Saturday 6th September

It was overcast during my 2 hour mid-morning walk. There was a cool wind blowing and I was frequently soaked by showers!!

A Goldcrest sang from a Yew along Laurel Walk, a Nuthatch called from an Oak, 2 Stock Dove were seen, 3 Chiff Chaffs were noted, several parties of Long-tailed Tits were feeding in the willows and alders along the River Len, 3 Jays were seen, at least 33 House Martin flew low hunting insects over the rough grassland and playing fields – quite a sight!, – and 3 Swifts joined them.

On the Lake were Mallards, Coots, only 2 Moorhen were seen, a female Tufted Duck was seen by the fallen tree, 2 Mute Swans were with the 12 Canada Geese feeding on pieces of bread down by the disabled car park, and there are now 11 Great Crested Grebes on the Lake. At least 20 Black-headed Gulls were flocked on the Lake, a Lesser Black-backed Gull perched on a buoy by the boating ramps, a Cormorant fished on the Lake, a Grey Heron was perched amongst the willows on the western banks of the Lake, and 3 Kingfishers were seen, 2 around the Lake and 1 along the River Len by the footbridge.

Also noted were several Speckled Woods, 1 Common Blue, 3 Small Whites, and 2 Migrant Hawkers.

Common Blue