Beddington Farmlands - Twite Twitch #2, 27th January 2018

I finally got the opportunity to go to Beddington again today for another dig at the Twite with a small company led by David ("Devilbirder") Campbell. When we eventually got in, we headed straight over to the tip. On the way there, 4 Snipe flew onto the North Lake, (probably because of the active f Kestrel) and a Song thrush was also noted.

When we reached the tip, the Twite was immediately found by David, but within seconds it had flown off again. Bit of a surprising start. We hung about in that same spot for 20 mins or so, but with it not reappearing and very little else but a fair few Reed Bunting and Mipits around were seen. So we decided to head southwards along the tip, when David suddenly came to a stop and lifted his bins, looking towards the perimeter fence. In other words it was a signal for us to stop. Then he said something unexpected and to me, quite exciting. 'There's a Dartford Warbler!' It took me a little while to get onto it, but there it was, flitting around in the thick grassy/reedy area just below the fence, staying fairly well-hidden but enough to show the reddish breast and red eye-ring. Having not been seen for a couple of months it was a welcome surprise, and I've finally got that bird. One bogey bird complete! As I'm still camera-less, I still didn't get the opportunity to get a picture, so that one will have to wait. 

We carried on walking, following the Linnets around for a little bit, with what seemed like an endless supply of gulls filling the sky, tip and lakes. Then a pair of Tree Sparrow hopped onto the fence, just 2 of the remaining 5; another lifer for me, so already a double victory. I got a distance picture through my phone, though pretty woeful. 

We walked along a bit more, though nothing more was found. Then David heard the bird call and land nearby on the tip. The scopes came out and then it was found by one birder, with everyone but me seeing it clearly. Just as I got onto it through a birder's scope, adjusting the focus, I watched it hop onto a rock then fly off, allowing me a 1 second ground view and 10 second flight view. And that was it. Sadly we never found it again after another hour of searching. Nonetheless I saw it, whether a quality view or not, and it was enough to see the pink ring and rump. Hopefully if it hangs around for another month I might sneak in for a better look, but either way I can't say that the Twite Twitch #2 was unsuccessful.

Besides that, an adult Glaucous Gull had been found, and Devilbirder had seen a Caspian before we arrived. Skylarks were present in good numbers, and 2 Rook, 2 Little Egret and 2 Cetti's Warblers ended the visit. 

Thanks to David for organising the trip. Hopefully I can come again in the coming weeks, and try and see anything else that turns up, and get another view of the Twite. 

With a variety of rarities turning up at the moment, like the return of the American Horned Lark at Staines, it feels like something big might turn up at the farmlands - whether it be a Little or Lapland bunting, or maybe even a wader or other passerine, like a lark. No reason why the Horned Lark can't take a day trip...