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.