Friday 17th August

It was very warm during this morning’s visit between 8am and 9.55am. There was a gradual increase in cloud cover as time went on, which in turn created a pleasant breeze.

A Coal Tit sang from the Yew at the Park and Ride entrance, the first of the morning’s 5 Nuthatches called from a Larch along Laurel Walk, a total of 4 Goldcrests were heard calling throughout the visit, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker called, a total of 8 Green Woodpeckers were seen and heard throughout the visit – 2 of which were probing the newly cut grass on the Pitch & Putt, a Pied Wagtail was also on the Pitch & Putt taking advantage of the insects in the cut grass, at least 5 Nuthatches called, 2 Willow Warblers sang from separate trees around the Lake, 7 Chiff Chaffs were also noted singing and calling, 2 adults and 3 juvenile Bullfinches fed in the Brambles by the footbridge, 3 Stock Doves called, a small charm of Goldfinches flew around the Willows on the Lakes western edge, there were several family parties of Long-tailed Tits acrobatically flitting through the Alders in the Wet Woodland along the Len, and 8 Spotted Flycatchers were seen in the trees by the Weir – 4 juveniles being fed by their parents, plus another 2 adults.

At least 3 Mute Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 12 Canada Geese were on the Lake along with the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. 3 Cormorants sat on the boating ramp, and a Kingfisher flew around the edge of the reeds by the Weir. A single Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the water, whilst another 2 flew north. A single Swallow flew smoothly over the Lake’s surface, whilst at least 25 Swifts and 47 House Martins dashed about in the sky.

Also of note, a Common Darter darted about by the Weir, an Emperor Dragonfly hunted by the Inlet, 2 Gatekeepers were seen – 1 along Laurel Walk and another through the large area of rough grassland opposite the wood south of the Park, and on a large Oak by the Claygate entrance were some Buff Tip Moth caterpillars.

Buff Tip Moth Caterpillar