The first thing I noticed, to my horror, was a large truck driving across the grass. Having been stopped on more than one occasion by people complaining about Glendale vans on the grass, I expect this truck will attract complaints too.
The playground was busy, as were all the tennis courts and the table-tennis too. I've rarely seen the place so well used before 10am, but little birdlife. Just a few Carion Crows and Woodpigeons on the north, soon-to-be-cricket-pitch, field. Down in the meadow south of the school: nothing. Alongside the road west of the school: nothing.
I didn't venture east of the school, but returned to Keith the park-keeper's office to get birdfeed for the feeder in the quiet garden; very quiet, no birds there either. However, along from the garden at the back of Cliffview Road I heard Blue Tits, Greenfiches and a Parakeet. Couldn't spot any on them!
Keith told me the new cafe beside his office will be a regular feature throughout the school holidays, so I took myself off there and had a very decent cup of tea in a real mug for £1.
Later I bumped into friends out for a stroll and walked down past the bowling green with them; no birds there either.
This morning hasn't been a good time for birds in the park; it was probably too busy for them, but back home in Cliffview Road there were Greenfinches, House Sparrows, Blue Tits, Great Tits and a Woodpigeon around our feeder where we've also seen a Great Spotted Woodpecker early every morning for the last week.
Oh, yes! I nearly forgot to mention... Hilly Fields received its Green Flag award on Wednesday
