Two pairs of Kingfishers, and a dawn chorus.

The birds were in fine voice this morning. Singing bursting from every bush and tree top. And the sun shone.

 Dunnock

I spent a good hour watching and filming the birds around the car park area; so much activity going on. I think a seat and a flask wouldn't go amiss here, so much to see.

I eventually made my way up to where the Kingfishers are, and spent more time just watching the activity and antics of this pair. The added bonus of sunlight certainly helped the cropped pictures.

The Grey Heron was in his usual spot, by the footpath;

but that means he constantly gets disturbed by the passing people and dogs.

A group of Goosander were swimming up at the top end of the lake, and as I passed the weir, another pair of Kingfishers, sitting in a tree, at the edge of the lake.

One had a fish and was bashing it on the branch, before eating it.

At the pub, a few Starlings, a couple of Pied Wagtails, and a group of grazing geese.

On towards the south lake, and a couple of singing Chiffchaff kept me company till I reached the far end.

A pair of Little Grebe, swimming in the usual spot, and a pair of Mute Swans were just enjoying the sun.

Down past the rowing club, around the houses, and then a quick look over on Cormorant island I found the Great Black-backed Gull, the nesting pair of Mute Swans, and the Oystercatchers.

Back at the car park, calling Chiffchaff, and an elusive Blackcap.

But a fly past from a Mallard, against the blue sky.

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Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Goosander (Mergus merganser merganser)

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)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

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

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

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 Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  38

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Last post for now, until I get back from Wales.

Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Goosander and sun

Once the fog cleared, a sunny morning again.

Plenty of Chiffchaff calling all round the lake today.

 Lovely to hear them.

A Song Thrush was quite bold, briefly,

before getting down to the business of searching for worms.

Up at the island, I got some good views of the Kingfishers for a change, as the mist slowly cleared.

At the top end of the north lake, a group of Goosander were chasing around on the water.

A pair of Mute Swans have decided to build a nest in a very precarious place.

Right at the edge of the lake, and in potential danger from any dogs that are left to run around.

The daffodils near the pub, were looking lovely in the sunlight,

and the Crow seems contented in his nest, on top of the pub.

The south lake was pretty quiet, until I reached the far end.

More Chiffchaff were calling along the way, and after stopping to feed the Robin, a pair of Blackcap were busily foraging through the branches of the trees.

Past the rowing club, a few geese flying around,

and then back at the car park, more Chiffchaff and Blackcap calling.

Out on the water, a pair of Great Crested Grebes were performing the weed dance; unfortunately it meant trying to capture it through the reeds, and into the sun.

Another good morning.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

Gadwall [sp] (Anas strepera)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Goosander (Mergus merganser merganser)

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)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

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

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Redwing [sp] (Turdus iliacus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  39

Crows nesting and a Blackcap

Foggy start again, but sun later.

The squirrel continues to wreak havoc on one of the new 'squirrel proof' bird feeders.

I think the holes for the seed are too big, and he's scooping it out.

A Blackbird was singing his morning song from the treetops, and a Chiffchaff was calling from around the car park. Plenty of Magpies enjoying the bread and biscuit too.

After feeding the Mallards under the road bridge, I carried on up towards the island.

Far too foggy to see if the Kingfishers were about, but I did spot a Little Grebe.

 A nice surprise, because I only usually see these on the south lake.

The Canada Geese were quieter this morning, and a Green Woodpecker was digging away at one of the trees. I could hear some Wigeon out on the water, but too foggy to see them. Another Chiffchaff calling round here too, but equally invisible.

At the top end, a couple of Goosander swam off into the fog, and soon disappeared from view.

Once I was up by the pub, the sun was starting to burn through the fog making it easier to see out on the water. A Kingfisher flew past, and settled in the bushes by the boat jetty; until a jogger ran past. A couple of boats were now out on the water, and the Daffodils were looking radiant, as the sun tried to skip over them.

I made my way under the road bridge, and the walk round the south lake was bathed in sunlight. Lots of geese and swans taking to the air, as more boats powered their way through the water, in their relentless journey up and down the length of the lake.

At the far end a Chiffchaff calling by the railway, a couple of Little Grebe swimming around, and five Goosander swimming briefly by the island, until they took off, and flew further down the lake, away from the boats.

I watched a Crow snapping branches from the trees to build his nest, and then watched amazed as another Crow attacked him, while he was on his nest.

A brief skirmish, and then it was all over. One flew one way, and the other flew in the opposite direction.

Walking past the offices, I could hear a sound I haven't heard yet this year. A calling Blackcap.

 I eventually managed to find him. A lovely male, flitting through the branches of a tree, and calling as he went.

I carried on to where the Robin is usually waiting, left him some seed, and then spotted a Wren.

 A couple of quick shots before he disappeared into the bushes.

Past the rowing club, and up towards Cormorant island.

The Mute Swan was doing some adjustments to her nest, the Great Black-backed Gull was busily staring into space, and the pair of Oystercatchers were just chilling in the now warm sunshine.

At the car park I could hear the Chiffchaff in the trees, another Blackcap, and a Goldfinch, posing against the now blue sky.

And to round off an enjoyable morning, a clump of Lesser Celandine, shining in the sunlight.

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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)

Goosander (Mergus merganser merganser)

Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Buzzard [sp] (Buteo buteo)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

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

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

Green Woodpecker [sp] (Picus viridis)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

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)

European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  37

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Don't forget to put your clocks forward.

More Fog, and some vocal geese.

But still managed to see some great birds.

The feeders; or one of them, is taking a real hammering from the squirrel. He seems to be sucking the seed out, almost as fast as I can fill them up.

While I was there, I spotted a Treecreeper, working his way up a couple of trees.

Passing under the road bridge, the fog was so thick, it was impossible to see the pub over on the other side.

I did manage to see one Kingfisher though; and a group of very noisy Canada Geese.

I think there was some argument going on, as to who is going to nest on the island.

Through the fog, I managed to pick out the pair of Oystercatchers; and further along, a small group of Wigeon.

At the top end of the lake, were five Goosander; four males, and a female.

Very little else could be seen until I was at the south lake.

My usual Robin, along with a couple of Chiffchaff calling, but impossible to see in the fog.

There was a Long-tailed Tit though, with a large feather in his beak, flying from tree to tree. My guess is he's building a nest, so I stepped back, and waited. Once I was a comfortable distance away, he made his way to where I think the nest is.

Back at the car park, I rearranged a couple of the feeders, in the hope that it might deter the squirrel; and then I finally caught sight of the elusive Chiffchaff, singing high up in a tree.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Goosander (Mergus merganser merganser)

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)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

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

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

Green Woodpecker [sp] (Picus viridis)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

British Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris britannica)

British Jay (Garrulus glandarius rufitergum)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  38