Saturday 3rd September 2011

Not quite the expected bright sunny morning, instead rather overcast and threatening rain at times, although it did remain dry throughout. I met up with JA along the main path as I was listening to a Cettis Warbler singing on the island, a good start to the morning. Five Gadwall were on the main lake albeit a little flighty. A Kingfisher was heard in the south west corner. It was positively buzzing with bird life along the Spit as a large mixed flock moved through the trees, feeding. As well as the usual Tits, there was also Treecreeper, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and at least 2 Goldcrests in the mix. Not many ducks on Fingers with just a couple of Gadwall and the usual Mallards. A Little Grebe was on east Fingers. At Kramer hide another 3 Gadwall were present. Just nine Cormorants in the Kingsmead roost this week and not much about on 100 Acre other than about 10 Little Grebes and a dozen Tufted Ducks. Met up with DK back in the park and walked around the south side. Good numbers of Coots and Great Crested Grebes on the main lake and the Mute Swan numbers had increased slightly to 50. Quite a few Chiffchaffs around with a particular hotspot in the south west corner of the main lake. Plenty of House Martins moved through during the morning with a peek count of 85. These were accompanied by a handful of Swallows and a small party of Sand Martins. Pretty quiet along the west side and we were back to the car park just in time for the sun to start breaking through!