Recent News - 19/04/2017

The drake Garganey hung around until the weekend at least. No reports since Saturday but it might be hiding itself somewhere, you never know.

The Red-crested Pochards also seem to have departed but I got this picture of the male which looks quite weird front on like this!

Red-crested Pochard

A Cuckoo was heard near the Priory Wall on Apr 11 per Lin.

Lesser Whitethroat and Reed Warbler both at Priory on Apr 12 per TP. This is the earliest record of Reed Warbler in the park per DK.

On Saturday (15th) JA and I had a Swift over, again the earliest record in the park per DK.

Plenty of Willow Warblers and Blackcaps but Whitethroats are hard to come by. On Tuesday (18th) I finally caught up with a House Martin which was in a mixed flock with Sand Martins and Swallows over the main lake.

Here are a couple more pictures from recent encounters. Firstly a Chiffchaff at the Sewage Works bridge.

Chiffchaff

 And finally here's a Chiffchaff sunning itself in the Long Hedge up near the Kissing Gate.

Goldcrest

New Years Day species list

Here's the list from yesterdays wanderings around the park and 100 Acre with DK.

 Mute Swan
 Greylag Goose
 Canada Goose
 Wigeon
 Gadwall
 Teal
 Mallard
 Shoveler
 Red-crested Pochard
 Pochard
 Tufted Duck
 Grey Partridge
 Cormorant
 Little Egret
 Grey Heron
 Little Grebe
 Great Crested Grebe
 Kestrel
 Moorhen
 Coot
 Golden Plover
 Lapwing
 Jack Snipe
 Redshank
 Black-headed Gull
 Common Gull
 Lesser Black-backed Gull
 Herring Gull
 Stock Dove
 Woodpigeon
 Kingfisher
 Green Woodpecker
 Great Spotted Woodpecker
 Magpie
 Jackdaw
 Carrion Crow
 Blue Tit
 Great Tit
 Skylark
 Wren
 Starling
 Blackbird
 Song Thrush
 Redwing
 Mistle Thrush
 Robin
 Dunnock
 Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)
 Meadow Pipit
 Chaffinch
 Goldfinch
 Bullfinch
 Reed Bunting

List courtesy of DK and BTO Birdtrack.

Here is a record shot of the 2 Red-crested Pochard on the main lake:

Red-crested Pochard