14th January

Richmond Park

This is the first of two short review of some of the birds that I was able to see and photograph during my first year in the park. The second review concentrates on the Common Terns on Upper Pen Ponds, who successfully managed to fledge 2 young. My one regret was not looking in the paddock the afternoon the Hoopoe was present. I was attending a meeting in Holly Lodge that afternoon, but was slightly delayed by the traffic in Kingston and didn’t have the time do my usual walk around the paddocks

Male Mandarin in heavy moult

One of a small flock of Swallows that roosted by Pen Ponds in mid-May

Common Swift, the shot below shows a bird with a full crop of insects.

Female Kestrel near Holly Lodge and one of 4 juveniles near Robin Hood Gate.

Common Buzzard (above) and Hobby (below)

Grey Wagtail at the mouth of the stream by Pen Ponds Wood

Two of the few broods seen on Pen Ponds, one 17/7 (above) and the other 14/8 (below).

Common Sandpiper (above) and Common Stonechat (below)

Jay doing his bit to preserve the Oak