Guided Walk - 28/06/2009

Arrived a little early, in the mizzle, and scouted the hedges around the car park but the only thing of note was a Jay squawking over towards the Woodland Walk. While we stood waiting outside the VC a Common Whitethroat sang down by the main lake before moving off east. The fog had lifted as we started the walk proper and a quick scan of the sailing club returned 60+ Canada Geese (pretty similar to yesterday), and later we noted broods of 2 and 4 goslings, the 4 were trying to evade the male Mute Swan which had taken a disliking to them and the parents. The Mute Swan family on the main lake is down to 5 cygnets from the original 6, not sure when the sixth one disappeared.

The first surprise was a singing Lesser Whitethroat which sounded like it was down at the east end of the main lake although it was difficult to pin point. Then a bubbling female Cuckoo was heard, pretty sure it wasn't the mimicking Song Thrush as it was a longer burst and not accompanied by other notes before or after. However the Song Thrush was up to his old tricks as we walked along the edge of the Rough!

It was really tricky getting decent views of the birds this morning with the greenery getting in the way but a singing Chiffchaff obliged opposite the Rough gate. As we rounded the next corner a churring Common Whitethroat was heard and tracked down to the opposite side of the fenced area where a family were seen with at least 2 youngsters being fed by the adults. A Chiffy was also seen in the same tree along with Blue Tit which were both seen off by the Whitethroats.

As we continued along towards the Sedgewick Seat I noticed several froglets trying to cross the path and others were seen later along the Spit. Just before the Woodland Walk a Meadow Brown butterfly was seen and EN pointed out that it was newly emerged, denoted by the very dark colouration on the side away from the sun. Into the Woodland walk and an Obliging Green Veined White butterfly gave excellent views to everybody. Little else of note other than 2-3 singing Blackcaps at the north end.

Out of the woods and back along the navigation channel we worked hard for views of a singing Sedge Warbler but although glimpsed in the rushes he never gave decent views. Kramer hide was very quiet with just a Mallard family and a couple of Coots.

Not much along the east side of Fingers so we checked out the Crescent where Reed Warblers were singing and showing themselves as they moved between the reed bed and the Willows. Better views were had later, up on the Spit, as adults fed young in one of the Willows.

The sun broke through as we reached the VC and the temperature increased quickly as we departed for the air condition comfort of our cars!

Saturday 27th June 2009

Very quiet this morning, highlights in the park were Treecreeper heard along the east side of big fingers and along the woodland walk. Also a family group of Chiffchaff in the trees by the Crescent with adults feeding at least one youngster.

We headed over to Castle Mill Pit where we had 8 Little Egret, ~37 Common Terns (Several on eggs), A couple of Oystercatchers and Green Sandpiper. Also quite a few BH Gulls, a pair of Mute Swans, several Grey Herons and adult and juvenile Green Woodpeckers.

Common Whitethroat still very vocal along the cycle track and report of a Common Buzzard feeding on the ground by the lake by the gravel works entry road, sadly not confirmed by us. Quite a few Chiffchaff singing around the park.

Back in the park there was a lot of activity on the main lake but we spied a fairly new Canada Goose family, 4 big fluffy goslings, through the reeds in the north east corner. Lots of noisy Jackdaws, and a few Crows on Kingsmead.

CES ringing on 26/06

A dull day, but only the weather! So far this year, we are having an excellent CES season, which may prove to be one of the best (numbers wise) for a good few years. Certainly makes up for the low numbers of the last two years.

"Strange birds" for us here were Woodpigeon, a fat one, & Magpie, a fully grown youngster.

All told, 44, with 32 of them juveniles.
The other 42 consisted of: Wren 5, Dunnock 5, Robin 6, Blackbird 5, Garden Warbler 1, Blackcap 7, Chiffchaff 8 (today's star bird), Blue Tit 1, Gt. Tit 2, Chaffinch 2.

In 6 sessions so far this year, we have caught 166 individuals of 18 species. We are now half way through the CES programme for 2009, our 18th year.