11th February

Thorncombe Street

A hard frost came as something of a surprise when I set out at first light, and despite the sun shining brightly it was minus figures when I arrived at Rowe Barn Farm. The recently butchered trees opposite the lay-by looked glum, but the hedges behind them and up the footpath were teeming with Thrushes, Tits and Crests, the latter all Goldcrest. I checked for Firecrest but there was no sign - yet.

Common Gulls were absolutely everywhere. Practically every field from Thorncombe Park and Slade's Farm up to Wintershall harboured a flock, and there were plenty drifting overhead. Despite careful scrutiny the only other species were Black-headed, in much smaller numbers compared to the estimate 150+ Commons. The climb up the Ridge produced a few Red-legged Partridges, with more at the top, further signs this species has had a good winter.

Looking north from the Ridge this morning

It seems large numbers of Corvids have begun to roost in the crops on the Ridge and I, or a passing Red Fox, flushed them all up, along with a couple more Partridges and some Woodpigeons. Movement above was taking place mainly in the shape of the Common Gulls, though 4 Herring Gulls and a Cormorant flew south. I couldn't find any Bramblings among the 20+ Reed Buntings and Finches, just a sole Yellowhammer on the south side.

A scan north revealed that the Barrett's Rough heronry was occupied again - 8 Grey Herons perching prominently from the top of the trees, a good number. I later saw most of these birds in flight over Nurscombe Farm - a flock of Herons isn't a typical sight! All in all, however, there wasn't too much about. On the walk back however, the conspicuous call of a Firecrest fired out from the holly I'd seen the Crest flock in earlier. I obtained brief glimpses, before heading to Mill Pond.

Despite the frozen weather there was little here, either, just 20+ Teal and a handful of Tufted Ducks and Mandarins (still no Grey Wagtail!). Great Brook was also quiet, but it was here I decided that today was a day for appreciating first inklings of spring, as oppose to any unusual birds. As I looked over the bowl, with the sun shining down, numerous Chaffinches, Dunnocks, Tits and Woodpeckers were marking out their territory loudly, and I wondered how many weeks it'd be until that first Hirundine passed overhead.

Godalming area

The Great Grey Shrike this morning (M Elsoffer)

Having been seen yesterday the Great Grey Shrike was again reported today, this time by Mark Elsoffer, who saw it on Shrike Hill. It seems spring was creeping in there too - he also had at least 3 Woodlarks. Elsewhere today a male Blackcap visited a private Busbridge garden this afternoon, and a Brambling was at feeders in
Haslemere.

Yesterday the Goosander were still at Holdfast Lane in Haslemere, and 3 Little Egrets were on the Flooded Field at Unstead Sewage Farm.