Grey Phalarope

 First-winter Grey Phalarope- the second record following the first one in 1987 in the aftermath of the Great Storm

 Bearded Tits- a pair still present. Also Cetti's Warbler and 5 Water Rail.

 Male Shoveler- the local drakes have now acquired winter plumage. 45 Shoveler today, 1 juv Garganey, 400+ Teal, 95 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon, 30+ Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard 

The Southern Mound has been ploughed in preparation for restoration seeding. Quite a few birds feeding on the mound including 2 Stonechat, 10 Skylark, 40+ Meadow Pipit (the ringers caught 15 of them today), 10 Reed Bunting, 20+ Goldfinch and 60+ Linnet. A few Redwings and Fieldfares going over.

 

The Grey Phalarope found by Nick yesterday is still present today. This Arctic breeding bird winters at sea off West and Southern Africa and is generally an exclusively pelagic migrant.

According to Birds of Surrey (Wheatley 2007), there were 32 records in Surrey (Vice-country), 6 previous November records. The Birds of London (Self 2014) lists Grey Phalarope as a scarce passage migrant to the recording area.

The first Beddington record was a first-winter from October 19th to 22nd 1987.

Red-necked Phalarope has yet to be recorded at the farmlands, reflected in it's scarcer regional status  (25 records in London area, 16 in Surrey- ref a/a)