contentednest: Song Thrush

A pleasant change to walk round the lake in sunshine this morning, after this weeks rain.

I soon found the Reed Warbler amongst the reeds this morning,

churning out his catchy tune. He's still proving to be a bit camera shy though.

The car park area was full of the sounds of Blackcap, Robin, Blackbird, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Fantastic to hear so many birds singing in the morning.

The pair of Mallards met me under the road bridge, and over by the pub, the pair of Oystercatchers were feeding along with a group of Black-headed Gulls.

Up by the island, it was good to see a Kingfisher fly past the nest site, and land in the trees. Maybe they've not left the nest after all.

The Heron was in his usual place, and soon left as I got too close.

In the reed bed past the bandstand, the sound of another Reed Warbler. Difficult to see, but eventually he gave me a quick glimpse. That makes two so far.

Very little at the top end of the lake now, apart from a couple of Coots, a pair of Great Crested Grebes, a Cormorant drying his feathers on the boat, and a pair of Tufted Duck.

At the moment there are three pairs of Tufted Duck spread around the lake. Maybe they will nest here? If they do, now would be the time.

Round past the pub, and I was amused to see a Greylag Goose surrounded by Starlings.

Yes, little things amuse me at times. Must be the tablets; but it kind of reminded me of the Pied Piper.

Ok, I'll move on.

The south lake had one hungry Crow, who patiently waited for his apple, and a couple of Swallows were taking a much needed rest, perched up in a tree.

Close to the edge of the lake, a pair of Mute Swans were making all the right moves prior to some mating. The female suddenly changed her mind though, much to the annoyance of the male.

No further comment.

As I made my way down the path, towards the far end, I heard a scratchy sound coming from some bushes. A sound similar to a Reed Warbler, but coarser, with a few whistles thrown in. Had to be a Sedge Warbler; they have a tendency to call from bushes more than a Reed Warbler.

I stood searching with eyes and ears, and eventually managed a couple of glimpses as he moved through the bushes. Finally he briefly climbed a branch and sat long enough for me to see his creamy coloured eye stripe; but not long enough for a picture.

Another day then.

At the far end, a quick look to see if the Orchids have made any more progress through the earth, and then on to the bird pallet, and feed the Robin.

Up by the offices, I looked in on the nesting Mute Swans.

Unfortunately the three eggs that were there yesterday, have disappeared.

I imagine predated by something.

I've been told by a couple of people that they've seen mink around there, so maybe they are the culprits?

Finally I got back to the car park, and a Song Thrush gave me a perfect back view.

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Full list of today's sightings

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)

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)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

British Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major anglicus)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

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)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species 38

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)