MAKING PROGRESS

Beddington today with T Bros, Pinpoint, Roger 'Dodge' aka 'Hawkeye' Browne, Nick 'Pyro' Gardner and Russel 'Gripper' Gardner.

A winter plumage Med Gull on the frozen lake was my first of the year. Hundreds of Fieldfare plus many Redwing were noted going over, mostly southwards. the gulls were jittery and the cause was noted when a male Peregrine put in an appearance, later joined by its partner. If you ever visit Beddington (details at http://www.diporglory.co.uk/), always check the pylons where they like to perch.

My third Surrey year tick of the day came in the shape of a female Stonechat which was on top of a scrubby landfill mound. This is a good area as it slightly warmer than the surrounding land and provides a feeding area for 40 plus Skylark, a few Reed Bunts, many Meadow Pipits and a recent increase to around 200 Linnets. We regularly check these flocks for other scarcer species but no luck so far this year. An interesting sight today was a white Budgerigar flying south. They used to be common years ago but Cockatiel seems to be our most regular escapee these days.

YEAR LIST 88