Mote Park - A Wildlife Patchwork

A grey overcast sky hid the sunshine this morning during my walk, but at least the temperature was still rather warm.

2 Green Woodpeckers called during the visit, 8 Jays were noted, 4 Nuthatch were heard, and it was nice to see a handsome male Sparrowhawk fly lazily over Jenner's Bank. 7 Goldcrests were heard during the walk, 2 Treecreepers were noted, 2 Swallows flew purposefuly eastwards over the park, and 4 Chiffchaffs were noted.

Juvenile Coot

13 Mute Swans remain around the duck feeding area, a single Cormorant flew onto the Lake, and a lone Lesser Black-backed Gull was stood on a buoy on the Lake.

Unfortunate Pigeon

As I walked through the parkland west of Mote House, I came across a Wood Pigeon carcass, presmed to be the result of a Sparrowhawk. The flesh from the head and neck had been eaten, and with the breast plucked, there was a puncture wound straight through to the heart, which was missing and so had presumably been eaten.


Also noted during the visit were several Speckled Wood butterflies.