It's been a busy couple of weekends at the park with all the migrants arriving and volunteer day last Sunday and a guided walk today. Last weekend I managed to connect with the Reed Warbler which had arrived on the 8th, making it the earliest recorded Reed Warbler by a week! On the Sunday I joined the volunteers in starting to put up a fence at the duck feeding area. The day turned very warm but we managed to get all the posts in despite some very hard ground, and they even look quite straight and level!
This weekend more spring migrants arrived, notably the first Whitethroats along the cycle track by the sewerage works (STW).
Today it was the latest guided walk with 4 people joining me to check out the new arrivals. First up we headed down to the main lake to check out the Common Terns which have been arriving over the last couple of weeks. Just half a dozen this morning but several giving good scope views, perched on the buoys. Not a lot else of note on the main lake so we headed back to the car park to find the Willow Warbler that seems to be a permanent fixture in the surrounding scrub the last couple of weeks. Sure enough there it was in it's favourite tree giving us it's full song and great views. We then cut across the New Meadow stopping to watch a handsome singing Dunnock and then 2 Whitethroats by the Labyrinth.
On to the Rough and we were greeted by a singing Chiffchaff. As we wandered around the Rough there were several Blackcaps singing or ticking, a very nice singing Goldfinch, more Chiffies and some Bullfinch were heard along the north side. Back by the gate a Reed Warbler could be heard chuntering quietly behind the round house which has now acquired a partially thatched roof.
We moved on to the Dead Seat heard the Cettis Warbler give a blast over on the Spit. A Speckled Wood butterfly looked cracking in the sunlight back over by the Rough. As we moved down to the Steps Blackcaps and Chiffchaff were heard and another Speckled Wood was seen.
Along the main path a Reed Warbler was heard in the main lake reed bed but we failed to spot it as it remained tucked in the reeds behind a small Willow. Another was singing in the Crescent reed bed along with a Sedge Warbler. The Cettis gave a several more blasts of song as we walked around the Crescent and a spanking male Reed Bunting gave great views. One of the Fingers Great Crested Grebes was trying to swallow a fish that was much too big, 10 out of 10 for effort though!
Despite several more blasts from the Cettis we failed spot it. They have an amazing knack of slipping past you despite several pairs of eyes looking out for them. Anyway another 2 Reed Warblers were chuntering about half way along the Spit. From the end fishing swim we watched a Coot continuing it's nest building and then we watched the Grebes as they greeted each other at their nest. A couple of Red-eared Terrapins were out sunbathing on the usual fallen tree.
We continued around Fingers stopping briefly at Kramer Hide where a Muntjac was dozing down by the waters edge. Then it was off to 100 Acre for some waders but we stopped on the old railway bridge to listen to a couple of Sedge Warblers without the confusion of a nearby singing Reed Warbler.
Along the cycle track by the STW a couple of singing Whitethroats were doing battle. Meadow Lane GP held a handful of Tufted Ducks and a few Coots. The stars of the show today were Redshanks and Lapwings on the big lake on 100 Acre. I could have stood there all day listing to the calls and song of the Redshanks and watching the displaying Lapwings tumbling in flight and calling. A Coot on the pond at the end of the island already has at least 2 young but is still sitting on the nest so probably more to come. Couldn't spot an Oycestercatcher today but as we turned to go a Common Buzzard glided high overhead with a Gull giving it some grief.
We finished with a walk back along the Cut, bagging several more Blackcaps and Chiffies and the Willow Warbler was still singing when I arrived back at the car park. A very enjoyable walk with pretty much all the expected species seen or heard. No Garden Warbler or Cuckoo yet, still need to keep something in hand for the next walk.
Other butterflies seen were Tortoiseshell, White, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Holly Blue and Comma.
Next guided walk is the Dawn Chorus at 04:30 on the 1st of May followed by the late spring walk at 09:00 on the 22nd May. See you there.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Friday, April 08, 2011
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Saturday 2nd April 2011
This is such a great time of year with the summer migrants arriving or moving through. There is always something new to see and the park didn't let us down this morning.
On arrival there was singing Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff in the car park, a good start. No sign of any Martins over the main lake, plenty of Canada Geese on the island with a couple of Greylags in the mix.
As I walked along the main path a Blackcap was heard singing in the distance and a Meadow Pipit called has it flew over north. Continuing along the path the Blackcap was pinned down to the south end of the Rough, another was singing at the entrance to the Spit.
Spotted JA along the Spit and headed down to see if he had the Cettis Warbler this morning. Before I got there a burst of noise from my right, by the Crescent, answered that question as the Cettis announced itself. It then spent the morning moving up and down the length of the Spit, singing at regular intervals.
On west Fingers 4 Gadwall and a couple of Teal. On east Fingers 8 Tufted Ducks and the resident Mute Swans still trying to evict the last 2 youngsters. At Kramer hide we were entertained by a Sparrowhawk giving a Crow a taste of it's own medicine before a couple more Crows arrived as back up. A single Male Teal in front of the hide was the highlight on the lake. The resident pair of Canadas now seem to have a nest with one in residence while the other stood guard. A Blackcap was singing behind the hide.
Then it was off to 100 Acre for a look around the lakes and were we in for a treat. A disappointing start at the first small lake which has been pretty quiet for some time now. We turned our attention to the larger lake and JA soon had a Redshank in the scope, As I checked that out a Swallow flew through the view and continued across the field and over the river towards Riverside. We continued along the cycle track and a closer look at the big lake revealed Gadwall, Wigeon and Teal snoozing by the edge of the lake and a Redshank working the edge. A couple of Little Grebe were feeding out near the island, while several Lapwing were cruising about.
Down to Meadow Lane GP, quiet as usual with just a single Tufted Duck and the resident Coot. We cut across to the big lake again but stopped to watch a Common Buzzard and a Crow having an aerial dispute. Another Common Buzzard joined the fray and the 2 engaged in their own aerial display before parting with one moving off south over the park and the other following the river north. On the lake still good numbers of Tufted Ducks present and possible nesting Canada Geese on the island. A/the Swallow was spotted again over the big lake before heading off over the Sewerage works.
At the north end of the big lake plenty of Greylags still hanging around. A single Oystercatcher was seen along with a minimum of 6 Redshank with a pair seen mating. More Lapwing around the edge of the lake and few more Wigeon, but no where near the number seen last week.
We cut across country and back to the cycle track at the east side of Meadow Lane GP. We flushed 3 Snipe although it is possible that this was the same bird flushed three times. There were a couple more Gadwall on one of the excavations where some water has accumulated. Three Sand Martins were also feeding over the excavations.
Back on the cycle track we headed back to the park and a single Jay was moving east along the trees by the track. And back to the first lake on 100 Acre where a couple of Shelduck had arrived to make things interesting. As we watched those JA spotted a single Mallard duckling feeding on the north side, looking quite well developed, so a good few days old.
Back in the park we cut around the back of Fingers and had a couple of Treecreepers just past the Sedgewick Seat. A singing Blackcap in the Sheep Pen and then a second quite close by keeping quiet but showing particularly well, allowing JA to get his camera out to try and get a photo. I ended up taking the picture as I was better positioned with no branches in the way. Down by the Rough plenty more Blackcaps and the odd singing Chiffchaff as well.
We decided to finish with a circuit of the main lake and as we approached the Spit our ears pricked and we both said Sedge Warbler simultaneously. Despite our hanging around the area for a while there was no more song so that will have to go down as a possible. I phoned DK to see if he could confirm but he hadn't had one, however he did alert us to a Common Tern on the main lake. As we continued our circuit we connected with the Tern which was on one of the white buoys in front of the sailing club. A little later and the Tern was on the jetty in front of the sailing club where it remained until we departed.
Along the back of the sailing club it was Greenfinch alley with plenty of calling and song. Then a Willow Warbler was heard and tracked down to the Willows the other side of the wall in the Marina. Back at the car park the Willow Warbler was still singing. We were also informed of a couple of Little Egrets down at Fingers, this coming from one of the regular dog walkers.
On arrival there was singing Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff in the car park, a good start. No sign of any Martins over the main lake, plenty of Canada Geese on the island with a couple of Greylags in the mix.
As I walked along the main path a Blackcap was heard singing in the distance and a Meadow Pipit called has it flew over north. Continuing along the path the Blackcap was pinned down to the south end of the Rough, another was singing at the entrance to the Spit.
Spotted JA along the Spit and headed down to see if he had the Cettis Warbler this morning. Before I got there a burst of noise from my right, by the Crescent, answered that question as the Cettis announced itself. It then spent the morning moving up and down the length of the Spit, singing at regular intervals.
On west Fingers 4 Gadwall and a couple of Teal. On east Fingers 8 Tufted Ducks and the resident Mute Swans still trying to evict the last 2 youngsters. At Kramer hide we were entertained by a Sparrowhawk giving a Crow a taste of it's own medicine before a couple more Crows arrived as back up. A single Male Teal in front of the hide was the highlight on the lake. The resident pair of Canadas now seem to have a nest with one in residence while the other stood guard. A Blackcap was singing behind the hide.
Then it was off to 100 Acre for a look around the lakes and were we in for a treat. A disappointing start at the first small lake which has been pretty quiet for some time now. We turned our attention to the larger lake and JA soon had a Redshank in the scope, As I checked that out a Swallow flew through the view and continued across the field and over the river towards Riverside. We continued along the cycle track and a closer look at the big lake revealed Gadwall, Wigeon and Teal snoozing by the edge of the lake and a Redshank working the edge. A couple of Little Grebe were feeding out near the island, while several Lapwing were cruising about.
Down to Meadow Lane GP, quiet as usual with just a single Tufted Duck and the resident Coot. We cut across to the big lake again but stopped to watch a Common Buzzard and a Crow having an aerial dispute. Another Common Buzzard joined the fray and the 2 engaged in their own aerial display before parting with one moving off south over the park and the other following the river north. On the lake still good numbers of Tufted Ducks present and possible nesting Canada Geese on the island. A/the Swallow was spotted again over the big lake before heading off over the Sewerage works.
At the north end of the big lake plenty of Greylags still hanging around. A single Oystercatcher was seen along with a minimum of 6 Redshank with a pair seen mating. More Lapwing around the edge of the lake and few more Wigeon, but no where near the number seen last week.
We cut across country and back to the cycle track at the east side of Meadow Lane GP. We flushed 3 Snipe although it is possible that this was the same bird flushed three times. There were a couple more Gadwall on one of the excavations where some water has accumulated. Three Sand Martins were also feeding over the excavations.
Back on the cycle track we headed back to the park and a single Jay was moving east along the trees by the track. And back to the first lake on 100 Acre where a couple of Shelduck had arrived to make things interesting. As we watched those JA spotted a single Mallard duckling feeding on the north side, looking quite well developed, so a good few days old.
Back in the park we cut around the back of Fingers and had a couple of Treecreepers just past the Sedgewick Seat. A singing Blackcap in the Sheep Pen and then a second quite close by keeping quiet but showing particularly well, allowing JA to get his camera out to try and get a photo. I ended up taking the picture as I was better positioned with no branches in the way. Down by the Rough plenty more Blackcaps and the odd singing Chiffchaff as well.
We decided to finish with a circuit of the main lake and as we approached the Spit our ears pricked and we both said Sedge Warbler simultaneously. Despite our hanging around the area for a while there was no more song so that will have to go down as a possible. I phoned DK to see if he could confirm but he hadn't had one, however he did alert us to a Common Tern on the main lake. As we continued our circuit we connected with the Tern which was on one of the white buoys in front of the sailing club. A little later and the Tern was on the jetty in front of the sailing club where it remained until we departed.
Along the back of the sailing club it was Greenfinch alley with plenty of calling and song. Then a Willow Warbler was heard and tracked down to the Willows the other side of the wall in the Marina. Back at the car park the Willow Warbler was still singing. We were also informed of a couple of Little Egrets down at Fingers, this coming from one of the regular dog walkers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)