May Weekend

Here's a few highlights from this weekend. Was hoping to go for the Dusky Thrush but I couldn't blow my mate out again after I had to dissappear last weekend when the Red-rumped Swallow turned up at Beddington- which I dipped anyway. All pics Beddington Farmlands except the last two from Richmond Park.

Lapwing on 100 acre. Six to seven pairs this year with the first chicks recently 

Pink-footed Goose- presumably from one of the London collections as the bird was sporting a dark plastic ring 

Pink-footed Goose- looking a bit tattered 

The Mute Swan chicks on the Southern Lake hatched this morning. Here they are getting escorted to the water for the first time 

Ringed Plover flying round 100 acre yesterday- also a Greenshank yesterday but not too many other migrants 

Scorpion Fly Panorpa germanica- see Tim Worfolk's id aid here:  http://thetopshamnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/scorpion-flies.html

Sepsidae sp- charcteristically walking around vegetation flashing it's wings 

Isabella Plantation Richmond Park 

Isabella Plantation Richmond Park- Azaleas and Rhododendrons are out during May. Also some interesting bog garden, reed beds and other wildlife habitats being created in the Plantation