Trip reports

Bird Walk at Weald Country Park, Saturday 10 March.

Thursday, 24 May 2007

Twenty four people attended this walk on a bright spring like day with only a light wind and excellent visibility. In view of the favourable conditions there seemed to be a lack of activity amongst the small passerines at a time when one would have thought there would be plenty of singing, courtship, general feeding and nest preparation. At least one Great Spotted Woodpecker was observed on several occasions in one area of the park, and a distant Green Woodpecker was calling from time to time. Both Blue and Great Tits were flitting around feeding and a small party of Long-tailed Tits was observed. A single Coal Tit was watched coming to a feeder. The apparent absence of Siskins from the lakeside alders was disappointing but the prolonged spell of mild weather may well have led to an early departure towards their more northerly breeding grounds. There was a large number of Jackdaws and a few Stock Doves flew over with just one remaining high up in the treetops.

A few Great Crested Grebes were on the lakes and up to six Goosander were seen but only included one male. Apart from a few Tufted Ducks, the only other ducks were Mallards, which were numerous. Many Coots were out on the water and odd Moorhens lingered around the margins. A Grey Wagtail was heard briefly but the resident pair around the Visitor Centre car park could not be located. The deer enclosure held the usual herd of Fallow Deer with one adult male and younger males just starting to grow their antlers.