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12th April 2017

See Publications for details of how to get a copy of our new book 'The Birds of Canons Farm & Banstead Woods 2012-16'...
... And remember to join us for our Spring Migration Tour on Saturday 29th April

Although it felt like we'd slid back a month or two with a very chilly start to the morning, it turned out to be a rather productive day. Best of all was the second Redstart of the year, another male and again along Slangs but a very elusive individual this time. Five Wheatears dropped in to the southwest corner of Broadfield East mid-morning and 10 Swallows had flown west by early afternoon, while a Siskin called overhead and 36 Meadow Pipits trickled through. Willow Warblers were singing along Slangs and in Pages Acre. In the evening, a Red Kite also headed into the wind. Broadfield's two Red-legged Partridges were still in-situ. Other sightings at the farm included four Mallards chasing each other, a Pied Wagtail in the Pages Acre horse paddock, the two Little Owls on the east side of Horse Pasture and a Mistle Thrush.

A short visit to the Banstead Woods sector revealed fly-bys from singles of Canada Goose, Grey Heron and Lesser Black-backed Gull, a further two Willow Warblers singing at the Harholt Plantation and an additional two Meadow Pipits moving. Across the patch, 11 Blackcaps and six Chiffchaffs were heard singing.

Butterflies at the farm included Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell.

♂ Wheatear
Red Kite
♂ Wheatear
Skylark
Red-legged Partridge
Bluebells
David Campbell (photos 1, 2, 5 and 6), Steve Gale, Paul Goodman, Paul Manville, Linda Mount, Ian Pratley, Janice Pratley, Paul Sell, Noreen Siba and Mark Stanley (photos 3-4)