Regent's Park 19th - 30th March
Overall the last 11 days have been quite quiet apart from the odd highlight. Unfortunately I have only been able to capture one of these, mind you it was a top species for the park.
19th
Black Redstart: a female was seen during the afternoon by a park regular, unfortunately it wasn't relocated that day (more on her later).
Heron: there are at least 5 nests with young in, unfortunately the large number of crows in the Clarence Gate area have caused another pair to desert the Bandstand Island. Public feeding is having a disastrous affect on them.
21st
Rook: one flew east at 8.35am.
Brambling: one female was trapped and ringed in area 41.
Meadow Pipit: two singles flew north one dropped down into a tree for a few seconds.
Blackcap: a male singing in area 2 and a female was seen feeding on sunflower hearts in area 31.
Teal: The last 2 a pair were flying around the lake.
22nd
Black Redstart: I was talking to a regular park birder about this and that and mentioned the female that was seen on Monday. When we parted he said he walk up that way more in hope of finding a Wheatear on an area of bare ground rather that to see the redstart, particularly as it was only seen the once. I could believe it when news of a female Black Redstart came out on twitter. I rushed up there but it had gone and was only observed for 30+ seconds. It was looked for that evening and the following day without any luck.
23rd
Common Buzzard: 1 north at 12.55pm
Water Rail: at least 5 have been seen or heard.
House Sparrow: " Chester" is still present on or near Chester Road
Rook: 1 west at 2.00pm.
Redwing: 40 plus on area 25.
25th
Golden Plover: 2 birds were found by DJ on the ground in area 37 at 7.40am. I was there within 5 minutes but had to use DJ's bins as I had taken mine out of the works car the night before and had forgotten until half way to the bird. I watched them for a minute then rushed back home and collected my optics and camera. Thankfully the birds were still there, staying until 8.10am when a jogger with a dog ran straight at them.
Hawfinch: Again found by DJ, it may have been perched as it was quite low and not in a hurry when it was seen flying below tree top height at 9.20am in area 25.
Blackcap: 2 males were heard singing.
Redwing: 55 in area 25.
26th
Common Buzzard: 3 birds flew SW between 1.05 and 1.15pm
Peregrine falcon: 2 singles during the day.
Woodcock: 2 singles one flying through area 31 and another flushed from area 39.
29th
Grey Wagtail: one by the pond in area 1.
Chiffchaff: one singing in area 36.
Reed Bunting: a female was in the small reed bed just south of Long Bridge.
Meadow Pipit
Common Teal
Water Rail
"Chester"
Golden Plovers
Common Buzzards
Grey Heron's have returned to Heron Island where there really aren't many trees suitable
to nest is in. They've done this to get away from the crows.
This Lapwing must have been a casualty of one of the recent cold spells.
Overall the last 11 days have been quite quiet apart from the odd highlight. Unfortunately I have only been able to capture one of these, mind you it was a top species for the park.
19th
Black Redstart: a female was seen during the afternoon by a park regular, unfortunately it wasn't relocated that day (more on her later).
Heron: there are at least 5 nests with young in, unfortunately the large number of crows in the Clarence Gate area have caused another pair to desert the Bandstand Island. Public feeding is having a disastrous affect on them.
21st
Rook: one flew east at 8.35am.
Brambling: one female was trapped and ringed in area 41.
Meadow Pipit: two singles flew north one dropped down into a tree for a few seconds.
Blackcap: a male singing in area 2 and a female was seen feeding on sunflower hearts in area 31.
Teal: The last 2 a pair were flying around the lake.
22nd
Black Redstart: I was talking to a regular park birder about this and that and mentioned the female that was seen on Monday. When we parted he said he walk up that way more in hope of finding a Wheatear on an area of bare ground rather that to see the redstart, particularly as it was only seen the once. I could believe it when news of a female Black Redstart came out on twitter. I rushed up there but it had gone and was only observed for 30+ seconds. It was looked for that evening and the following day without any luck.
23rd
Common Buzzard: 1 north at 12.55pm
Water Rail: at least 5 have been seen or heard.
House Sparrow: " Chester" is still present on or near Chester Road
Rook: 1 west at 2.00pm.
Redwing: 40 plus on area 25.
25th
Golden Plover: 2 birds were found by DJ on the ground in area 37 at 7.40am. I was there within 5 minutes but had to use DJ's bins as I had taken mine out of the works car the night before and had forgotten until half way to the bird. I watched them for a minute then rushed back home and collected my optics and camera. Thankfully the birds were still there, staying until 8.10am when a jogger with a dog ran straight at them.
Hawfinch: Again found by DJ, it may have been perched as it was quite low and not in a hurry when it was seen flying below tree top height at 9.20am in area 25.
Blackcap: 2 males were heard singing.
Redwing: 55 in area 25.
26th
Common Buzzard: 3 birds flew SW between 1.05 and 1.15pm
Peregrine falcon: 2 singles during the day.
Woodcock: 2 singles one flying through area 31 and another flushed from area 39.
29th
Grey Wagtail: one by the pond in area 1.
Chiffchaff: one singing in area 36.
Reed Bunting: a female was in the small reed bed just south of Long Bridge.
to nest is in. They've done this to get away from the crows.
Little Owl and Tawny Owl nest boxes that were erected on 29th
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