Being in Essex today it seemed a good opportunity to drop in to Gunpowder Park in the Lee Valley. Desipite the continual noise from the M25 it is a nice peaceful place. There is a wonderful display of wild flowers and a variety of habitats. In the open areas the main element of bird life seemed to be the magpies although we were lucky to see a kingfisher fly across looking like a jewelled exocet. The flood relief channel on the western boundary was home to coot and mallard but the water was clear showing us some huge fish (carp?) on the bed. Among the carefully mixed habitats were an osier beds enclosing a shallow pond. None of the promised birds were on the water but four herons were fishing. I think they were all juveniles but without bins I could only be sure of two. At home, like last year, the kites seem to have vanished from the area. I have finished feeding for the summer and am seeing very few birds in the garden but yellowhammers and goldfinches are a regular sight as I drive
Once upon a time you could find me birding on the Thames marshes almost every weekend through the winter. For various reasons I am now seldom able to travel to good birding sites. I am lucky, however, to live in the beautiful Chiltern Hills and this blog is to document the birds that I see on my own patch.