9 October.

Kitty found... More crazy signs on the common.

Railway tunnel to the Triangle.

Autumnal tree over the Triangle.

Another nice cloudy, misty morning but again very few birds on the common. One new one though, following on from the 2 Meadow pipit on Clapham yesterday, 1 was heard over the pond this morning. Otherwise, 2 Mistle thrushes and 2 Pied wags were the only other mentionables.

8 October 'Change of scene'

Clapham common.

A spider outside the house.

It all sounds much more dramatic than it is...

Having had another walk around Tooting earlier in the week and seeing next to nothing, I decided to have a wander around Clapham common.

A fine misty, Autumnal morning and had a couple of good (ish) birds. Two Meadow pipits over head were new ones in London for me, a Grey wagtail over and two Goldcrests in that dodgy bit towards Battersea Rise, where 'Ron Davis lost his keys'.

Possible Lesser spot calling, but it was very faint and only called once. The Goldcrests are the first I've seen around here for donkeys. Two Cormorants were flying around as was at least one Grey Heron.

Might go back...

3 October

White-winged black tern, swimmers and the cafe, Hyde Park.

White-winged black tern, Hyde Park.

White-winged black tern, Hyde Park.

Just back again from Afghanistan. Not too many birds seen, though lots of Lesser whitethroats, parakeets and some as yet unidentified Phylloscs...

While I was away I heard about a White-winged black tern in Hyde Park. A rare bird nationally, more so for London. When I got back I went to see if it was still there...

A Swallow flew south over Balham in the afternoon. Three for the year!!!

7 September

Railway cottages, during a brief moment of sun.

Hiding from the rain with a big red umbrella.

Swan in the rain.

Coot.

A month ago now, what can I remember? I was testing a new Canon camera, the all singing all dancing 1D MKIV. An excellent camera and far superior auto focus and shutter burst to my 5Ds. At over £4000 a pop though...

It was a damp and rainy day and there have been so few birds on the common, despite a national influx of vagrants and on going migration. There has been nothing. Oh, no I did have a pair of Swallows over high. These are the first seen this year!!! There were five or six singing Chiffs and a large mixed tit flock moving around, though nothing obviously with them. Two herons were on the pond and three over yesterday. A pair of Cormorant and that's challot.

Some pictures...