Thursday 30th August

After enjoying a short break, a stroll in the Park was top of my agenda. Even though it was late morning and the weather was cool and cloudy, it was a pleasant walk.

A total of 8 Goldcrests were seen and heard throughout the visit, a single Nuthatch called from a Oak, 5 Coal Tits sang and called from the Yews along Laurel Walk, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers called, at least 3 Green Woodpeckers were also heard throughout the visit, 2 Bullfinches called from the top of Jenner’s Bank, 2 Treecreepers called from the Ash next to the Waterfall, 3 Jays were heard, 2 Reed Warblers called and 1 was seen briefly, a lone Stock Dove called from one of the large Horse Chestnuts on the Lake’s western edge, 1 Mistle Thrush was heard singing, and above the Park were uncountable numbers House Martins racing around.

In a large mixed feeding flock was several Blue Tits and Great Tits, at least 15 Long-tailed Tits, at least 2 Willow Warblers and 14 Chiff Chaffs, 5 Robins, 2 female Blackcaps, and at least 3 Spotted Flycatchers were seen. A female Sparrowhawk was quick to notice the commotion and, with lunch on its mind, made several unsuccessful attempts before giving up.

On the Lake were at least 9 Mute Swans, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Canada Geese, and 3 Shoveler – a first for me for the Park – along with the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. 3 Cormorants flew north with only 1 deciding to land on the water, 2 Grey Wagtails hunted insects by the Waterfall, a single Lesser Black-backed Gull sat on a buoy, whilst another 2 flew above the water, 9 Black-headed Gulls were also on the Lake, and 3 Grey Herons fished on the Lake’s edges with another flying over the Weir towards the Len.

Also seen were a few Common Darters, several Rabbits, and the ever present Grey Squirrels.