REAL DECEMBER WEATHER!
Photo: Reg Norman
I arrived at the Centre at about half past one having been to Hyde Park for the first part of the day, if you can call 11 o’clock the ‘first part’ of the day! I had been to the park to see the Yellow Legged Gull that the London ’birding’ fraternity were all talking about. Leon was not with me today as he was busy helping Tim with some decorating.
The weather, as it had been since this morning following a terrible storm cum gale overnight, was very sunny although the wind was beginning to pick up quite rapidly. If it got much stronger I despaired that I might not see too many small birds.
From the Observatory I could see relatively few waterfowl and I suspected that most of them would be taking cover from the wind. This was to prove to be true as there were a good number of birds in the more sheltered areas of the site.
Our new friend, Terry, had told us last week that he had seen a Goldcrest or two in the ‘captive’ area. Never having seen one myself I was determined to spend some time looking for one this afternoon! I made my way to the area and stopped by the log cabin. I stopped to work out which route around the area I would take when I heard a strange (to me) birdsong. In the ‘Christmas’ trees, by the log cabin, there were several small birds moving about. They were very difficult to see but eventually I could make out some Tits in the deeper part of the cover. I had been told by somebody that Goldcrests often associate with Tits and, coupled with the strange birdsong, my hopes rose. The next moment the bird was there, easy as you like, just going about its’ business. I was entranced, the little bird was beautiful! It seemed to ignore my presence and hopped about quite happily, I will not forget that song and ‘contact’ call! It was a magic moment, I could probably have taken a photo it was so close but, as has happened so many times at this wonderful place, I completely forgot! I even had the camera ready, just in case! Never mind, I will make sue that there are other opportunities to see this bird. I know someone who will be itching to see one now!
I moved on to the ‘Wildside’ hide from where I got to see a lot more waterfowl and was able to point out some Snipe for a couple of ladies. I still cannot get used to the water level around the site but realise it is for the best.
I popped into the ‘Headley’ hide to see if our friend the Bittern was still obliging us with some good views. There were a few ‘regulars’ in the hide and they reported that although the bird had shown for about half an hour earlier, he was now nowhere to be seen. I am not too surprised by this, I expect that the bird is still getting used to his surroundings. Like last year, I am sure that as it settles the number of good sightings will increase, so I am in no great hurry to see him again.
The weather, as it had been since this morning following a terrible storm cum gale overnight, was very sunny although the wind was beginning to pick up quite rapidly. If it got much stronger I despaired that I might not see too many small birds.
From the Observatory I could see relatively few waterfowl and I suspected that most of them would be taking cover from the wind. This was to prove to be true as there were a good number of birds in the more sheltered areas of the site.
Our new friend, Terry, had told us last week that he had seen a Goldcrest or two in the ‘captive’ area. Never having seen one myself I was determined to spend some time looking for one this afternoon! I made my way to the area and stopped by the log cabin. I stopped to work out which route around the area I would take when I heard a strange (to me) birdsong. In the ‘Christmas’ trees, by the log cabin, there were several small birds moving about. They were very difficult to see but eventually I could make out some Tits in the deeper part of the cover. I had been told by somebody that Goldcrests often associate with Tits and, coupled with the strange birdsong, my hopes rose. The next moment the bird was there, easy as you like, just going about its’ business. I was entranced, the little bird was beautiful! It seemed to ignore my presence and hopped about quite happily, I will not forget that song and ‘contact’ call! It was a magic moment, I could probably have taken a photo it was so close but, as has happened so many times at this wonderful place, I completely forgot! I even had the camera ready, just in case! Never mind, I will make sue that there are other opportunities to see this bird. I know someone who will be itching to see one now!
I moved on to the ‘Wildside’ hide from where I got to see a lot more waterfowl and was able to point out some Snipe for a couple of ladies. I still cannot get used to the water level around the site but realise it is for the best.
I popped into the ‘Headley’ hide to see if our friend the Bittern was still obliging us with some good views. There were a few ‘regulars’ in the hide and they reported that although the bird had shown for about half an hour earlier, he was now nowhere to be seen. I am not too surprised by this, I expect that the bird is still getting used to his surroundings. Like last year, I am sure that as it settles the number of good sightings will increase, so I am in no great hurry to see him again.
The ‘Dulverton’ hide proved to be interesting. I had gone in to see if the Common Snipe that was in attendance yesterday, was still there. He was, and nobody had spotted him, but he was accompanied this time by a Jack Snipe! The ‘Jack’ was right next to him, they could have rested their bills on each others backs, although much harder to see as he was ‘just’ inside some cover. There were two ladies in the hide who thought that “… there is nothing to see!” and so I pointed out the Snipe. I was explaining the differences to them when the ‘Jack’ moved even closer to the other! They both tuned their heads perfectly as I explained about their respective bill length and then turned head-on for the medial head stripe bit! Size was easily discernable but the great thing was that when I tried to explain the ‘bobbing’ motion of the ‘Jack’, it got up and walked about a bit clearly demonstrating the motion! You could not plan it! I thought about the people who do the ‘walks’ here, if only they could get the birds to play their parts on a regular basis!
15:30 AND LIGHT ABOUT TO FADE
Photo: Reg Norman
Although the wind had increased since I first arrived at the site, there were still lots of small birds showing. I followed a small flock of Long Tailed Tits towards the ‘feeder’ area. As I walked along I could hear a Water Rail calling and thought that it would be nice to see one close up again. A Reed Bunting (there seem to be quite a lot about at the moment) flew into some reeds to the right of the path. I watched him for a few moments and caught sight of something from the corner of my eye. A Water Rail. The bird was in the same place that we had heard it calling from on the day of the ‘Gull I.D.’ walk and talk. I watched for just a few minutes and then it was gone, frightened into cover by a screeching ‘little darling’.
The feeder area was a hive of industry, there were small birds everywhere! Again there was a very large flock of Chaffinches all around the area, on the ground.
I didn’t stay in the ‘Peacock Tower’ for very long; there were crowds of people, some on guided tours and others just out enjoying the day.
I made my way out of the site, stopping at the ‘WWF’ hide (only a few gulls) and the ‘Dulverton’ hide to check on the Snipe. They were doing ‘synchronised sleeping’.
I would not normally have gone to the ‘office’ on my own but felt that I needed to sit down and take in all that I had seen during the day. I wanted to read up on the Goldcrest especially. I forced myself to have a couple of pints to aid concentration.
The feeder area was a hive of industry, there were small birds everywhere! Again there was a very large flock of Chaffinches all around the area, on the ground.
I didn’t stay in the ‘Peacock Tower’ for very long; there were crowds of people, some on guided tours and others just out enjoying the day.
I made my way out of the site, stopping at the ‘WWF’ hide (only a few gulls) and the ‘Dulverton’ hide to check on the Snipe. They were doing ‘synchronised sleeping’.
I would not normally have gone to the ‘office’ on my own but felt that I needed to sit down and take in all that I had seen during the day. I wanted to read up on the Goldcrest especially. I forced myself to have a couple of pints to aid concentration.
BRILLIANT DECEMBER SUNSHINE
Photo: Reg Norman
BIRDS SEEN: Mallard, Shoveller, Cormorant, Coot, Moorhen, Lapwing, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Teal, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Wigeon, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Feral pigeon, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Starling, Ruddy Duck, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Goldcrest, Gadwall, Ring necked parakeet, Common Snipe, Heron, Jack Snipe, Reed Bunting, Water Rail, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Coal Tit, Robin, Common Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Greylag Goose, Wren.
HYBRID: Greylag Goose / Canada Goose.
HYBRID: Greylag Goose / Canada Goose.
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