Dammit

Friday 23rd March, 0630, Pea Souper

An inauspicious start to proceedings this year. When I left New Cross Gate at 6 it was clear and bright; when I got to the ridge just before 6.30 -  total white-out. Somewhere around Brockley a huge bank of fog had descended. Bugger. With dreams of a long awaited urban Wheatear dashed for the time being I felt my way across the park to find the others. Eventually I bumped into Dave (literally) and we marvelled at the misfortune. Not much to do so we did a headcount on the ridge, visibility was <10m so some of these were just heard:

Dunnock, Robin, Carrion Crow, Wren, Blackcap (1), Green Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Song Thrush, Woodpigeon, Mallard, Chiffchaff (1), Long-tailed Tit

Singing Chiff and Blackcap were alright but you know it's gonna be a slow morning when 3 Mallard flying out of the murk are a highlight. Vis didn't improve so we stumbled down to the lake for a circuit:

Magpie, Jay, Feral Pigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch (pair), Ring-necked Parakeet, Canada Goose (pair), Moorhen, Coot, Tufted duck (10), Shoveler (pair) No sign of the herons so far, any thoughts why this might be? 

So bit of a disappointing session but that's the way it goes. Stick around, it can only get better.

Feel free to submit any sightings to southlondonbirds@gmail.com, all will be credited. We'd love to know what else is out there. Cheers.