A Game Of Two Halves

Lynford Arboretum & Richmond Park – Saturday 7^th February 2015 

We were up early today because we were going to London to see our other Son, Christopher and his partner Neha. We decided that as we had missed the Hawfinches at Lynford Arboretum yesterday and as it was more or less on our way, that we would have another attempt at seeing them. 

We arrived at Lynford Arboretum about 8.45am it was a grey day and there was moisture in the air. It was quite cold, the temperature was 2˚C. There were a few birders about but none near where we wanted to go. There was plenty of action on and around the feeders, Nuthatches, Chaffinches, Robins, Great, Blue & Coal Tits but unfortunately no Hawfinches. Although we have seen them before it was not in this location. 

Nuthatch

The only thing that spoilt it was that a birder came and stood behind us and before long his phone went off, he answered it and preceeded to have a conversation which we could have heard if we’d been a 100 metres from him rather than the half a metre we were! What is it with some birders that they have to do this. I like birdwatching because it gives me the opportunity to engage with nature and to be quiet. It was interesting to note that the whole time he was speaking on the phone there were no birds in sight, I wonder why? 

Eventually he moved off and the birds returned but they didn’t bring the Hawfinches with them. After a short while we continued our journey to Isleworth. 

Originally we’d planned to go to Kew Gardens as I wanted to experience their Treetop Walk but as it was closed because of the icy weather, it wasn’t possible. So after some shopping with Chris he took us to Richmond Park, primarily to see some Deer and the possibility of seeing some Ring Necked Parakeets which have their biggest roost in the Park. While Chris & Jan were doing the shopping in Tesco’s opposite Twickenham Stadium I saw many Gulls but also a Peregrine soaring above the stadium. Chris was telling us that they have a major Rodent problem in the stadium during the Winter, because the pitch is heated to prevent it from freezing, Rats and Mice have decided that it is their preferred residence during the Winter months. 

When we entered Richmond Park it brought back many memories for me, as when I was on protection duties with the Police I used to visit the park frequently so I knew where the Deer could be found but that was many years ago (about 30+). So when Chris asked me which part of the park we wanted to go to, I had no idea whatsoever and suggested we just drive through it and just see what we came across. 

Red Deer - Richmond Park

It wasn’t too long before we came across a herd of Red Deer, probably getting on for about 200 spread out on both sides of the road. One of the problems of driving through the park is that there are very few places you can stop so we had to keep going but it wasn’t too long before we came across more Red Deer and also several smaller herds of Fallow Deer. We carried on and Jan and Chris spotted 2 Parakeets in a tree but for the life of me I couldn’t see them. We managed to find a place to stop and Jan was dispatched to get some pictures of the Deer. 

Fallow Deer - Richmond Park

All we could do was to keep going backwards and forwards along the same road, however I did see the Parakeets the second time and then Chris pointed out a whole flock of them (the only collective noun I could find for Ringed Necked Parakeets is “a drainage of”). When we got closer it turned out not to be Parakeets at all but a kite with a long tail of coloured streamers stuck in a tree! 

We saw people trying to do some pretty stupid things with the Deer. They may be in a park but they are still wild animals. Eventually after several circuits of the same road, we and Jan ended up in the same place so we could pick her up. Of Course not only had she filmed and photographed both types of Deer, she’d also found some more Parakeets. 

Ring Necked Parakeets - Richmond Park

As we began our return journey we saw the most stupidest thing of all; a small dog, off the lead, was in full flight chasing about 50 Red Deer who were desperately trying to get away from the dog and heading straight for the road, we felt that that it would end in tears either for the dog, the Deer or some innocent bystander or car driver but we would never know as they disappeared over a ridge and behind us. 

Remember to be safe, keep your eyes peeled and good spotting.