The Bird Thread

That's a pretty good haul.

We've only had three tits (great, blue and willow/coal), sparrows and Robin's hanging out nearby.

I've seen gold finches on my neighbour's garage roof but never in my garden.

Met three snipe this afternoon

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Saw my first green woodpecker today just casually sitting on a bench in Richmond Park. Off to Rainham Marshes tomorrow.

Pretty much the only place I've seen a green woodpecker is RP too.

Good spots today at Rainham Marshes: kingfisher, bearded tits, Fieldfare, kestrel, wigeon, pintail and shelducks. No marsh harriers today though and apparently a Dartford Warbler is hanging about somewhere.

I still get excited when I see red kites and buzzards. Other than the fact they are beautiful birds, I think it stems from when I was a teenage birder and they were rare. Then, buzzards were unusual, but red kites were critically endangered and you had to go to Wales to see them.
They are common over all of Norfolk now but you're virtually guaranteed to see them at the Holkham Hall estate. I think I counted 4 separate birds the last time I was there.

Wanstead Flats is good for green woodpeckers, used to live nearby and saw them v frequently

I saw a bird of prey today, but not sure what it was. Smaller than a buzzard or red kite (and this was in the Surrey Hills so lots of both about there) but larger than a kestrel, with a white chest and flecked neck. Any idea?

Hobby?

Sparrowhawk - Hobby's head south for Winter.

Great Tit in landing pose

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Nice picture, but Great Tit.

Thank you for the correction!

Funnily, I hated myself instantly for making it. I felt it was condescending to you and made me look a smartarse prick.

Anyway, here's a phone picture of a friendly Robin as an apology.

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Ha, no, it was right to correct, I've a lot to learn. All good