Wetland and Woodland

The morning's birds began with a nice looking male Bullfinch calling along the Sustrans path, whilst feeding on hawthorn berries. Small numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing were seen at Dawson's Corner, with the resident small group of Redwing feeding on the berries.

At the Mill Lakes a flock of six Greylag Goose flew south and then back north, with a single bird seen on the lake. A single Common Gull was on the lake briefly with some Black-headed Gull, before flying off to the north. A male and eclipse male/female Pochard at were at the southern end of lake, with a pair of Great Crested Grebe. Two Cormorant flew in together from the south: one to Tern Island, and the other - a juvenile - landed in top of the "usual" tree on the island in the middle of the lake. I took a few photos and moved on to the Peninsula. At least two male and a female Teal were by Mud Island, and a Water Rail was calling from the reeds behind it. A Kingfisher was perched in tree branches overhanging the water nearby, and the odd Lesser Redpoll were with the Siskin flock around the Peninsula.

Heading back towards the woodland, a Mistle Thrush was in Broad Valley Stables' Horse Paddock, where a flock of 39 Starling were feeding too. Near Alexandra Lodge I watched a good-sized mixed tit flock move through containing Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, two Nuthatch, and a Treecreeper, amongst others. Just before leaving the park, a female Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the trees near to the Hatton Close entrance.