Peaceful birding in Richmond Park

We had a great time birding with Nick and Catherine on a London Birding Mini-Trip this week. In three hours we logged 40 species, most of which we saw very well. The tit flocks delivered, and wildfowl included several Mandarin Ducks and a Shelduck. A Peregrine Falcon buzzed Pen Ponds and a Hawfinch flew over, while Redwings were also on the move. Scroll through our photos from the session to see what else we found...

Tracking down Mandarin Ducks, with Nick and Catherine from North Carolina!

Blue Tits (photo) and Great Tits gave some lovely views in the autumn sunshine

Several flocks of Long-tailed Tits were accompanied by the likes of Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Goldcrest and Coal Tit

This female Great Spotted Woodpecker alighted just in front of us

This immature Grey Heron lurked quietly in the shadows at Pen Ponds

While this Little Egret took a more active approach, parading along the shoreline of the lower pond

Kestrels were on the lookout for small rodents

Green Woodpeckers were tougher than usual but this male gave us some lovely views through the telescope

The drake Mandarin Ducks were hiding deep in the undergrowth but this female was much more obliging

We encountered three pairs of Stonechats during our walk

Nuthatch was a highlight for Nick and Catherine