It was good to spend some time in the park at last. It was just a shame that there was not much of interest on the passerine front, even the Smew wasn’t to be seen, well not by me. However having seen very few ducks over at Bushy Park this city centre park is absolutely busting. Ideally we could do without so many geese and coots, they make either a lot of mess or are having a fight, wives included.
Mandarin Duck: there were 54 mainly sleeping on area 8, which is where the majority of the waterfowl roost during the day.
Red Crested Pochard: 62 were present.
Gadwall: 24
Common Teal: 14
Northern Shoveler: 76
Siskin: 4 birds were in area 31.
Redwing: 10 birds were in the grounds of St Johns Lodge, area 30.
There is a lot going on in the Heronry, which is split over 2 islands. The above group of nests is on area 8 on what is the original Heron Island. The majority of the Herons left this island in the early 1980’s when the last of the decaying Elms fell and also after the famous Michael Fish October Storm, which brought down half of the Chestnut tree in the above picture.
Incoming nesting material
adult males bill turn pink during the breeding season while the females are yellowish.
Last years very watchable nest on area 7, seen from by the Bandstand is occupied again this year, with fresh material being added.
This Great crested Grebe has entered another birds territory and
has to make a swift exit.
The aggressor is hot on his heels, but he just manages to get away
Gadwall and his mates chase a female, spring was certainly in the air.
A female Sparrowhawk with a full crop heads west
A pair of Great spotted Woodpeckers
Stock Dove
Comments
It was good to spend a bit of time back on my patch. Hopefully with the days drawing out I will be spending more time out and about.
I did try and leave a comment with regards to the cracking Harrier photo but was unable to. The reedling shots from today are spot on as well.