Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Tuesday 23rd December

It was grey and overcast during my walk this morning.

2 Coal Tits and 7 Goldcrests were watched hunting for small insects in a Yew along Laurel Walk, 5 Nuthatch were seen, a Fieldfare flew south – the first I have seen in the Park this winter – 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, a Green Woodpecker was seen on the short grass by the waterfall, a male Kestrel was watched hunting in the wet meadow between the 2 bridges, the Little Owl was seen in its hole, 2 Jays were seen, and a flock of at least 57 Siskin were feeding the Alders by the Plane tree along the River Len – as I counted the Siskin I tried to locate a Redpoll, which had been reported to me during the week, but I had no luck.

Birds of particular note on the Lake were 3 Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, only 2 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Tufted Duck were on the Lake, the Pochard numbers have increased to 28, and 3 Cormorants were seen. The gull flock produced at least 84 Black-headed Gull, 45 Common Gulls, and 1 Mediterranean Gull. Also seen were 2 Grey Herons, 3 Little Grebes, and a Kingfisher along the River Len, 2 Grey Wagtails were seen, the Little Egret was catching small fish in the stream running into the pond opposite the waterfall, and 3 Water Rail were noted.





Little Egret

5 comments:

Warren Baker said...

Hi Simon,
Keep trying with those Redpoll. Congrats on your Fieldfare!!

Steve said...

Looks like you had a great day. Nice photo of the Little Egret, I couldn't get a clear shot on Saturday. Where are you finding the Rails? I can't seem to locate them.

Simon said...

I see the rails mainly in the willow carr between the footbridge and the London Plane tree, and on the oppoite bank of the London Plane tree.

Ken. said...

A good days birding Simon. Some great species for bird you got today.

Warren Baker said...

Looks like you need another walk round the park Simon!
Happy new year!

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