Friday 9th October

It was bright with increasing cloud during my visit to the Park this morning.

Laurel Walk was simply alive with small birds, particularly Goldcrests, and over the visit I managed to tally up at least 16 birds. A Coal Tit was calling from the Yews by the Old Walled Garden, at least 10 Jay were seen, 4 Nuthatch were heard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were noted, 3 Treecreeper were found, a Siskin was seen and heard around the Alders by the marsh area, 3 Green Woodpecker were noted, and a Chiff Chaff was seen by the Pond. There was an evident increase in Chaffinch, Goldfinch, and Song Thrush numbers, 1 Skylark and 2 Meadow Pipits were noted over the grassland areas, and as I walked by the old Ice House and Waterfall a flock of 16 Crossbill flew north over Jenner’s Bank and in the direction of Bearsted - all 3 species being new for the year.

Green Woodpecker

A Grey Wagtail was seen flying over the Lake’s eastern section, the Cetti’s Warbler continued to sing from the Lakeside trees on the Golf Course side of the Lake, a Little Grebe called briefly from the reeds on the Golf Course side of the Lake, 8 Cormorants were on the island next to the Weir, and 2 Grey Herons could be seen around the Lake. Out on the Lake were at least 8 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Mute Swans, 39 Canada Geese, 7 Shoveler, 2 Pochards, 2 Tufted Duck, and at least 24 Black-headed Gulls and 5 Common Gulls were noted.