Osterley Park, Isleworth

[Eagle]

Thought I had started a thread already but it may have gone on the dreadful days in February!!
I decided in November that I would claim Osterley Park as my local patch since its not far from where I live.Its National Trust.I went out for a couple of hours with the Twickenham and Richmond RSPB group. (27/11)
We saw 37 species.We heard Little Owls but didn't see them.There is a thread about the day I did see them on my birding day!! But it took until March 9th to find them!!
I finished work a little early on Tuesday and whizzed across London in the hope that I would have some time to look at birds.
I arrived at the car park (free for members of NT) to see a field full of Redwings. I counted 105!! There were also 5 in the next field not sure what they had done to be excluded!! They were there with Wood pigeons and Starlings. I was able to observe them very easily as they ate whatever. They were constantly on the move but managed to stay in and around the same area. What a very delightful bird!!
Then I walked along a path towards what I now call the Owl Tree! I spied something in the field not a Redwing! Difficult to see but I got very excited for a second or two , thoughts of the Dusky Thrush.....but no, not at all, it was a Fieldfare all on its own.I have never seen one on its own before!
Just at this moment two people were walking by with their very well behaved dog.Oh says the man you look just the person to answer our question.
(oh help thought I, I hope I can!!) Yesterday we saw....and preceded to describe pretty well the Redwing!! I showed them Collins bird guide and they identified the Redwing.So I was able to tell them that they could see them very closely!! They had been quite a distance away apparently.
They then said they had thought about getting binoculars and a bird guide.
We had a little conversation and off they went very happily. I expect to run into them again!!
No sign of Little Owls :C But plenty of the usual suspects!! I heard a commotion on the lake and looked over.

Will continue this later!!

[Eagle]

Continued!!
The commotion was a huge fight(?) between a number of Canada Geese and Moorhens!! The Moorhens probably started it up because they usually do by fight with each other and sometimes they put the wind up the youngerCG.
They are last years babies!! Called Juveniles but they are more like the teenage boys I work with, but are mainly well behaved with their parents!
As I turned away from the pond I saw two movements in the grass. One was a Blackbird then A Red Head! Green Woodpecker! It was in the grass hopping about and eating(?) couldn't see.I was able to get really close...as near to the barbed wire fence as I could ..about 5 yards.At first the Woodpecker didn't seem at all concerned, but as he got nearer to me...he began to look up more and turn his head either way and listen. I wished I had brought my camera with me as I would have had lots of very good shots!! He eventually moved further away...and finally flew to the trees were I know they drum!! And began to drum...I had 18 minutes of observation...it was stunning!!
I had a look into the Lake nearest to the car park and there were lots of Tufty Ducks about 40!Coots, Mallard and Mute Swans (all in pairs) last years youngsters were on the previous part of the lake system.
There were also 12 Mandarins (male) and a few females. These are part of a collection ! But look so very smart!!
On my way out of the park it was getting very dark by now I meet the new Warden Jamie Marsh...and we had an interesting conversation.I thought there had been a change as the noticeboard has been updated lately!!
Its good to know he is enthusiatic!

[Ronald Zee]

Continued!!
The commotion was a huge fight(?) between a number of Canada Geese and Moorhens!! The Moorhens probably started it up because they usually do by fight with each other and sometimes they put the wind up the youngerCG.
They are last years babies!! Called Juveniles but they are more like the teenage boys I work with, but are mainly well behaved with their parents!


Amazing, I have never seen this and I have been observing Moorhens for almost 8 years now.

I wonder why they would start harassing a much bigger bird..

[Eagle]

Amazing, I have never seen this and I have been observing Moorhens for almost 8 years now.

I wonder why they would start harassing a much bigger bird..

I watched them yesterday afternoon!!
The Canada Geese are attempting to pair up some of the younger one are being chased off by the older birds( I was talking to the Warden about this) they sometimes get in such a state that they appear to be harassing the moorhen!!
I watched a couple of Moorhens fighting and they crashed into the Canada Geese and the Geese just chased them away!!
It might have been what I saw on Tuesday as I only looked up after the commotion !

[Eagle]

What a lovely day! Yesterday the sun was shining it was warm and it appeared that all was well with the world.
A trip to the park was ordered!!
I walked around the entire park and had a wonderful time.
Everywhere I went there seemed to be a Robin! *8 places I noticed from my notes!!Possibly three different birds as one was much lighter brown..and one was a very dark shade of brown.Whether there were more I couldn't say. I know they are very territorial and have large territories.
Interesting study to be continued.
I saw my first Chaffinch in the Park this year!
A pair of beautifully marked Fieldfares.
Some stunning starlings in the light! Looked just like Christines entry for the competition!!

[Eagle]

A Dartford Warbler has been seen here!!
I saw a small bird on Thursday...but it flew too quickly and then sat on a fence
so I was looking into the sun!??????
Time to return later this pm as It will be busy in the park as it is so nice out!!

[Eagle]

Sat Afternoon. Palace playing at Chelsea and I couldn't get a ticket...problem with online booking!!!
I couldn't stand the tension...I was worried!!
Go to Osterley..
20 degrees c and sunny!!!
Arrived at Car Park. Sat in car watching.
Had notice flock of wood pigeons and lots of crows on the newly ploughed land just inside the entrance. Suddenly they all flew up and way very fast and there was a Sparrowhawk after (probably a pigeon?) something.
A new raptor for here!
Walked around to the owl tree...Blackbird, Robin, Great Tit, and Magpies.No Little Owls :C back to car Park off in the direction of the house...I was about to walk to the fence...sixth sense stopped me!! There was a wren hopping about in the leaves, flicking a leaf over looking underneath for food and hopping to the next one..watched for a few minute before the wren went under the fence and into the undergrowth!!
I was very glad to have the size of a wren impressed into my mind..more about that later!!
There were Robins seranading one another...C.Geese, Moorhens, Coots and Mute Swans...LT Tits..on to the house where a pair of Robinflew by and a pair of Pied Wagtails dancing in flight!Over to the trees at the back of the estate, Great Tits, Starling and then the small bird I saw on Thursday..
a pair of Chiffchaff...yes the spring is with us!!
Chaffinch, the trees were full of bird song.
I stopped near the back of the stable block which now houses a coffee shop...to answer a text message and something flew in front of me..
a bird landed on the wall ...I thought for a second..wren then almost immediately ....too big!Yes as I looked at the head.....a Dartford Warbler...it flew down and went underneath a bush and then flew out and went into the nearest tree at the bottom.WOW!!
A patch tick!!I was now happy!(i'd just heard we were stuffed 4-1!)
Its strannge how a bird can make you feel different...and almost make up for that!! ;) I walked back to the lake and there wer all the Tufty's , Mallards,Mandarin and an Egyptian Goose
To car park and the owl tree no Owls.
But....I saw a duck flying about near the trees and then it landed on a branch!! Camera out...A duck in a tree not seen this before!!
Long way off shoot, shoot , shoot and hope!!
Will post here a shot if I can get a reasonable one!!
The Duck was clearly uncomfortable in the tree...but kept flying from branch to branch....At one point female landed on a broken off branch and a male landed on a branch below in the tree next door another male...the ducks were
Mandarins!!!This duck had clearly had enough of the amorous Mandarin males and taken to the trees!!It appeared very funny!!I did feel some sympathy for the poor female who had clearly had enough of the attentions of the males!!

An enjoyable afternoon....Chiffchaff, Dartford Warblerand ducks in trees!!!

[Eagle]

Added Pair of Marsh Tits to my local patch list today.
A pair of Mutes are nesting!!

Oh and saw the Green Woodpecker again today ...he is really impressive colourwise!

[pduxon]

Sat Afternoon. Palace playing at Chelsea and I couldn't get a ticket...problem with online booking!!!
I couldn't stand the tension...I was worried!!
Go to Osterley..
20 degrees c and sunny!!!

better arrange for some damn fine birds come the end of April/May time time!!!

[Eagle]

better arrange for some damn fine birds come the end of April/May time time!!!

I'll be celebrating!!!!
That's why I'm going to Minsmere!!!!

[Eagle]

Monday 28th March

Added Nuthatch to my patch list today!!

Rather pleased with that as I saw him (?) twice. It was a busy day people wise
so I was pleased with 25 different species seen, including a Green Woodpecker..first sunning himself in a tree then flying off displaying his colour scheme well!!