Friday 31st August

Silver Birch

Betula pendula

It was another cool and cloudy morning today. The cloud-cover cleared for about half an hour, which allowed the Sun to warm things up a bit, and in turn stirred a few birds to sing.

2 Coal Tits sang along Laurel Walk, at least 3 Goldcrests were heard throughout the visit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker called, and at least 3 Green Woodpeckers were also heard throughout the visit, only 1 Jay was heard, 2 Reed Warblers called, 2 Stock Doves were heard, there were several groups of Mistle Thrush flying around the Park, a Kestrel hovered over the rough grassland by the Weir, 10 Chiff Chaffs were seen – 2 of them giving short bursts of song, 1 Spotted Flycatcher was in the hedge on the eastern side of the Lake, and above the Park, 40+ House Martins raced around.

On the Lake were at least 7 Mute Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 2 Canada Geese, and 3 Shoveler, along with the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. 2 Grey Wagtails hunted insects by the Waterfall, a single Lesser Black-backed Gull continued to fly around the Lake throughout the visit, 5 Black-headed Gulls were also on the Lake, a Kingfisher flew low over the Lake’s surface, and 3 Grey Herons fished on the Lake’s edges.

Also seen were several Common Darters, lots of Grey Squirrels, and a handsome Fox. Also, the Silver Birch leaves are turning their autumnal yellow.

Thursday 30th August

After enjoying a short break, a stroll in the Park was top of my agenda. Even though it was late morning and the weather was cool and cloudy, it was a pleasant walk.

A total of 8 Goldcrests were seen and heard throughout the visit, a single Nuthatch called from a Oak, 5 Coal Tits sang and called from the Yews along Laurel Walk, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers called, at least 3 Green Woodpeckers were also heard throughout the visit, 2 Bullfinches called from the top of Jenner’s Bank, 2 Treecreepers called from the Ash next to the Waterfall, 3 Jays were heard, 2 Reed Warblers called and 1 was seen briefly, a lone Stock Dove called from one of the large Horse Chestnuts on the Lake’s western edge, 1 Mistle Thrush was heard singing, and above the Park were uncountable numbers House Martins racing around.

In a large mixed feeding flock was several Blue Tits and Great Tits, at least 15 Long-tailed Tits, at least 2 Willow Warblers and 14 Chiff Chaffs, 5 Robins, 2 female Blackcaps, and at least 3 Spotted Flycatchers were seen. A female Sparrowhawk was quick to notice the commotion and, with lunch on its mind, made several unsuccessful attempts before giving up.

On the Lake were at least 9 Mute Swans, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Canada Geese, and 3 Shoveler – a first for me for the Park – along with the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. 3 Cormorants flew north with only 1 deciding to land on the water, 2 Grey Wagtails hunted insects by the Waterfall, a single Lesser Black-backed Gull sat on a buoy, whilst another 2 flew above the water, 9 Black-headed Gulls were also on the Lake, and 3 Grey Herons fished on the Lake’s edges with another flying over the Weir towards the Len.

Also seen were a few Common Darters, several Rabbits, and the ever present Grey Squirrels.

Sunday 19th August

It was quite warm this morning between 8.35am and 10.55am. The sky was full of grey clouds, which by the end of the visit were a lot darker and produced a very heavy shower.

6 Goldcrests were heard along Laurel Walk, a Blackcap gave a short burst of song from the top of Jenner’s Bank, 6 Nuthatches were heard calling, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker called, a total of 6 Green Woodpeckers were also heard throughout the visit, a Bullfinch called softly from the old Dump site, 3 Treecreepers called from the wet woodland along the Len, 2 Reed Warblers were seen and 1 was heard calling, 3 Stock Dove were heard, a young Sparrowhawk called from the wood next to the Downswood entrance, several Jays were seen, and above the Park were uncountable numbers of Swifts and House Martins racing around the sky.

2 large mixed feeding flocks were also seen in the Park. The total number of birds seen from both of these flocks were as follows: Blue Tits, Great Tits, at least 32 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Nuthatches, 2 Treecreepers, at least 5 Willow Warblers and 15 Chiff Chaffs, 1 Robin, and at least 11 Spotted Flycatchers were seen – there were roughly 4 juveniles being fed by both parents, with the rest consisting of 2 birds that appeared to be first brood birds, and another 3 or so adults. A brilliant sight.

Long-tailed Tit

On the Lake were at least 7 Mute Swans, a female Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 8 Canada Geese along with the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. 2 Cormorants flew west, a Kingfisher called from the Marsh by the Weir, and 2 Grey Wagtails hunted insects by the Waterfall. A single Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the water, whilst another 2 flew north.

Also seen was a Common Darter, which flew in front of me across the Weir, and whilst sheltering under a Yew from the rain, a flock of 33 Black-headed Gulls and a juvenile Herring Gull flew towards the Lake and a Woodpigeon carried a twig that was roughly three times the length of itself into a Yew opposite mine.

Friday 17th August

It was very warm during this morning’s visit between 8am and 9.55am. There was a gradual increase in cloud cover as time went on, which in turn created a pleasant breeze.

A Coal Tit sang from the Yew at the Park and Ride entrance, the first of the morning’s 5 Nuthatches called from a Larch along Laurel Walk, a total of 4 Goldcrests were heard calling throughout the visit, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker called, a total of 8 Green Woodpeckers were seen and heard throughout the visit – 2 of which were probing the newly cut grass on the Pitch & Putt, a Pied Wagtail was also on the Pitch & Putt taking advantage of the insects in the cut grass, at least 5 Nuthatches called, 2 Willow Warblers sang from separate trees around the Lake, 7 Chiff Chaffs were also noted singing and calling, 2 adults and 3 juvenile Bullfinches fed in the Brambles by the footbridge, 3 Stock Doves called, a small charm of Goldfinches flew around the Willows on the Lakes western edge, there were several family parties of Long-tailed Tits acrobatically flitting through the Alders in the Wet Woodland along the Len, and 8 Spotted Flycatchers were seen in the trees by the Weir – 4 juveniles being fed by their parents, plus another 2 adults.

At least 3 Mute Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 12 Canada Geese were on the Lake along with the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. 3 Cormorants sat on the boating ramp, and a Kingfisher flew around the edge of the reeds by the Weir. A single Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the water, whilst another 2 flew north. A single Swallow flew smoothly over the Lake’s surface, whilst at least 25 Swifts and 47 House Martins dashed about in the sky.

Also of note, a Common Darter darted about by the Weir, an Emperor Dragonfly hunted by the Inlet, 2 Gatekeepers were seen – 1 along Laurel Walk and another through the large area of rough grassland opposite the wood south of the Park, and on a large Oak by the Claygate entrance were some Buff Tip Moth caterpillars.

Buff Tip Moth Caterpillar

Sunday 12th August

It was warm this morning between 7.50am and 9am. There were plenty of clouds in the blue sky unlike the past few days.

A Coal Tit sang from the Yew at the Park and Ride entrance, a total of 7 Goldcrests were heard calling throughout the visit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker clambered up an Alder in the Wet Woodland along Len whilst a cock Pheasant called, 4 Green Woodpeckers were heard throughout the visit and 1 was pursued by a female Sparrowhawk across the rough grassland by the Old Bothy, at least 4 Nuthatches called, 2 Willow Warblers sang from separate trees around the Lake, 4 Chiff Chaffs were also noted singing, a young Sparrowhawk called from the group of Larch on the eastern edge of the Park, 2 Bullfinch called from the hedge along the eastern edge of the Lake, 2 Whitethroats were seen, and a single Reed Warbler was heard singing from the Marsh. However, the highlight of my mornings visit was an adult Little Owl with 2 fluffy youngsters perched in an Oak in the area in front of Mote House. An endearing and wonderful sight, which unfortunately wasn’t photographed. As soon as my camera was raised a single call from the parent meant that all 3 birds flew off to another Oak and were unable to be seen amongst the leafy canopy.

6 Mute Swans were on the Lake with a few Canada Geese and the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. A Grey Heron fished along the Lakes eastern edge. The Weir was still flooded. 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew north.

Also of note, were 4 Gatekeeper butterflies and a Common Darter, which were seen by the footbridge nearest to the Downswood entrance. 6 Chub were in the Len next to this bridge.

Saturday 11th August

It is another lovely morning today. With a light mist and a clear blue sky it was rather chilly to begin with, but it wasn’t long before it warmed up. Although it appeared slightly quieter than yesterday there was still a lot of activity.

There was a pair of Coal Tits singing from the Yews at the Park and Ride entrance, there were 7 Goldcrests calling from the Yews and Wellingtonia along Laurel Walk, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 8 Green Woodpeckers were heard throughout the visit, at least 13 Nuthatches were also heard calling, 3 Willow Warblers called and sang from trees around the Lake, 6 Chiff Chaffs were also noted, a young Sparrowhawk called from the group of Larch on the eastern edge of the Park, 1 Treecreeper was seen but many others were heard, a Bullfinch called from the top of Jenner’s Bank and 2 Spotted Flycatchers were noted. The clear blue sky played host to at least 9 Swifts with another providing a meal for a hungry Hobby – which is the first of this bird for me in the Park.

Blackberries

5 Mute Swans were on the Lake with a few Canada Geese and the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. 3 Grey Herons fished along the Lakes edges whilst another perched in the old Alder in the Marsh. 2 Water Rails and a Kingfisher called from the Marsh, and a single Cormorant sat on the island next to the flooded Weir. A Common Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull stood on separate buoys, and a juvenile Black Headed Gull sat on the water.

Garden Spider (underside)

Araneus diadematus

Also of note, whilst walking past the Mansion Cottages a Comma butterfly fluttered past.

Friday 10th August

What a gorgeous morning it is today. Autumn is certainly just round the corner, if not already here! My visit was between 6.40am and 7.55am, it was rather chilly to begin with, but it wasn’t long before the Sun started to warm things up. Upon my arrival along Laurel Walk the ticking and singing of Robins was so loud that almost no other bird song or call could be heard. It seemed that every Yew, Hazel and Holly held a ‘Red-breast’ singing its cheerful tune.

As I approached the hedge that runs along the eastern edge of the Lake, it was evident that it held a lot of life! A group of at least 25 Greenfinches feasted on the haws, whilst 12+ Chaffinches also felt the need to join in. A group of around 6 Goldfinch balanced on the spiny thistle heads, several Blackcaps ‘tacked’ from within the brambles, at least 15 Long-tailed Tits were fluttering through the branches, 3 Willow Warblers sang from the Willows and Ash, and the elder and hawthorn bushes appeared to be bursting with Chiff Chaffs. These were also accompanied by a lovely Lesser Whitethroat sunning itself in a gap in the leaves – a first for me for the year – and a family of Spotted Flycatchers, 2 adults feeding to youngsters, a charming site – and a first for me for the year. A Coal Tit sang from the very top of the Yew at the Park and Ride entrance, several Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers called, at least 6 Nuthatches were heard calling, I had brief glimpses of Reed Warblers clambering through their reedy jungle in the Marsh, a couple of Jays were viewed on Jenner’s Bank, 5 Treecreepers were seen, and whilst having a scan of the Lake 2 Common Sandpipers decided to take off from the boating ramp and pursue each other low over the water to the western edge of the Lake. The clear blue sky was also full of birds. At least 21 Swifts were noted, a Swallow flew east, and roughly 39 House Martins fluttered acrobatically over the Lake.

6 Mute Swans were on the Lake, along with 4 Great Crested Grebes, a few Canada Geese and the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. 2 Grey Herons fished along the eastern edge of the Lake and 2 Cormorants sat on the island next to the flooded Weir.