Saturday, December 04, 2010

Saturday 4th December

Finally, I am able to visit Mote Park!!! It was sooo nice to walk the familiar tracks and paths again after what seems like ages! Plus it was lovely to see the park carpeted in snow too, and with hard weather like this, there is always the chance of finding something unusual!



Jenner's Bank

Highlight of the morning came at the Old Duck Pond which is opposite the Waterfall, and was where the Jack Snipe stayed back in February. Today, there were 2 Water Rails, an amazing 5 Snipe, and a Woodcock - all viewable from the road. Unfortunately the Woodcock did not stay for long, and whilst I shared sightings with a local birder, the bird 'dissappeared' from the pond. A second Woodcock was flushed as I walked through the wood at the foot of Jenner's Bank.


Common Snipe

Other birds noted include 5 Goldcrest, 4 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, a Coal Tit, 2 Siskin, a male Sparrowhawk, and several Redwing. From the Weir Bridge third Water Rail was seen running across the ice at the mouth of the Len, and 11 Tufted Duck and 14 Pochard were on the Lake. 23 Common Gulls were with the many Black-headed Gulls.

4 comments:

Warren Baker said...

Good to see you out again Simon, and some great birds recored, takes me all year to see some of the species you saw today!

Greenie said...

Simon ,
Those sighting on the Old Duck Pond could well have me making a detour when I'm in the area .
Some really good sightings all told . Glad you enjoyed your visit .

Bill S said...

Hi Simon

I saw a water rail in Mote Park yesterday (Monday) and a Jack Snipe today (Tuesday). Both were in the marshy area on the right hand side just below the footpath (on the left) that passes in front of the large house (ex Cheshire Home). Is this where you saw the Jack Snipe last year?

Simon said...

Hi Bill, thank you very much for your sightings! - Really appreciated. Yes, from your directions, it sounds like your sighting of the Jack Snipe was in the area it was seen last year.

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