11th August

I am sorry I haven't been in contact recently. the main reason being that it has been very quiet in the park lately. I also popped up to Norfolk for a few days, that two was quiet if you were looking for rarities. On the other hand there were plenty of waders arriving and moving along the coast. The wind did veer to the NW for one day this did bring a few sea birds closer inshore; I did mange to see 2 Sooty and 1 Manx Shearwater, Arctic Skuas, Red-throated Diver and scores of Guillemot families.
The only birds of note seen by Dave while I was away were Nuthatch and a Hobby hunting House Martins over the lake.

Today in the park

Swift: 2 sinlges were over the lake. A lot of swifts have now left the UK, so it is worth keeping an eye on the skies to see if you can beat your latest swift record.
Garden Warbler: 2 were feeding on brambles in area 25, viewed through the gap in the hedge.
Willow Warbler: 2 birds in the same area.
Blackcap: 6 birds " "




Mixed Common and Grey Seals on the beach at Horsey in Norfolk




Green Sandpipers were fairly numerous at several of the reserves that I visited.

There was quite a good passage of Sandwich Terns. In the past I have been lucky enough to have seen a Lesser crested Tern fly past this part of Norfolk.

Comments

Neil said…
great seal photos!

I had a letter from the BTO this morning about the ringed eygptian goose in the park (remember I sent them the details?) Turns out it was ringed as 1st year on the 19/08/07 in Richmond Park. So perhaps they are coming from West London/Surrey.
Svetlana said…
Love the seals!

Just for your information, I've not heard any more owls north of Primrose Hill.
Hi Neal.

The Seals were a nice surprise at the on an enjoyable walk. Mind you that day I hadn't brought my camera. So I just hoped that the weather would be kind to me and it was on the last morning of my break.

I will have to have a moan to the gamekeepers at Richmond Park. The clearly are not doing enough to keep their birds happy.
Hello Svetlana.

These seals I think are the closest colony to London and were well worth the walk.

I did have an email from someone that lives just to the north of the hill in Belsize Park. He said that he had an owl visit his garden about three weeks ago.