This week has been very disappointing with very little in the way of spring migrants. The cold north-easterly wind is delaying the arrival of birds on passage. If the forecaster are to be believed then tomorrow could be a reasonable day, if we have some patchy cloud rather than dawn to dusk sunshine.
Last weeks
Chiffchaff: four birds seem to be holding territories.
Blackcap: This species seems to be the only migrant that has increased in numbers; 9 males can be heard in most areas with suitable habitat.
Willow Warbler: One was singing in area 26 15th.
Meadow Pipit: four birds headed north 15th.
Pied Wagtail: Two birds were on the ground 15th.
Jackdaw: One flew east 15th.
House Sparrow: A male was feeding in my garden by St Marks Bridge 15th & 17th. Even though there are still reasonable numbers in the zoo, birds seldom stray.
Goldfinch: Eight birds on feeders in area 29 and in my garden.
Stock Dove: Sixteen birds feeding in my garden by St Marks Bridge every afternoon.
Kestrel: The female in area 25 seems to have chosen her old nest box again this year.
Sparrowhawk: Two females displayed 15th.
Chiffchaff (above and below)
Blackcap (female below)
Wren (below)
Great Scaup: this bird has been present in the park for thirteen years, having turned up one winter.
Male Red crested Pochards chase a female high over the lake.
This is the end result of all that chasing, these hatched out on 15th.
European Pochard (drake above) Tufted X Pochard hybrid (below)
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