Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Wednesday 3rd September

A lovely sunny morning today during my walk, however there was a slight chill in the air signalling that autumn is all-but-here.

A Goldcrest and 2 Coal Tits were found in the Yews along Laurel Walk, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 3 Green Woodpeckers were noted, 9 Chiff Chaffs were found amongst mixed feeding flocks, a Bullfinch called from the small copse next to the Old Bothy, 2 Pheasants were heard, a flock of Goldfinch frequented the area of scrub opposite the Inlet, 6 Jays were seen, groups of 2 and 11 Herring Gulls flew west, 3 Sand Martins and incalculable numbers of House Martin hunted insects over the rough grassland, playing fields, and the Lake, whilst watching a Spotted Flycatcher feeding in an Oak in front of Mote House, 2 Little Owls made several calls to each other from ‘their’ Oak, and as I passed Mote House a lone CROSSBILL was seen, and heard, flying west in the direction of Maidstone Town Centre.

On the Lake were 2 Mute Swans, 9 Great Crested Grebes, and the countless Mallards, Moorhens, and Coots. At least 20 Black-headed Gulls were flocked on the Lake, a Kingfisher fished by the Inlet, and a Cormorant sat on one of the Lakes islands.

Speckled Wood


Also noted were several Speckled Woods, 2 Small Whites, a female Common Darter was seen along the River Len, and I was surprised to see a Grey Squirrel running across the playing fields.

3 comments:

Greenie said...

Simon ,
A very good list on not an easy day .
I hope Warren doesn't read it or he'll be back on the pills again .
Your area has really done well with Crossbills , send one down here please .

Kingsdowner said...

Yes, a great variety there.
The squirrel running across the fields looks like me when I was forced to run Cross-Country in the park many years ago :-|

Warren Baker said...

A good variety of birds seen today simon, AND another crossbill! I'm still looking for one! I saw bugger all today. Grrrrrrrr

Next Event - TBA