Montpelier Park and Station!

There was very little to see in the park other than a Jay, a Blue Tit, some Magpies and a Blackbird. Montpelier Station wasn't much better with just a female Blackbird and some House Sparrows of note.

Blackbird

 

House Sparrow

I had a surprise last night - there was a Flea Beetle on my pillow! It was most likely to be a Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle which are still around at this time of year. I think I must have accidentally brought it in from outside!

False Widow!

I was puzzled by a spider in the kitchen this evening - it didn't seem to have any pale pattern on its abdomen so I wondered if it was something new, but the experts on Facebook have confirmed it as a False Widow (Steatoda grossa or Cupboard Spider). I've encountered a closely related specues in the kitchen before quite recently. This one is lacking a leg but otherwise seems OK.

Montpelier Station!

A  pair of Ravens flew high over the station this morning, calling.  Not much else of note apart from a calling Wren, a Blue Tit and Great Tit and a House Spider on the wall towards the tunnel.

St Andrews Park!

A very gloomy and overcast afternoon produced few birds of note although 2 Goldcrests were very obliging and gave prolonged views. Also about a dozen Goldfinches, several Woodpigeons and Magpies and a Great Tit were noted.

Goldcrest

Great Tit

 

Cellar Spider!

A Cellar Spider (sometimes also called a Daddy Longlegs) appeared in my kitchen this evening. These odd-looking animals actually kill big house spiders so that may be why I don't seem to have any of the latter in my flat at the moment!

Montpelier Park Again!

A stroll around the park this morning produced a couple of Robins, 2 or 3 Blue Tits, 3 Blackbirds, some Goldfinches, 3 Carrion Crows and a singing Wren. There were at least 2 Grey Squirrels busily feeding.

Montpelier Park!

A nice bit of bird action in the park this morning, with a Robin, a singing Wren, a Dunnock, a few Magpies and Woodpigeons and a party of Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits feeding in the trees. Several Harlequin Ladybirds were basking in the early sunshine.

Harlequin Ladybird



Long-tailed Tit