Godalming, Thorncombe Street and Unstead Sewage Farm

An afternoon with Ed Stubbs on his home turf starting with a Reed Warbler singing outside his Godalming flat.

At Thorncombe Street I finally saw a Hobby for 2019, though I still need the species for Sussex. Several Buzzards and the odd Red Kite were also on the wing, as were two Ravens. Two Cormorants and two Greylags flew over. Swifts, House Martins and Swallows were overhead. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting feeders and a Bullfinch called. Bramley Mill Pond had a brood of flycatching Mandarin ducklings and a few Tufted Ducks.

Mandarin ducklings

Unstead Sewage Farm was visited out of curiosity. I never knew the site in its heyday but changes in management and a depleted birding following means it's generous to say that it is now a shadow of its former self. Singles of Reed Warbler, Bullfinch, Red-legged Partridge, Pied Wagtail and Buzzard were as good as it got...

Caught Red-rumped

Red-rumped Swallow is a species that I've never had any particular luck with. I've gone for and dipped them a couple of times and been at sites when they have been present but for one reason or another didn't see them (mainly because news wasn't let out until dark). A text from Johnny Allan around 6.00pm sent me into panic as I tried to find someone to give me a lift down to Unstead for a bird that had just been found there. It turned out that Eagle was available so off we went. Badgeman and Factor were on the scene already with a handful of others and it wasn't long until Red-rumped Swallow was firmly on my list as it hawked amongst the swarm of House Martins, Swallows and Swifts. At times the bird flew right over our heads and gave very obliging views - the right way to get one in the end!!!