Monday 4th July (London Calling)

Mr. Kite looked out of The Residence window to see expensive large house in Hampstead with finely pruned trees growing around them. Looking further along the street Mr. Kite could see neatly laid out front gardens with shrubs. This was suburbia; a very pleasant and peaceful suburbia near the centre of London.

Today Mr. Kite would continue his quest to find a House Sparrow in Hampstead. But first, after reading an article by Simon Barnes, Mr. Kite was going for a walk through Wimbledon Park to count the number of species he could spot; and hopefully see a House Sparrow.

So the birding experience started at Finchley Road tube station; notice the word Finchley. Sitting in a carraige traveling towards Westminster Mr. Kite was joined by a former tory chancellor who has a daughter who is often seen eating yummy food on the television. Seeing this person made Mr. Kite think of the latest bird, a jail-bird; a benefit cheat who sat in the same chamber as the ex chancellor.

Traveling over Putney Bridge Mr. Kite noticed a Common Gull sitting by the Thames. Wimbledon was still in tennis mode with tennis gifts and memorabelia everywhere; and surprisingly people playing tennis in the park. Mr. Kite then walked slowly around Wimbledon Park counting the number of species in one lap of the park. Starting at the terraced entrance and returning to the same point Mr. Kite counted eighteen species of bird including Green Woodpecker and Egytian Goose; yes Egyptian Goose in Wimbledon.

This number did not include House Sparrow so Mr. Kite still had plenty of time to spare before 'the tour' was on television so he walked around the park looking and listening more carefully. Now the park was busy with screaming children and sporty adolescents so the birds were not so forthcoming but Mr. Kite did hear Greenfinches and a short burst from what sounded like a Nightingale. Mr. Kite stopped and sat on a bench hoping the bird would sing again but it did not. Anyway did Mr. Kite see a House Sparrow?; the simple answer is not for certain. He heard them in the bushes just outside the park and he saw a bird similar in size to a sparrow fly from the park into the thick shrubbery.

Now after three hours Mr. Kite walked to the tube station at Southfields scouring trees, bushes and house roofs for the scarce House Sparrow without success. One hour later Mr. Kite was perched in front of a huge screen watching 'The Tour' in Walkabout on Finchley Road. To help him enjoy this thirsty past time Mr. Kite downed a few glasses of Strongbow cider. Mr. Kite has watched 'The Tour' live on a number of occasions but sitting in front of the large screen was as exciting. After a great finish to the race Mr. Kite went to Wetherspoons for a tipple of Marstons Old Empire and a London Pride. Cheers from a bird-watching, bike-watching and beer drinking Mr. Kite.