It was a dull and overcast morning between 5.55am and 8am, and there was a light north wind, making the temperature feel a lot, lot cooler than the past few days.
A total of 4 Blackcaps, 8 Chiff Chaffs, 6 Reed Warblers, and 13 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit.
A scan of the Lake produced a minimum of 3 Mute Swans, 2 families of Mallard – 1 with 7 young, which due to the size of them must have hatched this morning or yesterday evening, and another with 5, which were almost the same size as the mother – and 4 Great Crested Grebes with 2 young, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens - with 1 pair making a nest on the Pond. There were around 14 Black Headed Gulls and 1 Common Gull flying above and on the water, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also flying around, and 1 Cormorant swam in the water, 1 sat on the island next to the Weir, and another 2 sat on a smaller, lower island further out in the Lake.
A Pheasant called from the Meadow, a Cuckoo called, 2 Grey Herons fished from the Lake’s edge, the Little Owl hunted in the area of long grass in front of Mote House, young Great Spotted Woodpeckers could be heard calling from within a woodpecker hole, a Turtle Dove purred from the large Oak in the meadow next to the Old Bothy and footbridge, and a scan over the Park produced 5 Swifts, 1 Swallow, 1 Grey Heron flying west, a group of 7 Herring Gulls flying north, several pairs of Woodpigeons flying west and east, and a flock of 11 Jackdaws flying east.
A nice surprise after entering the Park was a vixen, which crossed my path as I walked along Laurel Walk.
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.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wednesday 23rd May
What a gorgeous, spring morning it was today! With no cloud cover during the night, the morning began lovely and fresh, and the areas of grass were carpeted with dew. My walk was between 6.15am and 8.15am, and by 7am the chill had vanished and sunshine made the air feel warm.
A total of 10 Blackcaps, 8 Chiff Chaffs, 7 Reed Warblers, and 14 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit.
A scan of the Lake produced 2 Mute Swans, 2 families of Mallard – 1 with 2 young and another with 7 – and 5 Great Crested Grebes with 2 young, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were 4 Black Headed Gulls and 2 Common Gulls flying above the water, a Lesser Black-backed Gull bathed, and 2 Cormorants sat on the island next to the Weir, and another flew over the Lake.
A Pheasant called from the Marsh, a pair of Bullfinch were in a Sycamore along Laurel Walk, and another by the Claygate entrance, a Cuckoo called, a Blackbird fed a single juvenile bird on the Pitch & Putt, a Nuthatch fed on the nut feeder by the Mansion Cottages, and a scan over the Park produced only 2 Swifts, and lots of Woodpigeons flying both west and east.
2 Terrapins were later seen by Fred Booth. They were sunning themselves in their usual spot.
A total of 10 Blackcaps, 8 Chiff Chaffs, 7 Reed Warblers, and 14 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit.
A scan of the Lake produced 2 Mute Swans, 2 families of Mallard – 1 with 2 young and another with 7 – and 5 Great Crested Grebes with 2 young, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were 4 Black Headed Gulls and 2 Common Gulls flying above the water, a Lesser Black-backed Gull bathed, and 2 Cormorants sat on the island next to the Weir, and another flew over the Lake.
A Pheasant called from the Marsh, a pair of Bullfinch were in a Sycamore along Laurel Walk, and another by the Claygate entrance, a Cuckoo called, a Blackbird fed a single juvenile bird on the Pitch & Putt, a Nuthatch fed on the nut feeder by the Mansion Cottages, and a scan over the Park produced only 2 Swifts, and lots of Woodpigeons flying both west and east.
2 Terrapins were later seen by Fred Booth. They were sunning themselves in their usual spot.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Monday 21st May
Today is almost a complete contrast from the weekend. The visit between 9.05am and 11am started reasonably nice, with a light grey, overcast sky, but, compared to my rather soggy appearance at the end of my walk, it didn’t finish as it had begun. However, ‘they’ do say, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes”. This is definitely the right way to put it.
A total of 9 Blackcaps, 5 Chiff Chaffs, 10 Reed Warblers, and 9 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit. The ‘scrub’ area is noticeably, and I suppose unsurprisingly, starting to get rather quiet with the sound of Whitethroats. This is undoubtedly due to breeding. There were large numbers of both male and female birds, dashing amongst the bushes and the nettles with either dry grass or juicy grubs.
A scan of the Lake produced 5 Mute Swans, and 5 Great Crested Grebes with 2 young, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were several Black Headed Gulls and a few Common Gulls flying above the water, a Lesser Black-backed Gull sat on one of the buoys, 2 Cormorants sat on the island next to the Weir, and another sat on the Boating Ramp.
A Pheasant called from the Meadow, and another from the wood north of the Meadow, a Great Spotted Woodpecker called from one of the Meadow Oaks, a pair of Bullfinch were in a Sycamore along Laurel Walk, 2 Linnet flew east over the Meadow, and a scan over the Park produced 6 Swifts, 5 House Martins, 2 Herring Gulls and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull flying north, a Swallow flying east, a flock of 12 racing Pigeons flying west, and several groups of corvids.
A total of 9 Blackcaps, 5 Chiff Chaffs, 10 Reed Warblers, and 9 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit. The ‘scrub’ area is noticeably, and I suppose unsurprisingly, starting to get rather quiet with the sound of Whitethroats. This is undoubtedly due to breeding. There were large numbers of both male and female birds, dashing amongst the bushes and the nettles with either dry grass or juicy grubs.
A scan of the Lake produced 5 Mute Swans, and 5 Great Crested Grebes with 2 young, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were several Black Headed Gulls and a few Common Gulls flying above the water, a Lesser Black-backed Gull sat on one of the buoys, 2 Cormorants sat on the island next to the Weir, and another sat on the Boating Ramp.
A Pheasant called from the Meadow, and another from the wood north of the Meadow, a Great Spotted Woodpecker called from one of the Meadow Oaks, a pair of Bullfinch were in a Sycamore along Laurel Walk, 2 Linnet flew east over the Meadow, and a scan over the Park produced 6 Swifts, 5 House Martins, 2 Herring Gulls and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull flying north, a Swallow flying east, a flock of 12 racing Pigeons flying west, and several groups of corvids.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Saturday 19th May
During a bat walk between 8.30pm and 10.45pm, with the Medway Bat Group, several Swifts were seen over the Playing Fields, 1 Grey heron flew from the Lake, 3+ Tawny Owls were heard in and around the Pitch & Putt, 4 Foxes were seen, and the following bats were noted - Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Noctule, and Daubenton's.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Saturday 19th May
What a lovely morning to be out in the Park. The Sun’s out, there is a gentle westerly wind blowing, and spring is in full flow.
My visit between 8am and 9.20am turned up a total of 6 Blackcaps, 6 Chiff Chaffs, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, and 14 Whitethroats singing throughout my visit.
A scan of the Lake produced a pair of Mute Swans, and 4 Great Crested Grebes, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were several Black Headed Gulls and a few Common Gulls flying above the water, a Cormorant sat on the island next to the Weir, whilst another 2 sat on the Boating Ramp, a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew east, as did 3 Mute Swans, which took off from the Lake.
1 Pheasant called from the Meadow, and another from the wood along Len, a pair of Bullfinch were heard calling to each other by the Downswood entrance, but were not seen, 2 Linnet were in the ‘scrub’, a female Kingfisher fished along the Len, a Cuckoo called once, a flock of 6 Long-tailed Tits fed in the hawthorns by the Downswood entrance, a total of 11 House Martins were seen over the Park – the first of the year, and several young Great Tits and Greenfinches were also seen. Lets hope the Spotted Flycatchers arrive soon.
My visit between 8am and 9.20am turned up a total of 6 Blackcaps, 6 Chiff Chaffs, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, and 14 Whitethroats singing throughout my visit.
A scan of the Lake produced a pair of Mute Swans, and 4 Great Crested Grebes, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were several Black Headed Gulls and a few Common Gulls flying above the water, a Cormorant sat on the island next to the Weir, whilst another 2 sat on the Boating Ramp, a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew east, as did 3 Mute Swans, which took off from the Lake.
1 Pheasant called from the Meadow, and another from the wood along Len, a pair of Bullfinch were heard calling to each other by the Downswood entrance, but were not seen, 2 Linnet were in the ‘scrub’, a female Kingfisher fished along the Len, a Cuckoo called once, a flock of 6 Long-tailed Tits fed in the hawthorns by the Downswood entrance, a total of 11 House Martins were seen over the Park – the first of the year, and several young Great Tits and Greenfinches were also seen. Lets hope the Spotted Flycatchers arrive soon.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Friday 18th May
My visit between 6am and 7.35am was bathed in sunshine, making it a gorgeous morning, which is a welcome change from the weather from past few days. There was a slight westerly wind blowing, but the temperature remained warm.
A total of 10 Blackcaps, 6 Chiff Chaffs, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, and 13 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit. Unfortunately no Nightingale was heard, so he must have departed.
A scan of the Lake produced only 1 pair of Great Crested Grebes and 2 Grey Herons fished from the Lakes western edge, there was also the usual Canada Geese - with 1 pair having 7 goslings - Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. There were several Black Headed Gulls and a few Common Gulls flying above the water, and 1 Cormorant was perched on the island next to the Weir.
3 Pheasants called from the Meadows, 1 male Bullfinch was in an Ash at the bottom of Jenner’s Bank, a Swallow flew west, 1 Cuckoo called, a pair of Linnet was in the ‘Scrub’, and a Nuthatch called from the Downswood entrance – the first since 3rd April.
A total of 10 Blackcaps, 6 Chiff Chaffs, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, and 13 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit. Unfortunately no Nightingale was heard, so he must have departed.
A scan of the Lake produced only 1 pair of Great Crested Grebes and 2 Grey Herons fished from the Lakes western edge, there was also the usual Canada Geese - with 1 pair having 7 goslings - Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. There were several Black Headed Gulls and a few Common Gulls flying above the water, and 1 Cormorant was perched on the island next to the Weir.
3 Pheasants called from the Meadows, 1 male Bullfinch was in an Ash at the bottom of Jenner’s Bank, a Swallow flew west, 1 Cuckoo called, a pair of Linnet was in the ‘Scrub’, and a Nuthatch called from the Downswood entrance – the first since 3rd April.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Wednesday 16th May
A quickish, late morning stroll between 10.15am and 11.40am, roughly around my usual route was unsurprisingly quieter than an early morning walk, but despite that, a few surprises were discovered. It was nice to have the sun out during my walk, but the sky was slightly overcast and dark rain clouds loomed over the Downs and appeared to creep closer and closer to the Park as time went by.
A total of 6 Blackcaps, 5 Chiff Chaffs, and 5 Reed Warblers, were singing throughout my visit. As I didn’t circuit the scrub, 14 singing Whitethroats were counted in and around the Meadows.
A scan of the Lake produced 3 Mute Swans, and 3 Great Crested Grebes, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were several Black Headed Gulls and a few Common Gulls flying above the water.
3 Pheasants called from the Meadow, 2 Green Woodpeckers were seen, 2 pairs of Bullfinch was seen, 1 Swift flew east, a Grey Wagtail was on the Pond, whilst a Moorhen sat on its nest, 2 Treecreepers were heard singing, and a Sedge Warbler, sang from the small marshy area in the wood along the Len – a first for me in the Park. Also, non-birdy sightings were as follows: 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small Whites, and the first male Banded Demoiselle of the year.
A total of 6 Blackcaps, 5 Chiff Chaffs, and 5 Reed Warblers, were singing throughout my visit. As I didn’t circuit the scrub, 14 singing Whitethroats were counted in and around the Meadows.
A scan of the Lake produced 3 Mute Swans, and 3 Great Crested Grebes, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were several Black Headed Gulls and a few Common Gulls flying above the water.
3 Pheasants called from the Meadow, 2 Green Woodpeckers were seen, 2 pairs of Bullfinch was seen, 1 Swift flew east, a Grey Wagtail was on the Pond, whilst a Moorhen sat on its nest, 2 Treecreepers were heard singing, and a Sedge Warbler, sang from the small marshy area in the wood along the Len – a first for me in the Park. Also, non-birdy sightings were as follows: 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small Whites, and the first male Banded Demoiselle of the year.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Saturday 12th May
If I had to choose a favourite smell, then the smell of the outdoors after it has rained has got to be up there with the best. This morning, the air was filled with this fantastic fragrance after Maidstone was drenched with heavy showers during the night. Several showers were released from the dark overcast sky throughout my visit between 5.45am and 7.45am. The sun did peep out every now and then, but it wasn’t enough to entice the local butterflies out.
The Nightingale sang along Laurel Walk in the same spot that it has done for the past 2 weeks, and a total of 7 Blackcaps, 10 Chiff Chaffs, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler and 20 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit.
A scan of the Lake produced 1 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swans, and a Great Crested Grebe with a pair of fluffy babies on its back, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were several Black Headed Gulls and 2 Common Gulls flying above the water, and there was a pair Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Lake. 3 Cormorants sat on the island by the Weir.
A pair of Cuckoo chased each other around the Lake and Marsh, calling, a Pheasant called from the Meadow, 2 Grey herons flew over heading south, 2 Green Woodpeckers were seen, a male Reed Bunting sang from the top of a hawthorn next to the Weir, a male Bullfinch was perched in a hawthorn next to the old Coach House, 2 Goldcrest sang from the Yews along Laurel Walk, a adult Great Tit was seen feeding a youngster, a flock of around 36 Herring Gulls and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull took off from the playing fields and flew south, and the star bird of the visit was a Turtle Dove, who was perched, calling from the hedge running along the northern edge of the meadow next to the Old Bothy – brilliant.
The Nightingale sang along Laurel Walk in the same spot that it has done for the past 2 weeks, and a total of 7 Blackcaps, 10 Chiff Chaffs, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler and 20 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit.
A scan of the Lake produced 1 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swans, and a Great Crested Grebe with a pair of fluffy babies on its back, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were several Black Headed Gulls and 2 Common Gulls flying above the water, and there was a pair Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Lake. 3 Cormorants sat on the island by the Weir.
A pair of Cuckoo chased each other around the Lake and Marsh, calling, a Pheasant called from the Meadow, 2 Grey herons flew over heading south, 2 Green Woodpeckers were seen, a male Reed Bunting sang from the top of a hawthorn next to the Weir, a male Bullfinch was perched in a hawthorn next to the old Coach House, 2 Goldcrest sang from the Yews along Laurel Walk, a adult Great Tit was seen feeding a youngster, a flock of around 36 Herring Gulls and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull took off from the playing fields and flew south, and the star bird of the visit was a Turtle Dove, who was perched, calling from the hedge running along the northern edge of the meadow next to the Old Bothy – brilliant.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Sunday 6th May
A lovely adult vixen stood by the entrance of the Park & Ride, as I approached the park on another chilly morning. The visit was between 6.50am and 8.35am, and the sky was overcast and there were numerous patches of mist still around.
A Nightingale sang along Laurel Walk in its same spot, and a total of 7 Blackcaps, 8 Chiff Chaffs, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler and 22 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit.
A scan of the Lake produced around 5 Great Crested Grebes, and only 3 Mute Swans, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There was a flock of around 14 Black Headed Gulls and 2 Common Gulls on and above the water, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew north over the Lake. 2 Cormorants sat on the island by the Weir.
1 Cuckoo called from the edge of the Lake, a total of 5 Pheasants called, a Great Spotted Woodpecker sat in an Oak next to the Spring, a Grey Wagtail preened itself whilst perched on a low bough along the Len, and 3 Swifts flew north – the first of the year.
A Nightingale sang along Laurel Walk in its same spot, and a total of 7 Blackcaps, 8 Chiff Chaffs, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler and 22 Whitethroats were singing throughout my visit.
A scan of the Lake produced around 5 Great Crested Grebes, and only 3 Mute Swans, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There was a flock of around 14 Black Headed Gulls and 2 Common Gulls on and above the water, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew north over the Lake. 2 Cormorants sat on the island by the Weir.
1 Cuckoo called from the edge of the Lake, a total of 5 Pheasants called, a Great Spotted Woodpecker sat in an Oak next to the Spring, a Grey Wagtail preened itself whilst perched on a low bough along the Len, and 3 Swifts flew north – the first of the year.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Saturday 5th May
It was chilly this morning and the sky was overcast during the visit between 6.15am and 8.15am. A Nightingale sang along Laurel Walk in the same place, that’s a week now. A total of 13 Blackcaps, 5 Chiff Chaffs, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler and 18 Whitethroats, two of whom were singing from the Golf Course.
A scan of the Lake produced around 6 Great Crested Grebes, and 5 Mute Swans, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There was a flock of around 22 Black Headed Gulls and 3 Common Gulls on and above the water, and there were 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the area of the Lake by the Inlet.
Whilst scanning the Lake a Common Sandpiper called and flew from the muddy edge of the Lake next to the Inlet. It flew a further 15 – 20 yards along the western edge and decided to land in one of the small muddy bays where the fishermen usually sit.
There was a total of 3 Cuckoos calling. 2 were around the edge of the Lake, whilst the third flew into the marsh and started calling. A Grey Heron fished along the Len and another flew over, heading north. A total of 4 Pheasants called, a pair of Bullfinches fed in the hawthorn hedge opposite the Downswood entrance, 3 Treecreepers sang from along the Len, a Goldcrest sang in a hawthorn by the Waterfall, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker fed one of the peanut feeders in the Mansion Cottages.
A scan of the Lake produced around 6 Great Crested Grebes, and 5 Mute Swans, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There was a flock of around 22 Black Headed Gulls and 3 Common Gulls on and above the water, and there were 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the area of the Lake by the Inlet.
Whilst scanning the Lake a Common Sandpiper called and flew from the muddy edge of the Lake next to the Inlet. It flew a further 15 – 20 yards along the western edge and decided to land in one of the small muddy bays where the fishermen usually sit.
There was a total of 3 Cuckoos calling. 2 were around the edge of the Lake, whilst the third flew into the marsh and started calling. A Grey Heron fished along the Len and another flew over, heading north. A total of 4 Pheasants called, a pair of Bullfinches fed in the hawthorn hedge opposite the Downswood entrance, 3 Treecreepers sang from along the Len, a Goldcrest sang in a hawthorn by the Waterfall, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker fed one of the peanut feeders in the Mansion Cottages.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Tuesday 1st May
It was another lovely sunny morning and the temperature felt slightly warmer than yesterday between 6.05am and 7.20am. It had been another clear night so after yesterdays 3 new migrants perhaps some more will have dropped in.
A Nightingale sang along Laurel Walk in the same place as the past few days. 3 Blackcaps also sang along Laurel Walk, a Chiff Chaff sang from behind the Park & Ride and another sang from the Wet Woodland.
In the area in front of Mote House, a Willow Warbler sang from one of the Oaks, and of note in the ’Long Hedge’ was 1 Blackcap and 1 Chiff Chaff, both singing.
A scan of the Lake produced 8 Great Crested Grebes – including the 4 on the ‘Grebe Island’, 2 pairs of Tufted Duck, and there were only 4 Mute Swans, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were around 5 Black Headed Gulls flying above the water, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew north over the Lake. 2 Reed Warbler and a Whitethroat sang from the Lake’s western edge.
A Cormorant sat on ‘Cormorant Island’, and another took off from the Lake. A Reed Warbler was singing from within the Marsh and a Grey Heron perched on a low bough in the Marsh. A lovely male Cuckoo perched, and sang, in the Oak at the end of the Weir track, next to the Spring, who on my approach flew into the Alders in the Marsh. A Blackcap sang from the Hedge next to the Spring and a Whitethroat sang from the Pitch & Putt. A minimum 9 Whitethroats sang in the ‘Scrub’, and after circuiting the ‘Scrub’ the Cuckoo was perched back in the Oak, singing, and giving excellent views – on the day I forgot to pick up the camera. 6 Whitethroats sang from the Meadow. A Pheasant called from ‘Len Wood’ and another from the Meadow next to the Old Bothy, along with a Whitethroat. A Chiff Chaffs sang from the Hedge east of the Meadow.
A minimum of 7 Chiff Chaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler and, 18 Whitethroats were singing throughout the visit, and 3 Green Woodpeckers were seen – 1 was on Jenner’s Bank and a pair was investigating a hole in a Sweet Chestnut, next to the Downswood entrance.
A Nightingale sang along Laurel Walk in the same place as the past few days. 3 Blackcaps also sang along Laurel Walk, a Chiff Chaff sang from behind the Park & Ride and another sang from the Wet Woodland.
In the area in front of Mote House, a Willow Warbler sang from one of the Oaks, and of note in the ’Long Hedge’ was 1 Blackcap and 1 Chiff Chaff, both singing.
A scan of the Lake produced 8 Great Crested Grebes – including the 4 on the ‘Grebe Island’, 2 pairs of Tufted Duck, and there were only 4 Mute Swans, together with the usual Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots and Moorhens. There were around 5 Black Headed Gulls flying above the water, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew north over the Lake. 2 Reed Warbler and a Whitethroat sang from the Lake’s western edge.
A Cormorant sat on ‘Cormorant Island’, and another took off from the Lake. A Reed Warbler was singing from within the Marsh and a Grey Heron perched on a low bough in the Marsh. A lovely male Cuckoo perched, and sang, in the Oak at the end of the Weir track, next to the Spring, who on my approach flew into the Alders in the Marsh. A Blackcap sang from the Hedge next to the Spring and a Whitethroat sang from the Pitch & Putt. A minimum 9 Whitethroats sang in the ‘Scrub’, and after circuiting the ‘Scrub’ the Cuckoo was perched back in the Oak, singing, and giving excellent views – on the day I forgot to pick up the camera. 6 Whitethroats sang from the Meadow. A Pheasant called from ‘Len Wood’ and another from the Meadow next to the Old Bothy, along with a Whitethroat. A Chiff Chaffs sang from the Hedge east of the Meadow.
A minimum of 7 Chiff Chaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler and, 18 Whitethroats were singing throughout the visit, and 3 Green Woodpeckers were seen – 1 was on Jenner’s Bank and a pair was investigating a hole in a Sweet Chestnut, next to the Downswood entrance.
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