Bushy Park
While marking trees that had contained OPM nests ready for tagging. I heard some commotion above Warren Plantation and could make out a falcon heading roughly in my direction. I ran (walked quickly) to a slightly clearing and was able to get this shot, though the light was poor it will do.
Two-barred or Common Crossbill with two wing-bars.
Having been pleased with that sighting I then heard the call of what sounded like a Crossbill at 9.05am. I couldn’t see it and wasn’t exactly sure where it was. I then picked it up as it flew diagonally away from me. It was definitely a crossbill, a relatively stubby bird, blunt red-headed and breasted bird, short-tailed. Now the surprise feature, it had two prominent wing-bars. I only had the shortest of time viewing it and by the time I had raised my camera it disappeared over the tree tops.
Other news
Willow Warbler: 10 birds.
Chiffchaff: 6 birds.
Blackcap: 10 birds.
Common Whitethroat: 4 birds
Comments
Light shower(s) overnight, low cloud at dawn lifting after 06:00, then muggy with high cloud and light S breeze like yesterday.
Hobby 1 (flew in from W at 06:30 and immediately stooped on a low-flying swift over Open Spaces, area 37 before heading S, eating breakfast on the wing).
This unforgettable moment started when I spotted three swifts 50m over my head, soon joined by two more. I barely had time to wonder where the two new ones had come from when they were followed in by the Hobby, which gained height on approach before choosing its victim. The most impressive thing about this aerial feat was how little energy the Hobby expended: it simply used gravity to boost its speed advantage, caught up to one of the fastest birds in the world a few twists and turns later, and exited the Park stage right within two minutes of its arrival, trailing swift feathers in its wake. Truly awe-inspiring... I turned back to find the remaining swifts had rapidly gained height to form a scream of eight 150-200m up - no doubt a survival strategy of 'safety in numbers' at sufficient height to hedge against another 'death by stoop'.
Gadwall 1 (drake in breeding plumage off area 2 at 06:20; first of the 'autumn').
Swift 9 (then 8).
House Martin 2.
Chiffchaff 6+ (three among the roses in SW corner of Queen Mary's Gardens, area 19 at 07:10; singles calling in areas 10, 19 and 40).
Willow Warbler 2 (with the Chiffchaffs in QM Gardens).