Midweek, 22nd May 2013

Inspirational title, but .......

A dull, cloudy start this morning, but the birds soon brightened things up.

All the regulars were at least heard, if not all seen. Quite the dawn chorus at the moment.

All the swans and their respective offspring seem to be doing well. The only ones I couldn't see were at the far end of the south lake. She's still sitting on the nest, and on any of the cygnets.

The Mallard on the north lake, who had twelve ducklings originally, has finally settled on the number four now. They all look healthy, and hopefully they will all continue to grow fit and strong.

Round by the pub, there were plenty of goslings, in various stages of development. From small, to almost as big as their parents. It seems nature has finally caught up after the bad weather.

Still no sign of the Robin on the south lake, but the food I leave each day has always gone. Maybe it's the Crow.

The tree of caterpillars now has them slowly hatching out, and breaking free from the protective silky web. It won't be long before the leaves are stripped from the trees, and they begin to transform into the white moths.

Past the rowing club, and lots of Swifts, Swallows and House Martins in the air, and scooping up the insects above the water. Good to see the Oystercatcher is still around too.

Another great visit.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Swift [sp] (Apus apus)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Whitethroat [sp] (Sylvia communis)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Eurasian Jackdaw [sp] (Corvus monedula)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  34

It's love

No, not me!

Light spots of rain this morning, so just a quick visit to the north lake.

I've found a pair of Blue Tits that have nested in a hole in a tree, so I guess the pair that have nested in my garden, are not as behind as I first thought. Maybe the birds have adapted to the terrible weather we've had recently, and delayed their breeding times.

Quite a few warblers seen and heard around by the car park this morning. Dawns chorus was in full swing.

Plenty of Swifts over the lake, and plenty of Swallows skimming the surface.

And I soon found a pair of adults with their four cygnets.

Next up was the pair with five, from the top end of the lake.

I was treated to another display of 'back riding'.

Great to see.

A special mention here, for one of the local residents, who yesterday managed to rescue a group of  goslings that had found themselves in one of the gullies, and couldn't get back on the lake. He also built a ramp, to help any other unfortunates that might find themselves in the same position.

Well done Julian.

Up by the pub, a few Mallards flew over for some food, and attracted a couple of Greylag Geese too.

And as I made my way to the road bridge, to cross over to the car park, I found myself witnessing a love ritual, and finally a mating, between two young Mute Swans.

Maybe more cygnets to come?

~~~~~~~~~~~

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Eurasian Collared Dove [sp] (Streptopelia decaocto)

Common Swift [sp] (Apus apus)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Garden Warbler [sp] (Sylvia borin)

Common Whitethroat [sp] (Sylvia communis)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Total species  31

Cygnets galore

The weather may have been dull, but it was far from a dull visit.

A lot of Swifts flying overhead this morning on the north lake, and over the water, a good number of Swallows, a few House Martins, and at least one Sand Martin. Lots of activity.

Up at the top end, the usual Sedge Warbler was belting his song out.

 It made a change to see him out in the open for once.

He did fly off after a good rendition of his repertoire, but even in a tree, he was still visible.

Up at the gully end, a Mute Swan has been sitting on her nest for some now.

Finally, today, I saw the cygnets. Two. But the shot I was most pleased to get, was this one.

 A cygnet, riding on its mothers back.

I've tried for ages to get a shot like this, and never managed to see it before. All I have to do now, is get a better one; but for now, I was very happy to get this.

Up by the pub, families of Greylag and Canada geese were parading their offspring.

The Canada Geese looked as though they'd inherited an extra to the family; one of the goslings was twice the size of the others.

On round the south lake, and more Swifts overhead, and Swallows skimming the water.

At the far end, lots of Cuckooflower still. I don't think I've ever seen so many here.

 This is one I took yesterday, in much better light.

Another pair of swans have been sitting on a nest for some time on the island at the far end. Today, I saw three cygnets, moving around beside mum as she sat there. These must have hatched out very recently, (I hadn't noticed them yesterday), and as she stood up to make some adjustments to the nest, I managed to count more. At least six in total.

Past the rowing club, round by the houses, and there was the other swan family from Cormorant island, and their seven cygnets. They've grown quite a bit over the last few days, and hopefully now out of danger from most animal predators.

An enjoyable morning.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Eurasian Collared Dove [sp] (Streptopelia decaocto)

Common Swift [sp] (Apus apus)

Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Garden Warbler [sp] (Sylvia borin)

Common Whitethroat [sp] (Sylvia communis)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  36

Wet and windy

A miserable morning, made worse by having wet feet.

I just decided on doing the north lake today; anyone with an ounce of sense would have stayed in bed.

After topping up the feeders, and feeding a couple of ducks, (still no Doris), I scanned the north lake through the bins. A lot of Swallows and House Martins over the water, and 4 or 5 Common Terns. Not much of anything else though.

The water level seems to have dropped a bit; Kingfisher island has a shore now.

A bit further along, I saw a hedgehog, making his way home to bed.

The top end of the lake had the Common Terns on their boat, and lots of Cuckooflowers bursting through the grass now.

Down towards the pub, a couple of Oystercatchers were looking for worms, a group of Starlings and a couple of Pied Wagtails, and Swallows and House Martins sitting in the trees, and around the edge of the lake.

A couple of Mallards came over, and after feeding them, I headed off to the car park.

A lot of the birds remained hidden in the bushes; can't say I blame them.

Wet.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

Total species  23

Hobby day

A sunny morning, with no rain.

From Cormorant island, the pair of Mute Swans were out this morning, with their new additions.

Seven cygnets.

I watched them for ages, as they fed together, pulling weed from under the water, and stripping new shoots from an overhanging tree.

Close by was a female Mallard, with her five ducklings. A good start to the morning.

I made my way to the north lake, and stood watching the Swallows, House Martins and Swifts flying over the water. A couple of Mallards came over for some seed, and after feeding them, I decided to take some pictures of the Swallows.

Suddenly, all the birds flew up in the air, and spread out.

A Hobby was hunting, swooping down and around. Not sure if he caught any, it all happened so quickly, and he soared off towards the trees.

All was quiet for about fifteen minutes. No sight or sound of any birds.

Eventually they appeared, and carried on with their day, as though nothing had happened.

I carried on around the lake, stopping at various spots to watch the birds skimming over the water. The Swifts were shooting past me so close, I could hear the rush of wind as they passed; and the Swallows expertly skimmed the water.

Eventually I was at the south lake, searching for any sign of yesterdays Spotted Flycatcher. Nothing.

Lots of the usual birds seen though, and quite a few just heard. No matter how hard I searched, I couldn't see some of them. The leaves on the trees are making it more difficult now to spot them.

Past the rowing club, and boats were by now out on the water.

A last look at the Mute Swan family, still feeding, and then back to the car.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Buzzard [sp] (Buteo buteo)

Eurasian Hobby [sp] (Falco subbuteo)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

British Herring Gull (Larus argentatus argenteus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Feral Pigeon (Columba livia 'feral')

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Eurasian Collared Dove [sp] (Streptopelia decaocto)

Common Swift [sp] (Apus apus)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Garden Warbler [sp] (Sylvia borin)

Common Whitethroat [sp] (Sylvia communis)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Eurasian Jackdaw [sp] (Corvus monedula)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  36

Spotted Flycatcher

A sunny start to the morning, but cloud soon rolled in, and with it, a few spots of rain.

I almost didn't bother this morning, and practically gave up after doing the north lake.

But I'm glad I didn't.

After going back to the car after an uninspiring north lake, (or was it just me being lethargic?), the rain had stopped. I grabbed my jacket anyway, as it was getting a bit cold with just a sweatshirt, and I decided to walk the south lake.

There had already been plenty of warblers around, but they just weren't playing fair, and not wanting their pictures taken. I'd hardly taken any video either, resigned to the fact it would be a 'no post' day.

Walking down the path on the south lake, towards the far end, something caught my eye in the trees along the river. Bins up, and yes, a Spotted Flycatcher. Only the second time I've seen one here at the lake; the last time being 25th August 2011.

That post is here.

Needless to say, by the time I'd dropped the bins, and reached for the camera, he'd done his characteristic dash for a fly, and settled further along the tree; then disappeared.

I'd hoped he would re-appear further along, but it was not to be.

Oh well, at least another bird for the annual list, and one for the lake list for 2013.

At the far end, pictures were easier to come by.

Flowers.

 Cuckooflower

 Forget-me-not

 Cowslip

No sign of Robin, and by now the joggers were coming out, along with the boats.

Time for me to go; but what a cracking bird, even without pictures.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Eurasian Sparrowhawk [sp] (Accipiter nisus)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Eurasian Collared Dove [sp] (Streptopelia decaocto)

Common Swift [sp] (Apus apus)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Garden Warbler [sp] (Sylvia borin)

Spotted Flycatcher [sp] (Muscicapa striata)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Eurasian Jackdaw [sp] (Corvus monedula)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  36

A dull morning

Some exceptional light early this morning.

But after that, it deteriorated somewhat, Dull, cloudy, a bit of wind, spots of rain, and not many birds. I heard lots, but I only count the ones I see.

From the road bridge, towards the south lake, the early sun lit up the far bank.

Over by the pub, two Oystercatchers, feeding amongst the Starlings on the grass, were soon disturbed by a jogger. This was 5:20 this morning; why some people get up so early is beyond me.

Warblers were warbling everywhere, but impossible to see this morning. A couple of Herons, Swallows skimming the water, Swifts overhead, and Common Terns screaming as they dived at the water.

The sun shone, the rain came, the wind blew; it was quite a mixed up morning.

Even this Mallard seemed a little out of place.

At the far end of the south lake, I found a stretch of grass full of Cuckooflowers. A couple of days ago, I was excited I'd seen my first; this morning there were hundreds. And very nice to see.

No sign of the Robin, and as I passed the rowing club, more Swallows over the water, and Swifts high in the sky.

A strange one today.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

British Herring Gull (Larus argentatus argenteus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Swift [sp] (Apus apus)

Green Woodpecker [sp] (Picus viridis)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Eurasian Jackdaw [sp] (Corvus monedula)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Total species  29