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).