Oh yeah

OK update time...the big news from the Ridge this week was undoubtedly the female COMMON REDSTART that was picked up in the park on Friday (27th April) and reported on London Birders. Apparently it was seen around lunchtime poking about in the firs at the top, right next to our usual spot. Naturally we all missed it, but it's a great record for the area and well done to the gent who spotted it. It's proof that there is value to the scrub at the top and that the prominent south facing ridge is capable of attracting long-distance migrants on spring passage.

Female Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) not the palace bird but one like it. Redstarts are very Robin like in appearance but have a distinct rufous tail. They are summer visitors, arriving in Britain in spring where they are most commonly found in western broadleaved Oak forests. They spend the winter in Africa and the gulf states.
Photo: GoogleImages/Flickr I think.

With pulses racing at this news and a good weekend of swirling north westerlies behind us, Dave, Dan and Gavin headed up the ridge this morning for business as usual. Tuck in:

Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Carrion Crow, Starling, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, Magpie, Dunnock, Ring-necked Parakeet, Pied Wagtail, Blackcap (c10), Chiffchaff (2). 

These were the commoner birds inhabiting the ridge. Nice to see Coal Tit making an appearance, not one I come across much in these parts. Jay, Green Woodpecker and Nuthatch were noted elsewhere and in amongst some crows was another local rarity - a Jackdaw! Who needs a flippin' Redstart when you got ol' Blue Eyes?!

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
A handsome corvid, told apart by smaller size,  sleek grey nape and  blueish eyes.
Calls in crow fashion but with  more distinctive 'metallic' cries. Photo: wiki or something.

Flyovers:

Herring gull, Lesser Black-backed gull (SW, moving in larger numbers than seen previously). A pair of Sparrowhawk were displaying/moving south. And finally there was some sexy mig action too; 8 swifts flying SW and a single Swallow NW over the ridge.

Additions from Friday (thanks Gavin):

Lake-side: Canada Goose (with young), Mallard (with young), Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe ( 1 adult calling intermittently), Moorhen, Coot (with young). 2 Willow Warblers (1 by lake, 1 on ridge)

Just in (30/4): Apparently it looks like a few Whitethroats have finally made it back to the ridge. Dan's got money on it so check back soon to see whose getting the drinks. Thanks all.

Willow Warbler - tick

Thanks to Dave for this latest update.

Friday 20th April 2012

Conditions much better than last time with clear skies and a light South Westerly although ridge itself had what is becoming an ubiquitous haze, but mast was very clear:

Sphinx thing wonders where all the Hirundines are...

Ridge birds heard and seen:

Mallard

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Chaffinch

Wren

Dunnock

Robin

Blackbird

SongThrush

Green Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Pied Wagtail

Carrion Crow

Magpie

Starling

Jay

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Wood Pigeon

Feral Pigeon

Goldcrest

Ring-necked Parakeet

Blackcap

Chiffchaff (2)

Willow Warbler (first record for the year in the park)

+ The usual numerous flocks of Wood Pigeons flying on a daily migration south and Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull and Lesser Black Backed Gull, Beddington bound.

Blackcap territories are numerous on the ridge – we think 10 – 12 terriotories, we had fantastic views of a female sunning herself. Willow Warblers were hard to detect, possibly 3,  (well done Gavin) maybe suggesting these are recent arrivals and too knackered to waste energy on full song. Daniel also picked up a singing Willow Warbler in Nunhead Cemetary in the week, will be interesting to see if they stick around (thanks)

No sign of Whitethroats yet but these should be imminent. By all accounts it seems to have been a slower influx than last year. ALSO COMING SOON: Hirundines...surely?!