The day count records for both House Martin and Swallow were smashed today with a quite spectacular hirundine movement over the farm. Swallows finished on 4,000 by 13:15 while House Martins reached the dizzying figure of 6,710 (SG et al). No other site in Surrey approached today's figures and the martin count may even be a county record. The patch seems to be prone to witnessing such movements occasionally. Indeed, the previous records for both species were quite respectable in themselves, made on the similar date of 17th September 2013, when 6,000 House Martins and 2,000 Swallows were logged.
Otherwise, notable sightings in the CF sector included a Yellow Wagtail and two Cormorants overhead, as well as a count of 220 Linnets. Just two Meadow Pipits were reported and singles of Chiffchaff, Little Owl and Skylark were also logged.
Geoff Barter, Andy Downing and Steve Gale
