Wednesday 5th August

Despite the sky being overcast today the light remained bright, and by mid-morning the air was rather humid. Compared to the past few visits there was a lot more bird activity today, with plenty of mixed feeding flocks passing through the many parkland trees and hedgerows.

A Goldcrest was heard calling from a Yew along Laurel Walk, and, also along Laurel Walk, was a family of Bullfinch – 2 adults and 2 young. The hedgerow and scrub lining the eastern side of the Lake was alive with small birds, amongst the tits and finches were at least 6 Chiff Chaffs and 2 Willow Warblers. 9 Nuthatch were heard, 5 Green Woodpeckers were noted, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker were heard, 2 Treecreeper called from the Alder Carr, and another 2 Bullfinch were seen by the Georgian Steps.

Adult Spotted Flycatcher

In the area of parkland between the Lake and the west side of Mote House it was fantastic to discover a pair of Spotted Flycatcher with 5 youngsters. On several occasions this summer I thought I had heard a Spotted Flycatcher in this area so it is great to confirm that they have successfully raised a brood this year. The adult birds could be seen darting out from tree branches to pick up flies and then swiftly flitting back to the young, constantly producing a loud ticking call all the time.

Young Spotted Flycatcher

Whilst standing on the old carriage bridge a Kingfisher shot past flying up-river, a Grey Heron was perched in a willow on the Golf course side of the Lake, 3 Reed Warblers were heard singing, and on the Lake were at least 8 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Mute Swans, 14 Canada Geese, a Lesser Black-backed Gull was flying over the Weir end of the Lake, and at least 25 Black-headed Gulls were noted. Whilst standing on the Weir a group of 20+ Swallows were seen passing through, flying in from the north low over the water taking a sip or two, and then lifting up into the sky heading southwards.

Banded Demoiselle

Without the sun shining, butterflies were quite hard to come by. Overall 2 Meadow Browns, 6 Gatekeepers, 4 Small Whites, 2 Painted Ladies, and 2 Speckled Woods were seen. At least 11 Banded Demoiselles were seen, and 1 female Common Darter and 4 adult Slowworms were found in the grassland north of the Len.