Local Patches
For local patch list totals and updates see 'My Lists'
BEDDINGTON SF
In the last two or three years this place has gradually taken over my local patch watching activities, as it has with many other local birders. I do feel guilty for leaving Nonsuch Park behind but I cannot resist the scarcities this site offers, the little community of birders here and the atmosphere of this site, although it does seem to be rapidly deteriorating as well as the opportunity for honing my birding skills and making friends. My best birds here are Great White Egret, Caspian, Iceland, Yellow-legged and Mediterranean Gulls, Long-eared Owl, Ring Ouzel, Little Gull, Arctic Tern, Whimbrel, Goosander, Whinchat, Dartford Warbler, Sanderling, Knot, Ruff, Osprey, Brambling etc. This site has provided some pain too with narrow misses of both Wryneck and Sabine's Gull.
BANSTEAD DOWNS
I live so close to this site that I am nearly on it so I can go birding here very often. I have found some locally decent birds here including Spotted Flycatcher, Firecrest, Hobby, Woodcock, Merlin and Peregrine. The only bird I've seen here that I haven't found myself is Wood Warbler. Apparently Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler, Nightingale, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer all used to breed! I'm told it has had Golden Oriole, Lesser Grey Shrike, Wryneck, Whinchat, Redstart, Wheatear, Crossbill, Woodlark etc so I am keeping a close eye on it, especially in the spring and autumn. The habitat looks great for Shrikes. I think this site and Beddington have the most potential for me to find my own more widely significant rarity.
NONSUCH PARK
My main early haunt, where I spent many happy Saturdays watching the common birds and hoping to find something a bit rarer. I don't really go so much any more, I've become hooked on Beddington SF (un)fortunately. I try to go at least once or twice every time the school breaks up for half term or christmas, easter or the summer. I hope to pay the site more visits again when I have finished school and can manage my own time more. My best birds here are Woodcock, Hobby, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Peregrine and other bits and pieces.I occasionally pay a visit to sites such as Epsom Common, Epsom Downs and Canon's Farm. In the few visits I've made to the former, I've fallen in love with it and would love to take it up as a patch. When Beddington buggers up I may well turn my attention to this site, or Holmethorpe...or QE2, Staines or Barnes. I don't know yet!