Regents Park the 23rd September reports and pics.

Hi folks.

What a day yesterday was but before I start can I thank Christine for coordinating the collection of phone numbers and email addresses to help the day happen.

For me the day started at 03.00 as I had to work a shift before setting out and as I have not used public transport into London for 26 years + was in for an experience the first being last time I travelled into London on a train we were able to sit down, not anymore it seems.

Despite my lack of public transport experience I actually managed to get to the meet up point on York Bridge some 50 minutes early and without making a mistake once wonders will never cease. As I was early I decided to have a wander around and see what was around my first surprise was the amount of Blue Algae on the water (it looked green to my eyes) and the Herons who had no fear of people.

Not a nicely mown lawn your going to get wet if you tried to stroll across this.

It was the first day of Autumn and some trees were starting to get ready to shed their leaves but this tree in front of York Bridge had taken it to the extreme.

While I sat on the bench contemplating the day ahead 4 likely lads got into a confrontation and it looked like there was going to be real trouble.

"yeah go on then if you think your hard enough"

"who you calling Chicken I'm a Coot?"

"Yeah that told you"

Shortly after this Aiki (Marianne) turned up and the days meet had started and as Clare has already mentioned it ended up with all the following plus one who will remain nameless but thanks for showing us around.

Christine, Wendy + OH, Stuart, Graham, Aiki (Marianne), Patily + carer, Jackie, Teejay (Tony), myself and the anon guide, I apologise if I missed anyone.

Think of Lloyd Grosman saying "Who would live in a place like this?" Eeewwwee

One of the many Squirrels starting to hoard nuts.

Did I mention the fearless Herons?

One of several Eygptian Geese seen.

Oh yes and even more Herons.

And no wanting to be left out a Terrapin turned up on the opposite bank.

We were later guided to an area where these lovely Wheatear had been seen and sure enough they were sill there and very obliging thanks guide ;-)

There were 2 birds in all such a great find in the centre of London.

Even the Migrant Hawkers sat for photos.

A Tufted Duck preening right below the bridge.

A Blackheaded Gull on the same bridge.

One of the wide variety of exotics on the lake, this one being a Bufflehead Duck.

We even had a Grey Wagtail turn up albeit a little to far for my camera.

All in all a great day with lots of great like minded people thanks all for a great meet up. 

Great selection Marianne, the love the Jay it was too quick moving or hidden for me to get a chance. This is going to be a great thread with so many people turning up for it.

Good morning everyone :-) After searching through my feeble collection of pics here's my contribution.

The Groundsman surveying the pitches.

The zoo towering in the background.

High-speed Jay 1

High-speed Jay 2

It wouldn't damn well perch for me!

Oh have I got an itch!

If short of other subjects you can't go wrong taking pictures of gulls!

A photo has been removed to preserve the anonymity of someone who should, like me, really have been at work ;-) Which is a pity, because the pose is quite, um, prayerful!

Thanks for starting the thread for photographs, Shane. Some really nice pictures especially the posing Wheatears. Aiki, you did well to capture the Parakeet in flight.

I was already a bit stressed by the time I got there after my rather traumatic journey so I didn't get a very good shot of the Wheatear and this was the best I got - a rear view.

I only brought my bridge camera and my attempts at flight shots were pathetic so I'll only stick to static shots.

A female Goldeneye(?) sunning itself.

A Chestnut Teal I think.

Can't remember what this one is.

A male Shoveler in eclipse.

A svelte looking Smew.

And now we come to the Herons. They were so tame it would have been rude not to take a few shots.

I wouldn't want to tangle with that bill.

And probably the same one that aiki photographed in the Willow

Thanks for the company guys and gals. It was a pleasant day in the sun. It's been raining here this morning so we chose the right day.

It's raining here too - we were lucky indeed with the weather. Great photos Stuart and TeeJay.

I'd say the Goldeneye's a male in eclipse, its white cheek spot is coming through. Yes to Chestnut Teal, and the mystery duck is a Chiloe Wigeon.

Nice set of photos Stuart I especially like the flying Jay going across the road, it was good to meet you in person as well.

Well done for still coming Tony after such a traumatic start, I think the Wheatears done us all proud posing for us, I'm fairly close to Marianne and it has been cold and wet here too.

Hello folks,

I would so much have liked to join you, as I have two days off now and could have had a short stay in London for a couple of days, but unfortunately yesterday I had to do a night shift, that I could not get rid of. So I joined you in spirit instead. I'm so glad that you obviously had not only good weather, but a good time in general. I enjoy your pictures, and I'm looking forward for more.

Kind regards as usual, Bente

While scrolling down the page on my mobile I inadvertently flagged the original thread as spam/abuse! Please ignore that Mods.

Just got in from work to find this thread :-)

Some fabulous photos everyone - thanks for the parakeet Marianne - I have to say you did your utmost to find me one and succeeded on several occasions!  By the time I left you all in the park, I think I had learnt that squawk - unnmistakeable as you said, and I managed to see one or two more by the park gate - but unfortunately no photo so it was really good to see yours!

Shane - you must have been shattered after that early start - and we certainly got some fresh air and exercise in didn't we?!

Tony - really glad you made it in the end - not a good start to the day for you.

And I must also thank our anonymous forumite for leading us to the wheatears - my first half decent photos of a wheatear.

I'll try to get some photos of my own up after dinner (very similar in content to those already posted!)

Here's hoping we can do it all again before too long.  Great day out despite all the travelling.