Sunday October 30  2016
In the mild, dry autumn the trees have held their leaves well and the peninsula is beginning to turn golden and red.   There are still plenty of insects and spectacular amounts of fruits to feed the passage and winter resident birds.  The docks have filled with winter ducks and gulls as the wonderful ebb and flow of wildlife in Rotherhithe continues. 

The star bird of the month has been the Kingfisher on the stream and ponds in Russia Dock Woodland.  Its favourite perch is the dead branch on the left side of Downtown Pond.  But you have to approach very carefully from behind the reeds to avoid putting it to flight.  On the last day of the month a second Kingfisher was seen.  If it is a pair,  they are unlikely to stay into the summer and breed. There are no suitable nest sites and too many predators, but lets hope they stay and entertain us until Spring.  Obviously, despite some problems with the water there are still sufficient small fish to keep the Kingfishers well fed, and also the Grey Heron that has taken up residence.  There are still plenty of small insects and the Chiffchaffs were still present at the end of the month and actually singing on 31 October.  They normally migrate back to Africa, but a small number over winter if there is sufficient food.  Plenty of Goldcrest have arrived and a Firecrest was seen on 23 October.  The fruiting trees are attracting large numbers of Goldfinch and Blackbird and a few Mistle and Song Thrush. The most common sounds in the woods are the chattering Wrens and singing Robins as they establish winter territories, and of course the harsh call of the Ring Necked Parakeets. 

Kingfisher on Downtown Pond

Kingfisher on Downtown Pond

Wild Rose hips

Late singing Chiffchaff

Goldcrest

In the docks the Tufted ducks have returned in large numbers; over 100 on Canada water and 50 on Surrey Water.  Black-headed Gulls have also returned in large numbers together with the odd Lesser black-backed and the not so common and rather elegant Common Gull.  Territorial squabbles have started with the Coot fights being particularly feisty.  The Adult Swans also try to drive the juveniles away; this causes real problems if the juvenile can't fly and on a number of occasions the Water Wardens have been called into action to move them to safety.  There are good numbers of Cormorants too on Canada Water often fishing in groups for Perch.  Another sure sign of good water quality despite the fall in level.

Common Gull with Black-headed in background

Coot fight

Fleet of Cormorants fishing for Perch in Canada Water

Shovelers have also returned to Southwark Park.  These are very attractive ducks the breed on the Essex or Kent marshlands.  In the winter these birds move south and there is an influx of migrants from the continent.  They feed on mollusc and invertebrates so obviously Southwark Park boating lake is in a healthy shape.  A nice pair of Little Grebe have also been showing well and Cormorants have been using convenient perches in the boating lake.

Male Shoveler

Cormorants on the boating lake

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Little Grebe

As the leaves fall in November the birds will become easier to see.  So watch out for the Kingfishers, Great spotted Woodpeckers and Jays.   Perhaps some winter thrush will arrive from Scandinavia and maybe the fruiting bushes will even attract some exotic Waxwings.