23rd January

Thorncombe Street

Danger at Mill Pond

Aside from a fry-up, birding is perhaps one of the best hangover cures. It had a job to do for me on Saturday, as I headed out for a couple of hours with Matt Phelps in the middle of the day. First up on the patch was Mill Pond, where wildfowl numbers remained high despite the increase in temperature, following the huge counts in the week.

There were at least 50 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 44 Tufted Ducks and 20+ Mandarins, as well as the party of 6 Greylag Geese that have been around recently, seen at Mill Pond on Monday and Winkworth on Friday. Bizarrely, two signs warning people of the resident Mute Swans 'aggressive' behaviour had been erected - in all my years of coming down here, I've never known them to be particularly confrontational.

Scotsland Farm/Great Brook was the next port of call, and it wasn't long until we stumbled across a roving Tit flock. A Marsh Tit was heard, and then located, before another joined. They were avidly picking away at moss on the trees, presumably finding insects, and Matt managed to get some photos as they occasionally showed well. No doubt more were in the deeper parts of the woods. Big numbers of Treecreepers and Nuthatches were also present.

I'd hoped to stumble across a Woodcock here, and add it to my year list, but there was no joy. So, typically, on the drive back, as my eyes were down looking at my phone, Matt called "Woodock!". We got out for a quick search but couldn't relocate the bird - keep alert at all times on the patch!

Godalming area

Witley Common Great Grey Shrike today (MF)

Earlier in the day we'd popped to Unstead Sewage Farm, where there was little of note, though a singing Chiffchaff (1 of at least 3 on the site) was exceptionally early. 

Today (24th) it seems two Great Grey Shrikes were in the area, with records from both Witley Common (MF, picture attached) and Thursley Common (SM) in the afternoon. At Shalford Water Meadows 2 Little Egrets flew over, and a female Stonechat was present (MP).