Steve Gale
@stevewg.bsky.social
Surrey-based naturalist on the edge of Greater London with a particular interest in bird migration, lepidoptera and botany. A liking for searching the under-recorded parts of the North Downs.
northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com
northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com
I choose not to bird in areas with houses - it is, however, sorely tested when flocks of Waxwings take up temporary residence on housing estates!
November 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I choose not to bird in areas with houses - it is, however, sorely tested when flocks of Waxwings take up temporary residence on housing estates!
Back in the 70s and 80s when I frequented the marsh the hawthorn hedges were as much a part of the scenery as the sheep and fields. I feel your pain Alan
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Back in the 70s and 80s when I frequented the marsh the hawthorn hedges were as much a part of the scenery as the sheep and fields. I feel your pain Alan
Ah, a big dollop of Gav prose! Kettle on, comfy chair and reading glasses at the ready…
November 24, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Ah, a big dollop of Gav prose! Kettle on, comfy chair and reading glasses at the ready…
A few extra photos from my putative plants
November 22, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A few extra photos from my putative plants
The least lively moth I reckon. Always look like they’re stuffed.
November 21, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The least lively moth I reckon. Always look like they’re stuffed.
That’s not bad David! My picture does not show the bottom third of the tree which also had more Mistletoe.
November 20, 2025 at 6:26 PM
That’s not bad David! My picture does not show the bottom third of the tree which also had more Mistletoe.
Mistletoe trying to go for some sort of Guinness Book of Records attempt
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Mistletoe trying to go for some sort of Guinness Book of Records attempt
On the birding front, 2 Crossbill were a clear highlight, but if you take away the Woodpigeons then where are the birds? In the field all day for 5 Fieldfare, NO Redwing and a disturbing paucity of finches. It wasn’t always this way #UKBirding
November 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
On the birding front, 2 Crossbill were a clear highlight, but if you take away the Woodpigeons then where are the birds? In the field all day for 5 Fieldfare, NO Redwing and a disturbing paucity of finches. It wasn’t always this way #UKBirding
Recorder already OK’d it
November 19, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Recorder already OK’d it
Hi James. This record was actually in West Sussex (I had popped into Horsham that afternoon and it inadvertently found its way onto my ‘Surrey in November’ list) but the record has been sent to the appropriate BSBI recorder!
November 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Hi James. This record was actually in West Sussex (I had popped into Horsham that afternoon and it inadvertently found its way onto my ‘Surrey in November’ list) but the record has been sent to the appropriate BSBI recorder!
I might be able to collect some this coming Friday, to measure and take some detailed photographs.
November 18, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I might be able to collect some this coming Friday, to measure and take some detailed photographs.
The soil used to dress the bank work of the River Hogsmill, directly north of the A3, was placed there earlier in the year. Today it was full of Marigolds, Cosmos, Phacelia and a single Wormwood plant (plus the Dragonhead). I’ll be back in the spring!
November 18, 2025 at 7:47 PM
The soil used to dress the bank work of the River Hogsmill, directly north of the A3, was placed there earlier in the year. Today it was full of Marigolds, Cosmos, Phacelia and a single Wormwood plant (plus the Dragonhead). I’ll be back in the spring!