Non-Stop Birding: February 2017

Monday, 27 February 2017

The Beddington Farmlands Bird Group Effort

I did some calculations today on the work of the bird group. Here's a summary of what we do and the hours spent on it:

RECORDING (Birds, butterflies, moths and other taxa, including British Trust for Ornithology BBS, WeBS Surveys and on-going ringing effort)

25 (max) bird group members, approximately 5044 hours per annum

REPORTING (Daily news, website, social media, national recording schemes and comprehensive annual report).

Reporting team of 5, approximately 250 hours per annum

PHOTOGRAPHY (For promotional material, reports and photo specimen collecting)

2 main photographers, approximately 728 hours per annum

TOURS, TALKS AND WALKS (6 tours a years)

2 guides, approximately 48 hours per annum

PRESENTATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS (Carshalton Environmental Fair and other local events)

Team of 3-4, approximately 30 hours per annum (including prep)

ADMINISTRATION AND MEETINGS (BFBG Exec Comm meetings, CSG, CAMC and Local Community Forum meetings. Also group accountancy and membership administration)

1-2 people, approximately 48 hours per annum

2 people (accounts and admin), approximately 24 hours per annum

CONSERVATION (Small local projects including Tree Sparrows, maintaining access to Mile Road entrance, bird group wild flower meadow by hide, bird feeders etc)

Small team approximately 45 hours per annum

CAMPAIGNING AND CONSULTATION (Response to public consultation and planning applications, campaigning for public engagement in planning process, publicising issues through national media etc)

1-2 people, approximately 100 hours per annum

This picture is mainly the Green Party but we had members here and work closely with other local groups

In total that is around 6000 volunteer hours every year.

A phenomenal effort for an independent local group.

BEDDINGTON FARMLANDS NATURE RESERVE

Sunday, 26 February 2017

This weekend

Juvenile/first-winter Iceland Gull- the same bird that has been present since December and has been seen on the Thames and Walton Reservoirs.

Buzzard over the Gun Site. This bird has set up a territory in this area.

Great Spotted Woodpecker. No sign of the Lesser Spotted in the oak wood but a couple of Greens.

The removal of 100 acre and Irrigation Bridge concluded today. The only access points now to the farmlands from the west are the Gun Site bridge and Mile Road Bridge. A long distance between the bridges (I took this photo by standing on the Gun Site Bridge and looking towards Mile Road Bridge which you just about see in the distance) which will not assist encouraging public access. Hopefully a replacement bridge will be forthcoming.

Saturday, 25 February 2017

Bridge Demolition Day

Despite years of campaigning to save these bridges for access to the developing reserve, today the demolition begins.Please see mini-movie below about the bridges story and also please sign the petition:

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION FOR A REPLACEMENT BRIDGE

Friday, 24 February 2017

Evolution explained

Thursday, 23 February 2017

Iceland

Looks like the same juv/first-winter Iceland Gull is still around. The bird has very contrasting white primaries, visible in this vid when the bird preens.

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

The Old Vicarage Works

Toby removing a hanger from a Willow

Removal of an Ash growing on the brook bank and unfortunately too close to the house and small bridge so had to be felled

Several log piles were created around the site

Excess material and arising were incinerated

The Old Vicarage recording areas

The Old Vicarage in Summer

Spent today doing some tree work at the Old Vicarage. We felled an Ash, lifted the trees along the drive, removed some hangers and cleared a lot of brush piles and created some log piles.

Hopefully will return soon to open up the wild area and vegetable patch area by removing some conifer stumps and excess vegetation. Bryan and James are up for doing some landscaping which will be exciting- a stunning space with loads of potential for improvements and also creating some nice habitats.

I-record The Old Vicarage

Previous posts from Old Vicarage

Sunday, 19 February 2017

More Viridor Bullshit

Early Spring at Thursley

Stonechat and Dartford Warblers

Went with Dave Lambert to Thursley to have a listen to the Woodlarks, Dartford Warblers, Crossbills, Siskins, Stonechats and Skylarks warming up for Spring.

Here's a couple of sound recordings by Dave.

Red Crossbill
Dartford Warbler

Saturday, 18 February 2017

Glauc again

A few bits on the farmlands today; the juvenile Glaucous Gull again, 4 Jack Snipe, 20 Snipe, 9 Shelduck and 4 Greylag Geese.

A bit of excitement with the Beddington Farmlands Ringing Group over last couple of days:

WATER PIPIT

DARTFORD WARBLER

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Hybrid

Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid

The hybrid was on the Northern Lake again today and also the Black Swan. What with the Ross's Goose and Barnacle Goose I had at Otmoor on Monday it's been a week of whacky wildfowl.

Also had the juvenile Glaucous Gull from the obs window this morning.

Monday, 13 February 2017

Otmoor Visit

Golden Plovers and Lapwings

Red Kite and Lapwings

Spent the morning at Otmoor. Impressive numbers of winter birds including 3000+ Lapwing, 3000+ Golden Plover, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier and a Barnacle Goose and a Ross's Goose amongst the Canada and Greylags.

Saturday, 11 February 2017

AZORES PELAGIC 2017- Booking Now

A few places are still available on the Azores Pelagic 2017.

Monteiro's Petrel and Swinhoe's Petrel have been recorded on all of the six trips since 2012.

Option 1: Saturday 26th August to Saturday 2nd September including Azores Bullfinch £1540
Option 2: Sunday 27th August to Friday 1st September (Pelgaic Only) £879

For more information email me at littleoakgroup@btinternet.com.

Monteiro's Petrel- the main target species of the trip. We visit at a time where the cool season breeding 'Grant's Petrel' can also be encountered. (Gareth Knass)