Got the metro with Kevin down the my new patch again today & enjoyed some productive winter birding.
Roughly 450 Chaffinches were around (difficult to count, mixed with other finches). c.200 of which were in one of the larger fields to the east, near Banstead Wood. Also with them were c.100 Linnet and a handful of Greenfinches. It was wonderful to spot a pair of Bramblings amongst them and this made our day.
Other than the Bramblings, 36 Yellowhammers, of which many showed well, was a highlight as was a Common Buzzard feeding on earthworms in the main 'Big Field', which was a bit of a surprise!
Also in the field with the Common Buzzard were 158 Fieldfares and 50 or so Redwings along with some Starlings and Chaffinches etc.
The field that the Yellowhammers and a flock of Linnets were in last time has now grown too much and was empty. Over the field next door, 15 Skylarks were flying around. This added to the other 10 we saw makes a count of 25.
A Lesser Redpoll flew over and in the wooded areas 3+ Goldcrests, c.5 Nuthatches, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 Coal Tits were logged. c.10 House Sparrows were knocking around.
A good day with plenty to see.
