Only 20 degrees centigrade warmer than last Saturday! Blowing a gale though this week and it felt colder than the thermometer said it was. All the ice had gone on both the lakes and life was returning to Fingers. A single Great Crested Grebe was back and the pair of Mute Swans (inc. orange 500) were present. Seems the Swans had managed to ditch last years youngsters. Canada Geese were back to setting up territories in their usual noisy way with lots of disputes between neighbouring pairs. A visiting pair of Mute Swans were soon kicked out by the resident pair. There were a lot more Mute Swans on the main lake this morning with quite a few of last years youngsters. At least 7 Shoveler were present, 2 pairs and three other males.
There was lots of singing this morning with Great Tits and Chaffinches most prominent.
Up at the STW bridge it was quiet but 3 Little Grebe were spotted on the downstream side, one at the mouth of the New Cut and 2 on the main river. 100 Acre was quiet with no sign of the large flocks of Geese that have been present over winter.
Back around Fingers a couple of Teal were flushed from the section by the Sedgewick Seat.
Along the Canoe Slalom the Grey Wagtail was back looking very smart. On the main lake wildfowl numbers were good and Pochard were very close to the main lake hide giving great views. Tufted Ducks and Gadwall were also present along with 100+ Mute Swans and 31 Cormorants.
2 flocks of c80 Woodpigeons passed over Pressmead and joined up to make one big flock. Fenlake Meadows was quiet with no sign of the Stonechat or the Common Buzzard. Just a pair of Teal, some Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeons and Magpies were spotted. A single Little Grebe was on the river here.
Greenfinches and Goldfinches were present along the back of the sailing club.
A pretty quiet morning in the park, not surprising really given the strong wind. Next weekend we have a guided bird walk on Sunday morning. Meet at the Visitor Centre at 9am. See you there.
