Monday, December 31, 2007

Monday 31st December

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.

4 comments:

Warren Baker said...

Happy new year to you Simon. keep focused on your patch, and blog next year.

Steve said...

Happy New Year Simon - always enjoy your blog - best wishes, steve

Anonymous said...

Spent 2 hours or so walking round the park today..saw nuthatch in the large sweet chestnuts by the willington street entrance...no sign of a water rail though =( but loads of brown rats. Oh and a GC Grebe on the lake amongst everything else.

Tony Morris said...

Happy New Year Simon, I enjoy reading about Mote Park,
best wishes,
Tony.

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