A Pied Wagtail at Legal & General, two Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps were the only news from the farm. BW sector sightings included a Mistle Thrush, plus singles of Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
The first Holly Blue and Orange-tip of the year were flying at BW, as was a Small Tortoiseshell and two Brimstones.
Paul Goodman, Duncan Jennings, Ian Pratley and Woodchips
5th April 2017
There was little change today. One of the Red-legged Partridges was still showing in Broadfield and the Blackcap was still singing in Lunch Wood. The BW sector held a Tawny Owl, two Pheasants, 11 Chiffchaffs and two Blackcaps.
Duncan Jennings, Ian Magness, Ian Pratley and Woodchips
Duncan Jennings, Ian Magness, Ian Pratley and Woodchips
4th April 2017
One of the Red-legged Partridges cropped up again in Broadfield, while two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and two Mallards flew over. Three Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff were also logged at the farm, as were three Kestrels of note.
Andy Downing
Andy Downing
3rd 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'
Our earliest spring arrival date for the species, and our first 'quality' passage migrant this spring, a stonking male Redstart was found along Slangs (of course!) late morning and was still showing mid-afternoon, bringing the year list to 71. Two over-flying Greylags represented the second record of the year. Other notables included five Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs and three Mallards, while the Horse Pasture pair of Little Owls was on show. Three Pheasants, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard and a Kestrel were seen, too. Hopefully more is to come over the next few weeks, giving the year list a much-needed boost.
Duncan Jennings
Our earliest spring arrival date for the species, and our first 'quality' passage migrant this spring, a stonking male Redstart was found along Slangs (of course!) late morning and was still showing mid-afternoon, bringing the year list to 71. Two over-flying Greylags represented the second record of the year. Other notables included five Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs and three Mallards, while the Horse Pasture pair of Little Owls was on show. Three Pheasants, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard and a Kestrel were seen, too. Hopefully more is to come over the next few weeks, giving the year list a much-needed boost.
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| male Common Redstart |
2nd 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'
The two Red-legged Partridges flew seen again in Broadfield before they flew to Reads Bottom. Two Mistle Thrushes were near Round Meadow, two Pied Wagtails were at Legal & General, five Blackcaps and three Chiffchaffs were singing and a Rook was in Broadfield. A Tawny Owl was hooting near Slangs.
Butterflies included six Small Tortoiseshells, a Comma, a Peacock and two Brimstones.
Ian Ward
Recent images of Wood Sorrell and a beefly by Ian Magness:
The two Red-legged Partridges flew seen again in Broadfield before they flew to Reads Bottom. Two Mistle Thrushes were near Round Meadow, two Pied Wagtails were at Legal & General, five Blackcaps and three Chiffchaffs were singing and a Rook was in Broadfield. A Tawny Owl was hooting near Slangs.
Butterflies included six Small Tortoiseshells, a Comma, a Peacock and two Brimstones.
Ian Ward
Recent images of Wood Sorrell and a beefly by Ian Magness:
1st 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'
Well, we missed out on a March Wheatear! Hopefully one will arrive soon. We still only have the two early-arriving warblers for our spring migrant roll call. CFBW often drags its heels when it comes to migrant arrival dates but over coming days we can surely expect the arrival of Wheatear, Willow Warbler and Swallow, with more species to come in their wake. More of a patch scarcity than routine arrival is Sand Martin, but keeping eyes to the skies should secure a decent spring date.
Now for today's significant news. Two Fieldfares were seen in Poultry Field while two Blackcaps and four Chiffchaffs were singing at CF A Collared Dove was singing in Holly Wood and 80 Stock Doves were feeding in Green Belt Field. In the BW sector, a Rook flew over Outwood Lane and 15 Chiffchaffs and eight Blackcaps were in song. Three Treecreepers and four Bullfinches were among the resident birds on offer.
Butterflies, all in BW, included two Commas, a Small Tortoiseshell and three Peacocks.
Ian Ward
Well, we missed out on a March Wheatear! Hopefully one will arrive soon. We still only have the two early-arriving warblers for our spring migrant roll call. CFBW often drags its heels when it comes to migrant arrival dates but over coming days we can surely expect the arrival of Wheatear, Willow Warbler and Swallow, with more species to come in their wake. More of a patch scarcity than routine arrival is Sand Martin, but keeping eyes to the skies should secure a decent spring date.
Now for today's significant news. Two Fieldfares were seen in Poultry Field while two Blackcaps and four Chiffchaffs were singing at CF A Collared Dove was singing in Holly Wood and 80 Stock Doves were feeding in Green Belt Field. In the BW sector, a Rook flew over Outwood Lane and 15 Chiffchaffs and eight Blackcaps were in song. Three Treecreepers and four Bullfinches were among the resident birds on offer.
Butterflies, all in BW, included two Commas, a Small Tortoiseshell and three Peacocks.
Ian Ward
31st March 2017
See Publications for details of how to get a copy of our new book 'The Birds of Canons Farm & Banstead Woods 2012-16'
A pair of Mallards paid a visit to Piddly Pond and 10 Chiffchaffs were singing in the BW sector, where there were three Pheasants.
Three Blackcaps were in song at the farm, with one at Lunch Wood and two at Round Meadow. Two Mistle Thrushes were again seen at Chipstead Meadow and two Pied Wagtails were in Green Belt Field and 40 Linnets were in Poultry Field. A Little Owl was still showing on the edge of Horse Pasture.
Paul Goodman
A pair of Mallards paid a visit to Piddly Pond and 10 Chiffchaffs were singing in the BW sector, where there were three Pheasants.
Three Blackcaps were in song at the farm, with one at Lunch Wood and two at Round Meadow. Two Mistle Thrushes were again seen at Chipstead Meadow and two Pied Wagtails were in Green Belt Field and 40 Linnets were in Poultry Field. A Little Owl was still showing on the edge of Horse Pasture.
Paul Goodman
30th March 2017
See Publications for details of how to get a copy of our new book 'The Birds of Canons Farm & Banstead Woods 2012-16'
Raptors over the Harholt Plantation included two Peregrines, 10 Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel. Eight Chiffchaffs and two Linnets were also at Harholt.
A Brimstone was also seen in the BW sector.
Duncan Jennings and Mark Stanley (photos)
Raptors over the Harholt Plantation included two Peregrines, 10 Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel. Eight Chiffchaffs and two Linnets were also at Harholt.
A Brimstone was also seen in the BW sector.
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| Chiffchaff |
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| Long-tailed Tit |
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| Blue Tit |
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| Chiffchaff |
Duncan Jennings and Mark Stanley (photos)
28th March 2017
See Publications for details of how to get a copy of our new book 'The Birds of Canons Farm & Banstead Woods 2012-16'
Another Red Kite drifted west but there was little else on offer. Both of the Horse Pasture Little Owls were on view and six Meadow Pipits flew through, but it was another disappointing lack of migrants (mind you, coverage was very limited). A Bullfinch and a Common Buzzard were in the Banstead Woods sector.
Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Brimstone were flying at the farm. A Comma and another Red Admiral were at Banstead Woods.
David Campbell, Duncan Jennings, Linda Mount, Ian Pratley et al
DKC, Eds: I am away in Edinburgh for a couple of weeks so updates may be a little more sporadic than usual. It's a prime time for a number of expected freshly arriving migrants such as Wheatear, redstarts (both species!), Ring Ouzel, Willow Warbler, etc, along with the chance of something better. Do get out and keep the coverage up (and keep the sightings coming). Thanks!
Another Red Kite drifted west but there was little else on offer. Both of the Horse Pasture Little Owls were on view and six Meadow Pipits flew through, but it was another disappointing lack of migrants (mind you, coverage was very limited). A Bullfinch and a Common Buzzard were in the Banstead Woods sector.
Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Brimstone were flying at the farm. A Comma and another Red Admiral were at Banstead Woods.
David Campbell, Duncan Jennings, Linda Mount, Ian Pratley et al
DKC, Eds: I am away in Edinburgh for a couple of weeks so updates may be a little more sporadic than usual. It's a prime time for a number of expected freshly arriving migrants such as Wheatear, redstarts (both species!), Ring Ouzel, Willow Warbler, etc, along with the chance of something better. Do get out and keep the coverage up (and keep the sightings coming). Thanks!
27th March 2017
After a classic Canons Farm foggy morning, a fly-over Red Kite and the two Red-legged Partridges, seen again in Broadfield, represented the day's highlights. Two Canada Geese and a Siskin overhead provided second-billing while five Pied Wagtails were in the Legal & General car park and eight Meadow Pipits flew through. A Chiffchaff was singing. A Little Owl was showing on the east side of Horse Pasture.
David Campbell and Duncan Jennings
David Campbell and Duncan Jennings
26th March 2017
The two Red-legged Partridges reappeared as they trotted along the south-east side of Broadfield. Other sightings at the farm included a Chiffchaff, two Treecreepers, a Kestrel, two Buzzards, two Pheasants, eight Linnets and four Yellowhammers. Banstead Woods had eight Lesser Redpolls, six Chiffchaffs, eight Nuthatches, six Bullfinches, a Kestrel and a Common Buzzard of note.
Butterflies on the wing included two Peacocks and a Comma at the farm and five Brimstones across the patch.
Paul Goodman, Duncan Jennings, Ian Magness (photo 2 & 4), Ian Ward (photos 1 & 3) and Woodchips
Butterflies on the wing included two Peacocks and a Comma at the farm and five Brimstones across the patch.
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| Red-legged Partridges |
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| Carrion Crow |
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| Peacock |
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| beefly sp and Primrose |
Paul Goodman, Duncan Jennings, Ian Magness (photo 2 & 4), Ian Ward (photos 1 & 3) and Woodchips
25th March 2017
Sightings at Banstead Woods included 10 fly-over Black-headed Gulls, a Pheasant, two Mistle Thrushes, two Common Buzzards, two Kestrels, two Linnets, seven Bullfinches and seven Chiffchaffs. The farm had 100 Herring Gulls taking an interest in work at Green Belt Field and two Common Buzzards.
Butterflies across the recording area included six Small Tortoiseshells, a Comma and 13 Brimstones.
Mark Stanley (photos) and Ian Ward
Butterflies across the recording area included six Small Tortoiseshells, a Comma and 13 Brimstones.
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| Chiffchaff |
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| ♀ Bullfinch |
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| ♂ Bullfinch |
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| Dunnock |
Mark Stanley (photos) and Ian Ward
24th March 2017
Another horrid morning, feeling like spring has been rewound. Things brightened up in the afternoon, though, tempting the year's first Blackcap into song in Lunch Wood. A Red-legged Partridge was still in Broadfield, where two restless Canada Geese settled for a short while. In addition to the Blackcap, migrants at the farm were limited to two Meadow Pipits and a Chiffchaff, plus seven Pied Wagtails in the Legal & General car park. Stock Doves were present in good numbers, with some 200 counted, and five Mallards flew over.
The north side of Banstead Woods had two of both Siskin and redpoll flying over, plus six Treecreepers.
David Campbell (photo 1), Andy Downing, Paul Goodman, Duncan Jennings (photos 2-3) and Ian Magness
The north side of Banstead Woods had two of both Siskin and redpoll flying over, plus six Treecreepers.
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| Canada Geese |
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| Pied Wagtails |
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| ♂ Yellowhammer |
David Campbell (photo 1), Andy Downing, Paul Goodman, Duncan Jennings (photos 2-3) and Ian Magness
23rd March 2017
Highlights at the farm included 20 Lesser Redpolls in Pages Acre, three Canada Geese and four Mallards over, four Meadow Pipits, two Mistle Thrushes, 35 Redwings, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Common Gulls, a Grey Heron, four Pheasants, two Common Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk.
Banstead Woods had two more Canada Geese overhead, two Chiffchaffs, a Pheasant, a Sparrowhawk, a Common Buzzard, two Kestrels and two Bullfinches.
David Campbell (photo), Duncan Jennings, Paul Manville and Woodchips
Banstead Woods had two more Canada Geese overhead, two Chiffchaffs, a Pheasant, a Sparrowhawk, a Common Buzzard, two Kestrels and two Bullfinches.
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| ♂ Yellowhammer |
David Campbell (photo), Duncan Jennings, Paul Manville and Woodchips
22nd March 2017
The weather was pretty rough in the morning but had calmed considerably by mid-afternoon. The recently scraped Broadfield was relatively bare but a pair of Red-legged Partridges took advantage of the disturbed ground, although only showing distantly. Migrants noted included two Pied Wagtails, four Meadow Pipits and two Chiffchaffs. A Grey Heron flopped through the rain, two Mistle Thrushes were seen around Chipstead Meadow, nine Fieldfares were feeding in Broadfield and three Redwings flew over. A Little Owl was singing in the early evening and Pheasants were rather conspicuous, with seven counted. A 2cy ♀ Sparrowhawk performed at Reads Rest late on.
David Campbell
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| 2cy ♀ Sparrowhawk |
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| ♂ and ♀ Linnets |
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| One of the Red-legged Partridges distantly with Fieldfares |
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| Mistle Thrush |
David Campbell
OUT NEXT THURSDAY! The Birds of Canons Farm & Banstead Woods 2012-16
This long-awaited review of the birds of CFBW will be arriving at 'HQ' next week, featuring no fewer than 13 pieces of original artwork by three amazing artists, as well as countless colour photographs and a detailed look back over the last five years of local birding. There is a very limited print run, so we will post details of how to get hold of a copy very soon.
21st March 2017
A Peregrine was an unexpected visitor to Stoney Nob. Banstead Woods held singles of Chiffchaff, Kestrel and Common Buzzard.
Duncan Jennings and Ian Magness
Duncan Jennings and Ian Magness
19th March 2017
A gathering of some 19 Pied Wagtails was feeding in the Legal & General car park, the largest number recorded for some time. Working machinery in Broadfield attracted around 200 Herring Gulls for a short spell, a Chiffchaff was in Holly Wood, a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over and 25 Fieldfares were counted. Other sightings in the CF sector included a Pheasant, a Common Buzzard, a Kestrel, a Collared Dove, a Meadow Pipit, seven Linnets and four Yellowhammers.
Ian Magness and Ian Ward (photo)
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| Some of the 19 Pied Wagtails at Legal & General |
Ian Magness and Ian Ward (photo)
17th March 2017
Six Lesser Redpolls were feeding in Perrotts Larches and two Chiffchaffs, a Tawny Owl and two Pheasants were also at BW. Sightings in the CF sector included 10 Meadow Pipits, a Pied Wagtail, a Mistle Thrush, a Little Owl, 16 Redwings, 12 Linnets and a Pheasant.
A Red Admiral and a Small Tortoiseshell were flying by the BW housing estate and another Small Tortoiseshell was at the farm, where Wood Anenomes were in flower.
Paul Goodman, Ian Magness (photo 3), Ian Pratley and Ian Ward (photos 1-2)
A Red Admiral and a Small Tortoiseshell were flying by the BW housing estate and another Small Tortoiseshell was at the farm, where Wood Anenomes were in flower.
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| Common Buzzard at BW |
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| Small Tortoiseshell at BW |
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| Wood Anenomes and Lesser Celadines at Lunch Wood |
16th March 2017
The highlight of another fine spring day was a Red-legged Partridge as it hurtled over Ruffett Meadow. This CFBW rarity is roughly annual in occurrence and early spring is the prime time to find one. Other migrants at the farm included three Chiffchaffs, four Meadow Pipits, three redpolls, three Siskins, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 110 Redwings and 24 Fieldfares. Singles of Cormorant and Grey Heron flew over, as did three Mallards. A Little Owl was showing in Bog Field, a Collared Dove flicked across the fields and a Pied Wagtail was feeding in the Legal & General car park.
The south side of Banstead Woods produced a further five redpolls and three Chiffchaffs of note. Six Common Buzzards and three Sparrowhawks kettled up together over the Chipstead Valley.
Singletons of Comma and Brimstone were seen at the Harholt Plantation, while one each of Red Admiral, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell were out at the farm.
David Campbell (photos 1-3), Ian Magness (photo 4) and Linda Mount
The south side of Banstead Woods produced a further five redpolls and three Chiffchaffs of note. Six Common Buzzards and three Sparrowhawks kettled up together over the Chipstead Valley.
Singletons of Comma and Brimstone were seen at the Harholt Plantation, while one each of Red Admiral, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell were out at the farm.
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| Chiffchaff |
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| adult Grey Heron |
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| Fieldfare and Redwings |
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| Common Toothwort along Slangs |
David Campbell (photos 1-3), Ian Magness (photo 4) and Linda Mount
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