Finally a gorgeous morning and great birding to go with it. Met up with DK and wandered around the park with him. Highlights were the Rough where we stood watching various Tits, Finches and Warblers gorging on the elderberries. These included some pristine Lesser Whitethroats, at least half a dozen, and a dozen or more Goldfinch, including several youngsters.
A stroll up to Meadow Lane GP was a bit disappointing with just a single Green Sandpiper, a Common Sand and a Kestrel. Also large numbers of Goldfinch, 50+, on the thistle heads. Saw John on the way out along the cycle path and he reported a Ringed Plover there but I didn't see it.
Back in the park we had a couple of Grey Wagtails on the Canoe Slalom although DK reported double figures earlier in the week. On the south side of the main lake we had yet more Chiffs and Willow Warblers and a superb female Sparrowhawk over the main lake.
However the best was yet to come. We met up with John again at the west side of the main lake and stood chatting when DK spotted a Common Buzzard, just above the tree line to the south. As we watched that I spotted another 3 high above us. This turned into 4 all thermaling high above us with occasional grappling between 2 of them. A few minutes later a fifth arrived lower down over the main lake. We continued to watch them for a while with DK grabbing a few shots before they headed off, at speed, to the west. A new park record for Buzzards.
2 comments:
Just after you left, Job B rang me with a record of 2 Greenshank over the main lake dropping down towards Fenlake. Good description!
E
Forgot the 2 Green Sandpipers we had over the Rough. I saw them and DK ID'd the calls. Good team work! We also cam across a very dopey Collared Dove which sat tight while we wandered up to it, within arms length! May have been unwell although there was no sign of injury.
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