Saturday, January 17, 2009

Saturday 17th January

A strong westerly wind blew today, giving me a heavy shower and some gorgeous sunshine to enjoy.



Willow Carr just after the shower

A Coal Tit was singing at the top of a Yew along Laurel Walk, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard, 2 Goldcrests were seen along Laurel Walk, 2 Jays showed well in the old gardens, a Nuthatch called from a cedar by the old burning area, a Sparrowhawk and a pair of Kestrels were seen in the grassland by the River Len – with the male Kestrel successfully catching a field vole – several Siskin were glimpsed along the River Len as they flew over the tops of the Alders – a flock was heard but could not be located – 2 Stock Doves were heard calling, and 2 Bullfinch were seen briefly in an Ash and some brambles by the Waterfall. It was nice to hear 4 Mistle Thrushes singing before the shower, the resident Carrion Crows were seen displaying to each other, and it always feels me with wonder that whenever there is a strong wind blowing, the Jackdaws instantly appear to ‘play’ around in the sky, tumbling this way and that, showing off their aerial abilities.

2 Little Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Herons, and 1 Teal were seen along the River Len.

At the feeding area on the Lake were 9 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans and the various Mallards and hybrid ducks. The eastern stretch of the Lake held 3 Cormorants and 3 Tufted Duck, and on the main area and by the boating ramps were 2 Canada Geese, 1 Cormorant, 15 Pochards, and 1 Whooper Swan. The Whooper still appears quite restless and alert – I have had a couple of reports that it had disappeared from the Lake during the past couple of days. The gull flock on the Lake produced at least 55 Black-headed Gulls and 9 Common Gulls. 2 Herring Gulls were noted flying over.

4 comments:

Adam said...

Hi Simon

Visited the park this morning (Monday 19th) with my little lad. No sign of the Whooper Swan but 40+ Sisking feeding in Alders near the River Len + 1x Teal, 1x Little Grebe and Goldcrest.

Also a couple of Pochard diving amongst the throng of gulls, coots and geese at the bread=throwing in point!

Adam

Steve said...

Looks like you had another reasonable tally. I'll have to get over and see the Whooper at the weekend.

Simon said...

Thanks for the sightings Adam.

Eduardo Miguel said...

- Seu trabalho fotográfico é fantástico e ajuda a dar mais valor a necessidade de melhor conservar a vida selvagem, amo os pássaros eu os crio em madeira e mesmo assim parecem vivos, viva a vida e vida longa á aqueles que sabem seu valor, parabéns e sucesso...

Saudações do Brasil

- Its photographic work is fantastic and helps to give to more value the necessity of better conserving the wild life, loves the birds I creates them in wood and exactly thus livings creature seem, alive the life and long life to that they know its value, congratulations and success…

Greetings of Brazil

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