On The House

The shooting season prevented megoing very far at all today, but I still managed a tick in the form of c20 House Sparrows. The size of the colony has gradually been declining at the farm, but the installation of several nest boxes should help their plight.

Also out there were monstrous numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare, with easily 150 of each. I have never seen this many at WALBOC although numbers do tend to increase towards the back end of winter.

That should conclude January. I still have six or seven birds I will be hoping to catch up with before the end of the first winter period, and then the summer migrants will hopefully boost my list to around 80 and then I'll need to start doing some serious patch-watching to hit 100.

WALBOC Pathclist: 85
WALBOC Yearlist: 61

An Owl And A Scowl

I was coming back from school, when a small, brown bird darted across my path. Identification was easy, partly because there are so few small brown birds in Britain, but mainly because it perched on a fence post just after I saw it. I darted back to get my scope and newly-fixed camera (oh baby) and enjoyed good views of a Little Owl, my first of the year. Now, as I mentioned I have my beloved camera back. However, because of 'camera-absence' any readers have been unable to sample my superb photography skills. This beauty of a Little Owl is Exhibition A. You're welcome.

However, while scoping the bird I did happen across a rather unfortunate circumstance. Another boy, walking home from school with his mum said of me: 'mum that weird boy is back again.' Ah well, fair enough, I thought, he just doesn't understand birdwatching. However, his mum then replied: 'not weird darling, just at one with the world'. What? I guess its all part of being a birder. Still, that isn't my best though. Once, while photographing roadside Waxwings in Suffolk, a woman walked past shaking her head saying: 'looks like the speed camera's back again.' Oh how I love birding!

WALBOC Patchlist: 85
WALBOC Yearlist: 60

The Greater Gull

Started up at the Airfield today where I was surprised to see a Great Black-backed Gull amongst several LBBGs, BHGs, and Herring Gulls. All eight WALBOC records come from November (I believe?) so this was unseasonal but still welcome.

Following a report of a large Lapwing flock in fields in the deep south of the reserve, I decided to head down there to give it a going over for GoPlo. I was kept company by an armada of Tits and Finches (including Greenfinch, so I have now equalled last year's total of sightings in 22 days). Yet unbelievably, despite the presence of just under 200 Lapwing there was not one to be seen. Have patience young one...

WALBOC Patchlist: 85
WALBOC Yearlist: 59

Feral Peril

Very little of note anywhere, plenty of Swans on Boldermere but none were Bewick's. Still no sign of a Stonechat on the common so a disappointing day on the whole. One moment of excitement came when I was walking through the Airfield farm and soon found myself swamped by Chickens and feral Geese. They genuinely turned on me, forcing me into a flat out sprint away from the farm, diving into a ditch as the beaks pecked all around me. WALBOC is no place for the faint-hearted...

Ticking Over

The weather was perfect for birds, and this was highlighted by monster numbers of both Skylark (80+) and Red-leg (c30 site count). I added Stock Dove to the yearlist which can be tricky as its very hard to tell whether they're feral or not.

However, things soon took a turn for the worse. The problem with birding at an Airfield is that you are very exposed to the weather. So, I took an absolute ponding when the blue skies changed instantly to high winds and horizontal rain. I sprinted to the woodland path to Boldermere only to be greeted by several police cars and a few shouting men. I had no idea what was going on, but thought it best to leave at once. So I did. Every patch has its ups and downs but this? I'll be hoping for a rather more sedate visit next time...

WALBOC Patchlist: 85
WALBOC Yearlist: 58

Out And About

I noticed late on Friday that my yearlist was looking meage and barely ran beyond the WALBOC Patchlist on the right hand side of the page, so I shot round Surrey hoping to do a bit of catching up. It was a big mistake. The weather was so brutal that it was a strugglestaying on my feet let alone spotting birds. Still, I managed to get a couple of 'Mealies' with c30 Lesser Redpoll at Thursley (I'd gone for the GGS); 40+ Waxwing at Ash and saw the Bewick's in daylight. The Bewick's have been at Cobham for yonks now, has a permanent Surrey flock been established? Time will tell.

I had forty minutes of daylight left so went up to the patch but saw nought. A distant, distant bird could have been a Black Redstart (I'll have a look tomorrow), and by the time I found any Lapwing (120+ of them) it was too dark to find a GoPlo.

Back up tomorrow for some better weather, and luck.

Sorry for the lack of photos, my camera is being fixed for impact damage (oops)

WALBOC Patchlist: 85
WALBOC Yearlist: 57

Bringing Home The Bewick's

Not strictly a post about the patch, but I thought that rather than waiting for the Bewick's at the patch, I shoud probably go and see the birds in case they leave. I know the place well (having looked for Whooper and Bewick's there before (albeit twice)) and was on site in the dark at about twenty past seven. Standing on the road side in my school uniform looking down a 'scope before first light on a Wednesday morning warranted a fair shar of bemused looks from cars on the road.

The Bewick's flew in from the north-east (not Boldermere direction) at 07:27. They were seen very well coming into land with some Mute Swans giving a handy size comparison.

Very, very happy to have seen them in Surrey. I think it is very unlikely that I'd be able to see them from the patch though. A top top bird.

WALBOC Patchlist: 85
WALBOC Yearlist: 57

Usain, Bring Us A Bewick's

As most Surrey birders will know, there have been 18 Bewick's Swans present in some flooded fields in Cobham recently. As much fewer Surrey birders will know, these 18 Bewick's Swans are within 200 metres of the patch boundary, devastatingly close. Usain Bolt could reach them in under 20 seconds, me in probably 35. Therefore, for the last couple of days and probably for the next few as well, I have been standing on the edge of the patch praying that the Bewick's decide to head off to roost in my direction before banking off to the reservoirs.

No luck this time but a massive patch tick could be on the cards...

WALBOC Patchlist: 85
WALBOC Yearlist: 57

Standard Service

I had to get back in time for Sunderland's FA Cup tie against Notts County so spent the morning ticking off some of the commoner birds I'd yet to find.

I bagged a Greenfinch early on, a positive tick as they can be really tricky round here. It took me 8 months to get one last year.

Knowing the lake would ice-free now, I went up expecting an easy couple of ticks and fulfilled those expectation wth a couple of Cormorant and a distant Great Crested Grebe. Surprisingly I couldn't find a Stonechat, but I have no fear on that front.

Lastly to 'Mippit Meadow' where I nabbed, much to my surprise, a Meadow Pipit. I'll be back up tomorrow hoping for something a bit better.

WALBOC Patchlist: 85
WALBOC Yearlist: 57

Wisley Wonders

I was elated as England seemed fairly certain now to retain the ashes, and I was determined to augment my joy with a decent day at the patch, unfortunately time pressures meant I could only visit the airfield today, but it was very much worth it.

Following a tip off from the gamekeeper and Mike 'Ike' Waites, I went to a part of the airfield I rarely visit - something I'll have to amend.

A flyby Sparrowhawk and a group of skulking Red-legged Partridge were expected year ticks. However, while scanning a hedgerow I was very surprised to see all manner of passerines. Multiple Yellowhammer were instantly visible and instantly nabbed. Furthermore, several Brambling were also present and represented a welcome year tick. The best birds however were a party of three Tree Sparrow. Not a patch tick, but certainly a year tick and I thank Mike for for the tip-off.

To cap it off I found a patch and year tick (drum roll please) a Grey Heron! In three or so years of searching I have never seen a Grey Heron. A very unexpected surprise.

On a sour note, I dipped on Golden Plover  for the sixth time and the first this year. Surely this can not happen again? I must get Golden Plover to stand any chance of hitting triple figures by the end of the year.

Days like this don't come along often, but when they do they can make your month.

WALBOC Patchlist: 85
WALBOC Yearlist: 53

New Year Cheer

Up to the airfield this morning where I saw all five British  winter thrushes - Redwing, Fieldfare, and Mistle Thrush were new for my yearlist. There is very little on the lake at the moment but when all the ice has melted we should see the return of some commoner waterfowl to it and some new species on my list, but for the time being I'll have to chin it.

Just when I thought I'd have only thrushes to show for my efforts, a piercing cry alerted me to a Common Buzzard circling overhead. Not a bad day but 'New Year Cheer' is probably a bit optimistic.

WALBOC Patchlist: 84

WALBOC Yearlist: 45

New Year, New List

First bird of the year? Blackbird. Ah well, it was a Robin for the last three years so I'll take it.

I had severe difficulty in getting up and out this morning, but after an 8:15 Red Bull I managed to be up at the Airfield by 8:45. I met up with local birders Andy Rogers and David Wilson in the hope of something special. However, there was nothing to shout about save the ubiquitous Skylarks and a couple of Reed Bunting.

The lake was still partially frozen but still warranted several Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard and a flyover Lapwing. The Common held at least 30 Goldcrest and a pair of Treecreepers. Sight nor sound of any Brambling but I hold out hope.

WALBOC Patchlist: 84
WALBOC Yearlist: 41