Monday 25th August

It was anther warm day today, but without the lovely sunshine. Instead, low grey clouds floated over the Park.

A Chiff Chaff sang from the Oak next to the Weir, several parties of Long-tailed Tits were seen – 1 particular flock seen in the Willows along the River Len had 2 Treecreepers and 4 Great Tits feeding with them, 3 Nuthatch were heard, a Bullfinch called from within a Bramble bush along Laurel Walk, a Pheasant called loudly from the marsh, a group of at least 18 House Martins flew over the Lake, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker called from an Ash by the Waterfall.

On the Lake were 4 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Mute Swans, and the countless Mallards, Moorhens, and Coots. There were 15 Black-headed Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls gathered on the Lake by the old Boat House, 3 Grey Herons stood along the edges of the Lake, 2 Cormorants could be seen perching on the island next to the Weir, and a male Kingfisher gave brief good views as it pitched on a low willow branch on the edge of the marsh.

2 Meadow Browns, several Speckled Woods and 2 Southern Hawkers were noted, and a large Slowworm and a young Grass Snake were seen in the wet meadow along the River Len.

Slowworm