GOOD BIRDS

A few interesting birds at the farm today. Even if I wasn't looking for more Surrey year ticks, I'd be going through the Gulls, waders, finches etc looking for something special amongst them. I picked up a first winter Caspian Gull and Pyro spotted the Crows having a go at a Short-eared Owl.

A first winter Caspo. Once you get you're eye in, Caspos usually stand out. Note the whiteish 'pear shaped' head, contrasting nape 'shawl, longish, blackish parallel sided bill, dark centered tertials with white tips, long tibia'd long spindly looking legs and 'four coloured' look (black, white, grey and brown)

Caspos can looked very long necked.

In flight, Caspos can have a 'Slender-billed Gull look' about the head.

Large raptors are always given a warm welcome by the Beddington Corvids.

If you're visiting Beddington, watch out for the Crows or Gulls going up as it could indicate a large raptor going over.