St Andrews Park and beyond

A beautiful sunny morning in St Andrews Park brought out the birds and the watchers and we were treated to a taste of winter and the promise of spring. The full list is as follows:

Fieldfare - first spotted by Simon as it fed on the ground. Unusual to see one 'on the deck' in the park.
Redwing - 2 or 3 birds and one showing particularly well.
Blackcap - at least 1 over-wintering bird. A brief burst of almost full-blown song was unusual so early in the year.
Mistle Thrush - 2 birds seen and song heard.
Blackbird - several birds of both sexes.
Goldcrest - a couple of birds gave brief views near the toilets.
Long-tailed Tit - several birds showed well.
Coal Tit - 1 heard singing near the pond.
Blue Tit - small parties seen.
Great Tit - heard and seen well.
Robin - 2 or 3 heard and seen well.
House Sparrow - 1 or 2 birds.
Dunnock - 1 heard calling near the bowls club.
Goldfinch - many seen and heard singing.
Chaffinch - seen well and song heard.
Greenfinch - several birds seen well and song heard.
Carrion Crow - ubiquitous.
Magpie - ditto.
Woodpigeon - sevral birds.
Collared Dove - several birds seen.
Starling - several knocking around.

At the station the highlight was a Sparrowhawk drifting over towards the Cheltenham Road arches, plus the usual Starlings, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Dunnock and House Sparrows. Nearby, a Pied Wagtail was trotting along Station Road.