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. :-)

Thursday 17th November

Following per DK:

A Red-breasted Merganser made a short visit and departed at 0913 after staying for only a few minutes.
Also: 145 Fieldfares S; 64 Herring Gulls south (the biggest movement by far for us this year); 34 Gadwalls; 38 Cormorants; 44 Lapwings over; 1 L. Redpoll; 1 Grey Wagtail, 20 Common Gulls; two Goldcrests and five Wigeon. (Four Little Egrets, 9 Corn Buntings and a Water Rail yesterday evening.)

Friends of Putnoe Woods and Mowsbury

As you may, or may not know, the Priory Rangers manage a number of the green spaces around Bedford, One of those being Putnoe Woods at Mowsbury Park. A new Friends group has been setup to help with some of the tasks and there are a couple of volunteer days coming.

• Wednesday 16th November 1 - 3pm - Coppicing in Putnoe Wood
• Saturday 19th November 1 - 3pm - Coppicing in Putnoe Wood

Meet up by the play area in the car park off Wentworth Drive at Mowsbury Park.

Please contact the Rangers for further details: Contact Us

Tuesday 15th November

Following per DK:

The Gannet departed at 0944 this morning (unless its come back again!!) flying over the east end of the lake and off in the direction of Willington. Also two separate Shelducks northeast, a Water Rail and nine Lesser Redpolls in the crescent area. Also seen: Grey Wagtail, 1 Siskin, 1 Goldcrest, 28 Lapwings SW, 12 Tufted Ducks NE, 5 Tufted Ducks and four Wigeon on main lake.

Late afternoon: 19 Corn Buntings and 4 Little Egrets in to roost.

Gannet at Priory CP

Gannet at Priory CP:

'via Blog this'

Gannet (Picture courtesy of Dave Kramer)