20th September : House Martins. 

Still one pair feeding a second brood under the eaves, it won't be long now until they follow their neighbours south to Africa for the Winter.

Think the adult maybe feeding the youngster a Cranefly judging by that tangle of legs.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

12th September : Robin's Pincushion.

One of many on the slopes at Coombe Hill.

Image : Copyright © Don Stone.

9th September : Little Grebes. 

Went back to Latimer today to spent some time with the family of Little Grebes, strangely there is only one parent with them, the youngsters were constantly chasing the adult looking to be fed, when ever the adult surfaced a mad dash ensued.

 

Having a rest during a preening session.

Chicken of the Woods.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone. 

8th September : Tree Pipit

Surprised to find this Tree Pipit at Coombe Hill this morning, Stewart spotted it as it flew up into a tree briefly before continuing it's journey south, nearby was a Spotted Flycatcher, along with a couple of Chiffchaffs & a Blackcap.

 

Image : Copyright © Don Stone.

6th September : Grebes brighten the Gloom.

A horrible damp drizzle start to the day, not ideal conditions for bird watching, but went down to the river Chess anyway, glad I did as the Little Grebe family but on a good show in the drizzle, strangely there was only one adult looking after the four youngsters.

 

On high alert as a group of Mallards get to close, on several occasions the Mallards had a go at the youngsters.

Getting a bit Frothy.

A Kingfisher flashed passed the Heron & Little Egret as the stood on guard. 

Gadwall

Two broods of Tufted Ducks

Mute Swan is often resting on the bank.

Likewise a Cormorant nearly always sits on this tree.

Ring necked Parakeet can usually be heard "squawking" over head.

On the journey home I made a brief stop at one of the sources of the river where I found this female Sparrowhawk blocking the road.

This Kestrel was perched in a nearby tree keeping a watchful eye out for it's lunch.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

 

29th August : Coombe Hill. 

Found my first Brown Argus today on the foot path along the south west slope.

Above the slope in a chilly south westerly breeze two Kestrels patrolled back & forth, as did a Buzzard.

 

This is 1 of 4 Chiffchaffs which were fly catching from a hawthorn bush in amongst the gorse, amazingly the bush also held 2 Whitethroats & 2 Blackcaps.

As I made my way back to the car a Hobby flew over head & on into the distance.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.