads Bottom
juvenile Common Buzzard
♀ Stonechat at Reads Bottom

Magnus Andersson (photos 1-7), David Campbell, Christian Cogley, Steve Gale, Ian Magness (photo 8) and Ian Pratley