NUTHATCH
Bird Watching
Over the years, Bill has seen some spectacular migration sights from this vantage point, including Ospreys, Pied Flycatchers and Red-backed Shrikes
Wood Warblers and Red-backed Shrikes. We’d been observing a pair of Mistle Thrushes around the base of the hedgerow running down to Highgate Ponds on the eastern edge of the Heath, when Alan, now peering intently through a pair of Ultravid 8x32 HD Plus, said: “I think that might be something interesting. It’s not unlike a Blackbird, but has a white bib…” The sight gave everyone a warm glow, in spite of the day’s chill breeze – which had just got even colder. The wind was not all that was getting up – Hampstead’s human residents were also beginning to take over the Heath for the day. Joggers pounded the paths and dog-walkers descended from all sides as their canine charges sniffed what remained of the previous night’s smells. As a fair number of them were heading for the top of our hill, a Kestrel passed over the group, heading north above the tree-lined edges of Highgate Ponds. We followed its lead. “It’s an occupational hazard of birding somewhere like this,” Bill said, to the bright soundtrack of an unseen Blackcap, numbers of which have increased on the Heath in recent years. “It just takes one dog to see off the birds, or stop them from showing themselves – and with professional dog walkers these days, you have hundreds! Sometimes, we’ll have a little competition to see who can spot the walker with the most dogs. I think the record currently stands at about 25.” To find some peace, we left the beaten track and made our way to the edge of one of Hampstead’s famous bathing ponds. In spite of the weather, a few hardy souls had taken the plunge, armed with nothing more than standard swimsuits and swimming caps. Cosy beneath layers of fat and feathers, a Mallard and a Mandarin looked on. It doesn’t do to hang around for too long in the bushes near scantily clad bathers with binoculars The passing crowds don’t notice the amazing antics of this woodland acrobat Competition winners Alan and James birdwatching with Bill Oddie on Hampstead Heath. A male Great Spotted Woodpcecker takes the bait