Godalming area birds

Godalming area birds

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Sunday 10 January 2016

10th January

Thorncombe Street

Restricted time on the patch during the past few days, though wildfowl numbers were up on Mill Pond on the 8th, with c.8 Teal, 3+ Shoveler, 24 Tufted Ducks and at least 25 Mandarin, many displaying drakes within the flock of latter species. On the drive a Red Kite was seen from the car, with 2 Red-legged Partridges on Allden's Hill.

Godalming area

8th: Little Egrets continue to frequent the flooded meadows adjacent to the River Wey, with 1 on the Lammas Lands and another further north, on the Flooded Field at Unstead Sewage Farm. It was at this latter site that I saw 2 Ravens flying east over the works (viewed from Unstead Lane), a long overdue site tick for me.

9th: At Frensham Little Pond a Bittern flew to into the south-west corner at 09:10. There were 2 Little Egrets in Hells Ditch on the Lammas Lands.

10th: My first fairly thorough search of Unstead Sewage Farm of the year was fruitful, At least 2 Chiffchaffs were present, 1 showing briefly. This species overwinters at this site with the occasional Tristis bird having been found down the years. A remarkable 20+ Goldcrests were also taking advantage of the bounty of insects in the hedgerows and bushes adjacent to the works. On the Dry Lagoon, 3 Shoveler were joined by up to 8 Reed Buntings, with Teal heard from the direction of Roy's Marsh.

The South Meadow held plenty of Wrens and Dunnocks, and what was surely a Cetti's Warbler was seen every so briefly, skulking in the vegetation. A long tail and chestnut plumage was noted in flight, but frustratingly the bird never called. 2 Water Rails did, however, with 1 showing itself as it was flushed only a foot or so from the footpath. A Peregrine was seen distantly, over towards the Flooded Field, putting up a load of corvids, before flying off NW, wrapping up a very good haul.

Elsewhere today, the 2 Little Egrets were reported again from Hells Ditch, and a Green Sandpiper and 3 Woodcock were seen at Shalford water meadows, the former near Broadford Marsh.