Saturday, February 06, 2010

Saturday 6th February

I didn’t get chance to write up yesterdays visit to the park, so before I begin today’s post I shall go over the highlights from yesterday.

Unfortunately the water levels had risen considerably after the heavy rainfall the previous night. This meant that most of the open mud and silt was covered up, meaning Water Rails were rather hard to spot in the old pond, but I did get a fleeting glimpse of one just before I had the pleasure of meeting Greenie, of http://www.greenieinthewild.blogspot.com/. Other highlights of my visit included the first Ring-necked Parakeet (63) of the year in the Alder Wood along the River Len, a Grey Wagtail was in the old pond and another was by the footbridge over the Len, a Weasel was seen being mobbed by a Wren on the edge of the old pond, at least 25 Siskins were noted along the Len, and a Water Rail was spotted by the footbridge over the Len.
___ ___ ___

Today the water levels were back to normal and good views of Water Rails were achieved almost straight away once I had arrived at the old pond opposite the Waterfall – sorry Greenie! The light was pretty dull throughout my visit but the Sun brighten things up a little towards the end.

5 Goldcrests were heard, 6 Treecreeper was seen, 5 Nuthatch were calling, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Green Woodpecker was heard, a flock of at least 35 Siskin were feeding in the Alders by the footbridge over the Len, 2 Redwing were seen, 2 Jay were seen, the Little Owl (64) was perched just inside his hole in the old Oak west of Mote House - the first spotted this year - 3 Coal Tit were heard, and a Pheasant called from the Alder wood along the River Len. 1 Water Rail was present in the old Pond opposite the Waterfall whilst another was spotted along the River Len, 3 Grey Herons were seen, a Little Grebe was spotted along the Len, and a Cormorant was perched on the island next to the Weir Bridge.



Great Tit

At least 21 Pochard and 5 Tufted Duck were gathered on the Lake, 2 Great Crested Grebes in summer plumage were on the eastern stretch of the Lake, and 2 Mute Swan were by the ‘feeding area’. The gull flock consisted of at least 51 Black-headed Gulls and 8 Common Gulls.

Also noted was a Fox running through the scrub at the top of the bank along Laurel Walk, and most of the catkins that are hanging on the Hazels are swelling.


Catkins

3 comments:

Greenie said...

Simon ,
I just knew the Water Rails would show this morning , but I was hedgelaying down at Lingfield .
You sure it was a Little Owl !
Great Great Tit shot .

Tony Morris said...

Best the Weasel/Wren confrontation was good, two really ballsy animals!

Ken. said...

Hi Simon.
Well done with your firsts for year.
I hope Greenie took good care of you, or was it visa versa?
Hope you both had a good time.

Next Event - TBA