Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Wednesday 2nd February


I had no lectures at Uni today, and this meant that I could spend some of my morning in Mote Park. The temperature was a lot milder today, and the sky was rather cloudy and overcast.



Green Woodpecker

8 Goldcrests were noted, 3 Nuthatch were calling, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming, a Green Woodpecker was seen in the long grassland by the Lower Bridge, in the Alders by the Lower Bridge was a flock of 40+ Siskin, and it was nice to hear 4 Mistle Thrush and 2 Song Thrush were singing.


A few of the Tufties in the forground, with Pochard at the back.


A Little Egret was feeding in the Old Pond and stream opposite the Waterfall - a first of the year for me - 4 Herring Gulls were noted flying north, and of particular note on the Lake were 4 Mute Swan, 18 Tufted Duck, and 43 Pochard - equal to the highest ever number recorded back in 2009!! The gull flock consisted of at least 90 Black-headed Gulls, 12+ Common Gulls, and 1 Mediterranean Gull.



Also noted were the first Snowdrops, growing by a log pile in the small wood between Mote House and the Old Walled Garden.

6 comments:

Alan Pavey said...

A nice selection of birds there Simon and a nice Green Woody pic too :-)

Warren Baker said...

43 pochard, I can only dream :-)

Mike H said...

Nice photo of the green woodpecker Simon,had one in my garden Sunday!

Greenie said...

Simon ,
Cracking shot of the Green Woodpecker . Never manage to get relly close .

josieb said...

Hi Simon,
I met on you Saturday on the walk in Tudely Woods. I was talking to some friends and they would all be very interested in joining you for a guided walk in Mote Park. Saturday morning the best time for us. Let us know if you can make one
regards
Josie

Simon said...

Hi Josie, good to hear from you.
I will be happy to guide you and some friends around Mote Park. If you email me on simon.p.g@blueyonder.co.uk, then we can organise something.

Best wishes, Simon

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