April 10, 2008
Pelicans in the snow: a strange day in London
A friend's 30th birthday drew me down to London last weekend, where it was snowing! In central London! In April!
The other big surprise was when the coach I was on was stopped by the police, only for the Olympic torch (carried by Steve Cram, I think), masses of policeman, and even more pro-Tibet protestors, to swarm past.
I spent much of the afternoon in St James's Park: not every birder's cup of tea, but it's always fun to see the ornamental wildfowl up close and personal.
Unlikely bedfellows: Common Eider and Fulvous Whistling Duck.
An unusual view of a Ruddy Duck - I had no idea they stuck their legs out horizontally (like fish fins) to navigate under water.
This early-nesting Coot was hunkered down against the snow showers.
2 flyover Ring-necked Parakeets were my first in St James's Park, as was this drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker.
This Carrion Crow shows the relatively common aberrant white wing flashes.
A Grey Heron and a prime piece of real estate.
Grey Squirrels, a source of endless fascination to the visiting tourists.
Snakeshead fritillaries.
