February 2011

An almost good picture of Snow buntings at Salthouse, Norfolk.

I write this as I am waiting for a cab to take me to the airport. Off again...

It's been a dull cloudy month so far, one day with sunshine as far as I can remember. In spite of the weather the male Dunnocks have begun singing in earnest all over Balham and the commons. Walks were had on Clapham and Tooting commons and there was also a brief trip to Norfolk. Waxwings were still about and were seen at Tower Bridge (4th) and on the M4 by Heston service (7th).

Shoveler numbers on the common (TBC) were up to 12 and Black headed gulls over 120. A lone Shoveler was seen on the small pond by the main road on Clapham common. 2 Pochard on Tooting (14th) is unusual also a couple of Common gulls and a Herring gull. There are always more Common gulls on Clapham and at least a pair of Lesser blacks and Herring gulls. A male Sparrow hawk was seen regularly (TBC) and there are still fair numbers of Green and Goldfinches. The owls were out again (14th) as were Green and Great spot woodpeckers.

Norfolk was more for r&r but a few hours was spent photographing the confiding Snow buntings at Salthouse. Next time I might get it right...

The months highlight so far was a Mediterranean gull seen by Duncan on the pond on Tooting (8th).

January 2011

Robin beside the pond.

One of the two Little owls in Cafe wood.

I was away for the best part of three weeks during the month (Sudan) and amazingly the Waxwings that were around before I went away were still around when I got back. At the start of the month they were feeding beside Waitrose in Balham and drinking on the roof of the Post Office. They even perched in a tree in the garden, 'garden tick'....

On the 28th a flock of 60 or so were on the common (first time seen on the common), perched on a tree beside the railway bridge at the bottom of the Triangle. I was heading over to Tooting to pick up a sander to finish the floor and outside the floor shop, later in the day, presumable the same group were feasting on the berries by the Primary school at the bottom Sistova road. Who'd have thought it?

29th, presumably same group though more like 80 were in trees opposite the doctor's on Bedford hill. Part of the group came across the road from the High Street end, presumable feeding in gardens somewhere in there. Two groups of Goldfinch on the common (back of the Triangle and a group of about 12 by the football pitches) which is unusual. Thought Siskin heard but couldn't find it/them. 12 Shoveler, 100 Black heads, 1 Common, 1 Herring (overhead) and a Cormorant on the pond.

31st, sunshine!!! Both Little owls seen warming themselves on a branch in the usual tree. Green, Great spot and Nuthatch all also in Cafe wood.

A Snipe flying down Longley Road on the 2nd worth a mention.