It's been a quiet final week of November, with settled, mild weather never threatening to shake things up. Various forecasts are suggesting a cold snap in December, though – and at the very least some easterlies. So perhaps there will be a bit of end of year excitement to come in 2022.
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| Mute Swans. |
Thursday 24th
Thursley was quiet this morning, with a species total of 35 more befitting a midwinter visit than a late autumn one. Two Lesser Redpolls flew over but passerine numbers were noticeably low. A Water Rail called at Pudmore.
Friday 25th
I walked Enton Lakes this bright, sunny morning. Wildfowl numbers were woeful for late November – a mere four Tufted Duck and 10 Mallards! However, the visit was made worth it by a Cetti's Warbler skulking around Richardson Lake. Dave found this bird – which remains very rare and localised in south-west Surrey – a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully it winters.
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| Cetti's Warbler. |
On the way home, a Lesser Redpoll flew south-east over Eashing Fields. Amazingly this was the first in the Eashing area this year! It brings me to 106 for the 1 km year list. Four Common Gulls and a Sparrowhawk were also seen.
Saturday 26th
Upon arriving at the Lammas Lands this morning I was surprised to immediately hear a Hawfinch. I eventually located the bird, which was calling incessantly from atop a riverside willow near the Godalming United Church – bizarre! It then flew south. Unfortunately, having sparked a Godalming mini twitch, it wasn't seen again.
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| Hawfinch. |
It's one thing having vis-mig Hawfinches in these out of context locations, as has been the case a few times this autumn, but to have one on the deck was strange indeed. I'm noticing a pattern with 'out of range' south-west Surrey Hawfinches and days of thrush movement – today a late south-westerly push of Redwings (120) and Fieldfares (40) was taking place ...
Other bits out of a decent total of 46 species (just on Catteshall Meadow) included the lingering Peregrine, a Little Egret, a male Sparrowhawk, two Stonechats and two Reed Buntings.
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| Peregrine. |
I walked Busbridge Lakes afterwards, for something a bit different, noting Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail.
Sunday 27th
No birding.
Monday 28th
A peaceful stroll around Frensham Little Pond this morning was fairly quiet, with 40 species noted. Six Little Egrets flew from roost, some 28 Cormorants were counted heading north and a single drake Pochard was on the water.
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| Frensham Little Pond. |
I was pleased to count a minimum of 85 Linnets at Eashing Fields at lunchtime – my biggest flock at this site.
A Raven flew north over Eashing Bridge late afternoon.
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