When I'd met Sam Levy at Rainham he'd mentioned he might be going to Morden Hall to complete a survey for the BTO soon afterwards, and on the 24th I met him at Morden tube station from where we went into the park. Flycatcher and warbler movement was picking up, so I was feeling hopeful that we'd find some good birds.
The 'Warbler path' yielded nothing, but after getting to the viewing platform I looked back there and saw a Common Whitethroat - my second of the year - drop down back into the scrub. We had a quick hunt which confirmed its ID before it flew off and disappeared.
Next, along the boardwalk, a few Common gull flew over but a mixed tit flock on the North Meadows produced not only the usual Chiffchaffs but finally the first Willow Warblers that I'd seen at Morden (1/2 was in sub-song.)
After doubling back towards the river and the south meadows we had a few more Chiffchaff and Blackcap, as well as several calling Nuthatch.
Following a quieter path on the wandle produced my first Treecreepers and House martins of the year on patch. However, despite our efforts, no Spotted or Pied Flycatchers were to be seen.
We finished off with a few Grey Wagtail, before getting a tram to go to South Norwood Country Park. We grabbed lunch from the Tesco and then went to complete the second part of the survey; Sam heard a Yellow Wagtail fly over, while we counted 11 Chiffchaff and 3 more Willow Warbler in the surrounding area. While walking around and remarking at the great habitat available to migrants, we had a few Whitethroat, Silver washed Fritillary butterflies as well as a relaxed Kestrel. Just before we left, as we walked back down a small path, a butterfly burst forth from a large tree, about 10m up, and before it disappeared it was identified as a Brown Hairstreak (my first.) Sam also taught me the useful and so far successful art of 'pishing' - a much better way so birders avoid using playback!
So overall a pretty good day all round!
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| poor Willow Warbler pics |
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| Treecreeper |
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| Banded Demoiselle |
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| Kes |
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| Chiffchaff |
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