Starlings and Slime-moulds!

 A dismal and rather uninspiring afternoon in St Andrews Park produced 20+ Starlings, 10 Goldfinches, several Magpies and Carrion Crows and the ever-present Herring Gulls overhead.  

Starlings

Magpie

Goldfinch

Apart from the paucity of bird life there was a Slime-mould on the dead wood habitat which is my first I've ever seen! Slime-moulds are very strange organisms once thought to belong to the fungi but are closer to amoebas. - more information can be found here.

Slime-mould

St Andrews Park

 Despite millions of people in the park I did manage to find a quiet spot behind the park-keeper's depot where some birds were hiding. Highlights were a Goldcrest, 3 or 4 Blackbirds, a calling Dunnock, a singing Wren, a few Goldfinches, a pair of Magpies, several Woodpigeons and a singing Robin.

At Montpelier station there was a very impressive mixed party of Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits and at least 2 Coal Tits - the total numbered at least 20! A Jay was feeding nearby and a couple of Chaffinches were a welcome sight. There was a supporting cast of Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, House Sparrows and Goldfinches.

A Common Wasp was on the wall and a Red Admiral was in Station Road.

Chaffinch

Common Wasp

Blackbird

Hiding Jay

Red Admiral