RSPB GARDEN BIRDWATCH

28^TH January 2017.

 Today, I aimed to complete the latest record for the SDBWS Winter Bird Count and, at the same time, take part in the annual RSPB Garden Birdwatch. Two birds with one stone, so to speak! I had to do it today (Saturday) as Fulham were playing tomorrow in the FA Cup.

Ewell Road Entrance

Photo: Reg Norman

 

I didn’t bother getting up too early as I knew that there would be lots of traffic noise and many dogwalkers whatever time I got there! As I set off (well wrapped) the sun came out and it was to be a lovely morning.

 

                                                        A lovely, sunny, start to the day!

Photo: Reg Norman

 

 





What a surprise! The park was, for the most part, devoid of any other people and the traffic noise was only just audible! Unfortunately, there were no birds or their sounds in the North Green either! In fact, everywhere seemed to be quite quiet.

 

Towards the Quarry (left) and Small Pond.

Photo: Reg Norman

 

Moving to the Quarry area, I was met by a small Tit flock and a very noisy Wren. The Small Pond next to it was devoid of any waterfowl or Moorhens. I was alerted by the call of a Nuthatch and could watch a pair of them, for quite some time, as they went about their business searching all the cracks on a tree. I noted that they seemed to be quite ‘plump’. There were quite a few flying insects about (due to the sun being out?) and hoped that there were, likewise, insects moving about on the branches for them.

 

Waterfall between Small Pond and Long Pond.

Photo: Reg Norman

 

A Little Egret passed overhead, heading off to the West. I noticed, in the corner of my eye, some rather quick movements in the direction of the Big Pond. It was a Pied Wagtail; I have often hoped to see one here, the last one being over a year ago! A great little bird, not frightened to get in amongst the Black Backed Gulls!

I was able to observe, for quite some time, a Wren as it foraged up and down the bank of the Long Pond. It was just a shame that I didn’t take any photo’s as it was at times quite close to me.

 

New life on Long Pond

Photo: Reg Norman

 



There was absolutely nothing at Cottage Corner, perhaps due to the fact that there were quite a few squirrels in the area, some of which were hurtling around in a ‘harum-scarum’ sort of way.

Walking up Dell Hill, I came across a chap who was feeding a Robin. I took this bird to be the one that I photographed on Christmas morning. He was very tame and drove away other birds that came for the food! There were several Wood Pigeons here and also a couple of Dunnocks who also seemed quite confiding. Notable absentees were the usual Tit flock and the Goldcrests.

 

Dunnock, Dell Hill.

Photo: Reg Norman

 

I moved down the road from Nuthatch Corner to visit The Dell in the hope that the Tits and Goldcrests might have been there trying the, relatively, warm area. It can usually be quite chilly here as the sun does not penetrate too well. Today was different though, the sun streamed in. No birds though!

The Dell up to the feeder area.

Photo: Reg Norman





 

Back up the road I went, to visit the West Wood area. It was very quiet here; I had hoped to see Long Tailed Tits as they can usually be found here, but, had no luck. Even the Robins, usually very much in evidence, were nowhere to be seen although I did hear a couple.

 

Black Headed Gull on Big Pond.

Photo: Reg Norman

 

Arriving at the Big Pond I saw the usual flock of Mallards and quite a few Moorhens. There were also about fifteen Black Backed Gulls taking full advantage of the food that was on offer from a young lady. There was no sign of the Canada Geese this time. I think that, as the pond has been partially frozen for some time, they have given up on coming here.

 Most of the thrushes, Mistle, Song, Redwing and Fieldfare were absent again for this visit.

 BIRDS SEEN: Robin, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Blue Tit, Ring Necked Parakeet, Moorhen, Nuthatch, LITTLE EGRET, Magpie, PIED WAGTAIL, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Stock Dove, Blackbird, Wren, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Starling, Mallard, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull.



 





 



 

 



 





 

 

 

 



 

DISCOVERING ‘THE DELL’.

7^th January 2017.

 The main reason for visiting Fishponds today was to complete yet another survey for the SDBWS Winter Bird Count. I cannot believe that I am already half way through the season!

 

Getting up nice and early, I was pleased to see that the really cold and frosty weather had been replaced by a relatively warmer, if overcast and grey, day. It had been raining overnight but had now stopped and it was quite pleasant outside. The first thing that I noticed was the traffic noise; being a Saturday morning traffic was quite heavy on the Ewell Road and I was to be able to hear this (and from other adjacent roads) clearly throughout the morning.





Dandelions and other plants were in flower.

Photo: Reg Norman

 

 

The North Green and its’ boundary were strangely quiet with just the one Robin to be seen or heard. This was not to last as there was a sudden influx of Ring Necked Parakeets. They even drowned out the noise of the traffic and seemed hell bent on waking all the residents of the surrounding blocks of flats!

 Moving along to the Quarry and Small Pond area I was greeted by a small mixed flock of Tits, a single Wren and two Goldfinches who appeared to be playing a game of ‘tag’.  A few Woodpigeons were high in the trees but there was no sign of any of the Thrush species. I got a bit of a shock here as a young lady dogwalker had come up behind me; she got quite a shock herself as she hadn’t seen me until I had moved. It turned out that she had a visual impairment and my ‘cammo’ had obviously rendered me almost invisible!

I continued along the Brunswick Lodge Boundary towards the Long Pond as I had seen some Mallard walking across the grass towards the cover by the pond. As I approached, a large dog ran into this cover and the ducks flew out in all directions; the owners seemed to find this immensely funny.

 

I found out by chance that I was able to follow the Long Pond all the way round. I had always thought that it finished at the park boundary found that the was in fact a little path that I could follow. This would save me some time in future as I have always retraced my steps, back by the ‘Redwoods’, crossing the pond via one of the, dry, waterfalls.

 



From the North end of Long Pond.

Photo: Reg Norman

 

There was a solitary Blackbird in the trees by Cottage Corner and nothing on the feeders there. So I moved up Dell Hill. I was glad to note that there was quite a large mixed flock of Tits moving around area; they were pleasantly vocal and were joined by a small group of three Robins who rolled along with them.

The feeders had obviously been replenished recently although the only customer was a, rather fat, squirrel! This may be because there was now an almost constant stream of unhealthy people jogging past.

I had thought that it would be somewhat quieter up in this area (being furthest from the traffic) but I could now hear what appeared to be a fleet of dustbin lorries in the surrounding streets. I will try to stick to Sunday mornings in future!

 

In the last blog I said that I would find out where the road went from Nuthatch Corner; nothing surprising, it was, of course, the continuing service road (which I will call Fishponds Hill at this point) that runs through the park to Fishponds House! The real discovery was to come at the bottom of the hill. What I had previously taken to be a tiny garden was in fact quite a large area; a cultivated Dell!

 

Terraces in the Dell.

Photo: Reg Norman



 

This area must be quite impressive when in bloom; the whole area is terraced and there is evidence of some quite good plants. It forms a naturally windproof area and there were quite a few small birds taking advantage of this.

 

I walked back up the hill to Nuthatch Corner and on to the West Wood. It was very quiet here and apart from a few Robins being heard nothing seemed to be about. I followed the path round to the Big Pond which was covered to about fifty per cent with ice. The usual Mallard and Moorhens were here but there was no sign of the Canada Geese.

Fishponds House from the Big Pond.

Photo: Reg Norman

 

Both North and South Greens and their boundaries were also quite empty of birds; I believe that this was due to the amount of noise and the, now, very evident dogwalkers!

 

BIRDS SEEN: Robin, Ring Necked Parakeet, Jackdaw, Herring Gull, Black Headed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Wren, Blue Tit, Moorhen, Great Tit, Blackbird, Long Tailed Tit, Mallard, Mistle Thrush, Collared Dove, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Nuthatch, Starling, Feral Pigeon.

Fishponds Park LNR

25^th December 2016

 In this entry, I will be using the personal names for different areas of the park that I shall be using for reference in the future. They are not official names (I don’t know any!) but I consider them to be ‘suitable’. I usually follow the same route around the park as it allows me to work methodically.

A Christmas Robin

Photo: Reg Norman

I had intended an early start to beat the dog walkers. Unfortunately, I overslept by about an hour so didn’t get to Fishponds until nearly half past seven. Surprisingly there were very few people about, maybe because it was, after all, Christmas morning! A few gulls were in the distance by the Big Pond.

Prospective 2017 Nestholes?

Photo: Reg Norman

There were no birds on show on the boundary bushes and scrubs of the North Green except for a solitary Robin. A couple of Jackdaws flew over calling but seemed rather subdued. Turning left at the end of the boundary, the Small Pond and the Quarry were also very quiet. A couple of both Mallard and Moorhen on the pond and only one Wren to be seen / heard. Above, high in the trees, were half a dozen Woodpigeon.

Heading north along the Brunswick Lodge boundary by the pond I was suddenly aware of a, noisy, large mixed flock of birds coming over the pond towards the boundary. There were Blue and Great Tits, Goldfinches and several other small birds that were just moving too fast for me. One that I did spot, and a first for me here, was a Treecreeper. There was, possibly, a Goldcrest too. Several local Wrens joined in the cacophony for a few moments although they soon quietened down as the flock moved on.

'Redwood' area.

Photo: Reg Norman.

 





  I still have not seen either Redwings or Fieldfare this year; I wasn’t to see the usual Song or Mistle thrushes either today.

The Redwood and Long Pond areas were both quiet although some crows did make quite a bit of racket for a short time.

There were the odd gulls flying over, I had obviously missed the main passage of gulls (several thousand?) due to my tardiness earlier.

Long Pond, looking North.

Photo: Reg Norman.

 



 There was a small mixed group of Tits and others by Cottage Corner although they had dispersed by the time that I had closed in.

Ring Necked Parakeets were, by now, circling the park vying with each other as to which could make the most noise.

I walked up Pond Plantation Hill (where I met the first dog walkers of the day) and, at the top, noted that whoever had kindly supplied a couple of birdfeeders was keeping them topped up. One with mixed seeds and the other with fat balls.

The new feeders.

Photos: Reg Norman.

 

I stood back to observe these feeders for a while; a small group of birds seemed to be using them but their position by the path made the rush for cover every time a, by now frequent, dog walker came by. Patience was rewarded though; at least a couple of Goldcrests had moved into the area and were busy investigating every inch of the small twigs they were on at high speed! I tried to take some photos’ but they were too quick (me too slow) and they eluded me. I shall bring a tripod with me one of these days with the remote shutter control, hopefully that should allow me to get a picture of these lovely little birds!

 

Nuthatch Corner.

Photo: Reg Norman.

 

  A little further on the path turns right at Nuthatch Corner. I call it this because I saw two of these birds here last week although I didn’t have time to blog the sighting. I have not ventured down this path as there is at least one house and I am not sure how far it goes. I will try to find out next time I am here.

Moving on to the Western Open Area and West Wood I came across a small group of Long Tailed Tits all being very vocal and their pink colouring developing nicely. There were several other Tits in both areas although mostly as singles.

 



 

 

West Wood, woodchip path.

Photo: Reg Norman.

 

 

Following the woodchip path, (great for moving quietly!), I finished my tour of the plantation at the Big Pond. I had brought some bread with me to entice the Mallard into a smaller group for counting (65) but there was already a couple there doing a splendid job for me! This also meant an early, if meagre, breakfast for me! There were not as many Moorhens here as have been in the last couple of visits but the usual family of Canada Geese were enjoying some of the food.

 

A helpful couple.

Photo: Reg Norman.

 

 

 

It had brightened up somewhat and as I walked down the main drive towards Ewell Road the bells of our local church started to peal. It actually made me feel a little Christmassy!

I kept scanning the Southern boundary trees and bushes but there was little about. Except dog walkers; there was at least twenty in one group alone!

Main entrance / St Matthews.

Photo: Reg Norman.

 



 

On the main drive, there were now crowds of people out for their Christmas constitutional and lots of youngsters trying out their new bikes / scooters / buggies and such. BAH Humbug!

 

BIRDS SEEN: Robin, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Starling, Mallard Moorhen, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Goldfinch, TREECREEPER, Carrion Crow, Ring Necked Parakeet, COLLARED DOVE, Jackdaw, Goldcrest, Canada Goose, Feral Pigeon, Black Headed Gull. 



 



Fishponds Park, 15th Dec 2016.

Surbiton

 Today was quite pleasant, weatherwise, although I still wrapped up well. I needed to complete another entry on my ‘Winter Bird Count’ sheet for the Surbiton Birdwatching Society (SDBWS) so this was a good opportunity to get out and have a look. I took no photos and this will just be a record of the birds seen.

BIRDS SEEN: Robin, Ring Necked Parakeet, Jay, Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Song Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Wren, Moorhen, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Goldcrest, NUTHATCH, Canada Goose, Mallard, Feral Pigeon, Starling.

FISHPONDS PARK

SURBITON

Having had a good lay in, I got up at about half past six to go to Fishponds Park. I am going to treat this park as my ‘patch’ from the New Year onwards and thought that I might try to get to know the place a little better and to send my sightings to the County Recorder, Eric Soden as a practice run.

It was still dark!

I eventually left home just after half past seven with the sun streaming down although there was some mist around in the park itself. It was also very cold and I wished that I had worn something a little warmer.
It seemed oddly quiet as I made my way through the main gate in Ewell Road. There were a few Robins twittering away and a couple of vocal Carrion Crows flying overhead. There really did not seem to be much about and I was glad when I met a group of Mallards walking between the ponds.

Photo: Reg Norman

 

After about half an hour the first sounds of birdlife began to filter from the undergrowth; Wrens and Robins mostly but they were soon joined by the different Tit families.

I walked through the small woodland area adjacent to the long ponds hoping for some thrushes (Redwing and Fieldfare) as there were regular reports of them being about. Alas, none were to be seen. A small group of Magpies suddenly burst on to the scene; I believe that they were chasing a very small squirrel.

Stopping to take some ‘photos for this blog entry I noticed what I thought was a blackbird rummaging amongst some fallen leaves. But no! It was a Ring Ouzel! I was not expecting this and fumbled to get my camera switched on. It was a bit far away so I moved in towards it. It promptly flew off but landed in a garden not far away on the edge of the park. I tried to take some pictures (20 -30 feet away) but it kept low down amongst the plants and dustbins. I also thought that I heard another close by. The small garden by the house was alive with birds, most were quite confiding. I shall check this area every time that I come to the park!

Continuing on, I came to the highest point of the park to be met by badly frosted trees and bushes. I remember thinking that I thought frost occurred at the bottom end of slopes.

Photo: Reg Norman

 

There seemed to be several Robins and Wrens in this area, all of which were very vocal. Turning a corner in the path I came across a large lorry collecting props from a filming unit. It was they that had sprayed the trees and bushes to look like frost / snow! I should have looked closer, when up close you could tell the difference easily!

Photo: Reg Norman

(Note fake frost in background!)

 

I walked down through a lightly wooded area (not much about) until I came to the main pond. Here there were many Mallard and Moorhens. There were three juvenile Moorhens and they seemed to frequent the edges of the pondside vegetation.

Photo: Reg Norman

 

I was well pleased to see the Ring Ouzel but a little disappointed not to see Redwings and Fieldfare.

BIRDS SEEN: Wood Pigeon, Song Thrush, Magpie, Robin, Blackbird, Ring Necked Parakeet, Blue tit, Great tit, Long Tailed tit, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Wren, RING OUZEL, Dunnock, Moorhen, Feral Pigeon.

Fishponds Park

Surbiton

 

Photo: Reg Norman

My new 'Local Patch' is Fishponds Park in Surbiton, Surrey. The park comprises of small areas of woodland, a couple of ponds and lots of open grassland. I will, mostly, have to walk around the area in the early morning due to the dogwalking fraternity. In the evening there can, sometimes, be a problem with drinkers and drug users. As well as appearing here, I will submit my observations to Surrey Birders (and thus the County Recorder) and the 'Londonbirders' wiki. I plan to start recording in January 2017, although it may be earlier if I can get my act together! I have been to the park on a couple of short visits, to try out my new camera and can also see part of the boundary from our flat window.

 

 

Photo: Reg Norman
 

Bird species seen so far: Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Jay, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Blue tit, Great tit, Long Tailed tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Fieldfare, Starling, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black Backed and Great Black Backed Gulls, Wren, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Little Egret, House Martin, Common Swift, Ring Necked Parakeet, Sparrowhawk. Tawny Owl (heard).