Wandle / Patch Tick!

Looking into the Wandle Delta saw something bobbing around behind the log near the Coots' (current) nest. For a second I thought it was a Grey Wag then realised it was a Common Sand. Not exactly rare here, but still a patch tick for me.

Also the regulars including 4 Gadwall and the Blackcap still in the same place.

Battersea Park / Gadwall envy

Walk out with the family. I have Gadwall envy. There are at least 5 Gadwall on the ponds at Battersea but Wandsworth Common doesn't have any. Can that be fair? Some urgent Gadwall redistribution policies are needed - bread and a brown paper bag at midnight maybe..........

Swan Stringing

Had a brief burst of hope and exitement as three big swans flew downriver today. With the local reports of Whoopers I had high hopes of a patch mega for the fraction of a second it took to realise they were Mutes.

Also around: 1 GC Grebe on the Thames, 2 male Teal (why is always males here this year?), 14 Gadwall, 3 Grey Herons, 4 gull spp, including good numbers of Common Gull (at least 30), a couple of Grey Wags. Thought I heard a Mipit go over at one point but it was so faint it could have been any one of a number of squeaky things: kid's bike, rubber duck, reality show pop hopeful. But probably an unticked Mipit.

Teal-tastic

There's a Teal take-over of the Wandle. 5 Teal (all male) dabbling around all nonchalant. Also 9 Gadwall, Grey Heron, c25 Tufties and c20 Chaffinches on the weeds in the new daylight path.