This morning I was giving Rolf Williams and David James a short tour of parts of Mote Park with the view of potentially setting up regular Dates With Nature RSPB events. It was great to see that the 'duck-feeding area' has been opened up so that now the public and get close to the lake to feed the wildfowl (and gulls.....and rats!!).

Whilst we stood by the Boat House on the edge of the Lake, Mediterranean Gulls could be heard from the playing fields, a super little Grey Wagtail flew in and landed on the edge of the Lake right in front of us, and a Kingfisher was heard calling but could not be located. We started to make our way back to our vehicle when what should appear above the park's cafe...a RED KITE!!!!!!!!!! Amazing!!!! Unbelievable!!! I'd only just been watching them on the outskirts of Oxford last Friday, on the way to the Forest of Dean, so the coincedence of seeing one in Mote Park on a pre-arranged visit is quite something!! If you haven't guessed already, Red Kite is a first for me in Mote Park!

I was busy this morning so it was mid-afternoon when I was able to venture into Mote Park. It was a beautifully sunny day, and worryingly warm and dry for this time of year. Song Thrushes appeared to be singing from every high perch throughout the walk, and with Great Tits, Wrens, and Dunnocks also singing, it felt very spring like! Snowdrops alight the shadows in the North-east Wood at the moment, like small snow drifts.

Snowdrops

4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were noted, 3 Nuthatch were calling, 4 Treecreepers were heard, 6 Goldcrests were found, 4 Stock Doves were spotted, 3 Jays called, and 2 Little Owls were noted - the first seen in its favoured tree hole, and the other heard calling from a tree in the rough grassland in the eastern area of the park along the River Len.

Little Owl

On the lake, just a handful of 'diving ducks' remain after the cold weather, with 6 Tufties and 7 Pochards gathering under the overhanging trees on the Lake edge. 9 Mute Swans were gathered at the Boat House, and 12 Canada Geese were by the boating ramps.

Heard from a friend today that there were at least 2 male and 4 female Goosanders on the Turkey Mill lake next to Mote Park.....the wanderers decide to return the day I'm back away!!

Today is the only day I will be able to visit Mote Park this weekend, as I am on duty tomorrow for the RSPB at Northward Hill. With several layers on I headed out the front door and over into the park. I aimed pretty much straight for the Lake. 2 Treecreepers and 1 Goldcrest called in the old gardens to the east of Mote House.

Blackbird

I could not believe how frozen the Lake was, probably the most frozen I have ever seen it! On my approach to the Weir and Causeway I could see two people standing there, both with their cameras at the ready. As I approached I unexpectedly heard one say to the other, "Here's Simon!" It was local birder Mike, and alongside him was Paul, author of the great blog: The Tortoise Man! Whilst having a nice chat we noted a Little Grebe in the Marsh area, several Pochard and Tufted Ducks were on the only ice free section of the Lake, 5 Mute Swans were present, and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was with the gull flock.

Water Rail

After bidding farewell to Paul, I spent the rest of my walk with Mike, heading towards the Little Owl oak, however the 'Owly' wasn't home so we made our way down to the Old Pond. Here we bumped into Paul again, and we all enjoyed great views of a Water Rail. Mike and I then headed to the Turkey Mill lake, finding Green Woodpecker and Redwing on the way, but unfortunately the Goosanders were not present. What we did get though were 2 Kingfishers, a rarity now after these past few winters. On my return route through the park the Little Egret was busy feeding along the stream by the Old Pond.

Little Egret

I decided to return later, and I'm pleased I did, as the Little Owl was showing well, the Little Egret was still active, and whilst at the Old Pond, 2 Water Rails were seen creeping through the reeds, and a Common Snipe was feeding right at the back - fantastic!! 3 Nuthatch, 1 Coal Tit, and 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were also noted.

Common Snipe

Yesterday (8th Feb), I had a day off on toil from work, so headed to Maidstone and visited Mote Park. It was very cold once again!!

2 Drake Goosanders

The Lake proved a real treat with 6 MALE GOOSANDERS present, an unbelievable sight! I would've been happy with the 2, let alone 6, and all males too, cor!!! Also seen were 2 Gadwall, 1 drake Teal, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Mute Swan, 32 Pochard, and 23 Tufted Duck. I was later told by a local birder that the 3 REDHEAD SMEW were seen in the afternoon - great news!

Drake Teal

Also noted during the visit were 3 Nuthatch calling, the Little Owl showed really well in the usual old oak, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Green Woodpecker were heard, 2 Treecreepers were calling along the Len Valley, 4 Goldcrests were noted, and a few Siskins were heard.

Today (9th Feb) I have been informed that the 11 Goosanders, 6 males along with 5 females, have been frequenting between the Lake in Mote Park, and the lake at nearby Turkey Mill which can be viewed from the park itself. The Water Rail has been also seen today, plus a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming - fantastic news!!

I had to pop back to Maidstone last night, so thought I'd stay the night and pop into Mote Park first thing before heading off to RSPB Northward Hill. This morning, it was SO cold!!!! The Little Owl was perched in the favourite old oak east of Mote House. I only had half an hour so focused all my attention on the icy Lake.

Only the eastern section of the Lake remains clear of ice, and so most of the wildfowl are congregated around this area. Birds of note are as follows: 8 Mute Swans, 1 drake Teal, a pair of Gadwall, 14 Tufted Duck, 41 Pochard, and 2 Little Grebes. As I scanned the lake, a dog jogger passed the Inlet where a flotilla of Coots flapped and splashed out into the centre of the Lake. At the same time, 2 redhead (female) SMEW took flight from the reeds nearby and flew over to the Weir - fantastic!!!!! A first for me in Mote Park - the last record being in 2005, and I missed that individual. When I eventually caught up with them I realised that there were in fact 3 redhead Smews in total! What a start to the day?! I attempted to catch up with them to get at least one photo before I had to leave.

REDHEAD (FEMALE) SMEW

My first post for 2012, so I therefore wish a belated best wishes for the new year to all my blog readers who are still keeping an eye on my activities in Mote Park! I managed to visit a few times in January but just haven't had the time to update my blog. During last month I managed to catch up with Little Egret, Teal, and one of the resident Little Owls.

Today Mote Park had been iced with 5 inches of snow, creating an even more beautiful landscape to walk through - I do treasure a stroll in the snow!! Upon getting ready to venture over into the park, I noticed I had an unread text on my mobile from a local birder stating: "Two male Goosanders mote park..." - I think I broke my own quickest record for getting out the front door!!!

The park's birdlife overall was unsurprisingly pretty quiet - all too busy filling their bellies, and I don't blame them! The thin calls of Redwings could be heard from overhead throughout the visit, a Jay called from within the wood at the foot of Jenner's Bank, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 3 Treecreepers were heard calling, 3 Siskin were seen, and a Great Tit could be heard singing from a yew close to the Gatehouse Lodges behind Mote House. I checked the Old Pond, where quite a bit of renovation work has been carried out nearby, but there wasn't even a Moorhen! The Old Pond is definitely THE place to check this week, with all this cold weather!

As I approached the Lake from the east, a Meadow Pipit flew speedily over my head, heading northwards. I made no delay in trying to locate the alerted to Goosanders, and to my relief the pair of drake individuals were cruising across the centre of the Lake, and what handsome birds they are.

GOOSANDERS

I always get the sense of power and authority, but also grace, from these members of the sawbill family. Every so often one of them would slip under the surface of the water, presumably to hunt the plentiful fish supply, leaving the other alone on the surface.

GOOSANDER

Goosander is a first for my Mote Park bird list, despite the habitat appearing suitable for a winter records. The last known record, to me, of Goosander in Mote Park was a drake back in the winter of 2006, and unfortunately I missed that particular bird.

Also of note on the lake were 38 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck, 8 Mute Swans and 1 Little Grebe. There were plenty of Black-headed Gulls, with many Common Gulls among them.

Hopefully I still have a few followers after such a long absence of posting!! Today I managed to visit the park!

Highlights included a few flocks of Siskin observed flying around the park, 1 Green Woodpecker was heard, and it was interesting to hear a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming along the River Len (3 were seen in total). 5 Goldcrests were heard singing, 1 Treecreeper was noted, and several Redwing were seen flying through.

Robin

Of note on the Lake were a selection of Pochards and Tufties, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Great Crested Grebes, and a Teal could be heard but wasn't seen. I could not locate the Whooper Swan, which had been reported to me during the week. Common Gulls and Black-headed Gulls were also gathered on the Lake.

Unfortunately this post may be my last for quite a while! From tomorrow, I will be starting a 6 month residential volunteer warden post with the RSPB at Northward Hill and Cliffe, so any visits I do make to Mote Park will probably be few and far between.

Cloudy with a little bit of sunshine today during my visit around the park. The temperature was warm anough to encourage a Red Admiral out, which was seen by the Georgian Steps.

9 Jays were noted throughout the visit, 1 Green Woodpecker was heard, 2 Nuthatches were calling, 7 Goldcrests were found, 5 Siskin were noted, and a Meadow Pipit was heard and then seen flying east over the Len valley - a first for the year, making it 2 firsts for the year in 2 consecutive days!!!

Grey Heron

Of particular note on the Lake were 11 Mute Swans, 4 Tufties, 3 Great Crested Grebes, and a Grey Heron was stood on the golf course side of the Lake. The Shoveler which was found yesterday was not present today.

After a long holiday away in the Mediterranean it was lovely to get back to the park. The park is feeling very autumnal now!!

Around a dozen Redwings were noted passing through the park, 6 Siskin were noted along the Len valley, 2 Green Woodpeckers called, at least 12 Goldcrest were counted, 1 Nuthatch was heard, 5 Pied Wagtails were seen flying west overhead towards the playing fields, a Grey Wagtail called as it flew along the River Len, and a Coal Tit was heard along Laurel Walk.

It was brilliant to find a drake Shoveler - new for the year - and a female Tufted Duck on the eastern section of the Lake (viewed from the Weir bridge), a Grey Heron fished from the golf course side of the Lake, 11 Mute Swans were gathered around the duck feeding area, and 4 Great Crested Grebes were noted. There is also a notable increase in the Black-headed Gull numbers.

A Fox was also seen during the visit.

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.

I managed to visit the park on Saturday but didn't have the time to post. Highlights from that visit included a young male Reed Bunting in the old cattle area (largest area of rough grassland), the first male and female Tufted Ducks of the autumn, and 40+ House Martins, and 3 Swallows, hunting insects over the Lake and perimeter trees.

Today's visit under sunny skies turned up similar birds. Although puffs of cloud were moving through the sky, the sun remained shining!

Robin

4 Nuthatch were noted, 2 Green Woodpeckers were heard calling, 5 Treecreepers were heard, and at least 6 Goldcrests were noted. 5 of the 8 Chiffchaffs found in the park today were singing, 3 Stock Doves were spotted in the old parkland trees, 11 Jays were noted, a Reed Bunting was heard calling in the old cattle area, and 3 House Martins were seen flying west.

Cormorant

4 Cormorants were seen around the Lake -including the individual pictured above, who appeared to be experimenting in various awkward head positions! A Grey Heron was seen on the Pitch & Putt side of the Lake, a female Tufted Duck was noted, and 13 Mute Swans were gathered around the 'duck feeding area'.

Moorhens

3 Southern Hawkers and 1 Migrant Hawker was noted, and 2 Speckled Woods, 1 Red Admiral, and a few Large Whites were also found.

A beautiful sunny morning for my visit to Mote Park today! Every tree and hedgerow seems to hold birds at the moment!

Chaffinches continue to feed on the fallen beechmast along Laurel Walk, 4 Treecreepers were heard in the parkland oaks west of Mote House, a Great Spotted Woodpecker also called from an Oak near to Mote House, 5 Nuthatches were noted calling and flying in the treetops, 3 Goldcrests were heard calling, a Coal Tit called from the larches on the park's eastern boundary, and some Bullfinches were heard calling in the mixed scrub to south of the path which runs between the two bridges along the River Len.

A flock of 6+ House Martins, plus 1 Sand Martin - the first of the year in the park for me - were catching insects up and down the hedgerow that runs along the Lake's eastern edge. A Grey Wagtail was heard as it flew over the Lake northwards, and 2 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Mute Swans were spotted on the Lake.

Red Admiral

Also of note today were 3 Emperor and 4 Southern Hawker dragonflies, and 1 Red Admiral and 2 Speckled Woods butterflies.

With my 20,000 word thesis carried out, written up and handed in, I now have the time for visiting Mote Park!! Today seemed very autumnal!

The fallen beechmast along Laurel Walk was attracting Chaffinches, Woodpigeons and squirrels this morning. As I walked along Jenner's Bank, it was evident that the Jays are out in force now, busy collecting acorns. A total of 9 of these birds were noted during the visit. 5 Nuthatches were noted during the visit, 3 Chiffchaffs were heard calling, 6 Goldcrest were noted, 5 Mistle Thrushes were busy feeding out in the parkland west of Mote House, and a few House Martins could be seen flying over the Lake. As I walked along the River Len just down the bank from Mote House, a large flock of circa 40 winter thrushes flew south over the valley, the first Redwings and Fieldfares of the autumn, and very early too, whole 3 and a half weeks earlier than my previous earliest record! Along the stretch of the Len between the Lower Bridge and Madginford Bridge (the old carriage bridge) a group of 6 Bullfinch were feeding in the brambles, and a Grey Heron was seen flying north.

Also of note were 2 Migrant Hawker dragonflies.

My Mote Park visiting and blog updating time is very limited at the moment, due to the fact that this summer I have 20,000 word thesis to carry out and write up. I have been visiting the park every now and then though, so below is a summary of what I have seen since my last post.

Baby Magpie bathing

Spotted Flycatchers can be found by those who can recognise the call, a male Kestrel can be seen regularly in the rough grassland north of the River Len, a pair of Mute Swans laid a clutch of eggs with 3 cygnets hatching but only 1 currently survives. 12 flowering spikes of Southern Marsh Orchid were located, which is up from just the 3 in previous years. Banded Demoiselles can be found along the River Len. Slowworms can be found in good numbers, plus there have been 2 reliable sightings of Adder from visitors to the park, which is exciting! Large, Essex and Small Skippers are now on the wing, and so too are Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns. The first Ringlet was found 30th June.

A late morning walk today proved very quiet both for wildlife and people. The cherry trees on Jenner's Bank are already beginning to fruit!

Cherries

3 Pheasants were noted, 4 Goldcrests were singing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, a Green Woodpecker was heard calling, 2 Treecreepers sang, 5 Blackcaps and 5 Whitethroats were singing, a Coal Tit was seen in a pine on Jenner's Bank, a Reed Bunting was singing along the Causeway, and 3 Reed Warblers were singing.

Grey Heron

Of particular note on the Lake were 4 Mute Swans, 2 Cormorants and 5 Great Crested Grebes, a Grey Heron was fishing on the Pitch & Putt side of the Lake, and there were at least 23 Black-headed Gulls in the gull flock. Its wonderful to see and hear all the young birds around the park at the moment.

Mallards

5 Speckled Woods butterflies were also seen.

Oxeye Daisies

Goatsbeard

Today was overcast with a few sunny spells. It was also very humid - perfect weather for bats, so lets hope it stays that way for tomorrow night's bat walk!

Small Copper

The first Small Copper and Meadow Brown butterflies of the year was seen today, as I wandered through the grassland north of the River Len. Several Common Blues were also noted, and 4 Speckled Woods were found in the more wooded areas. 5 Banded Demoiselles were seen along the River Len.

Male Banded Demoiselle on overhanging Willow

5 Goldcrests were singing along Laurel Walk and from the Old Gardens, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, 3 Jays were seen, 2 Treecreepers were heard, 4 Pheasants were found, a Bullfinch called from an Ash in the Old Gardens, 6 Blackcaps were singing, 4 Whitethroats were singing, 2 Chiffchaffs sang, 5 Reed Warblers sing from the reedbeds around the Lake, and 2 Grey Wagtails were hunting insects next to Madginford Bridge (the bridge closest to the Downswood entrance along Willington Street).

Male Pheasant

Of particular note on the Lake were 6 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Mute Swans, and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Mediterranean Gull was with the 25 Black-headed Gulls.

Mistle Thrush

Just a quick mid-morning walk today. Another walk will be made in the late afternoon as I am leading the the local Women's Institute around the park. Once again, I only visted the parkland to the north and east of the Lake and River Len.

Field Rose

8 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff were singing, 1 Willow Warbler was singing by the Lower Bridge, 5 Whitethroats were in the rough grassland area, 2 Green Woodpeckers were noted, baby Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard calling from a nest hole in one of the parkland trees, 2 Treecreepers were heard singing from trees along the stretch of the River Len between the Weir Bridge and east to the Lower Bridge (now named the Len Wetland), 4 Goldcrests were singing from the Old Gardens, 2 Stock Doves were calling, and a Spotted Flycatcher was found singing and hunting insects from the old Lime trees in the parkland west of Mote House - fantastic, the first of the year to return!!! During my later visit 3 Swifts were noted flying over the park, and a WHITE WAGTAIL was found hunting insects in the parkland south of Mote House - even more FANTASTIC!!!! The park's second ever record of this continental 'Pied' Wagtail.

Spotted Flycatcher

8 Mute Swans, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Tufted Duck and at least 33 Black-headed Gulls were on the Lake, a Cormorant fished in the Lake, and 6 Reed Warblers were singing from reedbeds along the Lake edge.

A bright but overcast morning today, but still quite warm. Now that my thesis work-load is getting heavier, I am not able to spend as much time in the park as I'd like too. During today's walk I covered the park on the north and east side of the Lake and River Len.

Mistle Thrush

2 Green Woodpeckers were heard, a Treecreeper was seen in a Willow by the Lower Bridge, 3 Goldcrests were singing, 9 Blackcaps were singing, a Willow Warbler sang by the Lower Bridge, 6 Whitethroats were singing, a Kestrel hunted over the rough grassland north of the River Len, 3 Swifts were seen, a Stock Dove was heard, and a Bullfinch called from a hedge by the Audley Homes entrance along Willington Street.

Kestrel

5 Reed Warblers sang from the edges of the Lake, a Grey Heron stood on the Pitch & Putt side of the Lake, and of particular note on the Lake were 5 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Mute Swans, 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and at least 32 Black-headed Gulls.

Orange-tip Butterfly

3 Orange-tips and 4 Small Whites were seen, and the first Banded Demoiselle of the year was found along the River Len.

Banded Demoiselle

Yesterdays dawn chorus walk went really well, with 8 people joining in the early hours. Alhtough a chilly start, with the rising of the Sun came a beautiful morning.

Overall, a very good selection of birds were heard and seen. Stock and Collared Doves were heard, and a single Turtle Dove was also noted. Goldcrests were found, and there were 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, and 4 Reed Warblers singing. Both Mistle and Song Thrushes gave great views, a Great Spotted Woodpecker gave a lovely fly-past, 3 Green Woodpeckers were heard, and a Nuthatch was seen briefly on the bough of an Oak tree.

Highlight for me was the fascinating few minutes of watching a young dog Fox on the edge of the Old Burning Yard. Although 'raw-in-tooth-and-claw', it was amazing to witness him locate and dig out a Rabbit nest chamber, eventually pulling out the kittens inside. Frustratingly, I didn't have my camera with me!

Kites!!!

Today I couldn't get into the park until the early afternoon. The park was rather quiet bird-wise, but it was a very pleasant walk, with all the summering warbler species singing around the park. The playing fields were hosting to the park's first ever Kite Festival.