Saturday 19th November

Not much to report on a grey morning in the park. I missed the good stuff which turned up during the week including the Gannet, which was a first for the park (per DK).

Gadwall are still quite numerous with at least 38 today. Half a dozen Wigeon and at least 5 Shoveler were also noted along with 8 Teal. Just a single male Pochard though hanging about with a dozen Tufted Ducks. A couple of Little Grebes were present on east Fingers. JA spotted a Kingfisher along the Canoe Slalom but, for the second week running, no Grey Wagtail here. The Stonechat, on Fenlake Meadows last week, was also not to be found. We had a single Fieldfare in one of the Poplars in the Sheep Pen and DK had 15 over a little earlier. A pair of Bullfinch were present along the edge of the Rough.

So pretty quiet on a cool grey morning, let's hope it picks up for next weeks guided walk, meet at the Visitor Centre on Sunday the 27th at 9am.

In the afternoon I joined the Putnoe Woods group with Ranger Jane to do a little coppicing. We managed to clear a reasonable area but there is still a lot to do. The cakes were a bonus, thanks to Jane and many happy returns. :-)