January
Don't forget the BIG GARDEN BIRD WATCH: 26th – 28th of January!
January 2019 is the 35th year since East Surrey RSPB local group was formed, with myself as the last remaining member of the original committee still involved. To celebrate, three of us decided to go to Functon Creek in North Kent to start off the New year and look for the ROUGH LEGGED BUZZARD that had been reported - an Arctic species that has not been in the area for about 5 years.
As well as a distant view of the R.L.buzzard we saw good numbers of common buzzard, marsh harriers, a single hen harrier and a very confiding kestrel on the way home a male merlin flew over the car. Other highlights were a flock of a 1000+ Golden Plover wheeling round in a tight ball to escape a bird of prey with the sun on them golden backs contrasting with white undersides a magical sight.
300+avocets, 100+ knot, lapwing, redshanks, curlew. Good numbers of ducks: pintail in the 100's, wigeon, teal, shelduck and Brent geese.
A very good day despite the strong wind which seemed to have a chill factor of about -5! Back for the evening talk with cake and a glass of wine to celebrate!