Saturday, January 03, 2009

Saturday 3rd January

What a beautiful day it is today. A clear blue sky meant that the park was bathed in glorious sunshine, and a heavy frost had decorated everything in crystals.

2 Coal Tits were in a mixed tit flock along Laurel Walk, 3 Goldcrest were seen, 4 Nuthatch were noted, 2 Treecreeper were heard calling from the Alder Carr along the River Len, 6 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were noted – with 3 of them being heard drumming, 3 Green Woodpeckers were seen, 4 Jay was seen around the wet meadow area, a Bullfinch was heard calling along Laurel Walk, 4 Siskins were seen flying west over the River Len, a particularly handsome male Kestrel was hunting over the wet meadow area, and a male Sparrowhawk was seen flying north.



1 of the resident pair of domestic farmyard goose
(thought it made a nice photo...shame about the ice in the background)

The lake was about 85% iced over. Birds of particular note that had remained on the Lake were 2 Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 17 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, and 1 Cormorant. The gull flock produced at least 106 Black-headed Gulls, 31 Common Gulls, and 1 juvenile Herring Gull. 4 Grey Herons, 2 Kingfishers and 1 Little Egret could be seen along the River Len and a Water Rail called from a clump of reeds on the eastern edge of the Lake.

Little Egret

5 comments:

Steve said...

Looks like you had a good day Simon. Some good catches. Nice photos as well. Happy New Year.

Warren Baker said...

A good photo of the Little Egret Simon. Is it getting used to people now ?

Adam said...

Hi Simon

Just catching up your recent posts - nice to hear about the Crossbill and good snap of the Water Rail, elusive as they are!

Adam

Simon said...

Warren, the Little Egret is getting used to people now. The closest I've managed to get to it is about 10-15 metres away.

Ken. said...

Glad you had a good days birding Simon

Next Event - TBA