I parked up at Mountain Wood, near to Sheepleas, and set off up the hill through the pines. As it turned out I didn't quite go to the right part of the woods. I was only about 200 yards away from where I should've been but it was enough not to see the 'crests. What I did see, at long last, were a couple of striking Marsh Tit (147), calling out with their very distinctive pitchoo call (excuse the very moderate record photo below).
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On Sunday, I made the mistake of going to bed too late after a long day, getting up the next morning later than planned and then setting off just as it was starting to rain. Not exactly what you would hope for in June - freezing cold, blowing a gale and incessant rain - but I ignored that and went ahead anyway. A Quail had been seen in a barley field at Dockenfield - near Frensham Ponds - by Johnny Allan on Wednesday and then by Mark Spicer the following day, so I couldn't resist going for a look. Johnny had got a glimpse of the bird, and seeing as he reported that the barley wasn't too long, I had a good feeling that I might get a first actual sighting, rather than just hearing it with it's 'wet my lips' call (as a side issue - does it really sound like wet my lips? If I hadn't known that was what it allegedly sounds like, I don't think I would've guess it).
I arrived at 8.45am and almost immediately I heard the Quail calling. As I walked up the bridlepath, it was clearly really close by - no more than about five feet away - but could I see it? Could I heck. The call got quieter as it moved further into the field and eventually it stopped, and didn't start up again for another 90 minutes, by which time I was cheesed off and wet enough to give up the quest.
I then popped over to Frensham Little Pond, in the hope of finding a Spotted Flycatcher - apparently one of the best places to look for one. I found three Common Terns feeding on the lake, plus a couple of Redstarts but no Flycatcher. So that was it for Sunday.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid17q57By3xSi6n9dcthponIv02cxwXAXI6sWgEjEvR9E4V2WwqUlozW1EAt3_8WRTgAKLAoYiiZri5Q3DvtaIFnmI4fImeaQRS4JHGJZz_zOQlULIzL-4xNk8Dd4J9o4clUwg5PvZWcdD/s400/Thundry+Meadows3.jpg)
Then this morning I got up at the crack of dawn for another go at spotting a Flycatcher. I tried Thundry Meadows on the way to Frensham - nothing doing there, and then as the sun burnt off the early morning mist, I tried the Little Pond, but again, just a couple of sleepy Common Terns and a fledgling Redstart were all I could muster.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJowZsv5Vuu-0CEK7yrbnAnJtPUBKuG2acMmZn7Rnh_8o39HByyZdk8Ym_nLOq0XzlwPhNhOeMpq6MO4K9k8NGx99p_GywEIGXndvIWbywSLsS7AHSKwHoOpji8ExD_ToDveD_djQFrbNz/s400/Common+Tern+Frensham+Little+Pond.jpg)
So, my final stop was at Effingham Forest for another go at finding the pair of Firecrests. The attempt wasn't helped by the din from the logging that was going on nearby. A Firecrest isn't easy to hear when it's quiet, let alone when there's trees being felled and constant engine noise in the background. I briefly thought I could hear them, but looking up into the trees I just couldn't see any sign. Needless to say, I drew another blank, and as today has been chosen as a day for decorating the spare bedroom (I was so looking forward to it), I ran out of time. Not a good morning.
Surrey (including Spelthorne) 2011 list: 147
This time last year: 139
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