Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Tuesday 23rd October

With a hard frost during the night, it was very cold first thing. However, with a clear sky allowing the Sun through, after a couple of hours the temperature began to warm.

8 Goldcrests were noted – several birds provided some brilliant views but due to there lively behaviour not 1 of the photos came out in focus, 3 Jays were seen, 2 of both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were noted, a Nuthatch called from the top of Jenner’s Bank, at least 9 Redwing were seen and heard, a flock of 9 Siskin fed in an Alder along the River Len and several birds were also heard calling from the wet woodland further down the Len, 3 Skylark were observed flying east over the rough grassland, and a Kestrel was observed preening itself high up in a Larch on Jenner’s Bank.


On the Lake there were at least 5 Mute Swans, 115 Canada Geese, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler – 2 males and 1 female, 1 Little Grebe – the first for the winter, and, the highlight, a duck Wigeon – a first for me for the Park, there were also countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of 1 Herring Gull, at least 51 Back-headed Gulls, and 15 Common Gulls. A Cormorant sat on the island nearest to the Weir, a Grey Heron fished along the Len, and a Grey Wagtail called from the direction of the boating ramp.


Shoveler
Also of note were Roach in the River Len, and 3 Brown Rats by the Weir.

4 comments:

Adam said...

Hi warren

Great photos from thsi morning. I tried my luck with Siskin and redpoll in the park on Sunday morning but didn't have much look - 2 screaming kids with me probably didn't help! However I though I got a glimpse of a Water Vole by where the ducks are fed on the main lake....my initial reaction was rat as there's so much bread lying around, but as it had a 'kind' face, but dived before i got any nearer. Have you had Water Vole here before?

Adam

Simon said...

There used to be a thriving colony a few years ago, however sightings have dwindled in recent years, in fact, I personaly haven't seen any this year! Sightings of Water Vole have been reported from other visitors to the park this year.

P.S. I'm Simon, not Warren.

Adam said...

Sorry Simon

All these new blogs are confusing me, and I'm always in a hurry and never check anything!!! Noticed you had Brown rats by the weir so maybe one of those?

Adam

Steve said...

Is it just me or do there seem to be a lot of Rats around at the momemt - more visible than usual. I even had one feeding on a dead bird in teh road near me the other day - it barely moved as i drove past. Also seen alot in the stubble fields.....

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