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.