Thursday, January 01, 2009

1st January 2009

With Christmas, birthdays, and New Year packed into just a week-and-a-bit, I have had little time to escape to Mote Park during this period. I did mange to visit the park on Boxing Day, however, where highlights included a Crossbill flying over Laurel Walk, a Water Rail was seen along the River Len, 2 Kingfishers, a Med Gull was with the gull flock on the Lake, and the Little Owl was seen in its hole.


An attempted shot of the Water Rail


My bird year list came to 95 in total, matching last years but with a few different species. Although the total bird species seen in Mote Park is now up to 142, I have never manged to record 100 or more species in one year.

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It was overcast and cold during my walk this morning, with the Lake about 70% iced over.

3 Coal Tits and 5 Goldcrests were seen along Laurel Walk, 5 Nuthatch were seen, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were noted, a Green Woodpecker called from the wet meadow along the River Len, a Jay was seen, a Treecreeper was spotted creeping up a willow along the River Len, and 2 Bullfinch were see by the Waterfall.

Birds of particular note on the Lake were 2 Mute Swan, 15 Canada Geese, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Pochard, and 3 Cormorants were seen. The gull flock produced at least 113 Black-headed Gulls, 27 Common Gulls, and 1 juvenile Herring Gull. Also seen were 3 Grey Herons and 3 Kingfishers.


Grey Heron

3 comments:

Warren Baker said...

I bet you were glad to get out today Simon!
Any shot of a water rail is a good shot. good luck with the birds this year, go for that ton!

Steve said...

Good luck with your pursuit of the 100 Simon

Ken. said...

Hi Simon
That's a good attempt at a Water Rail photo. I like it.

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