Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Tuesday 3rd February


Laurel Walk

Another unscheduled free morning allowed me to visit the Park. I made an early start and left when the public began to arrive at about half ten.


Burdock seeds

At least 75 Fieldfare and 30 Redwing were seen flying north, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard, 2 Bullfinch were seen in an Ash in the scrub left of the Old Bothy, at least 56 Siskin were feeding in the Alders between the Downswood entrance and the carriage bridge, 2 Coal Tits were heard singing, 1 Nuthatch called from the Alder Carr, 5 Goldcrests were noted, a Treecreeper called from a Willow by the footbridge, and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets were seen flying over the tops of the trees along the River Len - mainly around the Weir end of the Len - my first for the year.



2 Grey Wagtails were seen – 1 by the Pond and another by the carriage bridge along the Len, a Little Grebe called from the Willow Carr, a Cormorant was perched up in a dead Alder along the Len, 2 Kingfishers flew up the Len, and a drake Teal was located along the Len by the Horse Chestnuts.

Grey Wagtail

At the feeding area on the Lake were 6 Canada Geese, and the various Mallards and hybrid ducks. On the main area of the Lake had completely iced over, and at the eastern end of the Lake were 23 Pochards, 6 Tufted Duck, 19 Canada Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, and 2 Mute Swans. The gull flock on the Lake produced at least 97 Black-headed Gulls and 25 Common Gulls.

5 comments:

Warren Baker said...

superp Greywag photo Simon. Well done!

Greenie said...

Simon ,
Breathtaking Grey Wagtail shot .
Brilliant .

lee said...

Hello Simon, good photo of the Grey wagtail, Iv never noticed one with a orange breast is that normal.

Simon said...

Lee - No, it isn't normal. This particular bird had a real fiery, golden yellow under it's white chin, compared to the normal lemon yellow that was at it's rear end. When it leaned forward, like in the photo, the slightly duller light made it appear 'orangey'.

Adam said...

Great photo Simon. Anyone still in the igloo?!

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