2nd Feb - sunny spells, 10C, cool SW

A meeting in London today, so making the most of it I took a walk through St. James park past the lake which can produce some interesting sightings.  Not the best Royal park for wildlife, but handy.

There was plenty of Ring-necked Parakeets in the tree tops calling and flying around, these are common now in many London parks. I heard Blue and Great Tits giving alarm calls meaning only one thing and sure enough a Sparrowhawk past over head towards Green park.  A Wren was singing and 6 Blackbirds feeding on the grass in a quieter area.

There were several Egyptian Geese around and a little further along the path there was a pair with 11 goslings, maybe less than a week old clearly doing fine.

Other 'wild'or free roaming' birds included Greylag and Canada Geese, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Moorhen, Coot, Mute Swans, a single Grey Heron, Magpie and 30+ Carrion Crows. the gulls include Black-headed and Herring.

Birds definitely not or probably not free roaming included; Red-breasted Goose 3, drake Smew, Wigeon 2, White-fronted Goose 1, Barnacle Goose 6, Bar-headed Goose 2, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Gadwall, Black Swan 1, Shoverler 4, Shelduck 2 and a White-headed Duck.

Of course, there were numerous Grey Squirrels everywhere in the park!