Non-Stop Birding

Portugal Day 2

2012-01-26T09:44:00.001-08:00

Spent Monday in Portugal having a look at the gulls on the coast and around Peniche with Joao Jara. Saw a near adult Iceland Gull (pic 1) and a good selection of the Yellow-legged Gulls (pic 2) in this area. Here's another pic from Michael Armelin of the Ruppell's Vulture from Sunday.

Portugal, Ruppell's Vulture

2012-01-22T14:09:00.000-08:00

Ruppell's Vulture at Portas de Rodao, pictured here (pic 3) trying to mate with a Griffon Vulture confirming this bird is a male (and suffering from shepherd syndrome :-) ).

Black-shouldered(winged) Kite

View over Portas de Rodao.

Black Vulture from the road between Cegonhas and Rosmaninhal.
In Portugal at the moment mainly for Azores bird business but also slipped in a day trip for the Ruppell's with Michael.

Also 'Iberian' Shrikes, Azure-winged Magpies, Spotless Starlings etc.

Mystery Teal

2012-01-19T22:17:00.000-08:00

Derek found this duck at Waddon Ponds. Not sure what it is?

Terceira Birding Study

2012-01-16T10:10:00.000-08:00

Posting this request for data towards a PhD which includes research into improving habitat at Cabo da Praia and Praia da Vitoria.

Hudsonian Godwit, Cabo da Praia

Have you been in Praia da Vitória Bay bird watching?
Then we need you!
In case you can collaborate, please contact the coordinator the project: Helena Guimarães – helenaguimaraes@uac.pt ou 00351968829544 or by skype:Helena_iben_64
Shortly:
We want to describe the bird watching activity in Praia da Vitoria Bay. So the best sources of information are the people that visit it, for bird watching.
At this point we need 30 minutes of your time to reply to a questionnaire.
All the best
Helena

Project Parakeet

2012-01-15T12:59:00.000-08:00

Helped out with a count of the Ring-necked Parakeet roost at Mitcham Common with Derek and Gillian. The birds fly past my window and over the farmlands every evening. This evening there were 4000 birds in the roost.

A Sunny Winter's Day on the Patch

2012-01-15T06:11:00.000-08:00

Top to bottom: Female Stonechat, Teal, Goldfinch, Goldcrest and Great-spotted Woodpecker

Walked the whole farm today for a sweeping winter bird census. Despite all the pressure on the environment at Beddington the birds are still hanging in there (but unfortunately in lesser numbers). However still 10 Skylark, 20-30 Reed Bunting, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 36 Lapwing, 150+ Teal, 36 Gadwall, 30 Shoveler, 13 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 30 Pied Wagtail, 70+ House Sparrows, 80+ Tree Sparrows, 450+ Starling and bird of the day was another Buzzard.

Nice Gull

2012-01-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

One of the 2nd winter Iceland Gulls was showing well today on the southern lake. Also Jack Snipe there and a Common Buzzard (pic 4) flew over.

For some proper white winger action and possibly connected to why we have 2 Iceland and 1 Kumlien's Gull at Beddington see here : http://birdingfaroes.wordpress.com/

The London Tree Sparrow Partnership 2012

2012-01-14T07:59:00.001-08:00

We had the London Tree Sparrow Partnership meeting this week with the RSPB, MKAEcology, Viridor and the BFBG.

Last year 545 Tree Sparrows were colour ringed (red) with the aim of monitoring dispersal from Beddington Farmlands. So far there have only been four reports of colour ringed birds: Wanstead in North London, nearby at Cheam and also from Otford and Edenbridge in Kent. I've also managed to attract small numbers on the estate that I live on- the other side of the railway to Beddington Farmlands.

This year birds will be fitted with individual coded blue colour rings and we hope to get some more recoveries by getting the message out again to local residents (and naturalists) to keep an eye out for them and also to put out millet in their bird feeders to try and attract the Tree Sprogs. I had success by mixing millet in with a standard seed mix.

The Future of Beddington Farmlands

2012-01-14T07:24:00.000-08:00

Viridor (The Waste managment company operating the landfill at Beddington) have started the consultation process ahead of putting in a planning application to build an incinerator at Beddington Farmlands.
This is contrary to original commitments and plans of developing a public nature reserve at Beddington by 2015 which is both behind schedule and failing to achieve conservation management plan targets.
In addition to ecological objections by the Beddington Farmlands Bird Group there is also a lot of opposition from local residents and other groups with regards to health risks posed by the incinerator and also by recycling advocates who would prefer recycling and reuse as an alternative to incineration.
Things are squaring up for a very interesting situation.

January blooms

2012-01-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

Came across these fungi in a local woodland (Wilderness Island) today. Had the moth trap out last night and caught this micro (pic 4). Help with ID appreciated with any of these. I reckon from top to bottom: sulphur tuft, oyster mushroom, bracket sp and...... micro moth sp.

White-wingers

2012-01-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

2nd-winter Iceland Gull

Adult Med Gull

Shoveler and Teal

Fungus sp.

There's 2 Iceland and 1 Kumlien's Gull at Beddington at the moment. Today I saw a 2nd winter Iceland which I also had from the kitchen window yesterday.

It's very mild at the moment- had the moth trap out last night and quite a few insects in it but just a couple of micro moths.

Arundel Day Trip

2012-01-08T15:49:00.000-08:00

Brown Hare

Grey Partridge

Rough-legged Buzzard

View over Burpham towards Arundel castle

Starling roost at Arundel WWT centre

Had another look around the Arun valley in the Arundel region. Following good conservation practise in the agricultural region around Burpham a large area has become a refugia for farmland birds with populations of Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers, Grey Partridge etc in very good numbers. Over the last couple of weekends I've seen Short-eared Owls, Rough-legged Buzzard, Red Kites, Common Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Kestrels, Peregrines, Merlin and Ravens and also Bewick's Swans by the river. Very encouraging to see such a bird rich refuge on such a large scale. Saw a couple of Brown Hares too. 3000 Starlings coming into roost at the WWT centre was impressive.

Gulls, gulls, gulls

2012-01-04T17:35:00.000-08:00

An excellent bit of gulling this afternoon. They others also saw a first winter Caspian.

Juvenile/first-winter Kumlien's Gull- showing obvious dark wash to outer primaries

Juvenile/first-winter Kumlien's Gull- showing smooth dark tail band and dark outer primaries

Adult Mediterranean Gull

First -winter Yellow-legged Gull

Juvenile/first-winter 'high latitude pale gull'. An influx of large gulls today included 165 Great black backs and a couple of strange pale looking gulls which presumably originate from the far north/ Iceland?

Winter moth?

2012-01-03T08:25:00.000-08:00

Moth 1

Moth 2
Put the trap out a couple of nights ago as it was so mild and caught two of these.

Holiday birding

2012-01-02T10:24:00.000-08:00

Short-eared Owl

Brent Geese at Pagham Harbour

Lapwings- about 2000+ at Pagham Harbour

Bewick's Swan

Blackwits at Oare.

Had a few days out birding in the south-east over the holiday.

NON-STOP BIRDING PLAN 2012

2012-01-01T03:01:00.001-08:00

So made some good progress through 2011 on all fronts of the three pronged attack. The Plan for 2012 is to push on steadily forward.

The Local Front:
http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/2011/12/beddington-farmlands-review-2011.html

2012 plan is to consolidate a management group to develop the nature reserve, complete the pan-species inventory, develop improved wildlife monitoring and reporting systems and increase the wildlife group membership and public engagement.

The Mid-Atlantic Front:

http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/2011/12/azores-review-2011.html

2012 Plan is for futher pelagic exploration, improvement in recording and documentation and hopefully further development of the Azores Birding Society.

The Propaganda Machine:

http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/2011/12/thee-bryans-2011-review.html

2012 plan is to complete part 3 of the envionmentally themed music/art project and attempt first live performances.

BEDDINGTON FARMLANDS REVIEW 2011

2011-12-30T03:47:00.000-08:00

2011 was all about pan-species listing as our bird and wildlife group started drawing up an inventory of all the wildlife at our patch ahead of further developments in the creation of a public nature reserve.
Birding highlights included the site's first Black Kite and 'Kumlien's' Gull, another Common Crane in the spring and a wintering Cetti's Warbler. The Beddington Bird List now stands at 255.
Other wildlife highlights included the discovery of the only UK population of Dewick's Plusia moth and the discovery of Common Lizards on site. There were also several first's for Beddington as a result of the pan-species searches. Will certainly be interesting to see the total for the pan species list when we complete it.
The August exhibition at the Carshalton Environmental Fair was a good success and on the conservation front reed planting and wildflower meadow planting was carried out with the help of the WWT and the RSPB led London Tree Sparrow Partnership generated a lot of interest.

WINTER 2011

The Birds of Beddington Farmlands was finally published and available for purchase in January.

Film makers for the Natural World were present in the winter filming the gulls for a programme due in summer 2012.

SPRING 2011

It was a good spring for Wheatears with birds favouring the restored landfill cell mounds.

Beddington's fourth Common Crane was a spring highlight

Two Wood Sandpipers gave excellent views on 100 acre

SUMMER 2011

Due to areas of newly disturbed ground around the mounds and southern lake, an amazing diveristy of plant life emerged through the summer months

A Black Kite in July was the birding highlight of the year and a first for the site

Reed Planting in August is aimed at hopefully attracting Bitterns and other reed habitat species in the future.

As part of the London Tree Sparrow Partnership, young Tree Sparrows were fitted with coloured rings in a project to track their movements and help with their conservation.

Common Lizards were discovered in the summer under survey matts.

The Beddington Farmlands stall at the environmental fair generated a lot of interest

Dewick's Plusia were discovered in August- the only known UK population.

Common Kestrel bred in the vicinity of the farm

AUTUMN 2011

A few of the autumn's highlights included:

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper

Arctic Tern

Pectoral Sandpiper

The September bird tour group bumped into the Pec

Angle shades

Barred Sallow- over 110 species of moths were recorded from June

WINTER AGAIN 2011

To connect the nature reserve to the local village Hackbridge and River wandle work commenced on creating green corridors.

Cetti's Warbler. This singing male arrived in October and was present till December.

Winter gulling highlights included several Caspian Gulls and the Kumlien's Gull (below)

All the latest Beddington bird news at Johnny Allan's site: http://www.diporglory.co.uk/

and more info at the Beddington Farm Bird Group website:

http://www.beddingtonfarmlands.org.uk/

Kumlien's Gull

2011-12-28T23:51:00.001-08:00

Seems to be a general consensus on opinion that this is a Kumlien's Gull (see below for more photos). Martin Garner has also kindly commented that he agreed that this bird showed the key features that he associated with juvenile/first winter Kumlien's Gull.
So I guess if there seems to be a general favour than this is a first for Beddington.. but as it's a taxonomic enigma not sure where and what list it is going to go on !? Is it a hybrid, a good species formed as a result of hybridisation or a sub-species of Iceland Gull? It's a bit of a taxonomic wild horse.

Mice Sp.

2011-12-28T07:47:00.000-08:00

Frank found three of these under a door along the path. Either Wood Mouse or Yellow-necked Mouse we think.

Xmas 'Iceland Gulls'

2011-12-28T00:04:00.000-08:00

I finally managed to catch up with the two 'Iceland Gulls' that have been putting in occasional appearances at Beddington. One is a rather typical nominate 2nd-winter bird and the other is a juvenile/first-winter which shows features which appear to be consistent with 'Kumlien's Gull' (from Canada).
Juvenile/first-winter Kumlien's Gull?

An overall greyish, coarsely marked bird with a dark bill, dark washed primaries and a well defined smooth dark tail band.

Dark wash on the outer primaries, increasing in extent from p5-p10, mainly confined to the outer webs, producing a venetian blind effect.
The bird shows an obvious dark tail band, the retrices appearing to be rather uniformly dark with pale tips.

Second-winter Iceland Gull

More photos on Johnny's site :

http://surreybirding.blogspot.com/

Azores Review 2011

2011-12-26T23:42:00.000-08:00

Here's some personal highlights from the Azores 2011 :

WINTER

A trip in February to see the wintering Yellow-crowned Night Heron also produced a good haul of wintering vagrants.

Ring-billed Gull (one of 30 in the regular wintering flock at Praia da Vitoria)

Aythya selection box with Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Greater Scaup and Tufted Duck. Ring-necked Ducks were just out of view.

Greater Yellowlegs at Lagoa do Junco

Pied-billed Grebe at Angra do Heroismo

Mediterranean Gull. This bird was keeping company with a ringed individual which was ringed as a pullus on the 17/06/2010 at Hellevoetsluis, Slijkplaat, Zuid-Holland

More on the 2011 winter trip here: http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html

and 2010 here:

http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html

SPRING
In June a group of us went on an exploration pelagic from Graciosa investigating the largely unchartered birding waters in search of endemic seabirds and rare pterdromas.
Spring pelagic crew 2011

Azores Bullfinch. One the way to Graciosa we stopped off at Sao Miguel to get the endemic Azores Bullfinch.

Monteiro's Petrel (Richard Bonser). This recently described species was one of the main targets of our trip.

Wilson's Petrel (Richard Bonser). Up to 15 birds were found feeding in the 'Sea of Fortune'.

Common Dolphins (Gareth Knass). Other cetaceans seen included Cuvier's Beaked Whales and Risso's Dolphin.

Large Skua sp. (Tony Blunden)
In addition to the endemic birds we also found a Sooty Tern and several large skuas whose identity are yet to be fully confirmed.

More on the 2011 spring pelagic here:

http://azoresnature.co.uk/?page_id=15

AUTUMN
The ritual pilgrimage to Corvo proved to yet another great year.

Corvo

2011 Corvo birder group

Twitching the White-tailed Tropicbird

Vincent in action

Yellow-crowned Night Heron. (Vincent Legrand)

Northern Parula (Vincent Legrand)

Purple Martin (Vincent Legrand)

White-tailed Tropicbird

White-tailed Tropicbird (Vincent Legrand)

Thee Bryans 2011 Review

2011-12-26T03:46:00.000-08:00

We spent most of this year in the studios recording and painting part 3 of the musical/art project. The project tells a story about a young naturalist finding his way out of a chaotic and confused world and saving the things he treasures.

More here:

http://www.theebryans.com/

Interesting Gull

2011-12-20T10:30:00.000-08:00

A quiet Winter's day

2011-12-18T04:13:00.000-08:00

Tree Sparrow

Kestrel with prey (vole?)
Pretty good numbers of winter birds but nothing too unusual. 2 Shelduck, 90+ Shoveler, 200+ Teal, 8 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 6 Mallard, 45 Lapwing, 8 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper (1 Dunlin yesterday), 1 Water Rail, 20 Moorhen, 40+ Coot, 50 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 30+ Goldfinch, 50+ Linnet, 1 Redpoll, 8 Greenfinch, 60+ Tree Sparrow, 3 Bullfinch (yesterday), 6 Skylark, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Water Pipit, 25+ Pied Wagtail, 150 Woodpigeon, 20 Stock Dove, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff and 4 Reed Bunting.

Beddington Farmlands Gallery

2011-12-14T04:15:00.000-08:00

BIRDS

Tree Sparrow, Curlew Sandpiper, Kestrel, Willow Warbler and Wood Sandpiper

WILDLIFE

Red Admiral, Common Lizard, Emperor, Red Underwing, Red Fox

LANDSCAPE

PEOPLE

Azores Summer Pelagic 2012

2011-12-12T10:49:00.000-08:00

Black-capped Petrel, Graciosa, (26/05/07) by Killian Mullarney

We will be arranging a pelagic off the Azores for next summer, targeting speciality seabirds including the endemic Monteiro's Storm Petrel (at sea) and also Barolo Shearwater, Bulwers Petrel and Wilson's Petrel. We will also be exploring for Trindade and Black-capped Petrels. These species occur regularly in the Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras and Trindade Petrel has been predicted to migrate into Azorean waters (see Flood, B & Danzenbaker, M 2009. Birding World 22:4) . This prediction is supported by a series of casual observations. Further exploration off the Azores, targeting these species at the prime time of year with modern chumming techniques is aimed at testing this prediction. The backdrop will be good numbers of cetaceans and other marine life.

Here is the summary from last years pelagic including info on the issue on unresolved large skua id: http://azoresnature.co.uk/?page_id=15

Here's a few photos from previous 'recces' and trips.

Barolo Shearwater

Great Shearwater

Wilson's Petrels

'Fea's' Petrel

Loggerhead Turtle

Sperm Whale

Sowerby's Beaked Whales

Blue Shark

Cory's Shearwater

Roseate Terns (Gareth Knass)- four different birds feeding together

Common Dolphins (Gareth Knass)

Risso's Dolphin (Gareth Knass)

2011 pelagic group. From left to right, Per, Tommy, Bonser, me, Bosse, Lee, Tony, Gareth, Rafa, Martin, Eric and Michael.

Monteiro's Petrel (Richard Bonser)

Wilson's Petrel (Richard Bonser)

Cory's Shearwater (Richard Bonser)

Risso's Dolphin (Ricard Bonser)

Super-pod of Common Dolphin (Richard Bonser)

Cuvier's Beaked Whale (Richard Bonser)

If you are interested in joining the Azores Summer Pelagic please email me on littleoakgroup@btinternet.com

Woodcock Investments

2011-12-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Came across this hunters Woodcock at work. If I understood my book right the horny keratin scales on the feet are called the investment. The pattern of rows of scales is called scutellate and a patchwork of scales is called a reticulate pattern. On this Woodcock there of rows of scales (scutellate) on the top of the 'toes' and a patchwork of scales (reticulate) on the bottom so this is called a Scutellate-reticulate pattern.

Caspian Gull

2011-12-06T09:04:00.001-08:00

First-winter Caspian Gull

Local Predators

2011-12-04T05:33:00.000-08:00

Top to bottom: Peregrine, Sparrowhawk with Starling and Fox

Not a lot today- a bit of local predator action, I missed a Common Redpoll, Shoveler numbers are up and that was about it.

The Builders are In

2011-12-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

There's a couple of developments going on at the farm at the moment. One is the construction of a new waterway (above) and the other is the construction of a channelled reed bed- both should create interesting new habitat.
A few good gulls at the moment- Caspians, Glauc and Iceland and I aint seen any of them.

Bulgaria Birdwatch Article

2011-11-29T04:23:00.000-08:00

Photo from Neophron Bird Tours http://www.neophron.com/

More on Bulgaria here:
http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/search?q=Bulgaria

The Bulgaria article from our spring trip is now published in the latest Birdwatch, World of Birds (supplement) 2012.

House and Tree Sprogs

2011-11-27T08:35:00.000-08:00

Been trying to get a side by side picture for ages.

Winter gulls

2011-11-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

Adult Mediterranean Gull

Adult Argentatus Herring Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Scarce Umber

Increasing numbers of gulls at Beddington now. Today I had a Med Gull, a couple of 'Argies' and Yellow-legged Gull.

Lapwing numbers have increased to nearly 50 now (thankfully), 50+ Shoveler, 15 Gadwall and 100+ Teal and 1 Green Sandpiper on the Southern Lake.

I put the trap out last night as it was quite mild and got this Scarce Umber (I think).

Mushroom Magic

2011-11-23T09:15:00.000-08:00

No idea what these are but looks like there's no end to this local patch pan species exploration. Need to buy myself a fungi book now.

Waste not

2011-11-21T10:26:00.000-08:00

Steve has been busy finding a use for all the waste we generate through our tree work and environmental management business. We are doing our own winter logs and planking up timber, our woodchip goes to a bio-fuel plant and Steve's house is powered by a bio-fuel boiler.

THE FOG

2011-11-20T13:46:00.001-08:00

Goldfinches

Mush sp.
I didn't last long this morning in the Fog. There was a Brambling flying around and seems to be more fungi popping up.

I-SPOT

2011-11-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

moth sp.
I gave this a try.

Hackbridge Re-visioning Day

2011-11-19T09:58:00.000-08:00

This is going up.

New religion?

Spent today re-visioning the regeneration programme for Hackbridge including wildlife gardening and linking Hackbridge with Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve through wildlife corridors and an ecological centre . We are at the stage now of drawing up a development plan using Localism legislation which is being developed as part of government decentralisation and local community empowerment (a critical phase in solving this current economic/social crisis).
Other posts on this here:
http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/search?q=The+Hackbridge+Plan

Early Winter

2011-11-18T08:42:00.000-08:00

Teal- about 150 present

? A few of these on the mound

The farm is full of gulls again which means winter is taking over. The Cetti's was singing this morning. Not a lot else.
Saw a first winter Caspian Gull a couple of days ago from the obs. Only a few moths in the trap recently - including November Moth and a couple of micros.
Winter sucks!

Simon Aspinall

2011-11-15T13:12:00.000-08:00

Attended the funeral today of former Beddington birder Simon Aspinall. When I was a young birder he was my idol and mentor- a wizard birder, explorer, traveller, author and conservationist. Certainly an endless inspiration and influence.

Sprogs at the Obs

2011-11-14T05:34:00.000-08:00

Finally got Tree Sparrows feeding in the garden. Winning formula was a 70% red millet, 30% mixed seed blend with anti Pigeon cages and spring loaded anti pigeon feeders. Three Tree Sparrows in this pic with at least two with red rings indicating they are this years birds from the London Tree Sparrow Partnership Project. House Sparrow on the right.

More London Tree Sparrow Partnership info here:
http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/search?q=London+Tree+Sparrow+Partnership

Wildlife Gardening

2011-11-13T08:14:00.000-08:00

BEFORE

DURING

DURING

AFTER

AFTER
Spent this weekend doing Gillian's garden as part of creating wildlife corridors from Beddington Farmlands into Hackbridge. Gardens are increasingly important areas for wildlife (especially considering the decline in farmland ecosystems due to intensive agriculture). As Beddington Farmlands is an urban nature reserve one exciting opportunity is to create green corridors so that the adjacent built environment is part of that reserve- proving that people and wildlife can co-exist and thrive.

In order to tackle the unpopular concept of a wildlife gardens being untidy and impractical we have come up with some designs that are comprised of insect and bird attracting plants (Pyracantha, Berberis, Cotoneaster, Holly, Rowan, Sedum, Knapweed, Golden Rods etc) and mixed them up with some ornamental and architectural plants (Eunoymous, Dogwood, Hebe, Delpheniums) with spring bulbs and picked a selection for colour all year round. With a shrub dominance the maintenance will be minimum and we have reduced the use of annuals to a very small area so that the garden is largely self managing. Also totally organic.

More wildlife gardening and restoration stuff here:
http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/2011/08/planting-reeds-and-mowing-meadows.html

http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/2011/08/obs-gardening.html

http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/2011/03/mission-update.html

http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/2011/07/wildlife-gardening.html

Mission Statement

2011-11-10T05:28:00.000-08:00

Pic by Twigg
Few are unaware of the current economic, social and environmental crisis that we are all in. An over-valuing of economic growth and an under valuing of the majority of people and the environment is, needless to say, the cause of this crisis. It is also quite obvious that the solution to the problem is finding a balance between economic growth and social and environmental well being. Economy, society and the environment are interwoven and a healthy economy is generated by healthy balanced individuals managing their environments well. Until enough people start doing that- overall decline will be the order of the day.

In my opinion the best thing that I can do through the decline is to sort myself out and to attempt to make a contribution to the solution by doing my bit towards improvements where I can.

To this end I am concentrating on three main projects:

1) LOCAL PATCH: To facilitate in the development of Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve (and also greening in the nearby village of Hackbridge and environs)
2) FOREIGN PATCH: To explore the avifauna of the Azores and to help develop the birding community there to protect and enhance the environment.
3) To put together a music/art project about being part of an improved condition.

A bit more here:
www.littleoakgroup.com

Mission Mini-Report

2011-11-09T10:23:00.000-08:00

Just to remind myself that there is actually a point!

Beddington Farmlands
Mission: To facilitate in the development of the Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve

Progress: Frigging slow:-) Two years ago (2009) moved into position- into the obs (Recorded three 'firsts for Beddington' from the window already) . Completed the 'Birds of Beddington' (Eight long painful years in the making) and in 2010 completed a series of talks, newspaper features and articles to publicise the development of the reserve. Also set up regular tours to Beddington and began building a reserve support group made up of local charities, conservation organisations and the local community. In 2011 completed some restoration works including reed planting, wild flower meadow development and bat box installation. In addition to bird recording started to record all other wildlife at the farmlands as part of developing a pan species inventory which can be used to assess the success of future restoration and conservation works. This has already led to discovery of a population of Dewick's Plusia moths- the only known population in the UK.

Outlook: Need to facilitate in the development of a focused management body that can direct the development of the reserve. To further develop the pan species inventory and set up monitoring systems to keep a health check on the ecosystem. To continue progress towards developing the largest nature reserve in London- through development of increasing support, improved reporting and publications and more access/involvement from the local community.

The Azores
Mission: To contribute towards discovering/ recording the avifauna of the Azores and to facilitate in the growth and development of birding on the Azores.

Progress: Following earlier success with discovering interesting gulls in winter and waterbirds further exploration for vagrants led to the discovery of Corvo in 2005. Recent efforts have focused on pelagic exploration and developing autumn birding on Corvo/Flores with regular publications of developing events. Through being a member of the Portuguese Rarities Committee efforts are intensifying to improve ornithological data collection and processing/reporting rarity records.

Outlook: Further pelagic exploration and autumn birding. Development in recording and reporting avifauna. Improvements in rarity record processing and reporting.

Photo by Gareth Knass

Thee Bryans
Mission: This is supposed to be for fun! To write, record and perform a musical comedy/tradegy about life on earth.
Progess: Recorded and published song book for parts one and two of story and almost completed part three.
Outlook: Complete part three and start doing live performances.

Links etc on the mission here:
http://www.littleoakgroup.com/

Skywatching

2011-11-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Brent Goose heading SW. Also 40+ over Canons Farm today and a few in other parts of Surrey yesterday. Pretty classic weather for them with northeast winds and low overcast.
11 Pochard heading W. Also a flock of Wigeon going over today and an additional two on the deck. I managed to miss a flock of Red breasted Mergansers also today. Plenty of birds on the move in these classic conditions including 1550+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Stock Dove, 250+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 30+ Redwing, 2 Redpoll and a few Fieldfare, Skylark, Mipit and also a Woodcock on the deck. The Redshank was still about.

Cetti's showed well this evening.

Grey Day

2011-11-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Dunlin- circling in the grey misty weather which looked good for grounding migrants . Was hoping for something better than this today considering Brents and Common Scoters were recorded in other parts of Surrey. Tomorrow?

Blackbird- presumably a migrant 10-15 present today feeding on Haws

Woodpigeon- a few hundred today going over and decked

Teal numbers are building up but other duck numbers have reduced since mid Autumn- maybe the Shovelers etc were doing a moult stage at the farm and now moved on or perhaps the increasing gull numbers are pushing them on?

Also Redshank, 10+ Snipe, a few Redpolls and Siskins, a couple of Fieldfare and a few Redwings, 500+ Woodpigeons and a few Mipits and Skylarks.

The Cetti's was singing on-off during the morning.

Back to Beddington

2011-11-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

It is never easy coming back to the patch after high octane birding on Corvo but I was greeted back with a Beddington tick- the Cetti's Warbler (top) was still present. In fact I have heard it singing most mornings from the window too.

Also a flock of Lesser Redpoll knocking around.

Corvo Highlights 2011

2011-10-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

Some of the best birds from autumn 2011.
All photos by Vincent Legrand
More here:
http://www.vincentlegrand.com/#26.54

White-tailed Tropicbird

Blue-winged Warbler

Parula

Red-eyed Vireo

Marsh Hawk

Tennessee Warbler

Swainson's Thrush

Philadelphia Vireo

Purple Martin

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

For all the news from Azores:
http://www.birdingazores.com/

MINI-EXPEDITIONS TO THE AZORES IN 2012

2011-10-26T09:15:00.001-07:00

I am arranging a couple of trips for next year targeting Azorean endemics/specialities and also looking for vagrants.

WINTER MINI-EXPEDITION Azores Bullfinch, vagrant waterbirds and gulls
FEB 2012

General Itinerary:
http://azoresnature.co.uk/?page_id=134

SPRING/SUMMER PELAGIC MINI-EXPEDITION
JUNE or JULY 2012
Azores Bullfinch, Monteiro's Petrel, Expedition for vagrant seabirds. Cetaceans and other marine life.

Highlights of 2011 trip here:
http://azoresnature.co.uk/?page_id=15

Photo by Gareth Knass

If you are interested in joining one of these mini-expeditions please email me on littleoakgroup@btinternet.com for further information. Cost is dependent on numbers.

Depart from Corvo

2011-10-25T06:41:00.001-07:00

Corvo. Only those who have ventured there understand :-)

The weather calmed down and the plane arrived as planned.
Yesterday evening we went to an Azores birdwatching meeting on Sao Miguel island. Great slide shows, interesting discussion about the future of birding on the Azores, a fascinating presentation (i think it was fascinating- it was in Portuguese) by Pedro Rodrigues about genetic studies on 'Azores Chaffinch' and other endemic Azorean passerine 'sub-species' and a good chance to meet up with other Azores ornithologists/birders.
Back to the local patch tomorrow but will post up a highlights of Corvo 2011 asap.

Tempest Borne Tanager

2011-10-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

The storm has produced! Summer Tanager at Fojo/Cancelas today found by Stefan and David. This is the 4th for the WP (I think)- the 3rd one for Corvo.

Also a new Yellow-rumped Warbler found by Stefan.
Before news broke of the Tanager we were in the caldera seeing not too much- 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 9 Blackwit, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Pintail, 8 Mallard, 1 Black Duck type, 20+ Snipe and a couple of Grey Heron.
If the plane comes tomorrow this will be our last full day on Corvo. Bonser and Co arrive tomorrow to take the late autumn shift.

La tempete est arrivee

2011-10-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

All I saw today was a load of wind. However Eric found an American Merlin and a Common Yellowthroat and there was a Greater Yellowlegs found on Flores.

There's a Storm Coming

2011-10-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Forecast for tomorrow showing low latitude depression over the Azores

Azores Chaffinch
I was supposed to go home today but on seeing this storm coming I decided to stay on until Monday. The wind shifted to the west by mid morning and by the afternoon a Chimney Swift and a new Yellow-billed Cuckoo arrived. The weather is set to become pretty wild.
Most other birders left today leaving a team of six of us to search through the storm.

Here's a link to our Dutch Birding Paper about Corvo Birding:
http://www.dutchbirding.nl/content/news/files/DB32(5)299-315_2010.pdf

Killing Time on Corvo

2011-10-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

Northern Parula still present in Do Vinte by Vincent http://www.vincentlegrand.com/#home

Vincent waiting to be woken up by a calling wood warbler

Me passing time with the locals

Despite the continual unfavourable winds a new Yellow-billed Cuckoo was found today. Other birds still present included the Parula, Swainson's Thrush and an Osprey was also seen.

Easterlies continue

2011-10-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

Leach's Petrel

Vincent on TV.

SPEA, Azores birders and the locals
Another quiet day on the rock as the easterlies continue. A few European migrants have arrived over the last couple of days including 2 Kestrels, 1 Ringed Plover, 18+ Snow Bunting and also Short-eared Owl on the beach rocks this evening.

A Leach's Petrel (above) was picked up exhausted by the SPEA team and released this evening at the harbour.

Vincent and I spent the morning with Luis from SPEA making a documentary.

The Parula was seen again in De Vinte today and the Swainson's Thrush, Purple Martin and Red-eyed Vireo were still present yesterday.

Quiet day on the Rock

2011-10-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the Swainson's Thrush

Clouded Yellow- common on the island

Golden Twin-spot?

Scar Bank Gem (?)
Christian relocated the Swainson's Thrush at De Ponte today (after 9 days) and a few of us glimpsed it before it disappeared again. There was also a Red-eyed Vireo in the same valley. The Purple Martin was seen again (with a smaller hirundine; perhaps the Cliff Swallow has returned). A Spotted Crake was found at the top end of De Ponte.
The sea was very quiet- just the Pom again.
Butterflies/day flying moths on the island include Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral, Large White, Long-tailed Blue, Slender Burnished Brass (?), Scar Bank Gem, Crimson Speckled, Hummingbird Hawkmoth and Convolvulus Hawkmoth (larvae).

Easterlies!

2011-10-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

Glossy Ibis (presumed) flew in this evening

Purple Martin still around

Atlantic Canaries

A fairly quiet day on Corvo as winds persist from the north east. 3 Spoonbills arrived on Soa Miguel and a Glossy Ibis here so perhaps we should expect more arrivals from the continent. The Purple Martin is still present, a Buff-bellied Pipit still at the reservoir and a Red-eyed Vireo was in De Ponte.

The Fea's type Petrel is still offshore and an adult Pomarine Skua is also around.

White-tailed Tropicbird

2011-10-15T12:24:00.000-07:00

A successful twitch for the White-tailed Tropicbird. Lots of Great Shearwaters on the journey over. Been a significant influx of seabirds to Corvo/Flores this year with reports of 1000+ Great Shearwater, 1 Trindade Petrel, 1 Fea's/Zino's Petrel, 1 Madeiran Petrel, 2 Leach's Petrel, 1 Grey Phalarope, Fulmar and of course the Tropicbird so in all points towards a displacement into our region. Jammed into the juvenile Marsh Hawk on Flores and the Purple Martin was flying around the guesthouse when we got back.

Purple Patch

2011-10-14T12:57:00.000-07:00

Purple Martin by Vincent Legrand. More photos from Vincent here:
http://www.vincentlegrand.com/#26.37

Getting like Scillies out here!

Seen something like this on the Portland website recently.

Caught up with the Cliff Swallow and saw the Purple Martin this morning as did all the others. A couple of lucky observers found a Blue Grosbeak and 28 unlucky observers spent all day walking randomly around the pig fields looking for it.

Now news of a White-tailed Tropicbird on Flores means we are all jumping island tomorrow.

Corvo

2011-10-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

Purple Martin- 2nd for Azores and 3rd for WP found today on Corvo.

Sedge Warbler- a first for the Azores

Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron- 4th for the WP.

Hummingbird Hawk Moth

View from Corvo looking over to Flores

Started off this morning by dipping both the Tennessee Warbler and Blue-winged Warbler and finding a Sedge Warbler was little compensation (but later found out it was a first for the Azores). I managed to see the Yellow-crowned Night Heron but apart from a couple of Wheatears it was turning into a rather slow day.

Then one hour before dark a Purple Martin flew in off the sea over mine and Eric's head and all hell broke loose. Most people were at sea looking for the Trindade Petrel so the boats returned to harbour and then we met the Israeli's who showed us some photos of two hirundines they had photographed earlier- one was a Cliff Swallow and the other a Purple Martin so looks like the Purple Martin had arrived earlier. Despite searching it was not seen again this evening.

Also had the Spotted Flycatcher so three Azores ticks today.

The Azores Autumn 2011

2011-10-12T17:02:00.000-07:00

I've arrived back to the Azores and so far seen bugger all. Tomorrow I've got a choice to look for Tennessee Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Northern Parula, Trindade Petrel or Dickcissel.

Musical Interlude

2011-10-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'm off to the Azores so will be travelling. In the meantime here's a song from our band, Thee Bryans which has a nature and people theme. This song is about cruelty to animals/nature.

Vis Mig

2011-10-09T06:49:00.000-07:00

Redwings- the first autumn flock today in low cloud and a light north-west wind.

One of the last Swallows heading out

The first autumn Fieldfare

Migrant passerines on the deck include 4+ Reed Buntings, 50+ Goldfinch, 20+ Linnet, 2 Wheatear, 3-4 Skylark, 10+Meadow Pipit

Angle Shades in the trap last night

Blair's Shoulder-Knot

Bush cricket sp?

Cypress Carpet (rear) and Carpet sp?

Not gulls already!

2011-10-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

Had this unusual moulting 'herring' gull (top pic) today with reduced black in the wingtip, darker upperparts, bright pink legs and a 'thayeri'-type pattern on p9 (God knows!) and also looks like Common Gull (pic 2) numbers are increasing.

But winter is not hear yet- Siskins along the path, an increase in Song Thrush, Blackbird and Robin numbers, Mipits going over and Goldcrests calling from the hedgerow means that late autumn is beginning.

Micros

2011-10-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

So my mates are on Corvo watching Blue-winged Warbler, Vireos and Catharus thrushes and I am here looking at this!
and these: http://peteralfrey.blogspot.com/2011/10/more-micros.html

BEDDINGTON FARMLANDS AUTUMN 2011 - THE FIRST HALF

2011-10-03T23:24:00.000-07:00

This juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper in mid September was one of the highlights

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper- typically a September migrant to Beddington

Juvenile Ruff. Another typical September migrant which has seen a reduction in numbers in recent years.

Adult Arctic Tern- a scarce passage migrant to Beddington

Autumn Wheatears. 2011 has been a very good year for Wheatears at Beddington.

Tree Lichen Beauty. Up to five of these were recorded in July/August.

Dewick's Plusia. One of the autumn's highlights was discovering what appears to be a local population of this moth- perhaps the only colony in the UK?

Juvenile Wood Sandpipers. Three birds were present in early August.

This juvenile Black-tailed Godwit undertook a record stay proving that the new wader habitat can hold larger waders.

Another autumn highlight was the discovery of a population of Common Lizards on site.

Ok- this bird was in mid July so really a summer highlight but a first for Beddington and national scarcity so here it is again. A great find by Johnny.

London Wetlands

2011-10-02T11:19:00.001-07:00

The WWT London Wetland Center (Above)
Beddington Farmlands (Below)

Met John at the Wetland Center this morning to pick up some Yellow Rattle and Southern Marsh Orchid seeds. We are going to experiment with propogating grassland and wetland plants from the Wetland Center to Beddington. The incredible weather continues which means it will be too dry to plant them yet so waiting for the forecast and will get the seeds sown ahead of the rain.

A bit of Vis Mig

2011-10-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Sparrowhawk and Carrion Crow

Red Admiral- 30+ migrating south today

Another Dewick's Plusia in the trap last night!

I awoke to the sound of Sandwich Terns this morning and on calling Roger he had located three flying SE. It was very quiet on the ground in this high pressure (nearly 30C... in October!) and the visible migration was but a trickle. Just a few Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches- no Swallows for a couple of days now.
Most visible migration interest today came from migrating butterflies with 30+ Red Admiral flying South and out first Clouded Yellow of the year.
A female Pheasant flying across the lake from the landfill was my first at the farm in a long time.

The Herald's Cave

2011-10-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

I finally got round to visiting the hibernation site for Herald Moth at Beddington. This time of year the moths move into an old irrigation pipe under the railway. The population was discovered by Derek about 15 years ago (what was he is doing wondering around in the old sewage pipes? ! ) . I met Steve Spooner and we went on the mission together.

That puts me on 100 species of moth at Beddington now:

http://peteralfrey.blogspot.com/2011/09/obsbeddington-moths-june-to-september.html

Hardcore Micros

2011-09-30T14:51:00.001-07:00

Eudonia angustea

agonopterix alstromeriana

blastobasis acticolella

Went out with Derek with the traps tonight. These micro moths are advanced level stuff! We also had a Platyptilia gonodactyla which is a type of plume moth.

Pintails, Sunsets and Rustics

2011-09-29T09:48:00.001-07:00

Enjoying this Indian Summer. The moth trap has been full of ants and midges which seemed to have emerged en masse in this heat but also some nice looking moths including Black Rustic, Large Ranunculus, Large Wainscot, Blair's Shoulder-knot and we had another Dewick's Plusia by the hide yesterday during the day- they must be a colonists at Beddington, the only UK population!
I had a couple of Common Lizards under the mats a couple of days ago.

On the bird front fairly quiet- 2 Pintail today (first for the year), the 2 Ruff are still around, 5 Snipe yesterday, 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 3 Buzzard overhead today.

The vis mig seems to be shifting from hirundines to more Mipits, the first Redpolls and Siskins, the odd Skylark and Chaffinch.
We had a visit from the WWT guys today- brilliant weather for enjoying the view over London.

Sallows

2011-09-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

Sallow

Pink-barred Sallow

Orange Sallow

Barred Sallow

Someone told me that this time of year I would start seeing moths that resembled autumn leaves and I guess these are what they were talking about.

CORVO SEASON BEGINS

2011-09-27T07:01:00.000-07:00

Things have started out on Corvo (The best rare bird island in Europe) . http://www.birdingazores.com/?page=recent
A (nervous) two week count down until I arrive.

Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve Update

2011-09-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

Things are progressing steadily on this front. Met with Tom Brake (local MP) yesterday who kindly offered to help out with trying to pull things together. Plans are also underway to form a directing body for the Reserve development which will bring together Viridor, Sutton Council and various conservation bodies. In the meantime we are getting on with small scale habitat restoration, more promotion/awareness and developing the nature reserve membership.

The Moth Trap

2011-09-26T03:15:00.001-07:00

My flat mate's conclusion is 'every day you get madder and madder' and only God knows what the neighbours think but Mothing is great fun. Getting 20-30 a night in the new trap . This (pics 1 and 2) was a new one- I think it's a Blair's Shoulder Knot?

September Images

2011-09-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

Ruff

Peregrine giving it evils

Sparrowhawk

Southern Hawker (?)

Common Darter (?)

Mallow- one in the trap last night with 30+ other moths

Lunar Underwing (?)

A few images from the last 24 hours at Beddington.

Curlews

2011-09-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

Highlight of today was three Curlews circling . I first heard them from the village and they were still circling when I got to the farm. Pic 2 looks quite fresh so I presume is a juvenile.

Quite a warm day today so expecting a few insects- Barred Sallows, Brimstone, Snout, Square-spot Rustic, Willow Beauty, Footman sp, Large Underwing, Vine Rustic and Pale Mottled Willow in the trap so far and its only 10pm- Saturday night fever!

Big Fell

2011-09-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

Its not often we take down big trees- only if they are dangerous. This Horse Chestnut has got canker and like many others is also infested with a leaf miner but it is the canker that is fatal- the leaf miner is just unsightly but there is a moth tick in it, see here: http://northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/07/four-easy-steps-to-moth-tick.html

For more on other stuff co-ordinated from the Obs HQ see here:

http://www.littleoakgroup.com/

Pepper Night at the Obs

2011-09-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

Peter picking a pepper

Home grown, scrumped and local farm produce (note flat mate's smaller pepper)

Dinner
It was harvest time for the obs window farm this evening. The window farm has yielded 3 tomatoes, 1 yellow and 2 red peppers and 50+ super hot chillies. So much for my plan to farm my way through the global financial meltdown- the chillies are too hot to eat and I barely managed two home grown meals in 3 months. Therefore I'm trying to buy from the local farm to support a local food network, harvesting wild fruit and also bought a new copy of Richard Mabey's Food for Free. If that all fails than I'm looting.
Oh yeah- 2 Ruff this evening, 4 Snipe, 6 Wheatear, 20+ Mipit and 1 Greenshank.
The moth trap is on at the moment- Deep brown Dart, Barred Sallow and Straw Underwing are the highlights so far.

WTF is this? 2

2011-09-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

Another one I can't work out.

A few autumn birds

2011-09-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

First-winter Wheatear

Teal

Black Arches (from July 2010)
There were at least 9 Wheatears up on the mound this evening. Its been a good spring and autumn passage for Wheatears this year. No sign of the Pec today. Teal numbers seem up (80+). A few waders around including 2 Ruff on the enclosed beds, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 30+ Lapwing.
I found this picture of a random moth I took last year before I started mothing. It is something I havent seen this year- a Black Arches so a retrospective tick. Nice.

Dewick's Plusia Mystery

2011-09-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

Caught two Dewick's Plusia last night in the moth trap which suggests they are not that uncommon in this area. I caught the first record for the farm only a few weeks ago. Derek has a theory that they may be colonizing locally rather than being migrants.
Also got my specimen bottles now and been catching 30+ moths a night with the new trap- which was well worth waiting for. This Barred Sallow (pic 3) was one of my favourites.

PICS OF THE PEC

2011-09-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

Still present today with Greenshank, Ruff and Green Sandpiper.

Bird and Wildlife Walk

2011-09-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

Small Copper on Scentless Mayweed
We had a great morning on the mid autumn Bird and Wildlife Walk. Johnny found a Pectoral Sandpiper just after our group arrived so many first timers ticked off Pec before Green Sand. Also Ringed Plover and Wigeon on the bird front, a Small Copper was insect of the day and we also had a couple of Smooth Newts under the survey matts.
Pic of the Pec here:
http://www.diporglory.co.uk/page34.html

Gone Pro

2011-09-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

This bad girl finally arrived. Caught about ten moths last night- mainly Vine's Rustic, Square Spot Rustic and Pale Mottled Willow- also Willow Beauty, Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Large Wainscot.

A visitor to the obs

2011-09-17T08:07:00.000-07:00

Just found this in the obs garden. I presume some kind of escaped locust? It's about 6cm long.

Azores Birding Society

2011-09-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

Plans are underway to set up a birding society on the Azores this coming autumn. Details can be found on the Dutch Birding website here:

http://www.dutchbirding.nl/news.php?id=659

Also here is a link to our Dutch Birding Article.
http://www.dutchbirding.nl/content/news/files/DB32(5)299-315_2010.pdf

Also been working on this EU funded exploration project (a work in progress

http://www.azoresnature.co.uk/

Not quite Non-Stop Birding

2011-09-14T12:52:00.000-07:00

www.theebryans.com
I've missed a few days birding doing this- the undercover operation.

Curlew Sandpiper

2011-09-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

Just milking this shot (click on to enlarge)- still present today.

WTF is this?

2011-09-10T15:07:00.001-07:00

The closest I can get is Orache Moth but the book says it's a rare immigrant?? Click on pic to enlarge.

Fact Finding Mission to Bucks

2011-09-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

College Lakes reserve and visitors centre - a Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) flagship nature reserve

Juvenile Osprey flew south

Juvenile Black Tern on main lake

Chiffchaff

Comma on Sedum

Went on a nature reserve fact finding mission today with Gillian, Jennifer and Jane and got some good ideas for Beddington. Saw some good birds too including a fly over Osprey, Black Tern and Whinchats.

Good Evening

2011-09-08T15:39:00.000-07:00

Top down: Curlew Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Arctic Tern, Wheatear, Kestrel

For some reason there seemed to be a lot of photo opportunities over the farm this evening- plenty of birds around helped. See www.diporglory.co.uk for more news.

Non-Stop Mothing

2011-09-07T22:38:00.000-07:00

I do seem to be getting a bit obsessed with moths at the moment!
Few more pics here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.98398967517.114681.701232517&type=1

The Initiation

2011-09-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

I went to my first ever real moth trapping session this evening with Derek, Andy, Roger and Grommit. 17 species , new ones for me being Orange Swift, Red Underwing, Flounced Rustic, Six-striped Rustic and on the micro front: Garden Pebble (in the obs), Light Brown Apple and Bramble Shoot.

Before we started Derek read a prayer

Red Underwing

Orange Swift

A few more migrants

2011-09-04T11:18:00.000-07:00

Looks like a small fall of warblers last night-with 25+ Willow/Chiffs (Chiffchaff top pic), 8+ Blackcap, 10+ Whitethroat, 8 Sedge Warbler and a small hirundine passage including 15+ House Martin, 30+ Swallow, 10+ Sand Martin also 10+ Swift moving South. Also a Mistle Thrush, 2 Grey Wagtail and looks like more Dunnocks. Three Hobbies (pic 2) were particularly busy- watched two birds huntiing together successfully catching a Swift.

A few Migrants

2011-09-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

First winter Wheatear

Adult male and female Wheatear

First winter Whinchat

Juvenile Ringed Plovers

View from the mound which has recently been cut

Juvenile Kestrel

Common Buzzard and Carrion Crows

Large Wainscot?
A few migrants about. 5-7 Wheatears on the mound, 1-2 Whinchat, 15+ Swallow over, 2 Ringed Plover on enclosed beds, 2 LRP on lake, 50+ Shoveler, 60+ Teal, 5 Gadwall, 9 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 20+ Linnet. 20+ Goldfinch, Hobby, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sprawk.
Quite a few moths recently more here: http://peteralfrey.blogspot.com/

Common Kestrel

2011-09-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

Went to check on the reed planting earlier (bottom pic) and came across this photogenic Common Kestrel.

A FIRST FOR BEDDINGTON

2011-09-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

On 28th August I had this moth at the obs which Steve Gale identified as a Dewick's Plusia. I checked with Derek and this is a first for Beddington!

I've only been mothing for a couple of months and haven't even got a proper moth trap yet- just been using a garage light I bought from Lidl for a fiver. I've ordered a trap which should arrive tomorrow.

That is the third first for Beddington now from the obs (in two years)- Common Crane, Black Kite and now Dewick's Plusia.

The Birds of Beddington Farmlands -Birdwatch Review

2011-08-31T05:32:00.000-07:00

Thank you David and Birdwatch!

Carshalton Environmental Fair

2011-08-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

Keith (BFBG chairman)

Mike's Boy pulling in the punters

Punters

Jennie, Paul and me.

That went well.