New Year’s Eve: my last walk for 2007, and my last chance to add a new species. Unfortunately I had no luck in adding a new species, but I did have a very pleasant walk. It was overcast, and the temperature felt very mild for this time of year.
A flock of 38 Fieldfare were the first birds to be seen as they headed east, 1 Treecreeper was heard as it climbed up one of the Wellingtonias, a Goldcrest fluttered from twig to twig in a Yew, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen as it clambered up an Alder on the Lake’s northern edge, a party of Long-tailed Tits were seen making there way along the edge of the wet woodland along the River Len, 4 Nuthatch were seen and heard – the first sightings since the 23rd November, a Redwing flew south, and 3 Stock Dove were seen.
Birds present on the Lake were at least 2 Mute Swans, 12 Canada Geese, 21 Tufties, 22 Pochard, 2 Great Crested Grebes, and the countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 25 Common Gulls, and 80+ Black-headed Gulls. In addition to this, 2 Grey Heron were seen along the River Len.
To all those who visit my blog, I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.
Hi, my name is Simon. My local patch is Mote Park, one of Kent’s largest parks and right on the edge of Maidstone, the county town of Kent. It is a former country estate, and records of the Park date back since before the 14th century. The park has a variety of habitats and this blog will note all the wildlife that I encounter in them.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Saturday 29th December
After heavy rain and strong winds during the night, I was pleased to find out that there weren’t any tree casualties in the Park. Apart from being wet, muddy and slippery underfoot, the weather conditions this morning were wonderful, with a clear, cloudless blue sky, and a warm Sun.
3 Green Woodpeckers were seen during the visit, 1 gave lovely views in the winter sunshine as it probed for insects in the soft soil of one of the greens on the golf course. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker called from an Alder on the Lake’s western edge, a large group of Siskin fed in Alders in the wet woodland along the River Len, 3 parties of Long-tailed Tits were encountered as they made there way along the Lake edges, 2 Jay were seen, and, surprisingly, the only winter thrush to be seen was a Redwing, as it flew east.
Bird of the day was to be found on the eastern end of the Lake. Nothing super-exciting, but nonetheless a first for the Park for me, was a pair of Gadwall. In fact, there has only ever been one other record of Gadwall in Mote Park, and that was last December – on a day I couldn’t visit the Park! As Gadwall were introduced to Britain in the 1850s, perhaps these 2 sightings in the past 2 years in Mote Park, is a sign of their continued population increase. Other birds on the Lake were at least 2 Mute Swans, 24 Canada Geese, 22 Tufties, 32 Pochard, and the countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 27 Common Gulls, and even more Black-headed Gulls. In addition to this, 2 Grey Heron fished along the River Len, and a Grey Wagtail also fed along the Len.
3 Green Woodpeckers were seen during the visit, 1 gave lovely views in the winter sunshine as it probed for insects in the soft soil of one of the greens on the golf course. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker called from an Alder on the Lake’s western edge, a large group of Siskin fed in Alders in the wet woodland along the River Len, 3 parties of Long-tailed Tits were encountered as they made there way along the Lake edges, 2 Jay were seen, and, surprisingly, the only winter thrush to be seen was a Redwing, as it flew east.
Bird of the day was to be found on the eastern end of the Lake. Nothing super-exciting, but nonetheless a first for the Park for me, was a pair of Gadwall. In fact, there has only ever been one other record of Gadwall in Mote Park, and that was last December – on a day I couldn’t visit the Park! As Gadwall were introduced to Britain in the 1850s, perhaps these 2 sightings in the past 2 years in Mote Park, is a sign of their continued population increase. Other birds on the Lake were at least 2 Mute Swans, 24 Canada Geese, 22 Tufties, 32 Pochard, and the countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 27 Common Gulls, and even more Black-headed Gulls. In addition to this, 2 Grey Heron fished along the River Len, and a Grey Wagtail also fed along the Len.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Thursday 27th December
After being so busy this past week it was nice to have the time to get back over Mote Park today. I managed an hour this afternoon, so I could only manage a circuit of the Lake.
In recent years the last week in December has provided some good sightings for the Park, so I hoped something unusual may be visiting the Lake today, but I had no such luck. However, it was nice to see the duck numbers continuing to rise. The raft of Tuftie are now numbering 19 birds, and the Pochards are now up to 36. There was also a pair of Teal on the Lake, with the male calling quite regularly, a Little Grebe was diving on the golf course side of the Lake, some Siskin were heard as they flew from one Lake edge to another, or to the wet woodland along the River Len, and as I wandered home I was treated to a pair of Sparrowhawk displaying over Jenner's Bank.
In recent years the last week in December has provided some good sightings for the Park, so I hoped something unusual may be visiting the Lake today, but I had no such luck. However, it was nice to see the duck numbers continuing to rise. The raft of Tuftie are now numbering 19 birds, and the Pochards are now up to 36. There was also a pair of Teal on the Lake, with the male calling quite regularly, a Little Grebe was diving on the golf course side of the Lake, some Siskin were heard as they flew from one Lake edge to another, or to the wet woodland along the River Len, and as I wandered home I was treated to a pair of Sparrowhawk displaying over Jenner's Bank.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thursday 20th December
It was another lovely crisp morning today. After a heavy frost the temperature felt very cold, this deterred most of the local dog walkers, and caused the Lake to be covered almost entirely with a sheet of ice. The sounds that were created by the ice were quite extraordinary. Every now and then the ice would ‘moan’, or create the sound of a whip or wire snapping, or make bizarre hollow popping sounds, and when the ice would suddenly crack from one Lake edge to the other, the atmosphere felt as if I could have been up in the Arctic not in my local park!
Surprisingly, no winter thrushes were seen during the walk, however the cold weather did cause many of the smaller birds to form small flocks, and one of the main bird species flocking together were the forever charming Long-tailed Tits. 2 Coal Tits sang from Pine trees on Jenner’s Bank, 1 Jay was heard calling, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, 4 Goldcrests was observed fluttering about in a Scots Pine, a flock of around 20 Siskin fed in wet woodland along the River Len, with another small flock feeding in an Alder on the Lake’s northern edge, and a male Green Woodpecker was observed clambering up a Sweet Chestnut on Jenner's Bank.
On the Lake were at least 2 Mute Swans, 35 Canada Geese, 2 Tufted Duck, and the countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 36 Common Gulls, even more Black-headed Gulls, and 2 noisy adult Herring Gulls. In addition to this, a Grey heron perched up in an Alder in the wet woodland along the River Len, and I was treated to a brief but brilliant view of a Water Rail as it searched for open water in the small pool on the eastern edge of the Lake. This is a favourite spot for wintering Water Rails, and if you are lucky can produce fantastic views.
Surprisingly, no winter thrushes were seen during the walk, however the cold weather did cause many of the smaller birds to form small flocks, and one of the main bird species flocking together were the forever charming Long-tailed Tits. 2 Coal Tits sang from Pine trees on Jenner’s Bank, 1 Jay was heard calling, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, 4 Goldcrests was observed fluttering about in a Scots Pine, a flock of around 20 Siskin fed in wet woodland along the River Len, with another small flock feeding in an Alder on the Lake’s northern edge, and a male Green Woodpecker was observed clambering up a Sweet Chestnut on Jenner's Bank.
On the Lake were at least 2 Mute Swans, 35 Canada Geese, 2 Tufted Duck, and the countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 36 Common Gulls, even more Black-headed Gulls, and 2 noisy adult Herring Gulls. In addition to this, a Grey heron perched up in an Alder in the wet woodland along the River Len, and I was treated to a brief but brilliant view of a Water Rail as it searched for open water in the small pool on the eastern edge of the Lake. This is a favourite spot for wintering Water Rails, and if you are lucky can produce fantastic views.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Wednesday 12th December
It was a lovely crisp morning today, with a heavy frost covering everything in crystals.
12 Redwing were the first birds to be seen, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers made themselves heard by either calling or drumming throughout the visit, 1 Goldcrest was observed briefly as it fluttered from branch to branch in a Yew, 6 Jays were seen, a flock of around 35 Siskin fed in wet woodland along the River Len, with another small flock of around 15 fed in the wet woodland at the foot of Jenner’s Bank, several parties of Long-tailed Tits were seen, 1 Green Woodpecker called from the golf course, 2 Bullfinch were seen perched in a Willow by the large reedbed, 2 Pheasants called from the large rough grassland area, and a Skylark called as it flew east over the fields. Also, whilst standing in front Mote House 2 skeins of Canada Geese flew east.
On the Lake were at least 6 Mute Swans, 40 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag Geese, 9 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 2 Teal, and the countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 28 Common Gulls, and even more Black-headed Gulls. In addition to this, 6 Herring Gulls flew west, 2 Cormorants perched on the island next to the Weir, 3 Grey Wagtails took advantage of the Lake’s low water levels, 2 Water Rails were heard ‘squealing’ from the large reedbed by the Weir, and 2 Grey Heron were seen.
Grey Heron
Friday, December 07, 2007
Friday 7th December
It was a lovely morning today after early rain, with the sun out in an almost cloudless sky.
2 Goldcrests were heard, 5 Jays were seen, a flock of around 26 Siskin fed in an Alder at the edge of the wet woodland at the foot of Jenner’s Bank, 7 Redwing were heard, and a Skylark called as it flew east over the fields.
On the Lake were at least 5 Mute Swans, 27 Canada Geese, 5 Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, a pair of Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, a pair of Little Grebe, and the countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 30 Common Gulls, and even more Black-headed Gulls. In addition to this, 9 Herring Gulls flew north, 3 Cormorants perched on the third island from the Weir, and 4 Grey Heron perched on an overhanging tree. 
Grey Herons
2 Goldcrests were heard, 5 Jays were seen, a flock of around 26 Siskin fed in an Alder at the edge of the wet woodland at the foot of Jenner’s Bank, 7 Redwing were heard, and a Skylark called as it flew east over the fields.
On the Lake were at least 5 Mute Swans, 27 Canada Geese, 5 Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, a pair of Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, a pair of Little Grebe, and the countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 30 Common Gulls, and even more Black-headed Gulls. In addition to this, 9 Herring Gulls flew north, 3 Cormorants perched on the third island from the Weir, and 4 Grey Heron perched on an overhanging tree.
Grey HeronsAlso of note were several Rabbits, 3 Brown Rats, the tailless Grey Squirrel was seen hiding acorns, and the autumn flowering Cherry trees have began flowering.
Cherry blossom
Monday, December 03, 2007
Monday 3rd December
It was a wonderful morning today during my first visit of the month. The water levels were almost back to normal.
3 Goldcrest were heard, a few parties of Long-tailed Tits were seen, 2 Green Woodpeckers were seen, 1 Jay was seen, some Siskin could be heard from the wet woodland along the Len, a Great Spotted Woodpecker called, 6 Redwing were seen, a Nuthatch called from the wet woodland along the Len, and a Kestrel was seen.
On the Lake were at least 7 Mute Swans, 31 Canada Geese, 2 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 male Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, and the countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 21 Common Gulls, and even more Black-headed Gulls. In addition to this, a Grey Heron fished along the Len.
3 Goldcrest were heard, a few parties of Long-tailed Tits were seen, 2 Green Woodpeckers were seen, 1 Jay was seen, some Siskin could be heard from the wet woodland along the Len, a Great Spotted Woodpecker called, 6 Redwing were seen, a Nuthatch called from the wet woodland along the Len, and a Kestrel was seen.
On the Lake were at least 7 Mute Swans, 31 Canada Geese, 2 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 male Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, and the countless Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. The gull flock on the Lake consisted of at least 21 Common Gulls, and even more Black-headed Gulls. In addition to this, a Grey Heron fished along the Len.
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