Autumn has brought beautiful colours to the trees in local woodland. The migrants birds have passed through on passage and some very special overwintering birds have returned back to Rotherhithe.

The winds have been mostly Westerly so it has limited the number of passage migrants.  Small groups of Chiffchaff have passed through Stave Hill with a few Blackcap, but sadly no Spotted Flycatcher this year.  Small number of both of theses birds will overwinter, with Blackcap moving into gardens in search of food.

Male Blackcap

Chiffchaff

Our most colourful and popular winter visitor is the Kingfisher.  Three different birds have been seen on the ponds in Russia Dock Woodland, but they have been elusive and seem to be moving through rather than staying.  Perhaps the low level of the water has affected their food supply.  Hopefully the new pump will soon fix that.  The easiest place to see the Kingfisher is on the dead stick on the left side of Downtown Pond.  But approach very carefully; the Kingfishers are surprisingly tolerant of noise but very wary of movement

Female Kingfisher

Male Kingfisher

The other important winter visitors are Europe's smallest birds, the tiny Goldcrest and its rarer relative the Firecrest.  Both are really difficult to see particularly when the trees are still in leaf, and are normally detected by the high pitched zee call.  If you do see them the Firecrest has a distinctive dark eyestripe.  This year's Firecrest is favouring the bushes around the ponds near the main entrance from Stave Hill.  Its Stave Hill's rarest bird and its wonderful to have this special bird one our doorstep in Rotherhithe.

Goldcrest

Firecrest

Firecrest

Two raptors have also returned to the area in the Autumn.  A Peregrine Falcon has been seen perching on the gasholder at Surrey Water and a Sparrowhawk has returned to Stave Hill where it is now often seen storing overhead, or if you are lucky perched in a tree by the ponds looking for prey.

Peregrine Falcon on gas holder

Sparrowhawk in aeriel combat with Crow

And in October the winter Thrushes arrived from Scandinavia. Look out for them swooping down on Rowan trees and Cotoneaster.  The Redwing is quite a shy bird.  It looks a bit like a Song Thrush but has a very distinct creamy eyestripe.  The Fieldfare is more distinctive with a grey head and ochre front. As the winter sets in and the weather gets colder more of these birds will be pushed into Southern England in search of berries.  And perhaps joined in Rotherhithe by Waxwings.

Fieldfare

Redwing

One other winter visitor has need seen on Stave Hill and in gardens on bird feeders this Autumn.  The Coal Tit.  It looks a bit like a Great Tit but is smaller, duller and has a white nape.  A rare visitor to Rotherhithe so nice to see them on Stave Hill

Coal Tit