23 August.

Sparrowhawk, the Streatham side of the Triangle.

After the torrential down pour overnight, I didn't expect to see much, though a young Sparrowhawk hanging out with the Jays was curious. And one bush, on the edge of the triangle near the stump, had a tit flock (Blue and Great) of 30-35 birds pass through it in a couple of minutes while 3 Song thrushes sat idly by. A Blackcap and Chiff were also in the same bush as two Nuthatches called overhead.

I am assuming the Sparrowhawk to be young and one of the fledglings from one of the two nests on the common. I have yet to confirm a successful brood with Peter but seeing Sparrowhawks so low in new areas leads me to this conclusion. Probably another came very low across the pond and into the trees near the tennis courts.

Otherwise...

20 August 2010.

An early morning Robin.

One of the ten Mistle thruhes

Heron and Indian runners on the pond.

Crows looking for breakfast.

A hint of Autumn in the leaves.

Managed an early start and dragged myself around the common. Nice morning but very quiet. All the usual suspects. Of note was a very noisy young male Sparrowhawk in Streatham wood, two herons mobbed by Crows over the pond while another remained and ten Mistle thrushes in the open space beside the pond.

19 August 2010.

Away on assignment in Afghanistan for July to the start of August. Didn't see much apart from this juvenile Collard pratincole in Helmand. Immediately ater shooting this picture we came under fire from the Taliban...