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.