Beddington Farmlands, 30th December 2016

Today saw the return of the hanging fog but a memorable few hours were spent in the company of Peter A, Christian C, Magnus A, Glenn J and Tomos B. The unquestionable highlight was an utter beast of a juvenile Glaucous Gull which I picked out on one of the remaining enclosed lagoons among a throng of Black-headed Gulls and a few Herring Gulls, the latter it even dwarfed. Other highlights included two Water Pipits, two Green Sandpipers, around 20 Common Snipe, a Kingfisher, two Cetti's Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, two Stonechats, a handful of Reed Buntings and a couple of first-winter Caspian-type gulls. Touring the Farmlands with this lovely and mult-talented contingent of local birders was a fabulous way to finish the year.

In the evening, I had a Tawny Owl hooting at Banstead Woods by the Rambler's Rest.

juvenile Glaucous Gull