Friday, September 18, 2009

Wednesday 16th & Friday 18th September

On Wednesday I was leading a bat walk in the Park. Unfortunately it remained windy throughout the evening and so full bat number potential were not seen compared to what can be seen on a calm evening.

6 species of bat were found and we also heard a Tawny Owl calling from the Yew wood behind Mote House. Bat species seen were as follows: Soprano Pipistrelle, Noctule, Common Pipistrelle, Serotine, Natterer's and Daubenton's.

This morning I visited the park a little later than usual at about 9am, but I still managed to see good numbers. The sky was grey with little breaks for sunshine.
13 Goldcrests were noted, at least 4 Chiff Chaffs and 3 Blackcaps were seen, a Jay was heard along the River Len, a Treecreeper was heard along the Len, 4 Nuthatch were calling from the stretch of the Len between the 2 bridges, the old Ash tree in the grassland north of the Len appeared to be full of birds, with Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, tits, Nuthatch, and Starling all perched in the branches. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen at the top of a dead Alder along the Len, a Green Woodpecker ‘yaffled’ from the parkland west of Mote House, and lots of Long-tailed Tits were seen.



Cormorant

Of particular note on the Lake were 7 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Mute Swans and 26 Canada Geese. From the Weir 6 Cormorants were perched on the island with 1 more fishing out on the Lake, and a Grey Heron flew low over the Lake. A Lesser Black-backed Gull and 3 Common Gulls were with the 20+ Black-headed Gulls.



Common Gull

A Speckled Wood and a Small White were also seen.

4 comments:

Greenie said...

Simon ,
Shame the weather was against your Bat walk , but still good to get 6 species .
I don't think the Cormorant will catch much , not with his float there .
I think you are a week early with Kent Goes Wild .

Warren Baker said...

Good see you out and about Simon. Look out for those Wheatears!

Simon said...

Thanks Greenie - I certainly am a week early with the KGW.

Simon said...

Hi Simon,
will you be leading any more bat walks this year?
My son and I would be very interested to come along.

Next Event - TBA