Winners and losers - non-passerines
Having been birding across the 'uber patch' since 1974, plenty has changed. Some bird species have gone altogether, others have arrived. Counts yo-yo, migrants arrive earlier and stay later (or do they?) What follows are some examples of the winners and losers from 'my' part of north Surrey. All the following data is compiled from my own personal observations. Cormorant WINNER Recorded throughout the year, although in smaller numbers during the summer months The first records were of two birds flying over Beddington SF on 29 May 1977 and two birds over Cheam on 6 July 1983. It was not until the early 1990s that this species became commoner in the area and overflying birds were not the rarity that they once were. Even so, they are not seen annually from my garden in Nork, Banstead . Peak count of 20 on 3 January 2009 and 1 January 2013, both at Holmethorpe . Any sizeable waterbody will hold them, whereas they really were a prized sighting 30-40 years ago. ...