A pretty quiet morning around the park, pretty cold as well with a biting wind from the north.
Wildfowl numbers looked to be down on the main lake but still good numbers of Gadwall and Pochard. Tufted Ducks were much less evident with just a handful seen along with 3 Wigeon.
Met up with JA along the Spit where up to 7 Shoveler were seen along with a single Gadwall. Teal were hard to spot but were very vocal. A single Little Grebe was as seen by JA before I arrived. A couple of Siskin flew over the Crescent as we walked around to Kramer hide.
A lengthy stay at Kramer hide failed to produce Bittern but the vocal Teal were spotted through the gap at the back left. Still difficult to determine numbers as they were tucked in tight under a overhanging tree. JA spotted a Little Egret departing. A single female Teal moved along the back.
We left the hide and followed the navigation channel up to the bridge, stopping briefly to chat to DK who'd had Goldcrest somewhere around Fingers. A small group of Cormorants were in the usual trees on Kingsmead with some now showing the grey heads and white thigh patch of breeding birds. 18 Moorhen were also present on Kingsmead.
Up at the STW we had a Water Rail on the back river. A couple of Mute Swans were on the small pond on 100 Acre along with a handful of Canada Geese. More Canada Geese were on the shore close by with a single Greylag. A much larger group of Canada's were much further out to the north side of the larger pit with a handful of Greylags intermingled. A large flock of Lapwing got up briefly, probably 100+ but I had only counte 30 when they dropped back down again so just an approximate number.
We headed back through the wood and around Fingers. DK called to say a Stonechat was on the fence on Fenlake but by the time we got there there was no sign.
Little else of note as we made our way back to the car park although we did get a Little Grebe over by the island on the main lake.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Saturday 22nd January 2011
An early start this morning, still dark when I got to Kramer hide. I could just about make out a Little Egret, still at roost, around the back of Fingers and at the hide a single male and 2 female Shoveler snoozing in the gloom. A few of the corvid roost were waking and were joined by a large number of Jackdaws from Kingsmead. A single Little Egret left just after 7:30 with an unwanted Crow for company. The noise level from the corvids grew steadily with small parties of Jackdaws and Crows leaving steadily before the big rush just before 7:45. A second Little Egret left just after 7:30 and a Bittern flew from the left hand reed bed at around 7:40. It departed down the channel to east Fingers. A Kingfisher also passed through a couple of times. At the north end of east Fingers a couple of Water Rail chased across the gap through to west Fingers.
Around Fingers met up with JA who was watching a couple of Little Grebe on east Fingers. A Great Crested Grebe and the family of Mute Swans were also present. On west Fingers there were a few more Shoveler, some Gadwall and Teal. Met up with DK along the Spit. Got onto some Siskins in the Alders by the Crescent. There were at least 8 but some more calls sounded further away so probably more.
A couple more Little Grebe were at the north end of east Fingers as we headed back to the hide. No sign of the Bittern back at the hide but another Little Grebe, 4 pairs of Gadwall, a couple of female Shoveler and single female Teal were seen. A male Bullfinch was also in the area. * Greylag Geese passed over heading towards Willington. DK had seen a Treecreeper around the back of Fingers but it was fairly quiet as myself and JA wandered around, quite muddy also.
Back at the main lake still good numbers of Coot with more Gadwall mixed in. From the main lake hide there were a few Pochard over by the island with a couple of Tufted Ducks and a single female Goldeneye.
Behind the sailing club a small party of Goldfinch passed over and a Greenfinch was leering at us.
Another good morning at the park, a shame the Bittern didn't hang around for a photo, maybe next time. Oh almost forgot, met TP who saw an Otter on Fingers in the week so keep those eyes peeled.
Around Fingers met up with JA who was watching a couple of Little Grebe on east Fingers. A Great Crested Grebe and the family of Mute Swans were also present. On west Fingers there were a few more Shoveler, some Gadwall and Teal. Met up with DK along the Spit. Got onto some Siskins in the Alders by the Crescent. There were at least 8 but some more calls sounded further away so probably more.
A couple more Little Grebe were at the north end of east Fingers as we headed back to the hide. No sign of the Bittern back at the hide but another Little Grebe, 4 pairs of Gadwall, a couple of female Shoveler and single female Teal were seen. A male Bullfinch was also in the area. * Greylag Geese passed over heading towards Willington. DK had seen a Treecreeper around the back of Fingers but it was fairly quiet as myself and JA wandered around, quite muddy also.
Back at the main lake still good numbers of Coot with more Gadwall mixed in. From the main lake hide there were a few Pochard over by the island with a couple of Tufted Ducks and a single female Goldeneye.
Behind the sailing club a small party of Goldfinch passed over and a Greenfinch was leering at us.
Another good morning at the park, a shame the Bittern didn't hang around for a photo, maybe next time. Oh almost forgot, met TP who saw an Otter on Fingers in the week so keep those eyes peeled.
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