Canons Farm, Banstead Woods and Beddington Farmlands

Leading the CFBW Bird Group's Autumn Migration Tour was a challenge in the cold northerlies, but we found two Wheatears, 20 Swallows and three Meadow Pipits at Canons Farm, while Banstead Woods offered a Siskin and a Willow Warbler. A small flock of Goldfinches picking at the mortar on the carport - as they do here - included two birds with rings.



An evening walk at Beddington was disappointing. The water levels on the lakes were high and the 'wet grassland' still had not a blade more grass than when it was first dug. Chiffchaffs outnumbered Willow Warblers, with 15 and three respectively, while two Cetti's Warblers sang and a Sand Martin, 10 Swifts and three Swallows hawked over the North Lake. I heard a Green Sandpiper, and wildfowl included seven Shovelers and four Egyptian Geese.

Poulter Park and Beddington Farmlands

Being at my parents' for the weekend, I had a lazier than usual start to the morning before making my way to Poulter Park in Mitcham for the local wintering warbler fest along the River Wandle. It was immediately obvious why this stretch of river was so popular with insectivores, with a continuous cloud of midges along the path and over the water. It feels like a real local winter goldmine of a site for uncommon and rare passerines - hopefully now it's on the map half an eye will be kept on the area The Yellow-browed Warbler - the star attraction - was soon located and went on to perform almost continuously (and occasionally calling) over the time I spent on site, along with a couple of lovely Siberian Chiffchaffs, two Firecrests and two Blackcaps (one heard singing and a female). Other birds included a Kingfisher, up to 10 nominate Chiffchaffs, two Grey Wagtails, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, a Little Egret and two Egyptian Geese. It was great to catch up with Paul Goodman, Shaun Ferguson, Nick Gardner, Ian Ward and Arjun Dutta.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Poulter Park

Yellow-browed Warbler at Poulter Park

Siberian Chiffchaff at Poulter Park

Firecrest at Poulter Park

Firecrests at Poulter Park

Grey Wagtail at Poulter Park

female Blackcap at Poulter Park

Paul and I then went to Beddington Farmlands for a quick look from the hides. It was quiet, with a Water Rail, two Stonechats, four Shelducks, 19 Lapwings, a Kestrel, three Buzzards, 11 Grey Herons and two Redwings the best on offer. Another Redwing and a singing Treecreeper were in Beddington Park.

Kestrel at Beddington Farmlands

Beddington Farmlands and Carshalton

A look around the hides at Beddington produced a 1cy Mediterranean Gull, a Bullfinch, a Chiffchaff, two Snipe, two Cetti's Warblers, a Grey Wagtail and two Lapwings of note. Wildfowl included 43 Gadwall, 10 Shovelers and 10 Teal. Nearby, 15 Egyptian Geese were on the pond by Manor Road North; this species' population really is booming.

1cy Mediterranean Gull at Beddington Farmlands

Beddington Farmlands

Having stopped off at my parents' last night, I took up Roy Weller's invitation to join him in checking out the dawning of a new era back in my homelands at Beddington Farmlands. The public footpath on the west side now leads to three well-positioned screen-style hides overlooking the Southern Lake, Northern Lake and the new main wet grassland area. As well as catching up with Roy, it was great to see Peter Alfrey, Nic Tidmarsh, Dodge and Mrs Dodge.

The visit was also surprisingly productive bird-wise. Roy picked out a juvenile Turnstone on the Northern Lake, where a juvenile Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper and a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull were among the other birds present. There were many broods of Little Grebe scattered around the lakes and, moving on to the wet grassland, where I noticed a juvenile Caspian Gull (though imperfect in some respects and presumably from some filthy western colony). Two Cetti's Warblers, a Reed Warbler, seven Greylags and two Swifts were among the other birds seen, along with the usual Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler.

juvenile Caspian-type Gull

juvenile Yellow-legged Gull

juvenile Dunlin (left) with Green Sandpiper

juvenile Turnstone

Beddington Farmlands

November began with me back at one of my 'home patches' in the hope of connecting with the Richard's Pipit found by Pinpoint earlier in the week. Christian, Roy W and I scoured the mound to no avail though working machinery in the area favoured by the bird might not have helped our cause. Dejected, I ended up scanning through the gulls on the North Lake before we had to bid an exit, turning up two nice first-winter Caspian Gulls. Other highlights during the visit included a Cetti's Warbler, a Stonechat, three Snipe, eight Meadow Pipits, three Skylarks, a Buzzard and two Reed Buntings.

1CY Caspian Gull

second 1CY Caspian Gull

Beddington Park and Beddington Farmlands

A lazy watch from the Beddington bunker with Kojak, Peter A, Glenn J, Dave S and Nick G... The best was saved till last when a Raven plonked onto the landfill, rather amusingly pursued by just one Carrion Crow. I never saw any of the early 21st Century Ravens here but I am told they caused absolute mayhem among the local birds. The corvids and gulls must have grown used to them in the area now! A female Pintail on the South Lake was unexpected, as was a fly-through Ringed Plover. I noted 11 Buzzards and 12 Swallows, as well as a Shelduck, two Pochards, two Reed Warblers, a Reed Bunting, two Cetti's Warblers, a Skylark, 11 Swifts, three Great Black-backed Gulls and three Egyptian Geese of note.

The walk through Beddington Park featured a Nuthatch and a fly-over Buzzard.

female Pintail at Beddington Farmlands

Beddington Farmlands, Canons Farm, Banstead Woods and Chiphouse Wood

Despite being a low Beddington lister it's not often that I get a site tick! I gave a talk to the Banstead U3A Wildlife Group on bird migration last night so took the chance to visit first thing this morning. I joined Kojak and Dodge to walk through Beddington Park and get on site, hearing a singing Treecreeper in the process and thinking little of it. As we neared the Farmlands perimeter and I heard more Treecreeper calls, though, I knew I was quids in and we ended up with nice views of two just along the very edge of the recording area - a good start! After chatting with the guys near the hide for a bit, I took myself off to check the South Lake, the mound and the Southeast Corner. The first reward came with nice views of a summer-plumaged Water Pipit on the enclosed lagoons - possibly the first time I've seen the species in such attire in Britain. A Green Sandpiper was nearby and on the way back I had the surprise of a singing Sedge Warbler by the South Lake.

Scanning the North Lake before I exited, I picked up a 2CY Iceland Gull on the North Lake. Other birds noted during the visit included nine Mute Swans, three Shelducks, 18 Gadwall, 13 Teal, 25 Shovelers, three Pochards, 64 Tufted Ducks, a Cormorant, 15 Little Grebes, a Sparrowhawk, two Snipe, 10 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Cetti's Warbler, two Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps, a Grey Wagtail, three Meadow Pipits, 12 Linnets and two Reed Buntings. Going back through Beddington Park, I heard a Nuthatch.

Water Pipit at Beddington Farmlands

2CY Iceland Gull at Beddington Farmlands

Having physically struggled to break out of Beddington, I met up with Geoff B outside Canons Farmhouse a bit later than planned. Our tour of the fields produced a Mallard, eight Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, 15 Stock Doves, two Kestrels, three Skylarks, two Nuthatches and 50 Linnets. We strayed into Banstead Woods, adding a Pheasant, three more Buzzards, a Kestrel, two Treecreepers, a Nuthatch and four Linnets. We also took in a bit of Chiphouse Wood, noting two of the same Buzzards and another Nuthatch.

St. James's Park, Nonsuch Park and Beddington Farmlands

A long and busy but enjoyable day saw me start by meeting up with Bill H and co for another session of Coot ringing at St. James's Park. This session wasn't as productive as last time but we did still catch four birds. A couple of Little Grebes, a Nuthatch and two Coal Tits were probably the most notable wild birds noted but it was entertaining hand-feeding drake Smew and Hooded Merganser! Later on I met Christian and Josiah C for a chilled walk around Nonsuch Park, highlights being interacting female Sparrowhawks and courting Green Woodpeckers; with this breeding behaviour and the gentle conditions it really felt like spring! We reconvened at Beddington later, racking up five Green Sandpipers and a Water Pipit in the Southeast Corner, along with a handful of Snipe and two Shelducks, plus a fly-over Red Kite, a Buzzard, two Cetti's Warblers and small numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings. It was a joy to see and hear displaying Lapwings, too. We joined Tomos B, Koje and Ms Koje for an owling session, resulting in a magical twilight encounter with two Barn Owls, a memborable end to the day!

Rose-ringed Parakeet at Nonsuch Park

Green Sandpipers at Beddington Farmlands

Redwing at Beddington Farmlands

Beddington Farmlands

A very enjoyable session looking through the gulls with Peter A yieled a 2CY Glaucous Gull, a 3CY Iceland Gull, a 2CY Caspian Gull and two Yellow-legged Gulls (2CY and 4CY), plus a handful of mighty 'Scandinavian Herring Gulls'. The Ferruginous Duck X Pochard hybrid was again on the North Lake and other bits included two Wigeon, a Water Rail, a Reed Bunting, two Cetti's Warbler and two Snipe.

3CY Iceland Gull

2CY Glaucous Gull

2CY Yellow-legged Gull

2CY Yellow-legged Gull

2CY Caspian Gull

2CY Caspian Gull

2CY 'Scandinavian Herring Gull'

4CY Yellow-legged Gull

Banstead Woods, Canons Farm and Beddington Farmlands

I started at Banstead Woods, hoping for better views of Hawfinches. To my delight, three showed well at distance in the beech trees at the back of Coneyboro Hill. A Grey Heron flew over, too. I joined Geoff B for a stroll around Canons Farm, the highlights being two Little Owls 17 Skylarks, 80 Linnets and a Mallard. Common Gulls have been extremely thin on the ground here this winter, so one was notable.

Hawfinch at Coneyboro Hill

Joining Peter A and Kevin G at Beddington in the afternoon, a 2CY and a 3CY Caspian Gull showed on the North Lake. A 2CY Glaucous Gull flew through. Two interesting Aythya hybrids were also there, including one which looked quite like a Ferruginous Duck superficially, and a brief drake which was probably a Tufted Duck x Pochard. Other birds noted included two Egyptian Geese, two Shelducks, a Water Rail and a Reed Bunting.

3CY Caspian Gull

2CY Caspian Gull

Beddington Farmlands

I ran one final twitch for the Twite in the morning, which thankfully showed to all attendees, who seemed to enjoy their visit. A Dartford Warbler along the fence line on the landfill site was a welcome and unexpected bonus for everybody, and a second-winter Caspian Gull was on the North Lake when I scanned through the larids before people started arriving. Nine Pochards were also on the North Lake and 34 Lapwings were counted, along with a Snipe. Also around were two Wigeon, two Shelducks, an Egyptian Goose, five Meadow Pipits, four Reed Buntings, three Cetti's Warblers and four Skylarks of note.

2nd-winter Caspian Gull

Beddington Farmlands and Sutton

This morning I escorted 17 birders to see the colour-ringed adult male Twite which has been around the landfill site at Beddington for nearly two months now. It was a bit of a tense morning - for me at least, feeling a little pressure - and a wet and cold one at that. Thankfully, almost everybody saw the bird at least reasonably well, with those sticking it out till midday enjoying excellent prolonged scope views. I also noted five Tree Sparrows, seven Reed Buntings, a male Stonechat, seven Skylarks, two Meadow Pipits, two Snipe, 34 Lapwings, two Egyptian Geese, four Shelducks, 32 Gadwall, 48 Teal, 17 Shovelers, 15 Tufted Ducks, a Cormorant, 11 Mute Swans, 10 Grey Herons, two Little Grebes, three Redwings, 10 Pied Wagtails and 70 Linnets.

I popped round to visit Phil in the afternoon, a Sparrowhawk dashing through his Sutton garden and two Coal Tits visiting the feeders.

colour-ringed adult male Twite - look at that rump!

Leith Hill, Carshalton Ponds and Beddington Farmlands

A fine morning spent on Leith Hill with Christian C and Linda M featured a Woodlark and a Woodcock of note. Other than a small number of Siskins, the site was sadly devoid of any of its usual 'good' finches. On the way to Beddington to show David D-L around, I clocked two Egyptian Geese at Carshalton Ponds. Teaming up with David, and with the pleasant surprise of bumping into Koje, we scoured the side of the landfill for the Twite - as much to reassure myself of its continued presence ahead of tomorrow's organised twitch as for David to see it - and just as we were losing hope it flew high over our heads, calling. Otherwise, three Snipe, a Shelduck and a Meadow Pipit were the only birds of particular note.

Canons Farm and Beddington Farmlands

A stroll around Canons this morning was fairly uneventful, save for a flock of 18 Skylarks, a Mistle Thrush, two Meadow Pipits and a modest mixed flock of Redwings and Fieldfares.

In the afternoon I joined Kojak in the hide at Beddington, picking out two Caspian Gulls (a first-winter and a second-winter) and a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull. Roy W later turned up for another go at the Twite and, thank goodness, we located it with the 60-strong Linnet flock, albeit briefly. Seven Snipe and 52 Lapwings were present, along with three Shelducks, three Egyptian Geese, 45 Shovelers and four Pochards. Other bits included a good count of 52 Lapwings, a Chiffchaff, two Reed Buntings and a Cetti's Warbler.

Twite at Beddington

second-winter Caspian Gull at Beddington

first-winter Caspian Gull at Beddington

first-winter Yellow-legged Gull at Beddington

Beddington Farmlands

An afternoon search for the Twite with Christian C and Roy W wasn't successful but the wind didn't help. Sightings included a few Snipe, 20 Lapwings, a Meadow Pipit and a couple of Reed Buntings...

Beddington Farmlands, 10th December 2017

Staying in Surrey between leading the Saturday walk at Canons and a survey job in north London, I teamed up with Christian C for a vigil from the hide in the horrendous weather. It eventually cleared up and we managed a short wander but the conditions beat us in the end! However, we did relocate the Twite on the northwest side of the landfill site with 60 Linnets, although it evaded any attempts at improving my photographic record of it. Counting the ducks was a satisfying exercise, with 35 Pochards, 62 Shovelers, 57 Teal, 26 Gadwall and 13 Tufted Ducks on the lakes. A Shelduck added a bit of 'value' - a fairly unusual sighting this early in the winter, and six Reed Buntings and two Meadow Pipits were along the side of the lake. Nine Snipe also flew from the margins, needing very little inadvertent prompting to flush.

Beddington Farmlands, 22nd November 2017

This morning's walk around Beddington with Magnus A turned into a bit of an epic when we simultaneously clocked a colour-ringed Twite among a flock of 30 Linnets by the landfill site!!! The first Surrey record since 2004 and with the only previous Beddington record being in 1991, this is a local blocker and several of Beddington's finest were with us and connecting with the bird in no time! From the combination, Jamie Dunning was able to tell us that the bird was ringed as a juvenile in Derbyshire in 2016 and spent the following winter at the more typical location of Titchwell RSPB in Norfolk.

Other highlights over the morning included our old friend Caspian Gull X319, now in second-winter plumage, as well as a second-winter Yellow-legged Gull, Water Pipit, two Tree Sparrows, Water Rail, Chiffchaff, Little Egret, 40 Great Black-backed Gulls, five Reed Buntings, 29 Lapwings, 146 Teal, 30 Gadwall, 74 Shovelers, a handful of Snipe, three Skylarks, two redpolls, two Redwings and nine Meadow Pipits.

Surrey's first Twite since 2004

2nd-winter Caspian Gull

2nd-winter Yellow-legged Gull

Tree Sparrow by Mag

Beddington Farmlands, 4th November 2017

A rainy Saturday morning, where else would I be than the hide at Beddington? It felt like the good old days, with a packed hide filled by Peter A, Ed S, Steve T, Glenn J, Dave S and Nick G. With little flying over, most the attention was afforded to the gulls loafing on the North Lake, a spanking first-winter Caspian Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull representing our main prizes. Med Gulls were once an expected prize for diligent sifting of the Black-headed Gull flocks but they have regained 'scarce' status in the local area, if not the Surrey and London recording areas entirely! Two each of Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail were around, along with a Little Egret and eight Pochards. It was interesting to see a number of the Shovelers on the North Lake diving for food. A Siskin flew over, along with six Snipe, three redpolls and 150 Redwings.

first-winter Caspian Gull

adult Mediterranean Gull

Beddington Farmlands, 2nd November 2017

I set aside today for catching up with neglected errands since my Ethiopian trip and caught up with most of what needed doing in the afternoon but I made sure that I didn't waste some potential birding time, in the morning paying my first visit to Beddington for what has been too long. Unfortunately, it was a total pea-souper for the first half of the morning, forcing me to hold off from my planned walk and wait it out at the hide which had the benefit of catching up with Dave S and Steve T. Anyway, my highlights over the course of the morning included three Yellow-legged Gulls (an adult and two first-winters), a fly-over Brambling, two Water Rails, a Chiffchaff, two Fieldfares, a Pochard, two redpolls, a Reed Bunting and five Skylarks.

first-winter Yellow-legged Gull (bird 1)

first-winter Yellow-legged Gull (bird 2)

adult Yellow-legged Gull

Beddington Farmlands, 21st September 2017

My good birding friend Christian C tends to have Thursdays off so I joined him for a morning's jaunt at Beddington. It seemed I was missing a hirundine spectacular at Canons but, after dropping Christian back home, I figured there was little point in me heading there to pick up the dregs and opted instead to just return to Beddington to sift through the gulls and keep an eye and an ear open for fly-overs.

A few grounded passerines included singles of Wheatear, Whinchat, Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, as well as at least four Stonechats and around 20 Chiffchaffs. A few Meadow Pipits were milling around, a late Swift flew through and all three common hirundines were passing through at a very low ebb. One Yellow Wagtail called overhead and at least three Grey Wagtails were knocking around. In the south-east corner, we located the juvenile Wood Sandpiper feeding along with two of the four Green Sandpipers logged. Aside from around 15 Lapwings, the only other wader record was Snipe, with a flock of four disturbed.

Grilling the gulls produced two Caspian Gulls, representives in their first and second calendar years, and an adult Yellow-legged Gull, I think the same bird as I had on 8th September. That's not to mention a rather striking leucistic juvenile Herring Gull! I imagine this bird could cause confusion later in life if it wanders around the country... The roll call of ducks included two Wigeon, 70 Teal, 73 Shoveler and 31 Gadwall, while two Egyptian Geese made a ruckus. A Water Rail hurled itself across the North Lake by the hide and onto one of the islands.

juvenile Wood Sandpiper

second-winter Caspian Gull

first-winter Caspian Gull

adult Yellow-legged Gull

leucistic juvenile Herring Gull