Farnham News Spring 2022

2021

A Green Sandpiper was present on 4^th September, the first autumn Snipe were seen and, by the end of the first week, an Egyptian Goose was on site.  During the second week, the number of Snipe increased to seven and Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were noted; 30 Goldfinches, a Green Sandpiper, a female Scaup and another Egyptian Goose were recorded.  Coot numbers increased to 86, eight Chiffchaffs were counted and a female Pintail appeared on 17^th.  Five Grey Herons were in the area, one taking a liking to perching on the tern platform; a Tawny Owl called one afternoon.  During the third week, a Ruff was present and the first Pink-footed Geese of the autumn arrived on 24^th, with 59 counted as they flew south.  Another Egyptian Goose appeared on 26^th.

On 2^nd October, a Little Egret was seen and seven species of duck were on the lake; a Common Sandpiper, Egyptian Goose and eight Chiffchaffs were recorded.  Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese, totalling 100, flew south on 9^th, a Green Sandpiper was present and three Redwings were the first of the winter thrushes.  Sky-watching can be unproductive at times but, on this day, three large birds in the distance which were located through the ‘scope as they flew from the north, could have been swans at first glance.  However, as they came closer, it was a surprise to find that they were Cranes.  They flew on south and, two days later, were seen over Derbyshire.  Two Dunlins appeared on 11^th, the first seen all year.  As the mild weather continued, ten Swallows were feeding over the lake on 12^th, late records are now becoming more normal.  A Great White Egret flew over on 16^th, when a single Goldeneye was present, the first of the winter.  Maximum wildfowl counts for the month were: Wigeon – 11, Mallard – 18, Teal – 15, Tufted Duck – 47, Goldeneye – 4, 

Little Grebe – 5, Great Crested Grebe – 5, Coot – 192.  The presence of two Otters was recorded, but they are elusive. 

More than 200 Pink-footed Geese flew over the site on 2^nd November.  Next day, a Peregrine Falcon flew over carrying a prey item which it carried to one of the pylons where it began to pluck its prey. Then a second Peregrine Falcon appeared and began to fly around the pylon calling; this may possibly have been a young bird.  Redwings were still being recorded, with 200 on 4^th.  It was quite a mild month, with a temperature of 15 degrees C on 9^th and 12 degrees C on 20^th.  A party of 18 Long-tailed Tits flew by the hide.  A Brent Goose, a species normally seen at the coast, appeared on the South Lake on 27^th, but it only stayed for the morning, being seen later at Staveley Reserve.  A Little Egret was recorded on the last three days of the month.  Maximum wildfowl counts for the month were: 

Mute Swan – 7, Shelduck – 1, Shoveler – 5, Gadwall – 4, Wigeon – 17, Mallard – 32, 

Teal – 22, Tufted Duck – 113, Goldeneye – 15, Coot – 328.

 After an absence of four years, the Bird Feeding Station has been re-instated.  The feeding poles have now been moved away from the bushes and squirrel-proof baffles fitted – hopefully it will now attract the intended species.  I think it will be a while before Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers return.

December followed the pattern of the past two months with very little to report.  Adverse winds from the Continent did little to promote bird movement, nor did the unseasonal temperatures.  A Green Sandpiper was present on 12^th and a Peregrine Falcon gave good views as it chased prey before resting on a pylon.  Two Otters were still present.  The feeding station has not gathered momentum yet but regular species include Marsh and Coal Tits, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Bunting and Long-tailed Tits feeding on the fat balls.  Maximum wildfowl counts for the month were: Canada Goose – 127, Greylag Goose – 237, Mute Swan – 7, Shoveler – 6, Gadwall – 14, Wigeon – 76, Mallard – 34, Teal – 54, 

Pochard – 2, Tufted Duck – 121, Goldeneye – 24, Little Grebe – 5, Great Crested Grebe – 6, Coot – 302.

2022

On 1^st January, a temperature of 14 degrees C was recorded – the 22 Redwings which were present must have thought that spring had arrived!  An Egyptian Goose made a brief appearance on 10^th.  Most of the South Lake was frozen for five days mid-month, but fortunately the North Lake was less affected.  Three hundred Pink-footed Geese flew over to the north on 23^rd with 55 over on 30^th.  A Little Egret was recorded on the last day of the month.  Maximum wildfowl counts for the month were: Canada Goose – 78, 

Greylag Goose – 175, Mute Swan – 5, Shoveler – 6, Gadwall – 14, Wigeon – 82, Mallard – 46, Teal – 57, Pochard – 52, Tufted Duck – 93, Goldeneye – 54, Little Grebe – 3, 

Great Crested Grebe – 9, Coot – 543. 

February had a slow start and it was not until 11^th when things began to happen with five adult Whooper Swans on the North Lake.  Fifteen Reed Buntings were feeding in the reed bed and a flock of 30 Siskins was recorded, having been very elusive so far this year; there were no Redpoll records this month.  On 15^th, a Taiga Bean Goose was in the field to the rear of the hide with seven Pink-footed Geese, in the company of our usual Canada and Greylag Geese flock.  Pochard numbers increased to 66 and a Little Egret was located on the North lakeside.  The maximum Oystercatcher count was 18 mid-month and a Green Sandpiper was present on 19^th.  On 26^th, 220 Pink-footed Geese flew west and a Little Egret was present on the North Lake.  Maximum wildfowl counts for the month were: 

Mute Swan – 4, Wigeon – 12, Mallard – 32, Pochard – 66, Tufted Duck – 128, Goosander – 4, Goldeneye – 28, Little Grebe – 4, Great Crested Grebe – 9, Coot – 355.

Four Yellowhammers were present on 1^st March, also two Lesser Redpolls and 50 Goldfinches.  Yellowhammer numbers had increased to ten by 4^th, a Chiffchaff was singing on site on 10^th, 15 Sand Martins arrived on 15^th and there was an increase in Chiffchaff numbers – perhaps Spring is on its way!

June E. Atkinson, Honorary Warden.