Left: Goldcrest by Dominic MitchellAlthough a relatively quiet week in the park, proceedings have been enlivened recently by the presence of up to three Bramblings around the deer enclosures and on the slopes between there and the Rose Garden. Found by John Murray on 12 February, the birds have been reported most days since - although they are often inconspicuous, sometimes feeding singly high in overhead branches or retreating into the flowering blackthorn in the old deer enclosure. John originally discovered them loosely associating with Chaffinches, so it may be worth checking any flock of the latter in the area for this attractive northern finch.
Similarly, the mixed group of redpolls has also shown well at times this week in the vicinity of the Grove entrance to the park, along Dukes Avenue, though they were not reported today (Sunday 17 February). However, a Siskin was heard in the Grove today, while Bob Watts and others had a male Blackcap in the same area this morning - presumably the bird seen on several recent occasions in the area.
Goldcrest (pictured), Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Redwing and Great Spotted Woodpecker all continue to be seen frequently in this corner of the park, while several recent reports of the very elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker here and elsewhere in the area are keeping hopes alive that there may still be a breeding pair.
