December 2025

Monday 22nd-Wednesday 31st

The influx of Russian White-fronted and Tundra Bean Geese to southern England reached the vice-county, with an extraordinary count of c 90 White-fronts and at least seven Tundra Beans at Beddington Farmlands on 24th (A Dutta et al). Other White-fronted Geese were found at Newark Priory (four on 24th per E Sames) and one at Downside on 25th (J Snell).

At least four of the Beddington White-fronts lingered until 26th. Also at Beddington was a flyover Whooper Swan on 28th, a drake Goldeneye on 26th and a first-winter Caspian Gull on multiple dates (A Dutta, G Jones et al).

Great Egrets were seen at Tice’s Meadow (M Bravery, K Duncan) and Tongham GP (S Harley). Siberian Chiffchaffs were at Holmethorpe SP on 27th (T Ledger) and Poulter Park on 29th (A Dutta). Up to eight Goosander were at Cutt Mill Ponds (K Duncan, S Jones). A Goldeneye was at Thorpe Park (J Snell), the biggest Crossbill counts were at Farnham Heath (40+, S Hughes) and Leith Hill (50 on multiple dates) and seven Water Rails were at Unstead SF on 31st (J Parr).

Sunday 21st

Albury: 30+ Crossbills (S Jones).

Beddington Farmlands: 2 Water Pipits (BirdGuides).

Bisley Common: Hawfinch (BirdGuides).

Holmethorpe SP: Green Sandpiper (G Hay/I Kehl).

Saturday 20th

Beddington Farmlands: Water Pipit and Shelduck (S Thomas).

Blackheath: Crossbill (K Britten).

Cutt Mill Ponds: 3 Goosander on house pond (M Fincham).

Leith Hill: 5 Crossbills (P Evans).

Thorpe Park: Mediterranean Gull (J Snell).

Thursley Common: 2 Crossbills (C & D Brassington).

Friday 19th

Horley: Yellow-browed Warbler (N Bond).

London Wetland Centre: 2 Bitterns and 2 Shelduck (D Panchaud/F Wright).

Redlands Wood: 11 Hawfinches (T Gibson).

Thursday 18th

London Wetland Centre: Bittern (A Salmon).

Wednesday 17th

Leatherhead: Goosander (J Snell).

London Wetland Centre: Bittern (A Salmon).

Tuesday 16th

Beddington Farmlands: Water Pipit, Shelduck and Green Sandpiper (P Alfrey).

Cutt Mill Ponds: 2 Goosander (D Brassington).

Effingham Forest: 7 Hawfinches at Dick Focks Common (D Cox).

Hankley Common: 24 Crossbills (J Cassidy).

London Wetland Centre: Bittern (A Salmon).

Tice’s Meadow: Great Egret (R Horton).

Monday 15th

Tice’s Meadow: Dunlin (R Horton).

Whitmoor Common: 9 Crossbills (E & J Wareing).

Sunday 14th

Beddington Farmlands: Jack Snipe, Brambling, Green Sandpiper and Shelduck (J Bartley/D Bulling/G Howgate/M Murphy).

Farnham Heath RSPB: 9 Crossbills (J Geddes).

Holmethorpe SP: Green Sandpiper (G Hay/I Kehl).

London Wetland Centre: drake Goldeneye, Water Pipit and 2 Bitterns (A Salmon/M Wheeler).

Tice’s Meadow: Dunlin and 2 Green Sandpipers (R Horton).

Saturday 6th

Beddington Farmlands: 2 Water Pipits, Shelduck and Green Sandpiper (M Bravery/A Harding/I Jones/M Parker).

Burgh Heath: 2 Bramblings at Canons Farm (P Goodman/A Griffin).

London Wetland Centre: Bittern (B Reding).

Tice’s Meadow: Great Egret (R Seargent).

Friday 5th

Mediterranean Gull, Papercourt GP (K Duncan).
Mediterranean Gull, Papercourt GP (K Duncan).

Cutt Mill Ponds: 4 drake Goosander on house pond (R Seargent).

London Wetland Centre: 2 Bitterns and 2 Shelduck (A Salmon).

Kingston upon Thames: Mediterranean Gull at Kingston Bridge (G Barter).

Newdigate: Cattle Egret at Tanhouse Farm (W Attridge).

Papercourt GP: adult Mediterranean Gull (K Duncan).

Richmond Park: Dartford Warbler (P Pentek).

Send: 2 Bramblings at Prews Farm (E Sames).

Tice’s Meadow: Dunlin and 4 Green Sandpipers (M Elsoffer).

Thursday 4th

Farnham Heath RSPB: 2 Crossbills (S Thompson).

Wednesday 3rd

Albury: 6 Crossbills (A Nunns).

Beddington Farmlands: Brambling, Shelduck and 2 Green Sandpipers (G Howgate).

London Wetland Centre: Bittern (M Wheeler).

Mickleham Downs: 3 Hawfinches and 2 Crossbills (S Gale).

Newdigate: Cattle Egret at Tanhouse Farm (W Attridge).

Richmond Park: 4 Dartford Warblers (P Pentek).

Thorpe Park: 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and Mediterranean Gull at St Ann’s Lake (J Snell).

Tuesday 2nd

Common Sandpiper, Island Barn Reservoir (D Harris).
Common Sandpiper, Island Barn Reservoir (D Harris).

Beddington Farmlands: Shelduck and 2 Green Sandpipers (G Howgate).

Chelsea & Lambeth Reservoirs: 2 Green Sandpipers (F Maroevic).

Holmethorpe SP: Green Sandpiper (N Hadden).

Island Barn Reservoir: Common Sandpiper (D Harris).

Leith Hill: 6 Crossbills (J Cassidy).

Tice’s Meadow: ringtail Hen Harrier south; also Great Egret (J Gates/D MacLeod).

Monday 1st

Cutt Mill Ponds: 2 Goosander (P Phillips).

London Wetland Centre: Bittern on Main Lake (N Curry).