Friday 21st September

It was grey, cloudy and quiet during this morning’s short walk.

There was 2 of both Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker noted, 3 Jay were seen, 4 Chiff Chaffs were heard singing, at least 5 Goldcrests were heard, 2 Nuthatches called from the top of Jenner’s Bank, a flock of Long-tailed Tits were seen by the Weir, there was a large group of around 24 Mistle Thrush on the grass in front of Mote House, and a flock of Greenfinch fed on the Pitch & Putt.

On the Lake there were at least 7 Mute Swans, 8 Cormorants – which is the highest count this year, 14 Canada Geese, 1 Tufted Duck, and 3 Shoveler – 2 female and 1 moulting male, there were also countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. A Lesser Black-backed Gull stood on a buoy and there is a very noticeable increase in Black-headed Gulls, now totalling at least 47. 2 Grey Herons were also seen stalking the Lake’s edges.

Several Rabbits, and some fox footprints were also noted, and the dead Rabbit in the Holm Oak is still present, however, all that remains now is the skin, with no back legs and tail!