This systematic list is aimed at complimenting the Birds of Beddington Farmlands (Peter Alfrey, Brian Milne, Derek Coleman and the BFBG 2010) in providing an up-to-date species list for Beddington Farmlands and also to provide an update for the number of records of rarely recorded species. This systematic list builds on an earlier Systematic list by Johnny Allan (J.Allan 2012) and Peter Alfrey/BFBG (2012)
The Birds of Beddington Farmlands covered the period up to and including 2007 and full details of records of rarely recorded species can be found therein. Additional records since 2007 are included separately in the Status columns in the Systematic List below and details of these records can be found in either the 2008 Beddington Farmlands Bird Report and also the Beddington Farmlands Bird and Wildlife Report 2012 (including summary for 2009 to 2011) and further reports from 2013-2019. Records from 2020 onwards can be found on Ebird.
The aim is to update this systematic list on a regular basis.
The following status abbreviations have been utilised:
R: Resident
Re: Regular
B: Breeding
S: Spring Migrant
AU: Autumn Migrant
W: Winter Visitor
Su: Summer Visitor
HW: Hard Weather Migrant
Ir: Irregular
Sc: Scarce Migrant (annual or less)
Ve Sc: Very Scare
V: Vagrant (ten or less records)
FS: Former Status
Trends in recent years (approx. last decade) for more regularly occurring species include strong positive (+) , strong negative (-) and no significant change known (*)
The Systematic List is separated into different categories:
A: Nominate forms of Species recorded at Beddington Farmlands
B: Sub-species recorded at Beddington Farmlands
C. Hybrids recorded at Beddington Farmlands.
D: Escaped bird species recorded at Beddington Farmlands
A: Nominate forms of Species recorded at Beddington Farmlands. Taxonomy as recognised by the British Ornithological Union (BOU) in 2012 (with some recent species additions as per BOU adopted IOC taxonomy). All species (where relevant) accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) and local rarities committees of the Surrey Bird Club (SBC) and London Natural History Society (LNHS) . * Conservation Status as per Birds of Conservation Concern 3 (Eaton et al 2009) and Overwinter population estimates of British Waterbirds (Musgrove et al 2011). National Status as per BB and BBRC classification
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status/ National Status | Local Status | Trend |
| Mute Swan | Cygnus olor | Amber | R, B | + |
| Bewick’s Swan | Cygnus columbianus | Amber | Ve Sc W, 15 records 14 records <2007, 1 record of 2 birds in 2016 | |
| Whooper Swan | Cygnus Cygnus | Amber | V, 2 records 1 in 1981, 1 in 1996 | |
| Tundra Bean Goose | Anser rossicus | Amber | V, 2 records 1 record 1997, 1 record 2010 | |
| (Taiga Bean Goose) | Anser fabilis | Amber | V, 1 record Following review this species has been removed. The record has been accepted as Bean Goose sp. but not identified to species. | |
| Pink-footed Goose | Anser brachyrhynchus | Amber | V, 2 records 1 record consisting of 11 birds in 1938, 1 in 1963 | |
| White-fronted Goose | Anser albifrons | Red | Ve Sc W, 19 records 14 records <2007, 2 records 2010, 2 records 2011, 1 record 2012 | |
| Greylag Goose | Anser anser | Amber/ Cat. C | Re, recently bred | + |
| Canada Goose | Branta canadensis | Cat. C | R, B | + |
| Barnacle Goose | Branta leucopsis | Amber/ Cat C | V, 2 records of wild birds. Several records of BOU ‘Category C’ birds including a flock of 68 in 2017 which were presumed to be of feral origin. | |
| Brent Goose | Branta bernicla | Amber | Sc Au, W | |
| Egyptian Goose | Alopochen aegyptiaca | Cat. C | Formerly rare, e.g. only 5 records between 1976 and 2001. Now R | + |
| Shelduck | Tadorna tadorna | Amber | B | + |
| Mandarin Duck | Aix galericulata | Cat. C | Ve Sc, 23 records 9 records <2007, 2 records 2009, 1 record 2011, 1 record 2012, 3 records 2014, 2 records 2015, 2 records 2016, 2 records 2017, 1 record 2021 | |
| Eurasian Wigeon | Anas penelope | Amber | W | – |
| Gadwall | Anas strepera | Amber | R, B | + |
| Eurasian Teal | Anas crecca | Amber | W, Au | – |
| Green-winged Teal | Anas carolinensis | Scarce | V, 2 records 1 record of a drake in 1997, which stayed into 1998, 1 record of a drake in 2005 | |
| Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos | Amber | R, B | * |
| Northern Pintail | Anas acuta | Amber | Ir W, Au | * |
| Garganey | Anas querquedula | Amber | Sc S, Au | * |
| Northern Shoveler | Anas clypeata | Amber | Has bred. W, Au | * |
| Red-crested Pochard | Netta rufina | Cat.C | Ve Sc, 12 records (presumably all BOU ‘category C’) First record 1940, 6 records between 1940 and 2002, and a returning bird between 2003-2007. 1 record 2019, 2 records 2020, 1 record 2021, 1 record of 2 birds 2024 | |
| Common Pochard | Aythya ferina | Red | W | * |
| Ring-necked Duck | Aythya collaris | Scarce | V, 1 record 1 female in 2002 | |
| Ferruginous Duck | Aythya nyroca | BBRC rarity | V, 1 record 1 adult male in 1990 | |
| Tufted Duck | Aythya fuligala | Green | R, B | – |
| Greater Scaup | Aythya marila | Red | V, 6 records 5 records <2007, 1 record 2010 | |
| Common Eider | Somateria mollissima | Amber | V, 1 record 2 females/immatures in 1993 (Belatedly accepted by Surrey Bird Club and LNHS Rarities Committees) | |
| Long-tailed Duck | Clangula hyemalis | Red | V, 1 record 1 eclipse drake in 1975 | |
| Common Scoter | Melanitta nigra | Red | V, 6 records 1 record 1937, 1 in 1951, 1 in 1976, 1 in 1994, 1 record in 2005 consisted of 6 birds, 1 record 2006 | |
| Velvet Scoter | Melanitta fusca | Red | V, 1 record 1 1st winter male in 1993 | |
| Common Goldeneye | Bucephela clangula | Amber | Sc W Not recorded between 2006 and 2011. 1 record 2012 | – |
| Smew | Mergellus albellus | Amber | Ve Sc W, 12-13 records <2007 Last record 2004 | |
| Red-breasted Merganser | Mergus serrator | Green | Ve Sc W, 14 records 10 records <2007, 2 records 2008, 1 record 2010, 1 record 2011 | |
| Goosander | Mergus merganser | Green | Sc W | |
| Ruddy Duck | Oxyura jamaicensis | Cat. C | FS Re up to 2008. Currently Ve Sc following DEFRA cull. Last record 2011 | – |
| Red-legged Partridge | Alectoris rufa | Cat. C | FS R, B. Currently Ve Sc Last sighting in 2021 | |
| Grey Partridge | Perdix perdix | Red | FS R, B Extinct on site since 1980 1 subsequent record in 2014 | |
| Common Quail | Coturnix coturnix | Amber | V, 2 records 1 in 1987 and 1 in 1997 | |
| Pheasant | Phasianus colchius | Cat. C | FS R, B Currently increasing | + |
| Red-throated Diver | Gavia stellate | Green | V, 2 records 1 in 1991 and 1 in 1996 | |
| Northern Fulmar | Fulmarus glacialis | Amber | V, 2 records 1 in 2001 and 1 in 2008 | |
| Little Grebe | Tachybaptus ruficollis | Green | R, B | + |
| Red-necked Grebe | Podiceps grisegena | Red | V, 1 record 1 adult summer in September 1995 | |
| Great-crested Grebe | Podiceps cristatus | Green | Ir, has bred | * |
| Black-necked Grebe | Podiceps nigricollis | Amber | Ve Sc, 12 records 10 records <2007, 1 record of 2 birds in 2015, 1 record of 2 birds in 2020 | |
| White Stork | Ciconia ciconia | Scarce | V, 3 records 1 record 1978, 2 records 2016 (see Category E for 2020, 2021 and 2023) | |
| Spoonbill | Platlea leucordia | Amber | Ve Sc, 14 records 4 records <2007, 1 record 2009, 1 record of 2 birds in 2014, 2 records in 2018 (flocks of 19 and 16 birds on different dates in September), 2 records in 2019. 1 record in 2020, 1 in 2021, 1 in 2022, 1 in 2023 | |
| Glossy Ibis | Plegadis falcinellus | Scarce | V, 3 records First site record 2014, 1 in 2018, 1 in 2022 | |
| Bittern | Botaurus stellaris | Amber | V, 7 records 1 record in 1928, 1 in 1947, 1 in 1968, 1 in 2012, 2 records 2013, 1 record 2017 | |
| Little Bittern | Ixobrychus minutus | BBRC rarity | V, 2 records 1 in 1954, 1 record of a long staying pair in 1956 (breeding was suspected) | |
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea | Green | R | – |
| Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | Scarce | V, 4 records 1 record 1982, 1 in 1999, 1 in 2005, 1 in 2022 | |
| Cattle egret | Bubulcus ibis | Scarce | V, 4 records First site record 2017, second record in 2020 concerned a flock of 6 birds (a Surrey record), 1 record 2022, 1 record 2024 | |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba | Scarce | FS Ve Sc, currently Ir, approx 48 records First site record 2008, 2 records 2012, 1 record 2013, 3 records 2014, 1 record 2015, 2 records 2016, 2 records 2017 (may have involved the same bird?), 4 records 2018 including 1 record of 2 birds, 5 records 2019, 5 records 2020, 4 records 2021 including 2 records of 2 birds, approx 8 records 2022, 8 records 2023 (including 4 birds in one day), 3 records in 2024 (including a flock of 6 birds) | + |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta | Green | Previously only 10 records between 1991 and 2001 Now regular/resident | + |
| Northern Gannet | Morus bossanus | Amber | V, 9 records 6 records <2007, 1 record 2010, 1 record 2012, 1 record 2013 | |
| Shag | Phalacrocorax aristotelis | Red | V, 6 records 5 records <2007, 1 in 2008 | |
| Cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo | Green | R | + |
| Honey Buzzard | Pernis apivorus | Amber | Ve Sc, 22 records 17 records <2007, 1 record 2008, 2 records 2010, 1 record 2015, 1 record 2016 | |
| Black Kite | Milvus migrans | Scarce | V, 1 record 2011 | |
| Red Kite | Milvus milvus | Green | Previously scarce with 15 records between 1966 and 2005. Now regular. | + |
| Marsh Harrier | Circus aeruginosus | Amber | Sc S, Au, 108 records 24 records between 1954 and 1996, 35 records between 1997 and 2005, 19 records between 2006 and 2014, 18 records between 2015 and 2020, 5 records 2022, 5 records 2023, 2 records 2024 | * |
| Hen Harrier | Circus cyaneus | Red | Ve Sc, 16 records 11 records <2007, 1 record 2008, 1 record 2010, 1 confirmed (+1 unsubmitted) record 2016, 1 record 2017, 1 in 2019 | |
| Goshawk | Accipiter gentilis | Green | V, 5 records 1 record in 1960, 1 in 2013, 1 in 2014, 1 in 2017, 1 in 2020 | |
| Sparrowhawk | Accipiter nisus | Green | R, B | |
| Common Buzzard | Buteo buteo | Green | Formerly rare with 13 records between 1946 and 1996 increasing to 75 records between 1997 and 2005. Now Re, S, Au and bred for first time in 2020 | + |
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | Amber | Ve Sc S, Au, 33 records 20 records <2007, 1 record 2013, 2 records 2014, 2 in 2015, 1 in 2018, 1 in 2021, 2 records 2022, 3 records 2023, 1 record 2024 | |
| Kestrel | Falco tinnunculus | Amber | R, B | – |
| Merlin | Falco columbarius | Red | Ve Sc Au, W, 16 records 13 records <2007, 2 records 2011, 1 record 2014 | |
| Hobby | Falco subbuteo | Green | Su | * |
| Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus | Green | Formerly rare with only two records between 1957 and 1993. Now R | + |
| Water Rail | Rallus aquaticus | Green | W | + |
| Spotted Crake | Porzana porzana | Amber | Ve Sc, Bred 1963-1965, 10 records since 7 records <2007, 1 record 2011, 1 in 2017, 1 in 2021 | |
| Little/Baillon’s Crake | Porzana parva/pusilla | BBRC rarity | V, 1 record 1955 | |
| Corncrake | Crex crex | Red | FS, V Bred until 1918, 2 records since Last recorded in 1964 | |
| Moorhen | Gallinula chloropus | Green | R, B | * |
| Coot | Fulica atra | Green | R, B | * |
| Common Crane | Grus grus | Amber | V, 7 records 2 records 2010, 1 record 2011, 2 in 2013, 1 in 2021, 1 record of 2 birds in 2023 | |
| Oystercatcher | Haematopus ostralegus | Amber | Sc, Ir, Au | * |
| Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus himantopus | BBRC rarity | V, 2 records 1 in 1955 and 1 female in 2022 | |
| Avocet | Recurvirostra avosetta | Amber | Ve Sc, 31 records 15 records <2007, 1 record 2011, 2 records 2012, 4 records 2016, 1 record of 2 birds in 2017, 2 records 2018, 1 in 2019, 2 in 2022, 3 in 2024 | |
| Stone-curlew | Burhinus oedicenmus | Amber | Ve Sc, 11 records 1 record of 2 birds in 1955, 1 in 1957, 2 records in 1971 including 2 birds together, 1 in 1979, 1 in 1982, 1 in 2015, 1 in 2018, 1 in 2019, 1 in 2022, 1 in 2023 | |
| Little Ringed Plover | Charadrius dubius | Green | Su, B, S, Au | – |
| Ringed Plover | Charadrius hiaticula | Red | S, Au | – |
| Killdeer | Charadrius vociferous | BBRC rarity | V, 1 record 1 1st winter in 1984 | |
| Pacific Golden Plover | Pluvialis fulva | BBRC rarity | V, 1 record 2010 | |
| European Golden Plover | Pluvialis apricaria | Green | Ir W, Au, HW | * |
| Grey Plover | Pluvialis squatarola | Amber | Ir, Sc | * |
| Northern Lapwing | Vanellus vanellus | Red | R, B, HW, Au | – |
| Knot | Charadrius canutus | Amber | Sc W, Au | * |
| Sanderling | Calidris alba | Amber | Sc Au, S, W | * |
| Little Stint | Calidris minuta | Green | FS Au, currently Sc Au | – |
| Temminck’s Stint | Calidris temminckii | Former UK breeder | Ve Sc, 12 records 10 records <2007, 1 record 2017, 1 in 2021 | |
| Pectoral Sandpiper | Calidris melanotos | Scarce | Ve Sc, 13 records 9 records <2007, 1 record 2008, 1 in 2010, 1 in 2011, 1 in 2014 | |
| Curlew Sandpiper | Calidris ferruginea | Ambee | Sc Au | – |
| Purple Sandpiper | Calidris maritima | Amber | V, 1 record 1956 | |
| Dunlin | Calidiris alpina alpina | Amber | S, Au, W | – |
| Ruff | Philomachus pugnax | Red | S, Au, W | – |
| Jack Snipe | Lymnocryptes minimus | Green | A major historical decline but now stable. Au, W | * |
| Common Snipe | Gallinago gallinago | Amber | A major historical decline but now stable. Au, W | + |
| Woodcock | Scolopax rusticola | Red | Sc W, HW | * |
| Black-tailed Godwit | Limosa limosa | Red | Ir S, Au Nominate not recorded (see sub-species) | + |
| Bar-tailed Godwit | Limosa lapponica | Amber | Sc S 90+ on April 18th 2020 was a Surrey record. | * |
| Eurasian Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus | Red | Sc S, Au | – |
| Eurasian Curlew | Numensis arquata | Red | Sc W, Au | – |
| Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos | Amber | S, Au | – |
| Green Sandpiper | Tringa ochropus | Amber | R, S, Au | – |
| Spotted Redshank | Tringa erythropus | Amber | FS Re, currently Sc. Decline in records since 1992. 1 record 2007, 2 records 2013, 1 in 2014, 1 record of 2 birds in 2015, 3 records in 2018, 1 record in 2020 | – |
| Greenshank | Tringa nebularia | Amber | S, Au | – |
| Lesser Yellowlegs | Tringa flavipes | BBRC rarity | V, 1 record 1 juvenile in 1984 | |
| Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola | Amber | Ir S, Au | – |
| Common Redshank | Tringa totanus | Amber | FS Re, currently Ir, S, W | – |
| Turnstone | Arenaria interpres | Amber | Sc S, Au | * |
| Grey Phalarope | Phalaropus fulicarius | Scarce | V, 2 records 1 in 1987 and 1 in 2014 | |
| Arctic Skua | Sterocrarius parasiticus | Red | V, 10 records Not recorded between 2002 and 2019. 1 record 2020, 1 record of 2 birds in 2021 | |
| Long-tailed Skua | Sterocrarius longicaudus | Green | V, 1 record 2012 | |
| Great Skua | Sterocrarius skua | Amber | V, 1 record 1998 | |
| Sabine’s Gull | Xema sabini | Scarce | V, 4 records 1 record 1987, 1 record of 3 juveniles in 2007, 1 in 2016, 1 in 2017. The bird seen in 2017 was possibly the same bird seen in 2016. | |
| Kittiwake | Rissa tridactyla | Red | Sc W Last record 2024 | – |
| Black-headed Gull | Chroicocephalus ridibundus | Amber | R | – |
| Little Gull | Hydrocoloeus minutus | Green | Sc Au, S, W | |
| Mediterranean Gull | Larus melanocephalus | Amber | W, S, Au | – |
| Common Gull | Larus canus | Amber | W, S, Au | – |
| Ring-billed Gull | Larus delawarensis | Scarce | V, 1 record 1 adult in 1995 | |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull | Larus fuscus | Amber | R Nominate not recorded- see sub-species | – |
| Herring Gull | Larus argentatus | Red | Formerly abundant. See sub-species Argenteus R, 1% threshold wintering site (Musgrove et al, 2011). Sizable decline since cessation of landfill operations | – |
| Yellow-legged Gull | Larus michahellis | Amber | W, Au | – |
| Caspian Gull | Larus cachinnans | Scarce | W, 1% threshold wintering site (Musgrove et al , 2011). First recorded in 1999. Following the closure of landfill, the species status is changing. High count of 7 in one day in January 2022. Since 2022 records have significantly dropped off. 3 records in 2023, 2 records 2024 | – |
| Iceland Gull | Larus glaucoides | Amber | Ir W, approx. 61 records 11 records <2007, 2 records 2008, 3 records 2009, 1 record 2010, 2 records 2011, 14 records 2012, 2 records 2013, 4 records 2015, 5 records 2016 (one of which was the same bird in late 2015) , 8 records in 2017 inc. the bird seen in late 2016, 5 records in 2018, 3 records in 2019, 3 records in 2021 | – |
| Glaucous-winged Gull | Larus glaucescens | BBRC rarity | V, 1 record Ringed 3rd winter in 2007 (also see hybrids) | |
| Glaucous Gull | Larus hyperboreus | Amber | Sc W, 31 records 15 records <2007, 2 records 2008, 1 record 2009, 2 in 2010, 1 in 2012, 1 in 2015, 1 in 2016, 6 records 2017 inc. the bird seen late in 2016, 1 record 2018, 2 in 2019 | – |
| Great Black-backed Gull | Larus marinus | Amber | W | – |
| Little Tern | Sternula albifrons | Amber | Ve Sc, 12 records 9 records <2007, 1 record 2008, 1 in 2012, 1 record of 3 birds in 2015 | |
| Black Tern | Childonias niger | Green | Sc S, Au | – |
| Sandwich Tern | Sterna sandvicensis | Amber | Sc S, Au | * |
| Common Tern | Sterna hirundo | Amber | Su, S, Au | – |
| Arctic Tern | Sterna paradisaea | Amber | Sc S, Au | * |
| Common Guillemot | Uria aalge | Amber | V, 2 records 1 in 1986 and 1 in 1998 | |
| Feral Rock Dove | Columba livia | Green | R, B | * |
| Stock Dove | Columba oenas | Amber | R, B, Au, W | * |
| Woodpigeon | Columba palumbus | Green | R, B, Au, W, HW | * |
| Collared Dove | Streptopeloa decaocto | Green | R, B | * |
| Turtle Dove | Streptopelia turtur | Red | FS Su, currently Sc S, Au. Becoming rarer. Last record 2017 | – |
| Ring-necked Parakeet | Psittacula krameri | Cat. C | R, B | + |
| Common Cuckoo | Cuculus canrous | Red | FS Su, currently Sc S, Au | – |
| Barn Owl | Tyto alba | Green | Formerly Sc W, now a breeding resident. | + |
| Little Owl | Athene noctua | Cat. C | FS R, B, currently Sc | |
| Tawny Owl | Strix aluco | Amber | Ir | |
| Long-eared Owl | Asio otus | Green | Ve Sc W, 22 records (including long staying birds and roosts) 11 records <2007, 1 record 2008 to 2009, 4 records 2013 (group of 4 flushed), 1 record 2015, 2 records 2016 and 1 record in 2017, 2 records in 2018. Roosts of several birds have been discovered in 1995, 2006 and 2008 to 2009. | * |
| Short-eared Owl | Asio flammeus | Amber | FS W. Currently Sc Au, W | – |
| Alpine Swift | Tachymarptis melba | Scarce | V, 1 record 1967 | |
| Common Swift | Apus apus | Amber | Su | * |
| Kingfisher | Alcedo atthis | Amber | Re | * |
| European Bee-eater | Merops apiaster | Scarce | V, 1 record 1 adult in 1958 | |
| Hoopoe | Upupa epops | Scarce | V, 4 records 1 record in 1956, 1 in 1959, 1 in 1968, 1 in 2018 | |
| Wryneck | Jynx torquilla | Former UK breeder | V, 2 records 1 in 2008 and 1 in 2014 | |
| Green Woodpecker | Picus viridus | Green | R, B | * |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker | Dendrocopos major | Green | R, B | * |
| Lesser Spotted Woodpecker | Dendrocopos minor | Red | Ir | – |
| Red-backed Shrike | Lanius collurio | Red | FS Su, B Last recorded in 1956 | |
| Great Grey Shrike | Lanius excubitor | Scarce | V, 10 records Last recorded in 1993 | |
| Woodchat Shrike | Lanius senator | – | V, 1 record 1 1st summer male in 2024 | |
| Golden Oriole | Oriolus oriolus | Red | V, 1 record 1 immature female in 1994 | |
| Magpie | Pica pica | Green | R,B | * |
| Jay | Garrulus glandarius | Green | R,B | * |
| Jackdaw | Corvus monedula | Green | R,B | – |
| Rook | Corvus frugilegus | Green | Re | – |
| Carrion Crow | Corvus corone | Green | R, B | – |
| Hooded Crow | Corvus cornix | Green | Ve Sc, 15 records (including several long staying birds) Last recorded in 1985 | |
| Raven | Corvus corax | Green | FS Ve Sc, currently Ir. Approximately 67 records 1 record <2007 1 record 2008, 2 record 2009 (including one 050909 omitted from report, NG), 1 in 2013, 3 records (of a total of 5 birds) in 2014, 3 records (including one record of 2 birds) in 2015, 1 record in 2017, 3 records in 2018, 7 records in 2019, 19 records of up to 2 birds in 2020, approximately 10 records 2021 (many may have involved the same returning birds), approximately 7 records 2022 (again possibly involving returning birds), approximately 7 records 2023 (including a peak of 5 birds together), 2 records 2024 | + |
| Waxwing | Bombycilla garrulus | Green | Ve Sc, 12 records 4 records <2007, 1 record 2009, 2 records 2010 (including a high count of 50), 1 in 2011, 1 in 2012, 3 records 2017 (including a high count of 18) | |
| Blue Tit | Cyanistes caereleus | Green | B, R | * |
| Great Tit | Parus major | Green | B, R | * |
| Coal Tit | Periparus ater | Green | Sc | * |
| Willow Tit | Poecile palustris | Red | FS Sc, now rare Last recorded in 1979 | |
| Marsh Tit | Poecile palustris | Red | FS Sc, now rare Recorded in 1996, 1 record in 2014 was the first since 1996, 1 record 2016 | |
| Bearded Tit | Panurus biarmicus | Green | Ve Sc, 14 records 9 records <2007, 1 record 2010, 2 records (inc one record of 3 birds) in 2014 with 2 birds staying present into 2015, 1 further record in 2015, 1 record 2016 | |
| Penduline Tit | Remiz pendulinus | Scarce | V, 1 record 1 juvenile in 2021 | |
| Short-toed Lark | Calandrella brachydactyla | Scarce | V, 1 record 1966 | |
| Woodlark | Lullula arborea | Green | Ve Sc, 11 records 3 records <2007, 1 record 2011, 1 record 2012, 1 record 2015, 1 record 2018, 2 in 2019, 1 in 2021, 1 in 2022 | |
| Skylark | Alauda arvensis | Red | B, R, S, Au, HW | – |
| Sand Martin | Riparia riparia | Green | Su, S, Au, FS B Last breeding pair 2014 | – |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | Green | Su, S, Au | * |
| House Martin | Delichon urbicum | Amber | Su, S, Au, FS B | * |
| Red-rumped Swallow | Cecropsis daurica | Scarce | V, 4 records 1 record 1999, 1 in 2003, 2 records in 2013 | |
| Cetti’s Warbler | Cettia cetti | Green | Formerly Ve Sc, currently R, B 16-17 records before 2017. Now established and increasing breeding population. First site record 2002, 1 in 2009, 1 record 2011 to 2012 (long staying bird), 3 records 2014, 2 records (inc. a record of 2 birds) in 2015, 8-9 records 2016, up to 5 territories allocated in 2017, highs of 5 recorded in 2018, 9 territories in 2020, 17 territories 2021, 16 territories 2022, peak count of 12 in 2023 | + |
| Long-tailed Tit | Aegithalos caudatus | Green | B, R | * |
| Wood Warbler | Phylloscopus sibilatrix | Red | Inadvertently omitted from The Birds of Beddington Farmlands 2010. Ve Sc, 14 records 11 records <2007, 1 record 2013, 1 in 2016, 1 in 2018 | |
| Yellow browed warbler | Phylloscopus inornatus | Scarce | V, 3 records First site record 2016, 2 records 2020 | |
| Common Chiffchaff | Phylloscopus collybita | Green | R, Su, B, W, S, Au | * |
| Willow Warbler | Phylloscopus trochilus | Amber | Su, S, Au | * |
| Aquatic Warbler | Acrocephalus paludicola | Red | V, 2 records 1 juvenile in 1959 and 1 in 1965 | |
| Sedge Warbler | Acrocephalus schoenobaenus | Green | Su, B, S, Au | – |
| Marsh Warbler | Acrocephalus palustris | Red | V, 3 records (including probable breeding record in 1995) | |
| Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus scirpaceus | Green | Su, B, S, Au | + |
| Grasshopper Warbler | Locustella naevia | Red | Ve Sc, 33 records 18 records <2007, 1 record 2010, 1 in 2011, 2 records 2013, 1 in 2015, 1 in 2016, 1 in 2018, 1 in 2019, 1 in 2021, 3 records 2022, 2 records in 2023, 1 in 2024 | |
| Blackcap | Sylvia atricapilla | Green | Su, B, S, Au, Sc W | * |
| Garden Warbler | Sylvia borin | Green | S, Au | * |
| Lesser Whitethroat | Sylvia curruca | Green | Su, B, S, Au | * |
| Common Whitethroat | Sylvia communis | Green | Su, B, S, Au | * |
| Dartford Warbler | Sylvia undata | Amber | Ve Sc, 25 records 11 records <2007, 2 records 2008/2009, 1 record in 2015 into early 2016 + 1 further record in late 2016. The bird present at the end of 2016 stayed into 2017. There was 1 further record of the species in late 2017. 2 records in 2018 including 2 present together during the ‘Beast from the East’, approximate;y 3 records in 2022 (including a long staying pair and a new site record count of 5 birds), approximately 5 records in 2023 (one of which included 3 birds from 2022, plus suspected local breeding following 1 record of a fresh juvenile in July) | * |
| Goldcrest | Regulus regulus | Green | W,Au | * |
| Firecrest | Regulus ignicapilla | Grewn | Ve Sc, 36 records 12 records <2007, 2 records 2010/2011, 3 records 2015, 5 records 2016, 10 records 2017 (inc. a high of 2 birds), 2 records 2021, 1 record 2022, 1 record of at least 1 long-staying bird in 2024 | + |
| Wren | Troglydytes troglydytes | Green | B, R | + |
| Nuthatch | Sitta europea | Green | Sc | * |
| Treecreeper | Certhia familiaris | Green | Sc | * |
| Starling | Sturnus vulgaris | Red | R, B | * |
| Ring Ouzel | Turdus torquatus | Red | Sc S, Au | * |
| Blackbird | Turdus merula | Green | B, R, Au | * |
| Fieldfare | Turdus pilaris | Red | W, Au | * |
| Song Thrush | Turdus philomelos | Red | B, R, Au | + |
| Redwing | Turdus ilacus | Red | W, Au | * |
| Mistle Thrush | Turdus viscivorus | Red | Ir | * |
| Spotted Flycatcher | Muscicapa striata | Red | FS B, R Currently Sc S, Au | – |
| Robin | Erithacus rubecula | Green | B, R | + |
| Nightingale | Luscinia megarhynchos | Red | Ve Sc, 23 records 12 records <2007, 1 record 2010, 2 records 2012, 1 in 2017, 1 in 2019, 1 in 2020, 2 in 2021, 1 in 2023, 2 in 2024 | |
| Bluethroat | Lusicinia svecica | Amber/Scarce | V, 4 records 1 1st winter female 1963, 1 1st winter female in 1976, 1 first year male ringed in 1997 was incredibly re-trapped in 1999 and held territory. | |
| Red-breasted Flycatcher | Ficedula parva | Scarce | V, 1 record 1955 | |
| Pied Flycatcher | Ficedula hypoleuca | Red | FS Sc, currently Ve Sc, S, Au 2 records in 2022 were the first since 2003 | * |
| Black Redstart | Phoenciurus ochruros | Red | FS B. Currently Sc Recorded in 2008, 2014, 2016 and 2017, 1 record 2019, 1 in 2021, 1 in 2022, 1 in 2023 | – |
| Common Redstart | Phoenicurus phoenicurus | Amber | Sc S, Au | * |
| Whinchat | Saxicola rubetra | Red | S, Au | * |
| European Stonechat | Saxicola rubicola | Green | W, Au | + |
| Northern Wheatear | Oenanthe oenanthe | Green | S, Au | * |
| Dunnock | Prunella modularis | Amber | R, B | * |
| House Sparrow | Passer domesticus | Red | R, B | * |
| Tree Sparrow | Passer montanus | Red | FS R, B Recent population crash, extinct as breeding species since 2020, last record of 1 bird in April 2020 | – |
| Blue-headed Wagtail (Yellow Wagtail) | Motacilla flava | Red | Sc S See sub-species, flavissima status is S, Au | – |
| Citrine Wagtail | Motacilla citreola | BBRC rarity | V, 1 record 1 juvenile in 1993 | |
| Grey Wagtail | Motacilla cinerea | Red | R, B | * |
| White Wagtail | Motacilla alba | Green | Ir S, Au | * |
| Richard’s Pipit | Anthus richardi | Scarce | V, 3 records 1 record 1958, 1 record consisting of 2 birds in 1970, 1 in 2018 | |
| Tawny Pipit | Anthus campestris | Scarce | V, 2 records 1 record 1989, 1 record of 2 birds in 1992 | |
| Tree Pipit | Anthus trivialis | Red | Ir S, Au | – |
| Meadow Pipit | Anthus pratensis | Amber | S, Au, W, FS B Last bred in 1985 | * |
| Red-throated Pipit | Anthus cervinus | Scarce | V, 4 records 1 record in 1995, 1 in 1996, 1 in 1998, 1 in 2000 | |
| Rock Pipit | Anthus petrosus | Green | Au | * |
| Water Pipit | Anthus spinoletta | Amber | W | + |
| Chaffinch | Fringilla coloebs | Green | R, B, S, Au, W | * |
| Brambling | Fringilla montifringilla | Green | Au, W | * |
| Greenfinch | Chloris chloris | Green | R, B | * |
| Goldfinch | Carduelis carduelis | Green | R, B, Au | * |
| Siskin | Spinus spinus | Green | Au, W | * |
| Serin | Serinus serinus | Former UK breeder/scarce | V, 1 record 1 adult male 2015 | |
| Linnet | Carduelis cannabina | Red | R, B, Au, W | + |
| Twite | Carduelis Flavirostris | Red | V, 3 records 1 record 1991, 1 record of a colour ringed male bird in 2017, which stayed into early 2018, 1 record of 2 birds in 2020 | |
| Lesser Redpoll | Acanthis cabaret | Red | Au, W | * |
| Mealy Redpoll | Acanthis flammea | Amber | V, 1 record 2009 | |
| Common Crossbill | Loxia curvirostra | Green | Ve Sc, 26 records 12 records <2007, 2 records 2008, 2 in 2011, 2 in 2012, 1 record of 3 birds in 2015, 1 record (a dead specimen) in 2016, 4 records 2020 (including 10+ on 3rd July), 2 records in 2021 | |
| Common Rosefinch | Erythrina erythrina | Scarce | V, 1 record 1 adult male in 1995 | |
| Bullfinch | Pyrrhula pyrrhula | Amber | Ir | + |
| Hawfinch | Coccothraustes coccothraustes | Red | V, 10 records 2 records 1954, 1 record 1971, 1 in 2015, 2 records of 6 birds (consisting of a duo and group of 4) in 2017, 2 in 2018, 1 record of 2 birds in 2021, 1 in 2022 | |
| Snow Bunting | Plectrophenax nivalis | Amber | V, 10 records 7 records <2007, 1 record 2010, 1 in 2011, 1 in 2021 | |
| Lapland Bunting | Calcarius lapponicus | Amber | Ve Sc, 12-13 records 9-10 records <2007, 2 records 2010, 1 record 2013 (NB: 1 unsubmitted report 2015) | |
| Yellowhammer | Emberiza citronella | Red | Sc W | * |
| Cirl Bunting | Emberiza cirlus | Red | V, 1 record 1 male in 1954 | |
| Ortolan Bunting | Emberiza hortulana | Scarce | V, 5 records 1 record 1972, 1 in 1994, 1 in 1995, 1 in 1999, 1 in 2004 | |
| Rustic Bunting | Emberiza rustica | Scarce | V, 1 record 1993 | |
| Little Bunting | Emberiza pusilla | Scarce | V, 2 records 1 acceptable record of 1 bird in 1956 (2 others reported with it), 1 record 1993 | |
| Reed Bunting | Emberiza schoeniclus | Amber | R, B | – |
| Corn Bunting | Emberiza calandra | Red | FS W. Currently Ve Sc Last record 2021 | – |
| TOTAL | 262 species |
B. Sub-species recorded at Beddington Farmlands
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status/National Status | Local Status |
| Pale-bellied Brent Goose | Branta bernicla hrota | Amber | V, 1 record 1998 |
| ‘Continental’ Cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo siensis | Green | Re |
| Dunlin (schinzii) | Calidris alpina schinzii | Amber | Re |
| Dunlin (arctica) | Calidris alpina arctica | Amber | V, 1 record |
| ‘Tundra’ Ringed Plover | Calidris hiaticula tundrae | Red | Re |
| ‘Icelandic’ Black-tailed Godwit | Limosa limosa islandica | Red | The only form of Black-tailed Godwit recorded at Beddington |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii) | Larus fuscus graellsii | Amber | R |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull (Intermedius) | Larus fuscus intermedius | Amber | S, Au, W |
| ‘British’ Herring Gull (argenteus) | Larus argentatus argenteus | Red | R, formerly 1% threshold wintering site (Musgrove et al, 2011), recent sizable decline since cessation of landfill operations |
| Yellow-legged Gull (lusitanius) | Larus michahellis ‘lusitanius’ | BBRC rarity? | V, 1 record 2012 |
| ‘Kumlien’s’ Gull | Larus glaucoides kumlieni | Scarce | V, 2 records 1 in 2011/2012 and another 1 in 2012 |
| Yellow Wagtail (flavissima) | Motacilla flava flavissima | Red | Re |
| ‘Grey-headed Wagtail’ | Motacilla flava thunbergi | Red | V, 5 records 1 record 1962, 1 in 1986, 2 records 1991, 1 record of 2 birds in 1994 |
| ‘Ashy-headed Wagtail’ | Motacilla flava cinerocapilla | Red/Scarce | V, 1 record 1976 |
| Pied Wagtail | Motacilla alba yarrellii | Green | Re |
| ‘Scandanavian Rock Pipit’ | Anthus petrosus littoralis | Green | S,Au (possibly the only form of Rock Pipit recorded at Beddington?) |
| Siberian Chiffchaff | Phylloscopus collybita tristis | Green | 4 records 1 record 2016, 2 records 2017, 1 in 2022 |
| Total | 17 sub-species (15 additional taxa to Table A) |
C. Hybrids Recorded at Beddington Farmlands
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
| Canada Goose x Greylag Goose | Branta canadensis x Anser anser | 1 record 2016, 1 regular bird throughout 2021, 2022, 2023 and start of 2024 |
| Unspecified hybrid duck | Unspecified | 1 record in 2016 |
| Unspecified Aythya sp. Hybrid | Aythya sp x Aythya sp | 1 record in 2017 |
| Pochard x Ferruginous duck | Aythya ferina x Aythya nyroca | 1 record in 2018 (NB: exact identity of this hybrid is presumed) |
| Tufted Duck x Pochard | Aythya fuligula x Aythya farina | Several |
| Yellow billed pintail x ? | Anas georgica | 1 record in 2016 |
| Glaucous-winged Gull x American Herring Gull | Laurs Glaucescens x Larus Smithsonianus | V, 1 record 2009 (Either a hybrid or a Glaucous-winged Gull). This record is still in circulation with the BBRC. |
| Caspian Gull x Herring Gull | Larus cachinnans x Larus arentatus | Re W |
| ‘Viking Gull’ (Herring Gull x Glaucous Gull) | Larus argentatus x Larus hyperboreus | Sc W |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull x Herring Gull | Larus fuscus x Larus argentatus | Re W |
| ‘Channel Wagtail’ | Motacilla flava x Motacilla flava flavissima | Sc S |
| Total hybrids | 11 |
D. Escapes recorded at Beddington Farmlands
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
| White-faced Whistling Duck | Dendrocygna viduata | 2 records in 2000 (1 record consisting of 5 birds) |
| Snow Goose | Anser caerulescens | 1 record of 2 birds in 1987 |
| Emperor Goose | Anser canagicus | 1 record 1987 |
| Pink-footed Goose | Anser brachyrhynchus | 2 records (1 in 2013) Also recorded in a wild state |
| Bar-headed Goose | Anser indicus | Sc |
| Lesser Canada Goose (Cackling Goose) | Branta hutchinsii | 1 record 1986/1987 |
| Ridgway’s Cackling Goose | Branta hutchinsii minima | 1 record 2014 |
| Ruddy Shelduck | Tadorna ferruginea | 11 records 8 records <2007, 1 record 2012, 1 record 2013, 1 in 2023 |
| Cape Shelduck | Tadorna cana | 2 records 1 record of a pair in 1997, 1 long-staying female throughout 2023 also seen in 2024 |
| Australian Shelduck | Tadorna tadornoides | 2 records 1 record 1984, 1 record of a pair in 2014 |
| Black Swan | Cygnus atratus | 10 records Including 1 in 2017, 1 in 2019, 1 in 2022 |
| Muscovy Duck | Cairina moschata | 2 records 1 record 1988, 1 record of 4 birds in 2005 |
| Wood Duck | Aix sponsa | 2 records 1 in 1993 and 1 in 2008 |
| Bufflehead | Bucephala albeola | 1 record 2018 |
| Maned Duck | Chenonetta jubata | 2 records (1 in 2012, 1 in 2013; same bird) |
| Madagascar Teal | Anas bernieri | 1 record 2008 |
| Chestnut Teal | Anas castanea | 3-4 records 1 record 1998, 1 in 1999, 1 in 2012, plus 1 presumed hybrid chestnut teal in 2014 |
| Speckled Teal | Anas flavirostris | 1 record 1998 |
| Red-billed Teal | Anas erthrorhyncha | 1 record 1996 |
| Ringed Teal | Callonetta leucophrys | 3 records |
| Cape Teal | Anas capensis | 3 records 1 record 1997, 1 in 1999, 1 in 2000 |
| Yellow-billed Pintail | Anas georgica | 2 records 1 record <2007, 1 record 2008 |
| Red Shoveler | Anas platalea | 1 record |
| Cape Shoveler | Anas smithii | 1 record |
| Maccoa Duck | Oxyura maccoa | 1 record |
| African White-backed Vulture | Gyps africanus | 1 record 2006 |
| Goshawk | Accipter gentilis | 2 records 1 record in 1969, 1 in 1998. Also recorded in a wild state |
| Harris’s Hawk | Parabuteo unicinctus | 2-3 records |
| White Stork | Ciconia ciconia | A overwintering bird in 2020-2021 was from the Knepp re-introduction project. A couple of other flyovers in 2021 were also presumed to be reintroduced birds, as was the bird in 2023 |
| Demoiselle Crane | Anthropoides virgo | 1 record 1960 |
| Grey-headed Gull | Larus cirrocephalus | 1 record 2001; same bird returned in 2002 |
| Cockatiel | Nymphicus hollandicus | Many |
| Red-rumped Parakeet | Psephotus haematonotus | 1 record 1999 |
| Plum headed parakeet | Psittacula cyanocephala | 1 record 2016 |
| Monk Parakeet | Myiopsitta monachus | 2 records 1 in 2002 and 1 in 2018 |
| Rosy-faced Lovebird | Agapornis roseicollis | 2 records 1 record in 1998, 1 record of 2 birds in 1999 |
| Budgerigar | Melopsittacus undulates | Many |
| African Grey Parrot | Psittacus erithacus | 1 record 2004 |
| ‘Amazon’ Parrot | Amazona sp | 1 record |
| Yellow-crowned Bishop | Euplectes afer | 2 records 1 in 2004 and 1 in 2020 |
| African Golden Weaver | Ploceus subaureus | 1 record |
| Zebra Finch | Taeniopygia guttata | 3 records Reported in 1987, 1 record of 2 birds in 1993, 1 in 2002 |
| Orange-cheeked Waxbill | Estilda melpoda | 2 records 1 record of 2 birds in 2001, 1 record 2002 |
| Common Waxbill | Estrilda astrild | 5 records 3 records 2001 (2 records consisting of 2 birds), 2 records 2016 |
| Spotted Munia | Lonchura leucosticte | 1 record 2002 |
| Pin-tailed Wydah | Vidua macroura | 1 anecdotal record 1980’s near rifle range |
| Canary | Serinus canaria | 2 records 1 in 1996 and 1 in 2021 |
| Red-crested Cardinal | Paroaria coronata | 1 record 2005 |
| TOTAL | 46 species | |
| *Yellow-billed Pintail hybrid? | Anas georgica x ? | 1 record 2012 |
References:
Peter Alfrey, Brian Milne, Derek Coleman and the BFBG, 2010. The Birds Of Beddington Farmlands. Lulu Publishing
Peter Alfrey editor. 2012. The Beddington Farmlands Bird and Wildlife Report 2012, Beddington Farmlands Systematic Bird List Update 2012
J.Allan, 2012. Beddington Systematic List, http://www.diporglory.com
M. Eaton et al 2009. Birds of Conservation Concern 3. The population Status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, British Birds, Vol 102 pp296-341
Andrew J.Musgrove et al 2011. Overwinter population estimates of British Waterbirds, British Birds, Vol. 104. 364-397
Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve 