Several brief sessions meant that I clocked up 83 birds of 17 species this week. That's very similar to the totals for "the Obs" nets at Gibraltar Point last week! Highlights were 3 new Robins, 7 Blackbirds, 2 more Snog Thrushes, 8 Reed Warblers, a Garden, 11 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffs (inc 2 r/t), some TITS (thought they were all dead), and 2 new/young Bullfinches.
Sight records included 4 Gadwall, a Shoveler, a Teal, a female Sparr, 1 Greylag, 12 Barnacles over, 2 Common Terns up until Sunday (at least), the odd Swallow most days, a Green Sand (Sat), Willies early in the week and plenty of Chiffs throughout. Still a good number of young Reed Warblers toing and froing, as were the Kingfishers but a good deal noisier.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Sat 25th August
Another CES today, the last of the 12 main visits.
A reasonable week for the park (we don't have the luxury of a large reedbed and low willow scrub like Willington & Mark Thomas) with 40 birds caught. The tally was - Wren 3, Dunnock 3, Robin 3, Blackbird 2, Reed Warbler 5, Lesser Whitethroat 4, Common Whitethroat 1, Garden Warbler 4, Blackcap 5, Chiff 3, Willow 3, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blue Tit 3.
The adult sylvia warblers all had good amounts of fat on them, ready for their migration. The youngsters were starting to lay down some fat but very little so far - and there were some still in full juvenile plumage (i.e. not started PJ moult) and no fat.
Elsewhere, the grebes are still doing fine, with one, the largest, being ignored for long periods. Another brood of Moorhens in the crescent (no numbers) and broods of 2 and 5 on 'lilypads'. Green Sand calling overhead, most days this week, 10 Swallows on Thurs., many Reed Warblers along the main path feeding in the willows opposite, the Greenshanks were still around mid-week, a lot of Willow Ws going through (and noisy, some even singing), and a party of 33-35 Goldfinch south as well as 2 family partys feeding in the rough.
PS. Next day (2 hours pm while scrub bashing) - Blackcap 2, Garden Warbler 2, Goldfinch 1 juv, Greenfinch 4. Also 6 "chinky" Swallows over 4pm & c.30 House Martins a few minutes later
A reasonable week for the park (we don't have the luxury of a large reedbed and low willow scrub like Willington & Mark Thomas) with 40 birds caught. The tally was - Wren 3, Dunnock 3, Robin 3, Blackbird 2, Reed Warbler 5, Lesser Whitethroat 4, Common Whitethroat 1, Garden Warbler 4, Blackcap 5, Chiff 3, Willow 3, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blue Tit 3.
The adult sylvia warblers all had good amounts of fat on them, ready for their migration. The youngsters were starting to lay down some fat but very little so far - and there were some still in full juvenile plumage (i.e. not started PJ moult) and no fat.
Elsewhere, the grebes are still doing fine, with one, the largest, being ignored for long periods. Another brood of Moorhens in the crescent (no numbers) and broods of 2 and 5 on 'lilypads'. Green Sand calling overhead, most days this week, 10 Swallows on Thurs., many Reed Warblers along the main path feeding in the willows opposite, the Greenshanks were still around mid-week, a lot of Willow Ws going through (and noisy, some even singing), and a party of 33-35 Goldfinch south as well as 2 family partys feeding in the rough.
PS. Next day (2 hours pm while scrub bashing) - Blackcap 2, Garden Warbler 2, Goldfinch 1 juv, Greenfinch 4. Also 6 "chinky" Swallows over 4pm & c.30 House Martins a few minutes later
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Saturday 18th August
Walked around the park this morning, starting with the finger lakes. Down by the steps it was alive with finches and tits, particularly Goldfinches. Had a chat with Errol who was ringing in the rough. Had a read of his first draft Priory CP ringing report which makes very interesting reading, look forward to seeing the published version.
Round by the Sedgewick seat the Moorhen family, that I first saw last week, were still about with all 3 youngsters still alive and well.
Stopped at Kramer hide where highlights were Common Whitethroat, Green Woodpecker and a pair of Bullfinch.
The canoe slalom was in use today so no Grey Wagtails this week. Further round on the back river at the bedford boat club moorings a Kingfisher flew upstream with a fish in its beak.
Back on the south side of the main lake, at the corner to turn up to the sailing club, there were at least 2 Chiffchaffs calling and moving through the trees.
Nothing out of the ordinary on the rest of the walk.
Round by the Sedgewick seat the Moorhen family, that I first saw last week, were still about with all 3 youngsters still alive and well.
Stopped at Kramer hide where highlights were Common Whitethroat, Green Woodpecker and a pair of Bullfinch.
The canoe slalom was in use today so no Grey Wagtails this week. Further round on the back river at the bedford boat club moorings a Kingfisher flew upstream with a fish in its beak.
Back on the south side of the main lake, at the corner to turn up to the sailing club, there were at least 2 Chiffchaffs calling and moving through the trees.
Nothing out of the ordinary on the rest of the walk.
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