6th February

A singing Robin.

Robins doing their 'dance'.

General view in Graveney wood.

Crow on a roof in Furzedown.

An early start on a damp and slightly misty morning. Even so, Spring must be in the air, at least as far as the birds are concerned. Song thrushes and Chaffinches could be heard singing and the Robins seemed to be doing some form of mating dance.

All the usual species where seen and some in good numbers. At least 30 Redwings seen around at the back of the Triangle and several were seen flying over Furzedown first thing. Also on the triangle were over 200 Black headed gulls and at least of pair of Common gulls. 60 Redwings were reported in the trees by the car park as were a pair of Lesser spotted woodpeckers. As the morning progressed it brightened and the sun came out. A rare sight in itself. A Sparrowhawk was seen high over Balham and one of the Little owls was out in full view in the favoured tree in Cafe wood.

However, still no Goldcrests. Brian and I heard one back in October but none since and the general consensus seems to be that they have been wiped out by the cold weather...