Merry Christmas!

I was in the park on Tuesday (21st) not expecting to spot many birds so I was quite pleased to see 7 species (Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Common Gull, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Magpie, Starling).  Only a couple of most of them, but several Sparrows.

The snow had melted and become a little slushy but the base of it was icy and a little tricky to walk on in places. Keith, the park-keeper, had salted the paths but it hadn't yet made any appreciable effect.

Hilly Fields in melting snow

Over beside the school I spotted a bird box I'd not seen before.  How did I ever miss it?  It's so obvious!

Bird box beside Prendergast

Work had started in ernest at Prendergast and the workers village was being erected by a crane that could be seen, I'm told, a couple of miles away.

Prendergast construction starts

Don't forget, we will once more be taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch in Hilly Fields on Saturday 29th January 2011.  I hope to see you there.

With visits to and by family and friends I'm unlikely to be in the park again this year, so
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year

Autumn views

After rediscovering the House Sparrows, I wandered around the park enjoying the autumnal air.

Cliffview Road side of park

Near the tennis courts I discovered a spot where at least four London landmarks can be seen between the trees - the Shard, the Gherkin (Swis Re), Canary Wharf and the Dome (O2)


Four London landmarks



The Sparrows Return

Great news, the House Sparrows are back.  I counted ten in the hedge behind Cliffview Road last Wednesday (10 Nov), that's my first sighting of them in Hilly Fields for three months.

Male House Sparrow in Cliffview Road hedge

Female House Sparrow in Cliffview Road hedge

Feeder rehung

Good news:  The birdfeeder has been rehung on its new bracket made, I hear, by Fred.  The photo was taken on Monday 25th.

Birdfeeder on new bracket

As for the birdlife... on my last three brief visits I've seen a total of 7 birds (magpies and woodpigeon), the 20+ House Sparrows that congregated in the tree at the bottom of my garden have completely disappeared! However, a friend at the other end and other side of Cliffview Road now sees a dozen in her garden almost every day.
There've been House Sparrows in our garden every day for the last 6 years at least; it saddens me that they've moved away but we still get Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robins, a Greater Spotted Woodpecker and, new to our garden, Long-tailed Tits.

Only six birds in two hours!

As “Bird Champion”, even during Nick Bertrand's walk and talk yesterday, I was keeping an eye open for birdlife.  I hoped to see a lot in two hours but, although I heard Carrion Crows, I only spotted three Magpies, two Woodpigeons and one Jay.  I think 3 birds/hour is my worst ever.



Possible woodpecker nest



While talking about a Maple tree, Nick spotted a hole in it which could have been created by a woodpecker (see photo).

In my own garden, which backs onto the park, I haven’t seen any House Sparrows at all for over a month

Trees in an urban park

Yesterday afternoon’s event was organised by Chris McGaw, Rivers and People Project, who introduced Nick Bertrand of the Creekside Centre. Nick give a talk and walk around Hilly Fields on “Trees in an urban park”. These are my mental notes from this session.

Horse Chestnut leaf miner moths

First topic was the leaf miner moth that’s turning Horse Chestnut leaves brown, then Nick spotted the young Elm trees not far from the gate. Sesile Oak, English Oak and Turkey Oak are all found around the park. One such Oak, near the Bothy, had an unusual gall on it that Nick photographed for later identification.
[8 Oct update from Chris: "We think the unusual gall may be the Hedgehog Gall (Andricus lucidus) which has only established itself in the UK in the last 20-30 years."]
Then we learnt how London Plane survives pollution by shedding its bark.

Young Elm and Nick Bertrand

Chris helping Nick photograph an Oak gall

At the top of the park is a Poplar, this one is fastigiate – with branches pointing upwards – as are most of the Hornbeam in the park. In the west field is a Crack Willow which, I learned today, is so named because its twigs snap off noisily. There’s also quite a few Maple trees, I think the one Nick described was a Silver Maple.


Some of the group with Nick beside fastigiate Poplar

Below the playground is a Beech competing with a London Plane. Past the school are several Hawthorn and then we ventured into the wood to find a Blackthorn, identified by its sloes. Finally we went down to Eastern Avenue where there are more Ash including one whose leaflets are larger and golden, I think Nick said it’s an American variety.
[8 Oct update from Chris: "Looking at my tree books, American Ash seems like the correct ID"]

Is this an American variety of Ash?

I enjoyed it so much that the time just flew by. I do hope Chris can organise more events around Hilly Fields, it’s a great way to get to know and appreciate your local park.

Hilly Fields Walk on October 6th

There'll be a walk in Hilly Fields, organised by Chris McGaw, On Wednesday 6th October.  Here's an extract from his flyer:

For information on this, or any of the other nine walks during September and October, click the "Rivers and People Project" link on the right.