Steve Gale

CC Prem South
Sutton Common Rovers 1 Alton 3
Strange game, away side all over SCR until a home team double sub on 30 mins, then it was all them but the damage had been done. They should have won it but for spurned chances including two of the most open goals I’ve seen missed. Rosenthalesque!

Is that a blonde beer Mark?

Thank you very much, great to get positive feedback!

Winners - 2. Common Buzzard and Red Kite This is the second in an occasional series looking at bird species that have fared well - and those not so well - across the uberpatch over ...

A bit about BOPs

northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/02/winn...

7.7%? Are you up yet?

Plenty in preparation Seth! Thanks.

Winners - 1. Little Egret This is the first in an occasional series looking at bird species that have fared well - and those not so well - across the uberpatch over t...

Egrets, I’ve had a few (more)
northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/02/winn...

Old School I fancied a change today. The thought of a day being spent on the North Downs didn't power up my ornithological enthusiasm, so I considere...

A local adventure
northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/02/old-...

Although I cannot hear Large Conehead and apparently they are very loud!

Got mine today Owen. I might struggle to hear them but at least can still see them!

Wonderful Stephen

Horsham, West Sussex: grandparent duties took a back seat when a Hummingbird Hawk-moth decided to fly along several shop front windows. I’m picking this species up in February nowadays… #TeamMoth

Banstead, Surrey: a cooler and clear night reduced the MV catch but did include Oak Beauty and Small Brindled Beauty #TeamMoth

Banstead, Surrey: the first butterfly of the year is always a ‘moment’ which in 2026 came this morning at 11.30. A Brimstone. Happy days.

Banstead, Surrey: 12 of 7sp to the garden MV, this suburban site has never been a place for numbers until well into May. 4 Com Quaker, 3 Heb Character, Twin-spotted Quaker (pictured), Dotted Border, Oak Nycteoline, acanthadactyla and alternella #TeamMoth

Golden-winged Warbler will always be my ‘go to’ urban birding memory, followed by back garden Olive-backed Pipit (Berkshire) and Dark-eyed Junco (Hants) - all many years ago now.

Maybe keep Cuti, Mickey, Pedro, fit Maddison, fit Deki, give Conor a pass - but as much as I have a soft spot for Archie, Lucas, Dom… it needs severe pruning. Stay up then work to be done on recruitment and selling. Go down then the pruning will automatically be done and we bring on the youngsters.

First time in my 60 years of being a supporter that I’ve considered total squad change the answer (and that includes some dire squads!) Hole riddled defence, long lapses in concentration, dithering when we get into attacking positions, lack of creativity and belief. Welcome to Spurs Igor!

Touchstones - from Portland Bill to Denbies Time, its passing and the effects that it has upon us is something that readily colours my birding. Apart from being a handy hook to hang a ...

Time defining place
northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/02/touc...

I was there last week Mark, meeting up with Derek Coleman. I wimped out with ‘Ja!’ the session beer that tasted much more robustly!

Hooray!

A crowd of 705 swollen by a big noisy away support. As an ex Sutton United season ticket holder I should whisper my perverse affection for Colston Avenue’s very long brutalist concrete terrace…

Isthmian League Prem: Carshalton Athletic 1 Ramsgate 2. The home side have not won since Nov 11 and are in trouble. Ex-U’s watch for @markbravery.bsky.social and @gandermonium.bsky.social - Matt Kirby in goal for Carshalton

I’m in total agreement there Seth

My pleasure Trevor

Urban plants Most of my plant hunting has taken place in what could be described as urban and suburban settings. For every search of a Scottish Mountai...

Dragonheads and urban plants
@trevorthebotanist.bsky.social

northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/02/urba...

Only a matter of time Mark…

The rise of the Goshawk Last Saturday morning I had four encounters with Goshawks within an hour's birding along the Mickleham Valley (above). The first was a loud,...

The rise of the Goshawk

northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-...

I’ll buy you a few when you are next down Marcus

Doing well - recently taken over