Friday 9th November

A strong, cold and blustery north-westerly wind blew this morning, so an extra jacket and a pair of gloves were needed. Although the wind made birding difficult at times, with the Sun shining in a clear blue sky, it was a lovely autumn day.

1 Goldcrest was, not surprisingly, the only one seen and heard today, 4 Jays were seen, 1 Green Woodpecker was observed on the freshly mown grass, and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling, a Treecreeper called from an Oak, 8 Redwing were noted, a Kestrel was watched hunting over the rough grassland before being mobbed by the local Jackdaws, a Chiff Chaff called from within a hedge, Mistle Thrush were again very active, several parties of Long-tailed Tits were seen, and several calls from Siskin were heard coming from the wet woodland along the Len.

On the Lake were at least 5 Mute Swans, 31 Canada Geese, 5 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, and 1 Great Crested Grebe, there were also countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 23 Common Gulls, even more Black-headed Gulls, 1 Med. Gull, and 2 Herring Gulls. In addition to this, a Grey Wagtail flew up from the eastern edge of the Lake, a Grey Heron fished along the Len, whilst walking by the Len, a Kingfisher called and flashed past, and a Cormorant west.

Also of note was a large shoal young Chub by the footbridge, and a Garden Tiger moth caterpillar was seen.