garden , was this Grey Heron . We always see more around the gardens at this time of year , an un-netted fish pond is like a supermarket with the doors wide open . As I was getting ready to go out , I had another look at the feeders , and the Brambling had just landed . I had the camera this time and started shooting , knowing she wouldn't be around for 
long . At least the light wasn't as gloomy as the previous shot , but the sun had not yet got round to the feeders .
Looking up the garden records , we had a female last year on the 16th.Nov. , but other years , they haven't shown up until mid to late December , and usually in much colder conditions than at present .
long . At least the light wasn't as gloomy as the previous shot , but the sun had not yet got round to the feeders .
Looking up the garden records , we had a female last year on the 16th.Nov. , but other years , they haven't shown up until mid to late December , and usually in much colder conditions than at present . Once again , she didn't stay long , so I set off for a look around Keston Ponds . The water fowl numbers seemed pretty much as before , except not a single sighting of the Mandarins . Even when a lady with bread appeared , and everythings noisily congregated around her , still no sign .The full inventory read , Coot (8) , Moorhen (6) , Mallard (27) , Muscovy type (2) , Aylesbury type (1) , Canada Goose (6) and Black Headed Gull (8) . Strangely , one of the drake Mallard is much bigger than the other males . The other males are
the size of the one in front . I had a look for fungi above the ponds , but there was very little about . I decided to have a look along the footpath up towards the Wilberforce Oak . This Oak , was where William Wilberforce and the then Prime Minister Pitt spoke , paving the way to the abolition of the 
slave trade . The original tree died , and a replacement was planted . What is left of the original tree can be seen around the replacement , and behind , the Vale of Keston mentioned in the 
inscription on the stone bench , and repeated on the modern day notice .
the size of the one in front . I had a look for fungi above the ponds , but there was very little about . I decided to have a look along the footpath up towards the Wilberforce Oak . This Oak , was where William Wilberforce and the then Prime Minister Pitt spoke , paving the way to the abolition of the 
slave trade . The original tree died , and a replacement was planted . What is left of the original tree can be seen around the replacement , and behind , the Vale of Keston mentioned in the 
inscription on the stone bench , and repeated on the modern day notice .
The stone seat to commemorate the occassion was erected in 1863 by Earl Stanhope , by permission of Lord Cranworth . I hadn't intended heading this way today , but , whilst there , I thought it was an apt time to be there , with the election of the first black President of the United States of America . The only bird I saw along the footpath , was a Green Woodpecker that I spooked out of another dead Oak nearby . Two specimens of jungi caught my eye on the way , the first Clitocybe geotropa , 
and the second Mycena pura .
As I was returning to the car parked at the ponds , I thought I saw a dragonfly , and then a second one . With the leaves on the ground and the wind blowing them about , it was difficult to locate where they had settled . Eventually , one of them took off again and settled on a leaf . Sure enough , it was a male Common Darter , and I can only assume that the other one was too . 
Not bad for almost the middle of November , and amazing to have survived those frosty nights and mornings . The wings have taken on a golden hue with age , who knows , he could still be around for Christmas . Last night's birds :-
Bird 5 . Black Oxeye or Coalhead ------Coal Tit
Bird 6 . Whistling Dick or Mavis ------- Song Thrush
I know Warren got both of them .
Tonight's birds :-
Bird 7 . French Pie or Woodnacker
Bird 8 . Bee Biter or Saw Sharpener
Whilst crossing the first fairway , I had 6 in one tree , 4 in 
another , and had a fly past of 5 (difficult to get a good shot because of their speed and bad light conditions ) , and many more could be heard calling locally . The 'nesting tree' also had a good few squabbling as I went past , the whole place will be over-run if they have another good breeding season next year .
Another specimen of Rhodotus palmatus was found , and this one , being more in the open , shows it's characteristic 'wrinkled' appearance .
What must be one of the last Coprinus picaceus-Magpie Fungus was just about still standing , it's cap , like all the Ink Caps , starting to drip the black inky fluid which gives them their name . 
only regular visitor was the Coal Tit , with his diagnostic twin wing bars .
It was Xylaria hypoxylon- Candle-snuff Fungus or it's other common name Stag's Horn , which almost mirrored the antlers seen earlier for real .
moult , and looks a bit tatty on the back end , but otherwise fine .
When I got home , I was doing maintainance on my gear for tomorrow in the garage , but had the camera handy in case anything interesting arrived on the feeders or below . Several times , squabbling Goldfinches made me 
look , but that was all it was . Then I just happened to look over , and I thought , that's different , 
amongst the Goldfinches . A white rump , finchy sort of build , it had to be the first Brambling of 
the season . Apologies for the quality of the shots , but the light was terrible , and it was continually moving about . After no more than 30 seconds it was gone , together with the Goldfinches , but I shall be keeping a good watch on the feeders in the next few days .
Pittswood area who is desperate to see or hear a Tawny Owl before the end of the year .
about three quarters of the way round , there it was amongst the chimney pots . As I know from the farm lake , they usually fly off as soon as they catch sight of you , but this one wasn't 
bothered at all . Certainly wouldn't want a jab from that dagger-like bill . On leaving the Common , I thought I would have a look around Highbroom Wood , a long thin wood , completely enclosed on the two long sides by houses , and a stream , The Beck , after which Beckenham is named , running the entire length , between West Wickham and Eden Park . The stream runs in 
a corridor of Alders , which always attract Siskins later in the season , and is the only place I know locally to have a chance of seeing Redpolls . Since my last visit , it appears that a 'Friends of ' group have been doing work tidying up the woods . I just hope that their efforts don't put off the Redpolls , as I noticed from their noticeboard that they are tidying up again next Saturday .
broad leaved trees , and often found on Sycamore .
The other , found on a log in the stream is Stereum hirsutum-Hairy Sterium . Most of the trees in the wood are native , but just on the way out is a stand of a North American introduced 
species , Robinia pseudoacacia-False Acacia , which in the Spring , produces panicles of mauve flowers , not unlike those of the Wisteria . These particular ones must be coming to the end of their time , as several have large fallen branches beneath them . 
Eventually , the bread ran out , and the Mandarins went back to the most inaccessible part of the lake , well out of camera distance . Whilst there , I had a look round for fungi , but it was in very short supply . A few False Chanterelles and a few Polypores were all that was found , until 
walking back through a grassy area , I spotted Clavulinopsis fusiformis-Golden Spindles ,growing amongst the blades of grass . I posted it's white relation C.vermicularis-White Spindles a little while ago . On the way home , I called in on the Common , to see how the Rhodotus palmatus 
which I posted a couple of weeks ago . The smaller specimen has been well chewed , but the larger one has turned from it's original pink colour , into it's Apricot/Peach mature colour . As I have said before , many fungi species only last a few days at best , but this one , if not damaged or chewed , seems to go one for quite some time .
surveying the picture from a distance . Eventually , one or two of them got brave and flew into 
the Cotoneaster . The majority flew off once again , heading up towards the Common . Further 
smaller flocks flew over , some stopping to look , some landing and some flying straight on . Even the ones that landed on the Cotoneaster didn't stop long , as , although it was quiet enough down there , I think the berries , although red , were not ripe enough for them , which would make the tannin level high . In all , I estimate I saw 75+ Fieldfares and 25+ Redwings , whether they were the same ones going round and round , I don't know .
creating Winter 'stashes' . This one settled momentarily on a neighbour's children's climbing frame . A couple of Carrion Crows and three Magpies were constantly arguing with everyone else , including the Jackdaws , and talking of which , I think we are going to have to get larger 
feeders if they all catch on like this one .
clearer shot . As you can see , it has the white wing bars of a Wood Pigeon , but no roundels on the neck . Also helping to keep things tidy on the ground were anything up to six Collared 
Doves .
A terrible picture I know , but with the light conditions and the speed it took seed , it was the best I could get . After a cup of coffee , I set out to see if I could find any of the 'Scandinavians' before the imminent rain started . I went through the woods and out onto the bridleway through the farm . I did see two flocks , one of about 30 birds , the other about 20 , mainly Fieldfares , but no chance of getting within camera distance of them . I don't know if they were the ones I had seen earlier or new arrivals . Wlilst out , I did manage to add 3 species , being 1 Wren , 2 House Sparrow and 3 Linnets . That should have been the end of this post , but about 20 minutes ago , whilst in the middle of writing it , Carol shouted up that there was a Greater Spotted Woodpecker on the feeders near to the house . They usually stay down on the furthest ones , so I grabbed the camera and shot downstairs . He was still there , looking as if someone had just taken him out of a box .
Once again , the light conditions didn't do him justice , but it was a nice way to reach 25 species on a miserable , mirky day .
