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).