Monday 22nd September

It felt cool and damp this morning, with scattered cloud hiding the Sun for most of the visit.

6 Siskins were seen, 2 Coal Tits sang from the Yews along Laurel Walk, 9 Chiff Chaff were noted, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard, 2 Green Woodpeckers were seen, 2 Treecreeper were heard along the River Len, a cock Blackcap was seen eating haws in the hedge that runs along the Lakes eastern edge, 7 Meadow Pipits were seen and heard flying over, 5 Jays were seen, a male Kestrel hunted crickets in the newly cut meadows, 2 Little Owls called from separate Oaks in the large area of rough grassland, a Grey Wagtail flew east, 2 Bullfinch were in an Elder along the River Len, 2 Nuthatch were heard, and 3 Goldcrest were seen together in a Yew along Laurel Walk.

On the Lake were Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, a pair of Tufted Duck, 6 Great crested Grebes, 4 Mute Swans, and a flock of 7 Canada Geese. 58 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, and 3 Common Gulls were also on the Lake, a Cormorant was seen fishing in the Lake, a Grey Heron was perched in a willow at the mouth of the River Len, 2 Water Rails called from the willow carr next to the footbridge along the River Len, and a Kingfisher was seen at fishing from the Inlet.

I was alarmed to spot 3 adult Rabbits suffering from the dreaded ‘myxi’ (myxomatosis).