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

Also 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