Saturday, January 23, 2010

Saturday 23rd January

Today was the day that Maidstone Borough Council was unveiling the Mote Park Regeneration Plans at a public consultation in the Maidstone Leisure Centre. Apart from a few items such as the clearance of valuable scrub for example, all appeared very well thought over and the next 2 years is an exciting time for the park landscape and its wildlife, with habitats and visitor facilities being improved mostly for the better. They told me I would be consulted before any actions are taken so hopefully the wildlife will be safe and well!

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The temperature was a lot milder today and the sky remained overcast throughout my morning visit. I was alarmed at the sight of a layer of, what is presumed to be petrol, on the surface of the Lake – it was mostly concentrated around the duck feeding area and the Weir and Causeway. Upon its discovery I reported it and was told it will be investigated – let’s hope the wildlife isn’t badly affected!

Can anyone identify these fungi?

4 Goldcrests were found – mainly along Laurel Walk – a Treecreeper was heard singing from one of the large Lime trees by the old boating ramps, a Coal Tit sang along Laurel Walk, 4 Nuthatch were heard, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were noted, at least 10 Redwing were seen, a Grey Wagtail called as it flew over whilst I stood by the old boating ramps, 2 Green Woodpeckers were noted, a party of 7 Bullfinch were found in the bramble at the top of the Georgian Steps, a flock of 8 Siskin were moving through the Alders by the footbridge along the Len and a few more Siskin and 1 Redpoll was heard calling further west into the wood along the River Len.

A drake Teal was again spotted by the pond on the edge of the wet wood opposite the Waterfall, and 4 Grey Herons were spotted along the River Len.


Pochard

Presumably because of the petrol spillage, the Lake’s wildfowl numbers were significantly down on yesterday. Only 3 Pochard remained with 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe was by the Waterfall, and 1 Mute Swan was by the duck feeding area. Many Mallard, a flock of 6 Tufted Duck, and 2 Cormorant were seen flying over investigating the Lake but moved on elsewhere. It was a brilliant surprise, however, to hear and then see a drake Wigeon – the first of the year – in the bay east of the old boating ramps it flew off west at about 10am.


Wigeon

The gull numbers were up with the flock consisting of at least 86 Black-headed Gulls and 13 Common Gulls.

5 comments:

Warren Baker said...

Oh for a lake like that Simon! great pics today mate.
Good to see your recording Goldcrest too.

PS what have land managers got against scrub!!!

Phil Sharp said...

Simon
Good to see someone's watching the council and keeping them on their toes.
I reckon that wigeon is the one I was looking for on Abbey Mead lake today, send it back when you're finished with it please.
Phil

Greenie said...

Simon ,
Re. your fungi . Always difficult at a distance , but my money would be on Flammulina velutipes - common name Velvet Shank . Next time you pass it , have a look at the stems , if they are brown and velvety , that is it . Often found on Elm , but I find it on Alder up on the Greensand Ridge .
Great shots .

Ken. said...

Hi Simon.
It is a shame that the lake has been polluted.
Nice variety of passerines and wildfowl you noted today. Well done.

Adam said...

Excellent pics - as ever! Adam

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