26th March

Weather: S f3-5, overcast, heavy drizzle, cool, 6-7°C

Two species were recorded for only the fourth time this morning, and both were found by Ian Ward. Firstly an Egyptian Goose, that flew SSW over the Scrub, followed by a singing Firecrest that performed between the Scout Camp and Orchard. Both events were captured by camera, albeit record shots that were not helped by a misty lens and the attendant heavy drizzle.

Canons Farm: 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 2 KESTREL, 24 STOCK DOVE, 175+ WOODPIGEON, 7 SKYLARK (various fields), 1 ROOK, 1 MEADOW PIPIT (Harrier Field), 50+ FIELDFARE (Quail Field), 75+ STARLING, 120+ LINNET (Quail Field), 9 YELLOWHAMMER (Broadfield).

Banstead Woods: 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE (SSW over The Scrub at 08.45hrs, 72nd species for year), 1 COMMON BUZZARD, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 COLLARED DOVE, 8 REDWING, 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 FIRECREST (♂ singing between Scout Hut and Orchard at 10.07hrs, 73rd species for year).


Record shots in the murk - Egyptian Goose and Firecrest, 26/03/16 (Ian Ward)
Other wildlife: Wood Anemone in flower along banks opposite Lunch Wood, by roadside.

Observers: Andy Downing, Steve Gale, Ian Ward