It has been a quiet week with lots of people on holiday, either trying to add a couple more species to there 2016 year lists, twitching what some hope will be a lifer Blue Rock Thrush or after the panel has debated may be dismissed as poss escapee, maybe not from the UK but possibly Europe. Others will be relaxing on places like the Isles of Scilly or places with full sun rather than blanket fog, which we have experienced several times in the past few days. Mind you we have had the odd glorious day with sun almost from dawn to dusk.
I have been working for most of the Xmas period and have not seen anything out of the ordinary apart from a Stonechat in Richmond Park that may be a Siberian Stonechat. I did have an eyeball to eyeball confrontation with a Kingfisher this morning in Regent's Park, well through bins it looked like eyeball to eyeball.
Below are some of my favourite photos from the past week.
Little Grebe with his constant shadow who's waiting to steal his food.
It helps if you have a long stride.
As with the Little Grebe BH Gulls shadow Coots
They don't always get what they want and are bullied by Common Gulls
This 1st winter Herring Gull has been present for a few weeks and was ringed at Pitsea
rubbish dump in Essex earlier this year.
Crows are always causing trouble
Grey Herons are taking up more nest sites and if the weather remains reasonable will
lay their 1st eggs in early January
Bullied Mute Swans are reluctant to leave the park because they cannot see any water
when they take to the air. These 2 were in the air for 10 minutes but returned to the park.
Grey Heron flying over a frozen Heron Pond in Bushy Park
Hybrid RC Pochard and Tufted Duck
This pair of Stonechats try to warm up on a very frosty morning.
A male Kestrel enjoys the warmth of the sun while a female looks for breakfast
7 female Reed Buntings were feeding on the frozen heads of Common Reeds in the
Brewhouse Meadow area.
This drake Wigeon was reluctant to land on a 2/3 frozen Pen Ponds.
There was an impressive 95 Shoveler's on the water
If you saw this bird your first thoughts wouldn't be Common Stonechat
I do love the feather detail of Cormorants
This male Little Owl enjoyed a sunny day in Kensington Gardens
I have been working for most of the Xmas period and have not seen anything out of the ordinary apart from a Stonechat in Richmond Park that may be a Siberian Stonechat. I did have an eyeball to eyeball confrontation with a Kingfisher this morning in Regent's Park, well through bins it looked like eyeball to eyeball.
Below are some of my favourite photos from the past week.
rubbish dump in Essex earlier this year.
lay their 1st eggs in early January
when they take to the air. These 2 were in the air for 10 minutes but returned to the park.
Brewhouse Meadow area.
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