Steve Gale

After extra-time it ended Sutton United 1 Shrewsbury Town 2. The home team should have wrapped it up in 90 minutes. Still, an enjoyable game with 3 sending offs, rattling woodwork, some fine keeping on both sides and both teams keeping the ball on the grass. All is well in the lower leagues!

A rare visit to Gander Green Lane for me in recent seasons, to see the FA Cup clash between Sutton United (form on the up) against League Two depth dwellers Shrewsbury Town. Another league scalp for the U’s?

Thought I’d do a bit of detective work… couldn’t find what you asked for but did find out that their guitarist did wear a Luton Town shirt on a 1994 edition of the Jay Leno show.

‘Shifting Baseline Syndrome’ writ large!

Mickleham Downs, Surrey: a Red Kite, 12 Redwing, 3 Marsh Tit, 3 Hawfinch, 2 Crossbill and 8 Redpoll. Captivated by this Mistle Thrush guarding Mistletoe #UKBirding

New normal Susan

On Sunday I drove from the North Downs to the South Downs and back, driving across the achingly beautiful Surrey and Sussex Weald.

Barely a bird to see.

Out of interest, what were they Seth?

That it has Steve!

Rustyback, Mickleham, Surrey November 2025

Banstead, Surrey: the ‘November in flower’ project comes to an end, with Perennial Wall-rocket becoming the 273rd species recorded within a 10 mile radius of home. The total was helped by a very mild month punctuated by rainy spells, with only four modest night of frosts. @bsbibotany.bsky.social

There are to non-Spurs players than I admired to the point that I wished they had played for us - Billy and Denis Law. Billy Bonds had it all with a dash of flair dressed in true grit. A swashbuckler.

That’s fantastic news Les, a much needed resource not just for us Surrey moth-ers but also those further afield. If you need photos of species with a Surrey provenance then would be happy to help.

November plants in flower list limps up by one to 272 species with this Grass-leaved Orache, by a busy roadside (hence snatched picture.)

Leatherhead 2 Westfield 3, top of the table clash that didn’t disappoint - and neither did my 67th species of bird to be recorded while watching football, with two Egyptian Geese that surreally flew across the pitch in the dark, theatrically floodlit. Entered right, exited left.

Yes! We used to call a ‘short’ a snifter - always at the end of the night…

“fancy a snifter?”

We never said no.

Now?

Doesn’t happen…

Snifter! I used to go to the pub with an old mate of mine for a snifter. Not heard the term used elsewhere. Memories came flooding back.

It’s beyond sad Martin. What we used to take for granted is now seemingly out of reach. All well and good if you like pigeons, corvids and (at least my way) parakeets…

Where are they Kevin? Will they ever come again or is this the new normal?

Same here David, goosebumps still after 50+ years.

Thanks Jo - I guessed correct!

They are full of nonsense Seth!

Willmottianum!

Sutton, Surrey: November plants in flower up to 271 species thanks to Sticky Groundsel and this pavement/wall join colonising Blue-flowered Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) although Stace only lists C. Willmottisnum). #UrbanBotany

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!

My favourite quote from ‘Urban Plants’ by @trevorthebotanist.bsky.social

“the urban botanist often needs a pair of binoculars to help record wall plants, although this naturally runs the terrible risk of being mistaken for a twitcher.”

Holmethorpe SP, Surrey: 49 Gadwall, 10 Teal, 34 Wigeon, 3 Water Rail, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, a Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Stonechat and 20 Yellowhammer #UKBirding

Holmethorpe SP, Surrey: November flowering species creeps up to 269 with the addition of Cowslip and Small Nettle

Epsom, Surrey: the November flowering plants list moves up to 267 species with the addition of Procumbent Pearlwort, Common Stork’s-bill and a pavement colonising Trailing Snapdragon

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

!!!!