In other news- 06/12/2009

Went to Epsom Common this afternoon. Contrary to the good range of common birds I was expecting with maybe Mandarin or Yellowhammer etc, it was very, very dead . . . The highlights were a showy CORMORANT on the large stew pond with a GREY HERON there was also a BLACK-HEADED GULL there which saw off another that was thinking of settling. A drake MALLARD swam alongside walkers in the hope of bread. There was also a pair on the small stew pond. 1+ MOORHEN was on the small stew pond and at least 1 other was on the larger one. 2 LESSER (presumed) REDPOLLS flew over the large stew pond as did a single HERRING GULL. A JAY was nearby. 2 MAGPIE, c.5 CARRION CROW and c.2 WOODPIGEON represented the ubiquitous trio. 2+ WRENS and 2 ROBINS were noted. c.5 REDWING were logged and a single FIELDFARE called. 1 COAL TIT, up to 5 LONG-TAILED TITS, 2 or 3 BLUE TITS and 1 or 2 GREAT TITS were seen or heard today. c.20 FERAL PIGEONS flew over as did up to 5 JACKDAWS. Very quiet and disappointing with not even a single Mandarin to add some excitement to the day but it was a pleasant walk with Phil in some lovely weather.