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.

December 2010

Waxwings in Balham!!!!

Waxwings near Pegwell, Kent.

Grey heron on the pond.

Robin by the pond.

Another busy month with few opportunity to get out. However, there were a good surprises and unfortunately one of the Robins down, due to a Sparrow hawk. Once again, heavy (ish) snow and the common was covered. Clearly, I had to go and take a 'Robin in the snow picture'. I was in the middle of it, when two Robins started scrapping, continuing into a nearby bush. Whoosh!!!! And before I could register what was going on, out came a female Sparrow hawk and only one Robin...

Otherwise: Little owls (2), were heard calling on the way back from Brian's on the 5th. Not seen at the usual tree yet. A Dozen Redwings beside the pond (23rd). The pond has been largely frozen trough out, though on the small open patch has been Cormorant and Shoveler (8) and 60 Black headed gulls.

Of more note, were the Waxwings seen in the area. I had a job in Folkestone and popped up to Pegwell to look at the Waxwings there (published in The Times) to see an email from Duncan on my return, who had seen a group of around 50 in the trees beside his house near Streatham Hill (17th). Go figure! Brian and I went for an early look the following morning to no avail. Luckier for Duncan who had 150 there later in the morning. Over 50 were also seen by Clapham south tube on the Friday, presumably the same group. I finally tracked them down on the Sunday 100 apprx, (19th) on Hanson Close, just off Balham High Street. Not my find, but pleased to see them! They stuck around for most of the week and when I went to the sorting office this morning (31st), 50 were feeding on the berries besides Waitrose, brilliant!!

November 2010

Waxwings in Norwich, a group of around 60 and part of a huge national invasion. Stunning birds!!

A Robin on a frosty common, published in The Times.

Tawny eagle, Nakuru National Park, Kenya.

Lesser flamingos, Lake Nakuru. The colour was stunning, difficult to capture and translate the sense of scale and richness in colour.

Kittlitz plover, Nakuru National Park, Kenya. An amazing park with huge amounts and variety of birds, this is a very small sample. Highly recommended!

October was a write off as I was away on a job in Africa. Fortunately, I managed to squeeze a few days safari in Kenya which was brilliant. The impressive Kenya Wildlife Service were very supportive in my modest efforts at wildlife photography.

I got back at the end of the month and motivation was low to get out and about, partly because of a heavy work load, but also perhaps due to having been spoiled in Africa. Coupled with some DIY at home, meant there also wasn't really much time.

Did get a stroll out on the 7th, though didn't see much. Shoveler are back on the pond (12) and there were Cormorants (8) perched on the dead tree, two herons were on the pond and another flew over. Mistle thrush (6) and a Sparrowhawk were also seen. Little owls didn't seem to be back yet. One of the Robins was published in the paper during the first cold spell.

Also of note, Waxwings everywhere in the north and East Anglia. During, a short trip to Norfolk I had a look at a lively group in Norwich.

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...