We were lucky to have sunny windless weather for the 2024 Big Birdwatch on 28 January. Around 50 people visited the Friends stall where we handed out bird ID leaflets and sold some 'merch' including postcards and our Birds of Hilly Fields booklet. Approx 20 people came on the bird walk and 20 bird species were recorded including great spotted woodpeckers, redwings, a mistle thrush and Britain's smallest bird, the goldcrest. The stats will be forwarded to the RSPB as part of their Big Garden Birdwatch.
Hilly Fields Birdwatch
News of the Bird Champion Project of Hilly Fields, Brockley and Ladywell, SE London.
Saturday 3 February 2024
Hilly Fields Big Birdwatch 2024 Report
Sunday 14 January 2024
Hilly Fields Big Birdwatch 2024
Attention all bird lovers! It's time once again for the Friends of Hilly Fields Big Birdwatch event. Date and time: Sunday 28th January between 10.30 – 12.30. Our stall will be based outside the Hilly Fields cafe as usual. We will have Bird ID sheets and children will be able to make fatballs and bird feeders. These can be hung from trees in the park or taken home to hang in your own garden. Everything is free.
A guided walk will set off from outside the cafe at 11.00 approx. If you have binoculars, please bring them. Alternatively, you can grab a Bird ID sheet and go round by yourselves, but please observe these basic rules:
(i) only count the maximum number of each species that you see at any one time (to avoid duplication); (ii) don't count birds that fly over without stopping - only birds within the park.
We will collate the results at the end on our Big Blackboard and submit the results to the RSPB.
It's all about helping people to learn a little bit more about birds and how our parks and green spaces are such important habitats for them. It's also about supporting the RSPB as the whole weekend is part of their National Big Garden Birdwatch. And we still have a few copies left of our celebrated Birds of Hilly Fields booklet which will be on sale at the stall – £5.00 all proceeds to the Friends of HF. We looking forward to seeing you there.
Friday 13 January 2023
Big Garden Birdwatch 2023
Another year, another Big Birdwatch on Hilly Fields. The Friends of Hilly Fields annual bird watching event will take place this year on Sunday 29 January from 10.30 – 12.30. We will be based outside the cafe, everyone is welcome and it's child-friendly.
So come along. You might see a great spotted woodpecker. You might see a jay. You might see a nuthatch. You'll almost certainly see "the UK's only naturalised parrot"!
Photo: David Chapman |
Monday 20 June 2022
Red Kite - Bird 52!
Credit: eBird |
Sunday 27 March 2022
Dawn Chorus Walk 2022
Mistle Thrush |
Friday 18 February 2022
Hilly Fields Big Birdwatch 2022 Report
Our Hilly Fields Big Birdwatch on 30 January was the first since January 2020 and we had probably the best ever attendance. It was particularly good to see so many children brought along by their parents and making bird feeders at the Friends stall or coming round on the guided walk.
22 species were recorded which is not a record breaker, but still a healthy total. Surprisingly, the highest individual total was the Common Gull of which 22 were counted on the north field. Despite its name, this bird is usually outnumbered by the Black-headed Gull which in winter is the most common gull in London and the UK. Next highest were the Starlings at 16 and Goldfinches at 12.
Common Gull left, Black-headed Gull right |
At the other end of the scale, a single Greenfinch and Redwing were seen. It was good to catch sight of the Nuthatch pair who hopefully will be breeding in the park again this year. We had a good view of them on the Lane during the guided walk. Sadly, no Great Spotted Woodpeckers turned up this year, nor did we see any Song or Mistle Thrushes (though a Song Thrush was seen and heard on the Lane on 1st January).
Greenfinch at Hilly Fields |
Saturday 5 February 2022
WASSAIL
Wake up the trees! Join us at Hilly Fields Wassail on Saturday 12th February, 2022. 3pm in the orchard.
That is just beyond the stone circle.
Please bring your own mug if you can. We'll have Wassail (mulled cider) and hot spiced apple juice to share.
The orchard maintenance session will take place at 10-30 until 12.30 in the morning. If you wish to join us, it would be helpful to contact us: email hillyfields4@googlemail.com
Wassail Hilly Fields |