Corn Does The Job

Two options faced me this morning. 1. Focus on some wedding that was apparently going on, or 2. Get up and find something good at the patch. Instead, I chose a combination. I slept til 11, realised I'd overslept and hared up to the patch. I did the usual check which was fairly quiet. Then came something I was not expecing (well I was - just not today). in birding I reckon you make your own luck, with endeavour. If you get up early and put in the hours, you get the good birds. If you don't go up the patch til midday, you shouldn't expect too much. Well, I don't know how it happened - but it did, and for that I am thankful.

1:49 p.m - I went to the farmhouse where I'd had Whinchat and Tree Sprog this year so was hoping for another good find. I managd to evade the bloody geese that have been the scourge of birding at the farmhouse and the source of many leg wounds.

1:50 p.m - bored, checked the pager, two Red-footed Falcons in Norfolk. I wondered what the chances of them turning up down here were - pretty slim I guessed.

1:51 p.m - it's nice that there's always House Sparrows about round here, nice fem there, and there and...hello!! I put the bins down and started to photograph my quarry. It stayed for a bit before flying off high east. I sent out the news - probable Corn Bunting. Nothing else I could do til I got home.

Once home, I blew it up on the comp. That's a Corn Bunt I thought. I sent the pic to Gareth Lewis to get a second opinion and the news cam back - 'reed bunt'. I was absolutely deflated. I also sent it to Devil Birder and later got the text ' that's a corn bunt mate'.

Officially, this is the fifth Surrey record since the turn of the century. However, I think WALBOC kicked up six records last year! None were submitted though, and so this remains the fifth Surrey Corn Bunting since the turn of the millenium. How's that for luck??

There will be pics of Corn Bunts, Whichats, Common Tern, Hobby etc. soon enough.

Brilliant.

WALBOC Patchlist: 103
WALBOC Yearlist: 101

Battle Begins

All the gimme's have been seen now, meaning the battle is on to get new yearticks. There are up to ten birds I would expect but wouldn't take for granted. There are five more that I would be thrilled to see but at the same time not entirely surprised at.

However, the best thing about the situation is that I will get another yeartick before the end of the year and I've seen everything expected. So something will come. And when it comes...it will be damn good.

(It could, however, be a Reed Warbler).

Swift One Hundred

I had returned from an uneventful day around when I received word from Aaron that the Cuckoo was still about and he had seen a Tree Pipit in the CTP. I couldn't go look for it, there would be more. Four hours later, when I was, of all activities to be doing when spotting birds, playing football. I saw a small-ish bird fly into the top of a tall conifer nearby and start singing its heart out. I grabbed the bins and confirmed it as a Tree Pipit. I was watching it parachute when another bird caught my attention. A Swift overhead, arriving on cue at Easter. 100. And what a bird to get it with (although I would have said that whatever I got it with. I was thrilled but also shocked in a way. I had never done a WALBOC yearlist before so thought at the start of the year that I would struggle to get to 100 in 365  days but I managed it with 220+ to spare. So, what will be next...

I am still photographing most of the birds I see and will upload them when I have more time on my hands, which will be in a while. Serious revision begins shortly.

WALBOC Patchlist: 102
WALBOC Yearlist: 100

Thick And Fast

After a four-day absence from WALBOC I had high hopes of a few year ticks in the form of migrants that had come in while I was away. First up and most expected was a Garden Warbler in the Marshes. I moved on up to Boldermere where the Boldermere blockbuster birds were in. Two Common Tern were on the rafts. I was hot and tired (it was the middle of the day and bloody hot) so I settled down in the shade to see what would turn up. After about fifteen minutes a very familiar falcon turned up. In no time at all I was watching five Hobby darting low overhead hawking. Brilliant views. I could see stuff was moving about so I settled down for a raptor watch but after a while none of the three hoped for raptors (marsh harrier, osprey and honey buzzard) showed. I moved back to the Airfield and something inspired me to check the farmhouse - I don't know what I was expecting. All I could see was House Sparrows so I turned to go back and was pleasantly surprised to see a male Whinchat flycatching. I enjoyed watching it for about half an hour and I let Gareth Lewis and Aaron Walker know about it before going home to recover from the blistering heat. Four ticks, good day.

WALBOC Patchlist: 102
WALBOC Yearlist: 98  

Cuckoo Woohoo

After four days of Shorelarks and Cranes and Blue-winged Teals around Suffolk, I was itching to get back to the patch. As soon as I arrived, I heard the most distinctive call in Britain 'Cuck-oo, Cuck-oo' (well, roughly). I headed down to the Yellow Marshes where they are fairly regular and where I suspected this bird to be. After a while, I saw it dash by and out of view, a brilliant Common Cuckoo. I love Cuckoos, hopefully there'll be a few more to see yet so I can get some pictures.

The ton is officially up, although I have seen a fair few more than this. I only started keeping an official list in September last year and that is what has reached 100. However, in truth my patchlist stands at about 115. I don't think there's anything I won't see again at some point so I'm not too bothered by it.

WALBOC Patchlist: 100
WALBOC Yearlist: 94

Mega Missed

Just as I was getting back home I got a call from Aaron 'Dartford Warbler in scrub by Watchpoint yesterday a'noon. I would have called you then but my phone was dead'. Sh*t, I raced up there as fast as I could and gave it an hour or so but there was no sign. This was my third Dartford dip in as many years. Once I arrived on the Airfield as usual to see five or so birders lined up at the Watchpoint. This is a very rare site, other birders are as scarce as Dartford Warblers round here. I got closer and saw they were packing up their scopes - never a good sign. 'What was it?' 'Dartford, showed well for about half an hour, just flew off a couple of minutes ago'. 'Bollocks.'

So much for no posting...

Update - Year Ticks and WeBS Count

Latest Year Ticks:
1 Peregrine over Bunting Field at c0945 17/04/11
1 Lesser Whitethroat Yellow Marshes 16/04/11
2 Bullfinch (floodgates have opened) hedge between RLP field and Cow Field 15/04/11 and Yellow Marsh

WeBS Count Boldermere:

2 Pochard
2 GCG
2 Mute Swan
1 Canada Goose
32 Tufted Duck
5 Mallard
2 Moorhen
4 Gadwall
44 Coot

WALBOC Patchlist: 99
WALBOC Yearlist: 93

The End

For reasons I will not divulge, I have decided to stop the blog for a while. I enjoyed it though and I'm sorry for the lack of any really good birds.

Just remember, birding is about the birds and nothing else at all.

To my readers - thanks to both of you.

Cheers,

Alex

More Of The Same

Woke up and checked the pager - nothing. Checked the phone: 'Wood Warbler Canons Farm'. God, I hate that place. Never a dull moment always a good bird (actually that's quite a good patch motto, I'll have to start using that for here although I need to find out what it is in Latin first). This year they have had Common Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier, Wood Warbler and probably something else good. What have we had? Err...I guess Gadwall are still quite rare? It got me thinking though, why do they turn up all these great birds and we get nothing, with as much habo and water. The answer is simple. Canons master & commander Devil Birder spends about 9 hours a day patching. I reckon he has visited the patch every day this year. Me on the other hand, I have made about forty visits all for no more than 4 or 5 hours. To sum it up, while he was finding Wood Warblers, I was asleep in bed. So truly, you snooze you lose.

My patch wasn't so bad though. First on the deck Yellow Wag of the year and it was one hell of a bird. It was so bright and colourful it actually hurt my eyes to look at it. I had to shield them from the glare. So I resolved to do this beautiful bird justice with a top notch photo. Said photo is at the top with a handy red ring around the bird to show you where it is. To clarify, I will be submitting this to YWPOTY (Yellow Wag Photographer Of The Year). Nice Buzzard on the Airfield as well. Went to the CTP in the small hope of a Firecrest or Trippit but no luck. I did however see the 'Whitethroat who will not be photographed' who sings his heart out every day in the plantation. I managed a phenomenal Wheatear site count of 26+ birds (WALBOC record?) and Aaron had our 20th Red Kite of the year (may as well go for fifty) which was on the deck on the Airfield. Most Surrey patches get the odd flyover so to get one on the deck is fairly special.

Nervous Nineties

Did the usual today with a couple of year ticks in store. A Yellow Wagtail flew low overhead on Cow Field giving its distinctive call. I hoped it would land for a photo but it kept on going out of the patch. On to Blackmoor where I was told I'd missed another Firecrest. I don't think they summer over here so I need to catch up with one soon. A solitary House Martin was amongst the Swallows on Blackmoor. I met B McG on the Airfield but nothing showed.

Back out in the afternoon to try and nab a Tree Pipit in the CTP but no luck. Maybe tomorrow.

WALBOC Patchlist: 97
WALBOC Yearlist: 90

One Sided Spectrum

A very one sided spectrum at the moment. Unbelievable numbers of Red-legs, the Black Redstart, and astonishingly, five Red Kites over today bringing the total number of Red Kite sightings for the year to 17. Having said that my only year tick of the day was not Red but a Common Whitethroat. I used this bird to enhance by blossoming reputation as a Warbler photographer extraordinaire as you can see in the third photo down. As for the other photos, one is of one of today's Red Kites, and the others are of one and then four of today's 19 Wheatear on the Airfield. A couple of shots of Red-leg as well. The first photo is of a typically Black Redstart-less Black Redstart song post something I'm getting quite good at (note the Green Sandpiper-less fringes and Little Grebe-less pond). The last photo is of a Black Redstart so Black Redstart fans don't go (stay) home too disgruntled.

WALBOC Patchlist: 96
WALBOC Yearlist: 88

Late Christmas Tree Decoration

Birding has been good lately. There is loads about at the moment at WALBOC. Incredible numbers of Blackcap and everything else. Firecrest have been seen regularly recently but by everyone who isn't me. I was again pleased with what had been about when I slowly made my way down to the Christmas Tree Plantation where the Firecrest had been about, when I heard a very familiar song. Nice for most of it but then a strange wheezing finish. Black Redstart! I set about finding it but there was nothing to be seen. Nothing that was except that Robin on top of a Christmas Tree. Funny-looking Robin though. Very funny. I don't remember seeing one with a white flank. Strange also that it's tail is red - although that's probably just the way the sun is. Although...the sun's behind a cloud now and it's tail is still red. Wait...that's the one! I found myself looking at a gorgeous male Black Redstart on top of a Christmas Tree. Stunning bird, not the first patch record, fem/imm birds have been seen on a couple of occasions but this was the first male. I fired off the news and looked up to take the picture but the Black Redstart was there no longer. Very good to see though.

I went back to have another look in the late evening ut there was no sign. I have a feeling this bird is still about though and I'll be back to try and get a photo.

WALBOC Patchlist: 96
WALBOC Yearlist: 87

Predictable Lull

After the highs of yesterday today was always going to be quiet. Wheatear and Willow Warbler numbers were noticeably down from yesterday and there were no waders in sight. Two Red Kites went over the  Airfield within half an hour which I managed to get better photos of than before (not that that was very difficult).

Grandpiper Makes Grand Day

 Except for a five minute foray for Wheatear, it had been a couple of weeks since my last visit to WALBOC -that's not patchwatching, that's a glancing interest. Due to the length of my absence I was expecting three or four patch ticks, just catching up with the migrants that had come in since my last visi. I got that and more. No less than two patch ticks, one a first for WALBOC. What. A. Day.

The day started brilliantly, with two Grey Wags on thedeck at School Lane Farmhouse. The first on the deck birds and they would have made my day - but other stuff was around to do that.

The ticks started with Willow Warblers which were absolutely everywhere in Willow Wood. Them and Chiffys were innumerable. Soon enough I heard a nice male Blackcap singing and he ended up posing for this first class photo.

 As soon as I left the woods, filled with the sounds of warblers, there were Swallows all around at Blackmoor. Brilliant. They did pose well but my camera forgot how to focus. Again. The Airfield was covered in genuine millions of Wheatears and Skylarks. There were at least fifteen Wheatear, way more than I have ever previously seen.

However, the best was, as it should be, saved until last. I sauntered down to the Yellow Marshes, pleased with my three yearticks and checked the pond. Moorhen...Coot...Coot. That's it, as always. No...wait. What was that? A tiny shape was moving in the reeds. Is it? No, it couldn't be...Yes! A Little Grebe! Patch tick. It left the reeds just long enough to see it before it dived and was lost to view. Fantastic! Seen a couple of times on Boldermere by Gareth Lewis but not down here and certainly not by me. What an unexpected tick. I was quietly pleased with myself and offered a smile to the sky when a hirundine went overhead. Sand Martin! Quite rare round here with no sandy banks etc. Could this be any better?

Yes.

The following shot is supposed to contain a Little Grebe but I haven't found it yet so good luck.

 I was reaaly pleased, the sun was shining, my camera was working (a bit), five year ticks and a patch tick. I had nearly gone full circle and was about to pack up my bins when it happened. I was past Mippit Meadow, nearly back on the road. At this point, on the right, is a small enclosure with a metal gate, designed to contain the heaped s**t of the surrounding cows and sheep etc. There is a tiny pond (well...puddle) in front of the mound with it's own small muddy fringes. Sometimes there's a Pied Wagtail or a Mippit on the fringes and once there was a Black-headed Gull but today, for some reason, at midday on this Thursday, there was upon those muddy fringes a Green Sandpiper. My god. It erupted as I walked by and it took me a couple of seconds to register it as a wader. 'S**t, Wader!!!' I got as much on it as I could, white belly, white rump. Damn this was flying fast. It called loudly, a typical wader call. Up, up over the trees and...down? Did that bloody brilliant bird go down in the Yellow Marshes? No time to answer. I dropped my bag and ran, sprinted. Flew. My bins smashed my belly, spit flew from my mouth. I was getting there and I was taking a record shot of this bird. To cut a short story even shorter...I didn't. I got to the shore and scanned the gaps between reeds on the far side. No luck. Suddenly the Grandpiper erupted from beneath my feet! Noooooo! I could have clinched it. It flew high, circled twice and then went off way North possibly to Boldermere. This is the first ever WALBOC record of Green Sandpiper and my first true WALBOC wader. Others have had Snipe and Curlew and Gareth Lewis had a Common Sandpiper on Boldermere a year ago but this was my first - and I found it. What a bird. What a surprise. What a day. At the end of the day you just don't get waders on farmland, so you really have to savour moments like this. The photo below is of the hallowed fringes that held this beauty. Green Sandpiper. Well I never.

WALBOC Patchlist: 95

WALBOC Yearlist: 86 

Fever Patch

I have been laid low by illness for quite a long time now and so birding has been very limited when it should have been at it's peak now the holidays are here. However, this doesn't mean I've had no year ticks. In recent sleepless nights I have picked up Tawny Owl calling and spotlighted one two days ago.

Yesterday I got a text from Aaron alerting me to a Wheatear very close to my house. I tried to 'scope it from my window but bushes were in the way. Normally I wouldn't have gone given my condition but I thought it wouldn't say much for the patch if I didn't see a Wheatear til mid April. In truth, our first Wheatear was seen on March the 19th and we've had Swallows and House Martins in for a long time now as well. I went down with my bins and instantly picked up the stonking male Wheatear. They are very nice looking birds and I reckon they'd be more appreciated if they weren't so common.

Also, the total WALBOC yearlist has now hit 100 factoring in others' sightings. This is the earliest date that this has been acheived and interestingly we're not so far therefore behind the big-name Surrey sites like Holmethorpe and Beddington.

WALBOC Patchlist: 93
WALBOC Yearlist: 80