Tuesday 18th August

It was lovely and sunny during my walk this morning, which covered the areas north of the Lake and River Len. The park was very quiet bird-wise.

Thistles

4 Goldcrests and 2 Coal Tits were noted along Laurel Walk, and a Stock Dove called from the Yew wood east of Mote House. The eastern edge of the Lake held a few warbler species including 3 Blackcap, 4 Chiff Chaff, 2 Willow Warbler, and 2 Reed Warblers. Along the Len Valley 3 Nuthatch could be heard calling, as could 2 Treecreeper, and there were several groups of Long-tailed Tits passing through as well. A Green Woodpecker called briefly from the grassland north of the Len, and 2 young Sparrowhawks could be heard calling from the wood next to the old carriage bridge.

A Kingfisher was heard along the eastern edge of the Lake and 2 Grey Herons were perched on the golf course side of the Lake. On the Lake were at least 5 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Mute Swans, 7 Canada Geese, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, and at least 16 Black-headed Gulls were noted.



2 Red-eared Terrapins were laying on the fallen tree on the golf course side of the Lake, butterflies seen were 2 Holly Blues, 1 Common Blue, 4 Painted Ladies, 2 Meadow Browns, 4 Gatekeepers, lots of Small Whites, 1 Comma and 6 Speckled Woods. 1 Migrant and 2 Southern Hawkers were spotted, a female Common Darter was seen by the polars north of the marsh area, and a female Banded Demoiselle was seen as it quickly ‘fluttered’ past the old carriage bridge, and 1 adult Slowworm was seen in the grassland north of the Len.

Gatekeeper