Holmethorpe SPs and Redhill, Surrey … 3rd January 2011

A wander round the local patch at Holmethorpe Sand Pits with fellow local birders Gordon and Ian produced the female GOLDENEYE again, a male SHELDUCK, three Water Rails, two of which were seen, the other being heard squealing, a Common Buzzard, six Wigeon and 2 Little Owls together in one oak tree with another calling a few hundred yards away.
There were still good numbers of Gadwall and Tufted Ducks with a few Shovelers and Pochards on show.




Just outside our recording area, eight WAXWINGS were perched in a tall tree by the railway line near Frenches Road in Redhill and were viewable from a footbridge over the railway line (TQ285515). They often flew down to a back garden by the embankment to feed on rotting apples and, at times flew off some distance down Frenches Road, disappearing behind the houses, only to return a while later.




It has certainly been an exceptional winter for this species but, no matter how many are seen, I doubt many birders would tire of watching them. A touch of the exotic to brighten up a cold and dreary winter’s day.

Graham