Having had the afternoon off I took advantage of a walk around Telegraph Hill Park and Nunhead Cemetery (both within 5 minutes of my house). As I mentally tallied up the birds that I had seen I was pleasantly surprised to reach 26 species, not bad for a dreary late November day in South East London. (Highlights were goldcrest, gsw, green woodpecker, greenfinch, jay and both song and mistle thrush).
I also got to thinking about the handful of species that are absolute 'dead certs' for a winter day in my part of London: Carrion crow, woodpigeon, blue tit, ring-necked parakeet, black-headed gull, robin, blackbird and magpie.
How much does this list differ from those in other parts of the UK? Who has the most exciting 'dead cert' within 5 minutes of leaving their house?
I also got to thinking about the handful of species that are absolute 'dead certs' for a winter day in my part of London: Carrion crow, woodpigeon, blue tit, ring-necked parakeet, black-headed gull, robin, blackbird and magpie.
How much does this list differ from those in other parts of the UK? Who has the most exciting 'dead cert' within 5 minutes of leaving their house?