Nunhead Cemetary, 0855 - 1005 (cool, clear, bright, light wind)
Results:
Song Thrush 4, Blackbird 6, Wren 15, Great Spotted Woodpecker 6, Robin 10, Ring-necked Parakeet 16, Green Woodpecker 1, Coal Tit 4, Carrion Crow 15, Woodpigeon 27, Magpie 15, Blue Tit 14, Long-tailed Tit 5, Jay 2, Dunnock 1, Great Tit 13, Goldfinch 2, Greenfinch 1, Goldcrest 1
Notes:
First count of the year (after a washed-out attempt in late-January) and it was great to see such a mass of bird activity after a few cold, subdued months.
Song Thrush appeared again and were belting out their distinctive song at several points in the wood. A Green Woodpecker was seen early on too, flushed from the lawn near the maintenance sheds. This the first I've seen here. I was pleased to spot Dunnock and Goldcrest since these birds are generally quite shy and have only appeared intermittently on previous surveys. Population numbers of these two species have been the focus of some concern in the last year so recording them in Nunhead Cemetary is positive. Watching that lone male Dunnock singing from a gravestone perch and trying his best to be heard over the din of nearby tits and parakeets, was an unexpectedly moving highlight of the morning.
There were plenty of signs that birds are preparing for the breeding season with several seen undertaking likely nest-building activities (Carrion Crow, Magpie and Great Tit). Great Spotted Woodpeckers could be heard drumming and calling throughout the wood and were frequently observed in pairs. From a glade I also witnessed a Woodpigeon in display flight; repeatedly soaring up then gliding downwards on extended wings. An unexpectedly graceful display from a largely ignored bird.
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