Last update: 2nd July 08
WILDFOWL (Anatidae)
1 Greylag Goose (Anser Anser) GREAT SIGHTING
There have been two records of this species at Nonsuch, both were fly-overs and both seen from the gardens. The species, as far as we know does not settle at Nonsuch and is only ever recorded as passing through.
2 Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis) GREAT SIGHTING
As with the Greylag, the Canada Goose is only ever recorded as a fly-over and has not been known to land on the site, there have been one or possibly two records of this species.
3 Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos) GOOD SIGHTING
This Duck is resident to the park and is only found on the ponds at the Ewell end of the park, it is unknown whether this species breeds as the area it favours is not often birded but it is probable that it doesn’t as the flock of an estimated ten birds is mostly drakes with only one or two female birds, but there is no reason why breeding could not occur.
HERONS (Ardeidae)
4 Grey Heron (Ardea Cinerea) GOOD SIGHTING
This species is believed to be a regular visitor to the small ponds at the Ewell end of the park. The ponds are not visited often but Grey Heron is assumed to be regular there. Most visits to the ponds have revealed Herons and we get the idea they are regular. Occasionally, fly-overs are also seen.
BIRDS OF PREY (Accipitridae (Hawks) Falconidae (Falcons))
5 Sparrowhawk (Accipiter Nisus) NOT UNCOMMON BUT ELUSIVE
Sparrowhawks are resident at Nonsuch and during Spring and Summer, pairs can be seen circling high, usually above the gardens, it is possible that they breed on or near site.
6 Kestrel (Falco Tinnunculus) GOOD SIGHTING OUTSIDE OF AUGUST
The Kestrel has been known to breed at Nonsuch, for example in July, August and September of 2006 a family of a male, a female and a very tame juvenile female bird were seen on the large grassland areas of the park. The Kestrels at Nonsuch are very obliging and have been known to let people within 2 +metres of them, this has happened both in 2006 and 2007.
7 Hobby (Falco Subbuteo) EXCELLENT SIGHTING
One record of a juvenile showing well for 40 minutes in the small patch of conifers in the gardens 9/9/07.
RAILS (Rallidae)
8 Moorhen (Gallinula Chloropopus) GOOD SIGHTING
The bulk of records of the Moorhen originate from the few visits to the small ponds at the Ewell end of the park, where at least two were seen and breeding has now been confirmed when, on 17/6/07, a pair was seen with 2 c.week old chicks. A single bird was seen at the small pool in the middle of a tree plantation on 1/6/07.
GULLS (Laridae)
9 Black-headed Gull (Larus Ridibundus) COMMON MAINLY IN WINTER
This species is common in the winter on the open areas of the park, feeding in large flocks and taking advantage of any waist food produced by the public. During the other seasons there are hardly any records but if any, they are fly-overs.
10 Common Gull(Larus Canus) SCARCE
Usually a few when large Gull flocks gather in winter
11Herring Gull (Larus Argentatus) COMMON MAINLY IN WINTER
This species is regularly seen as a fly-over at Nonsuch
12 Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus Fuscus) GOOD SIGHTING (usually 2 or 3 around)
In September/October 2007 the first confirmed birds appeared including a 3rd year and a few Juveniles. Adults and more juveniles have been seen since.
PIGEONS (Columbidae)
13Feral Pigeon (Columbia Livia (domesticus))SMALL NUMBERS AROUND MANSION HOUSE
Feral Pigeons are usually seen around the Mansion House, however they are surprising rare at Nonsuch, around Nonsuch, particularly in Cheam, they are very abundant but the environment at Nonsuch doesn’t support them well.
14 Stock Dove (Columbia Oenas) FAIRLY COMMON, BUT SHY
This species is abundant in the wooded areas, particularly the area behind the car park, through the woods and at the edge of the woods where Cheam Park starts.
15 Woodpigeon (Columbia Palumbus) VERY COMMON
This species is one of the most abundant and frequently seen species at Nonsuch Park. They inhabit all the areas.
16 Collared Dove (Stretopelia Decaocto) VERY RARE
One on 28th May 08 in the gardens, singing (only record)
CUCKOOS (Cuculidae)
Cuckoo (Cuculus Canorus)
There was one unconfirmed record of a Cuckoo in the gardens of spring 04 (?)
OWLS (Strigidae)
17 Tawny Owl (Strix Aluco) GOOD SIGHTING
Late evening visits in the spring will treat observers to the sound of Tawny Owls. Although we have not visited in the late evening, around dusk, for a long time, it is likely they are still present.
18 Little Owl (Athene Noctua) RARE
One or two resident pairs, easiest to see in winter when the trees are bare. Usually in old trees along concrete path north of mansion house.
SWIFTS (Apodidae)
19 Common Swift (Apus Apus) COMMON
This is an abundant species between mid May and late July/early August depending on the year’s weather. They are usually seen high overhead or around the large grassland area; they occasionally skim over the grass.
PARAKEETS (Psittacidae)
20 Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula Krameri) VERY COMMON SIGHTING
The Ring-necked Parakeet is what Nonsuch Park is best known for. They are confirmed breeders and use the site all year round in huge numbers.
WOODPECKERS (Picidae)
21 Green Woodpecker (Picus Viridis) NOT UNCOMMON BUT HARD TO SEE
The Green Woodpecker is seen throughout the year at Nonsuch Park, and breeds. There are c4+ pairs breeding at Nonsuch.
22 Great-spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus Major) COMMON
The Great-spotted Woodpecker is a regular bird at Nonsuch throughout the year but is elusive. Breeding is probable but not confirmed; and holes in trees have been seen.
23 Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus Minor) EXCELLENT SIGHTING
One female was recorded in the no-dogs area near the aviary on the 3rd February 2007, this is the only record to date apart from an unconfirmed record in the woods behind the car park in 2004 (?).
HIRUNDINES (Hirundinidae)
Although I seem to recall seeing House Martins (Delichon Urbicum) and Swallows (Hirundo Rustica) at Nonsuch, no official records have been made so no hirundines are on the official Nonsuch list.
PIPITS AND WAGTAILS (Motacillidae)
24 Grey Wagtail (Motacilla Cinerea) EXCELLENT SIGHTING
One record on the ponds 1:30pm 23/2/08 seen by David Campbell and Phil Wallice.
25 Pied Wagtail (Motacilla Alba) EXCELLENT SIGHTING
One record in 2006/7 in the gardens.
One record 24/11/07 of a juvenile near the mansion on the main grassland area
WRENS AND ACCENTORS (Troglodytidae and Prunellidae)
26 Wren (Troglodytes Troglodytes) ELUSIVE BUT COMMON
Very abundant year round, undoubtedly a breeder.
27 Dunnock (Prunella Modularis) COMMON
Abundant year round, undoubtedly a breeder.
CHATS AND THRUSHES (Turdidae)
28 Robin (Erithacus Rubecula) COMMON
Abundant year round, undoubtedly a breeder.
29 Song Thrush (Turdus Philomelos) SCARCE (I am currently looking for records of this species, please email me with any records of Song Thrush)
Increasingly scarce, elusive, only occasionally seen.
30 Redwing (Turdus Iliacus) VARYING NUMBERS, ALWAYS A GOOD SIGHTING THOUGH
Reasonably abundant winter visitor, feeds from the berry bushes. Seen most winters.
31 Mistle Thrush (Turdus Viscivorus) COMMON
Abundant resident, most obvious in winter. Regularly seen.
32 Blackbird (Turdus Merula) COMMON
Very common breeding resisdent, frequently seen.
33 Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe Oenanthe) EXCELLENT SIGHTING
One female present on site on the 22/9/07 seen by Phil Wallice, first site record.
WARBLERS (Sylviidae)
Garden Warbler (Sylvia Borin) UNCONFIRMED (email records of this bird to me)
Probable (heard on a few occasions but possibility of Blackcap not eliminated) but unconfirmed, therefore not on Nonsuch official list.
34 Blackcap (Silvia Atricapilla) FAIRLY COMMON- GOOD SIGHTING
Reasonably common summer visitor, often heard singing in scrubby areas.
35 (Common) Whitethroat (Sylvia Communis) FAIRLY COMMON, GOOD SIGHTING
Fairly common summer visitor, though fairly infrequently seen.
36 Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus Collybita) GOOD SIGHTING
The chiffchaff is heard occasionally in the scrubby areas and is a presumed breeder.
The Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus Trochilus) is another species which, is thought to have been seen/heard however no official records have been made and certainly no recent records.
37 Goldcrest (Regulus Regulus) COMMON BUT HARD TO SEE
The Goldcrest is a fairly common resident at Nonsuch and is usually seen in the conifers in the gardens.
TITS (Paridae) and allies
38 Great Tit (Parus Major) COMMON
The Great Tit is an abundant breeder, year round, throughout the park, particularly the older deciduous wooded areas.
39 Coal Tit (Periparus Ater) COMMON
The Coal Tit is a fairly common resident, usually seen in the conifers in the gardens. It is a confirmed breeder (nest site was found in a hole in a tree
40 Blue Tit (Cyanistes Caeruleus) COMMON
This Tit is found throughout the year and is abundant.
41 Long-tailed Tit (Lophophanes Cristatus) COMMON
The Long-tailed Tit is an abundant resident at Nonsuch Park.
NUTHATCHES AND TREECREEPERS (Sittidae and Certhia)
42 Nuthatch (Sitta Europea) FAIRLY COMMON
The Nuthatch is a fairly abundant, presumed breeding resident at Nonsuch, usually found in the gardens or the woodland.
43 Treecreeper (Certhia Familiaris) SCARCE (email records of this species to me)
Presumed reasonably abundant breeder however, this elusive species has, surprisingly been seen only once at Nonsuch in 2005/6.
CROWS (Corvidae)
44 Magpie (Pica Pica) VERY COMMON
The Magpie is a common bird found throughout the park, all year and is an almost confirmed breeder.
45 Jay (Garrulus Glandarius) COMMON
The Jay is abundant and found all year round in the woods and parks of Nonsuch. You can see it almost everywhere apart from the grassland areas.
46 Jackdaw (Corvus Monedula) QUITE COMMON
The Jackdaw is most often seen around the big dip in the gardens near the large tree where it nests (which is also used by Ring-necked Parakeets) and in the woods on the north east side of the park bordering Cheam Park (also used by Ring-necked Parakeets). It is found year round and is reasonably abundant.
47 Carrion Crow (Corvus Corone) VERY COMMON
The Carrion Crow is a very abundant bird at Nonsuch and usually the first you will see on your visit, they are confirmed breeders and there must be at least 100 birds on site at any one time, being the absolute minimum estimate.
STARLINGS (Sturnidae)
48 Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris) COMMON
The Starling is fairly common, though not seen very often it will be seen on most visits, usually around the gardens, Cheam Park and near the Ewell car park.
SPARROWS (Passeridae)
49 House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus) COMMON NEAR AVIARY OTHERWISE VERY RARE)
The House Sparrow is an abundant bird year round near Nonsuch (eg Cheam) but is not widespread in the park itself and is confined to the aviary, where it slips through the bars to steal Chicken feed all year.
FINCHES (Fringillidae)
50 Chaffinch (Fringella Coelebs) COMMON
Chaffinches are very common, though elusive in the park and are present year round.
51 Goldfinch (Carduelis Carduelis) COMMON
The Goldfinch is quite common year round and is found most frequently in Cheam Park and the grassland/scrub areas.
52 Siskin (Carduelis Spinus) SCARCE
This finch is a good sighting at Nonsuch, if you carefully scan finch flocks in winter (particularly Goldfinches) you may find some of these delightful finches.
53 Greenfinch (Carduelis Chloris) COMMON
The Greenfinch is found most often in the gardens and the scrub/grassland areas, it is also found around Cheam Park.
BOOKLET:
I have compiled a small booklet on the birds of Nonsuch if anyone wants a copy I'll be happy to print one off. Decided to let them go for free now; description below:
The booklet is 30 pages, with graphs, full species lists with tips on finding each species in the park and a brief, simple description of their status at the site. There are pages on habitats in the park and their birds and a brief guide to 3 productive birding routes through the park with key birds at vital points on each route. There is an informal chapter in the back about some of the best finds at the park and a checklist if you want to keep a Nonsuch list right at the back with codes giving information on rarity at the site, habitat and times of year for each species.
