Thursday 12th April

It was a nice, sunny, and slightly overcast morning, there was also a light easterly breeze and the temperature was rather warm between 9.05am and 10.45am.

2 Chiff Chaff sang from behind the Park & Ride, and another sang from the Wet Woodland. A Pheasant called from the old Dump. A Cormorant sat on the first low island. A Chiff Chaff sang from the Marsh Alders. A Grey Heron perched on the old Alder in the Marsh. Whilst standing at the Weir a massive Carp launched itself out of the water and flopped back in with an almighty splash, a fish that must have weighed well into the double figures. A Wren, a Blackbird and a Robin sang in the East Hedge. A Pheasant called from Len Wood and the Meadow. 3 Grey Herons fished along the Len and a pair of Grey Wagtails fed along the edges of the Len. A Chiff Chaff, a Blackcap, and, at last, a Willow Warbler sang from Len Wood. A Sparrowhawk called from the Larches.

A scan of the Lake produced 4 Great Crested Grebes, and 9 Mute Swans, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There was a flock of Black Headed Gulls and Common Gulls also on the Lake, with a pair of Lesser Black Backed Gull for company.

A Moorhen was in the Pond. A Willow Warbler sang from the Ash on the edge of the Waterfall and another fed and sang from the Oaks at the edge of Jenner’s Bank, giving good views.

A total of 5 Chiff Chaffs, 6 Blackcaps and 3 Willow Warblers were singing throughout the visit. There were still lots of fry and a pair of large Chub visible in the Len by the ‘Kingfisher’ Bridge. The first Speckled Wood butterfly was seen at the top of Jenner’s Bank.