Thursday 28th June

Another late morning visit today, between 10am and 12.20am. The Park was smothered in glorious sunshine so my main purpose of going over there was to look for the butterflies. There was a south-west wind blowing, but because of the Sun, I remained hopeful.

I decided not to do my usual route and headed straight for the Meadows and rough grassland. I also checked out the woodland edges and Jenner’s Bank as these are also good places to catch up with our fluttering friends. The butterflies that decided to show themselves were, 42 Small Skippers, 26 Meadow Browns, 3 Red Admirals, 15 Small Whites, 1 Ringlet – a first for the year – and 1 Speckled Wood. Also seen were 2 Common Blue Damselflies, a Six Spot Burnet, 5 Banded Demoiselles, and a Brown Hawker.

Small Skipper

The birds of note during the walk was a lone Stock Dove, 2 Pheasants called from the Meadow, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, 2 Bullfinches called, 4 Jays were seen, 6 Linnets were in the Meadow, 1 Goldcrest and a Coal Tit sang along Laurel Walk, 4 Green Woodpeckers were heard, a Reed Bunting sang in the Marsh, and at least 11 Swifts and 18 House Martins flew over the Park. Also during the visit a minimum of 2 Blackcaps, 4 Chiff Chaffs, 4 Reed Warblers, and 7 Whitethroats were heard singing.

Musk Thistle
Cirsium Nutans

Tuesday 26th June

A late morning visit today during 10.15am and 11.45am, under a rather grey sky and with quite a strong west wind to contest with. Fortunately, the sun did peep out of its grey curtain a few times, which did manage to encourage some insect activity.

During the visit a minimum of 7 Blackcaps, 4 Chiff Chaffs, 5 Reed Warblers, and 6 Whitethroats were singing.

Of note during the walk was a lone adult Green Woodpecker which fed on the short grass by Mote House, 2 Pheasants called from the Meadow, 2 Nuthatch called, a Great Spotted Woodpecker clung to the tree on the island next to the Weir, a total of 5 Grey Wagtails were seen around the edges of the Lake, 3 Kestrels were seen – 1 perched in one of the Meadow Oaks, whilst 2 young birds flew around over Jenner’s Bank – 1 Cormorant flew north, and 20+ House Martins flew around me whilst I looked for butterflies in the Meadow.

Creeping Thistle (Field Thistle)
Cirsium Arvense

Whilst stood at the footbridge, a minimum of 7 Banded Demoiselles were watched flying around, chasing each other. In the Meadow, unfortunately, the full force of the westerly wind could be felt, making life difficult for the butterflies that live there. The butterflies that were noted were, 2 Red Admirals, several Meadow Browns and Small Skippers, 1 Small White, 1 Clouded Yellow – a first for me in the Park - and 2 Silver Spotted Skippers – a first for the year.

Shortly before coming across the pair of young Kestrels along the top of Jenner’s Bank, there was a strong smell of fox by one of the hazel bushes – the fact that it smelt stronger than usual meant that it was fresh, and the fact it was the hazel that smelt not the grass signalled that it was a dog fox. After watching the young Kestrels, I turned down one of the tracks leading onto Laurel Walk, and was confronted by the rear of a young dog Fox! Before I could grasp my camera, he peered over his shoulder and in a split-second was gone. I didn’t expect the scent mark to be that fresh! Viewing a fox so late in the morning, at 11.40, was a first for me.

Saturday 23rd June

Grey clouds floated above the Park during this mornings stroll between 7.30am and 9.30am. There was a cool westerly breeze, which made the temperature feel a little chillier than what it has been the past few days, and a couple of showers fell from the overcast sky.

During the visit a minimum of 7 Blackcaps, 6 Chiff Chaffs, 6 Reed Warblers, and 8 Whitethroats were singing.

A scan of the Lake produced a minimum of 5 Mute Swans, 4 Greylag Geese and 4 Great Crested Grebes, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There was an evident increase in Canada Geese, so I duly tried to count them. There were at least 129. 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also on the Lake, another was flying above the water, 3 Cormorants sat on the island next to the Weir, another fished on the water, whilst another sat on the boating ramp, and lastly, a Grey Heron fished on the western side of the Lake.

Black headed Gull

Also of note were a total of 3 Green Woodpeckers heard calling from various parts of the Park, 3 Stock Doves were heard, 3 Pheasants called from the Meadow, a total of 4 Nuthatch called, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard, 4 Goldcrests sang and called from the Wellingtonia along Laurel Walk, 2 Grey Wagtails were feeding by the Weir, a Kestrel perched in one of the Meadow Oaks, 2 Treecreepers were heard by the footbridge, there was a notable increase in Goldfinch numbers, at least 4 Bullfinch were heard, and on the grass in front of Mote House a pair of Mistle Thrush were feeding 4 youngsters. 9 Swifts and 14 House Martins were flying around above the Lake and Meadows, and a lone Med Gull flew west over the playing fields.

Also of note were several 7-spot Ladybirds, on the thistles in the Meadow, and a Pine Ladybird, which was in a Scots Pine along Jenner’s Bank.

Hedge Bindweed
Calystegia sepium

Wednesday 13th June

It was a gorgeous sunny morning today during 6.45am and 9am. There was a light westerly breeze but it didn’t make the temperature any cooler.

During the visit a minimum of 4 Blackcaps, 5 Chiff Chaffs, 9 Reed Warblers, and 12 Whitethroats were singing.

Whilst scanning the Lake I counted a minimum of 6 Mute Swans, and 3 Great Crested Grebes with at least 2 young, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. A Lesser Black-backed Gull stood on a buoy whilst another fished, 2 Cormorants sat on the island next to the Weir, another sat on the lower island, and another fished on the water, and a Grey Heron fished on the western side of the Lake.

Also of note were a total of 3 Green Woodpeckers heard calling from various parts of the Park, a Pheasant called from the Meadow, a total of 4 Nuthatch called – all from Oak trees! – 2 Coal Tits sang from the Yews along Willington Street edge of the Park, 2 Linnet flew from the Meadow, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard, and a Little Owl called from the large Oak on the southern edge of the Meadow. A quick scan over the Park produced a minimum of 25 Swifts, a flock of racing pigeons heading west, a lone Lesser Black-backed Gull flying north, and a lone Med Gull flying east, a pair of Jackdaw flying east, and there were several pairs of Woodpigeons also seen.

Surprisingly only 1 butterfly was seen throughout the visit, this was a Red Admiral, which flew around the Meadow. Also of note, was Goat's Beard in flower in the Meadow and when waiting to see if the Little owl will appear on its usual perch - which it didn't - this Grey Squirrel approached extremely close to inspect what I was!.

Goatsbeard
Tragopogon pratensis

Grey Squirrel

Saturday 9th June

It was a damp, overcast morning today and felt rather mild. My visit was between 6.15am and 8am, and by the end of the visit a few drops of rain could be felt.

During the visit a minimum of 5 Blackcaps, 8 Chiff Chaffs, 8 Reed Warblers, and 13 Whitethroats were singing.

Whilst scanning the Lake I counted a minimum of 5 Mute Swans, 4 Greylag Geese, and 4 Great Crested Grebe with 1 young, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. Due to there being a large group of Black Heded Gulls on the playing fields, there were only a few on the Lake. A Cormorant sat on the island next to the Weir and another sat on the lower island, a Grey Wagtail flew over the Weir towards the Len, and as I approached the Weir a Grey Heron took off from the track.

DANDELION

Also of note were a total of 4 Green Woodpeckers heard calling from various parts of the Park, 2 Pheasant called from the Meadow, a pair of Bullfinch were on the grass bank along Laurel Walk, 1 Nuthatch called from Jenner’s Bank, 1 Coal Tit and 3 Goldcrests sang from Yews along Laurel Walk, a young Robin, showing signs of a red breast, sat in an elder on the northern edge of the Meadow, 1 Treecreeper was heard calling from an Alder by the bridge, and a Little Owl perched and called in the old Oak in front of Mote House - pictures were taken, but unfortunately they all turned out to be blurry when I viewed them on the computer - how annoying!. A quick scan over the Park was made difficult by a light mist. The birds that were visible, and therefore noted, were 2 Swifts, a flock of 17 Herring Gulls flying north, a Med Gull was identified amongst a group of 4 Black Headed Gulls, also heading north, and there were several pairs of Woodpigeons flying east and west. Also of note was the first bramble flower to open.

BRAMBLE

Thursday 7th June

It was overcast today during my visit between 8.30am and 10am, and although there was a light northerly wind, the temperature stayed quite mild.

During the visit a minimum of 2 Blackcaps, 6 Chiff Chaffs, 7 Reed Warblers, and 13 Whitethroats were singing.

Whilst scanning the Lake I came across one of the most extraordinary things I think I have ever seen. A Grey Heron was in the middle of the Lake, trying to swim and was, needless to say, not getting very far. This certainly is something I won’t forget. Other than this unusual sight I counted a minimum of 4 Mute Swans, 3 Greylag Geese, and 6 Great Crested Grebe with 3 young, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There is definitely a noticeable increase in gull numbers. There was a large flock of Black Headed Gull on the Lake, with 2 lovely male Mediterranean Gulls for company. There was also a large flock of 12 Herring Gulls and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on and over the Lake. 2 Cormorants sat on the boating ramp, and another 5 sat on the island next to the Weir, a young Grey Wagtail was walking along a submerged tree branch in the Marsh, and a Grey Heron fished on the Lakes western edge.

Also of note were 2 Linnets on the short grass of the Pitch & Putt, 2 Green Woodpeckers were heard, 1 Pheasant called from the Meadow, a Grey Wagtail was walking about on the road by the Mansion Cottages, a Bullfinch called near the Downswood entrance, only the 1 Nuthatch was heard calling, a Goldcrest sang from a Yew along Laurel Walk, 2 Reed Bunting were calling from the Marsh, and a quick scan over the Park produced around 11 Swifts, 9 House Martins, a total of 3 Grey Herons, and the usual pigeons and corvids.

A scan of the feeding gull flock on the playing fields at 6pm produced 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, at least 50 Black Headed Gulls – with several first winter plumaged birds – and 11 adult summer Mediterranean Gulls which were very, very vocal. I soon departed at around 7-ish, after a child found it incredibly amusing to bound through the whole flock, scattering the birds in various directions, and carried on doing so each time they decided to return back to feed.

Tuesday 5th June

It was another overcast day today during 6.10am and 8am. There was a northerly wind which felt chilly at times, especially on the playing fields.

During the visit 7 Blackcaps, 7 Chiff Chaffs, 7 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler – which hasn’t been heard since the 19th May – and 14 Whitethroats were singing.

As I approached the Lake, 3 Greylag Geese and 27 Canada Geese fed on the grass in front of Mote House. A scan of the Lake produced a minimum of 3 Mute Swans, and only the 1 Great Crested Grebe was visible, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens - with 1 pair on a nest on the Pond. There was a noticeable increase in Black Headed Gull numbers on the Lake, amongst these were 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Herring Gull, and 2 striking adult Mediterranean Gulls. 2 Cormorants sat on the island next to the Weir, and a pair of Grey Wagtail walked along the edge of this island.

ELDER

A total of 4 Pheasants called throughout the visit, a Grey Wagtail was walking about on the road by the Mansion Cottages, a pair of Bullfinches sat in an Ash on the edge of the Wet Woodland, a Goldcrest and a Coal Tit – the first bird heard since the 17th April – sang from a Yew along Laurel Walk, a Reed Bunting sang from the Marsh, 2 Nuthatches called, a Common Gull and another Mediterranean Gull flew around the Pitch & Putt with a group of Black Headed Gulls, a female Mallard sat on a fallen tree in the Meadow, whilst sitting on the bench in front of Mote House a female Kestrel flew south towards the Meadow and a Little Owl sat in an Oak next to the road, and a quick scan over the Park produced only around the 4 Swifts, 2 Swallows flying west, a flock of 8 Herring Gulls and 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying east, a flock of 6 Crows flying west, and several Jackdaws.

MALLARD

A lunchtime visit produced a singing Nightingale along Laurel Walk and a Little Owl was showing really well, perched in a small Cherry tree in front of the old Oak, in front of Mote House.

Monday 4th June

It was an overcast day today, and there was a south-east breeze which really cooled things down during my visit between 6am and 8am.

During the visit a total of 8 Blackcaps, 4 Chiff Chaffs, 8 Reed Warblers, and 15 Whitethroats were singing.

As I approached the Lake, 3 Greylag Geese fed on the grass in front of Mote House. A scan of the Lake produced a minimum of 4 Mute Swans, a Grey Heron fished on the Lakes western edge, 1 male Tufted Duck, 1 juvenile Pochard and 6 Great Crested Grebes with 2 young, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens - with 1 pair on a nest on the Pond. There were only around a few Black Headed Gulls scattered on and around the Lake, a Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the water by the Boat House, and 3 Cormorants sat on the island next to the Weir, 1 sat on a smaller, lower island further out in the Lake, a Grey Wagtail sat on the Weir, and a Common Sandpiper fed in the mud by the inlet.

A total of 4 Pheasants called throughout the visit, a Mediterranean Gull flew around the Pitch & Putt with a group of Black Headed Gulls, a flock of Goldfinch was flying around and a House Sparrow sat in a Hedge by the Claygate entrance - a first for the year - a Nightingale sang along Laurel Walk by the fallen Beech, and a scan over the Park produced only around 15 Swifts, 2 Grey Herons flying east, a Sparrowhawk in a thermal above the Pavilion, 9 Herring Gulls flying east and around 10 in a thermal above the Lake, 3 Feral Pigeons flying west towards Maidstone town centre, and several Jackdaw and Woodpigeons.

Saturday 2nd June

What a lovely day it is today. It was fairly warm during my visit between 6am and 8.20am, and after a clear night a light mist rose from the Lake.

A total of 4 Blackcaps, 7 Chiff Chaffs, 10 Reed Warblers, and 12 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit.

A scan of the Lake produced a minimum of 4 Mute Swans, 3 families of Mallard – 1 with 1 youngster, 1 with 2 young, and another with 5 young – a Grey heron fished on the Lakes western edge, and 5 Great Crested Grebes with 2 young, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens - with 1 pair on a nest on the Pond. There were only around 7 Black Headed Gulls on and around the Lake, a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew north, and 2 Cormorants sat on the island next to the Weir, 1 sat on a smaller, lower island further out in the Lake, and another 1 flew west.

A total of 4 Pheasants called throughout the visit, a Kingfisher called from the Marsh, 3 Green Woodpeckers were seen and heard, a Nuthatch called from the wood on the southern end of the Park, the first juvenile Robin was seen, a pair of Bullfinch was seen flying in and out of a hawthorn several times - I wonder if they are breeding - and a brief scan over the Park produced only 23 Swifts, 2 Grey Heron flying north, 1 pair of Crows, and a few pairs of Jackdaw flying west and east.

A dead Shrew lay in one of the tracks through the Meadow, and this nice bracket fungi was discovered up in an Oak (see below).