#indoorstoomuch

The Mute Swan mentioned in the previous post was again rung at Harrow Lodge Park on the same day as 4AMG.

I have been really enjoying the patch of late and although the migrants have started arriving this new found enthusiasm started before they did, i think it was the warmer of the weather; long may it continue.   Im doing well this year so far, i'm well ahead of where i was this time last year. 2012 finished on 92 and im already on 83 but i have seen a lot of the usual bits a lot earlier in the year than last year...i think i'm improving.   So today i arrived at the Hornchurch Country Park car park at 6.30am, i was after three birds today: Red Legged Partridge, Sedge Warbler & Reed Warbler.   Heading along the flood area towards the scrape the usual Moorhen & Coot. A few Teal dotted about along with the odd Grey Heron.   Whitethroat , Willow Warbler & Chiffchaff numbers seem to continue to increase.   Just as i was approaching the small viewing area to the scrape a Ring Necked Parakeet flew over the scrape and head and off t...

A new bird for me today and one ive missed on a couple of occaisions over the Valley last year, Common Redstart ; the 200 mark edges closer. Other birds Blackcap, Yellowhammer, Wheatear all providing 2013 ticks for Ingrebourne

The Mute Swan ringed over at Harrow Lodge was on the Scrape again over the weekend.

I took this in Hyde Park over the weekend, at first i thought it was a Tufted Duck, any thoughts?

Amazing! Totally was not expecting what i got. A great day for two reasons. One of my Daughters was performing in Joseph at Her Majesties Theatre, in the West End . A sold out performance and it was a perfect ending to a great day.   She was brilliant! and i am obviously going to say she was the best on the stage but believe me she was!   Dropping her off at Stage Door at 10.30am, i headed off down Piccadilly for Hyde Park. The sun was out and the park as you would excpect was bang full of tourists and locals fully enjoying this Royal Park.   Borris Bikes in use, Skateboarders showing off, inline Roller Blading lessons taking place and all along the walk way round the edge of the Serpentine. The coffee kiosks were buzzing, the lake restauarnt was rammed and the Japs had more DSLR's than needed per family.   Song Thrush i thought as i saw it hop around under the trees away from the lake, i headed over, first suprise of the day, Redwing (initial c...

I've had a good day; a day that makes you smile and not only that the sun came out! So why have i had a good day?   Well it all started with a visit this morning over the Valley, my nemesis of late being the Siskin. Since my garden has been full of them lately it has given my time to brush up on the songs and calls and while at at work the other day, i picked one up from its chatter. Time to put it to the test over the Valley. I decided to head for the Albyns Farm car park and the small lake by the works compound; some Alders there that may help the cause.   Upon arrival there was nothing, a couple of Goldfinch so i took a wander onto and around the Ingrebourne Hill nothing much around here today apart from the Male Shelduck coming into land and plenty of Crow & Skylark.   Tit Lake held the usual, so as it was a quick visit i headed back. Im glad i did. The sound of Siskin around the lake, not just one bird maybe for or five, i picked up a male on the A...

Thanks to Dave McGough i managed to connect with the three Red Crested Pochard on the Berwick Reservoir this evenning, bumping into Shaun also there for the same reason. The birds found by Pete Breeze & Les Harrison were (when i arrived) on the far side nearer the fishing hut.   After a chat with Shaun we had a quick wander down to the paddock, after he left i decided to try to digiscope some shots only to find they had moved to my side of the reservoir but the far end behind some trees obscuring the view.          

So after the news of a male Shelduck at the Valley, i rushed went on over; 2 days it took me to get there from one side of Hornchurch to other but i am glad i did.   At 6.30pm last night my Valley List total hit three figures, 100.   However not just a male, a pair that then flew high off the scrape at about 7pm heading towards Tit Lake.