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.


Gadwall (drake)

4 comments:

Warren Baker said...

well done on the Gadwall Simon. Its always a boost to find a new species however common they seem elsewhere. i personally am hoping that my annual 1 - 2 sightings of a Coot come to fruition next year!!

Steve said...

Great news about the Gadwall Simon - that is the beauty of patch watching what is common elsewhere can be a real patch rarity. Would you believe I have never seen Coal Tit at New Hythe or Nuthatch! And Rooks aren't very common at all with only a couple of sightings a year

Adam said...

Well done on Gadwall - wouldn't be suprised if the strong winds hadn't plucked some up from New Hythe! Hope they stay around.

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Simon said...

Cheers Guys

Next Event - TBA