Tuesday 4th September

With the Sun out and a light northwesterly breeze blowing, today’s mid-morning walk was very pleasant. The cloud cover hid the Sun from time to time, providing short cooler periods.

1 Coal Tit sang from the top of a Yew along Laurel Walk, at least 6 Goldcrests were seen and heard throughout the visit, 6 Jays were heard and seen, a single Great Spotted Woodpeckers was observed, and 4 Green Woodpeckers were heard throughout the visit, a lone Stock Dove sat high up in an Oak tree, only 2 Chiff Chaffs were heard given small bursts of song, several parties of Long-tailed Tits were seen, 3 Nuthatch were heard calling, a female Sparrowhawk was viewed speeding through wet woodland along the Len, a Reed Warbler was heard, the 2 Swallows were seen heading west, and roughly 12+ House Martins raced around.

There was a large gathering of birds on the Pitch and Putt. A good look through them revealed at least 24 Mistle Thrushes, 43+ Goldfinches, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtails, and at least 13 Greenfinches

On the Lake were at least 8 Mute Swans, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Cormorants, 5 Canada Geese, and 1 Shoveler, along with the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. There were also 12 White Mallards resting on the boating platform. 2 Grey Wagtails hunted insects by the Waterfall and another 1 was heard calling by the footbridge, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the Lake, at least 15 Black-headed Gulls were also on the Lake, and 3 Grey Herons were seen.

Also seen was a Chub in the water by the footbridge, several Rabbits, 1 Brown Rat, and a Speckled Wood fluttered past along the top of Jenner’s Bank.