This morning I met up with Tony Duckett for a walk around parts of Bushy Park, including some areas not open to the public, near Longford River, which proved to be the most interesting. We started off in the Skylark Protection area, where we saw Skylarks (duh!) and Meadow Pipits. Given that I was photographing them alternately, I have forgotten which is which, so I will let you guys ID them. To me they look very alike, even with the Crossley Guide. Give me Robins any day! Incidentally, I saw one Robin, a month old juvenile which perched on the seat next to me as we had a snack after our walk. He scoffed a few chocolate muffin crumbs before flying back to the nearby bushes. My camera? In the car!
Reed Warbler (thank you Aiki) taking time out for a spot of sunbathing
There were several Reed Buntings in the main park and the early morning sunlight set them off beautifully
Raucous singing!
A quick game of hide and seek with a juvenile Blackcap
(Juvenile) Common Whitethroat
A juvenile GSW flew across and perched on a nearby branch for a few minutes
A small group of young Goldies caught my attention as they flitted around at the top of an old tree
You're not supposed to be in there!
Unfortunately this Stag would not turn around
Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar
Peacock Butterfly Caterpillars
Comma Butterfly, side on
Another one from a different angle
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
Lots of lovely stuff there. I sometimes go running in Bushy Park when I visit my (super-keen marathon-running) friends who live nearby, but have never been birding/wildlife-watching there... looks like I should! From the top, you have Meadow Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Skylark. Look at the body proportions (Skylarks look big-bodied and small-headed) and the flanks (heavy streaking on them in Meadow Pipit, but none in Skylark). Also your Willow Warbler is a Reed Warbler.
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Thanks for the ID tips. I cannot read my own scribble! It says RW, not WW, so I should have put Reed Warbler. The reeds were a give away! There were dozens of Peacock Caterpillars in the 'private' area of the park. Fearsome looking critters aren't they? We also saw Buzzards, a Hobby and a Cuckoo, but I did not get the opportunity to photograph them as they were all in flight.
The Skylarks seem to have a little 'cap' or crest.
Yes, Skylarks have a short crest, though they can completely flatten it when they want to be awkward :)
Unknown said: Great set MC,and a nice walk around, but you should be flogged in public for "no camera"(-:).
Great set MC,and a nice walk around, but you should be flogged in public for "no camera"(-:).
I know... I hadn't counted on that baby Robin. Most of the tables were being raided by Jackdaws, but the one table that was Jackdaw free just happened to be the one that I chose.
Great MC, your walks are always so productive & we get to see some wonderful pics (except for baby Robins of course)!!
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Great set of photos MC with a really varied selection.
Paul
My bird photos HERE
Lovely pics. Our patch is generally across the road in Home Park and we seem to miss out on the Reed Warblers and Buntings :-( Might pop out tomorrow morning if we can wake up early enough. (Home Park doesn't open until 7am and work starts at 9)!
"Let loose the Kraken!"
Thanks all (apart from the Baby Robin comment - lol). The Reed Buntings were in the open area near the model boating pond, so you might see (and hear) them, but the Warblers were tucked away in one of the non-Public areas near the Longford River. The Baby Robin hangs out near the end table of the Pheasantry Café. Make sure to take your camera!
Thanks for the tips :-) I always try and have a camera with something of a zoom on it on me when I'm not toting the "big one". The problem comes in getting it out in time - such as when a flock of waxwings descended on the scruffy trees in Surbiton's main drag. Wonderful sight, would have made a wonderful photo, too slow :-(