Canon's Farm and Banstead Woods

From Londonbirders

These two sites form a large single area of arable farmland and ancient deciduous woodland. Parking for the farm is best along Canon's Lane (at the western end) off of the A217 at approx TQ245579. It is best to park in Ballard's Green, a cul-de-sac off of this road. A purpose built car park exists for the wood at TQ273583. Both sites are well served with public footpaths.

Canon's Farm has been virtually unwatched. In the past couple of years, with little coverage, the area has produced immature female Goshawk, Peregrine, Woodlark, Crossbill and notable counts of Brambling, Chaffinch, Skylark and Yellowhammer. The fields are a mixture of ploughed and unharvested crop with rank grassy areas. Hedgerow is plentiful. There are plenty of 'stand-alone' mature trees and small copses. The only water on site is a small pond on the western side of the A217. This farm has potential.

Banstead Wood is a large area of ancient deciduous woodland that still holds breeding Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Marsh Tit (the latter species getting increasingly hard to locate). There has been limited observer coverage but in recent years Golden Oriole, Firecrest, Wood Warbler and Hawfinch have been seen. A couple of very small ponds exist.

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