Sunday 10th February

Another crisp cold morning, half a degree below freezing as I drove to the park. Headed straight down the main path and had a Water Rail in the main lake reedbed just before I reached the steps. A little further along there was a Coot on the main lake, just out from the reed bed, and a count of Mute Swans totalled 32.


The pair of Mute Swans was on east Fingers. At Kramer hide another Water Rail, this time running along, at the edge of the water, in front of the hide. There was also a female Gadwall and at least 5 Moorhen on the water in front of the hide. A male Muntjac moved left to right along the far bank, stopping at one point as if to cross the water to the right hand reedbed. However having got in up to his chest he decided better of it and backed out, continuing along the spit. The Mute Swans came through from east Fingers and one came out of the water for a preen and displayed its orange ring. It is definitely female 500, the breeding female from last year, back on her old patch. Probably got fed up with the new comers on the main lake.



A male Sparrowhawk was in the trees on the opposite bank and the winter plumage Great Crested Grebe came through from west Fingers again this morning. A Little Grebe came through from east Fingers and was joined by a second a little later. Two Cormorants also came through from east Fingers.

At the crescent a Water Rail called from the reedbed and Dunnock, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting were singing in the trees around.

This male Reed Bunting has a ring but I can't make out any of the details.

On west Fingers there were 4 Shoveller (1f), 1 Coot, 1 female Gadwall (probably same one seen earlier at Kramer hide), Pair of Great Crested Grebe, 16 Teal and 2 Little Grebe. As yesterday there was a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming over towards the dead seat.

Comparison of winter and summer plumaged Great Crested Grebes

A pair of Teal having a preen in the sun.

While heading round to the steps a Kingfisher called from the beach end of the main lake. Errol was ringing in the Rough and had 7 or 8 birds while I spoke to him. Along the navigation channel there was a single Mute Swan and a Cormorant. On Kingsmead there were 59 Canada Geese, 9 Moorhen and a Pheasant. I walked up to the kissing gate and then back along the Long Hedge where a Chiffchaff was singing.

There looked to be less Pochard on the main lake today but again this was only an observation from the north side of the lake.