Was out by 06.10 this morning, there was a slight drizzle and it was cool as the morning progressed the drizzle eased off, but it remained dull and overcast with little breeze of note.
I made my way along the top wood where I heard the first of 7x Chiffchaff, along the grass mound and out onto the model boating lake, there where only 2x Mute Swans on here and of course the pair of Great Crested Grebe, also a pair of Tufted Duck, by the old railway sidings a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming.
On the main lake another 8x Mute Swans, 36x Tufted Duck and 3x adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 6x Great Crested Grebe. As I walked along the lake edge I noticed the Grey Heron on top of a Magpie nest, I wasn't sure but thought it could be trying to get too the young Magpies.
Into the wood/pools area and the first of 5x Willow Warblers, a Sparrowhawk flew over and by the top pool the male Reed Bunting was calling away, a pair of Blackcap where also of note.
Back onto the main lake and 8+ Sand Martins where flying across the lake and the male Shoveler was again sticking close to a female Mallard.
On the old gas works 3x Stock Doves and 4x Curlew flew over.
Back at the top of the main lake and there was over 40+ Sand Martins and 6+ Swallows flying around and landing at the top of a tall dead tree. I walked down the canal side of the lake and by the Visitor Centre noticed 2x Little Ringed Plover on the grass edge.
Total species seen was 43, the highest count of the month so far.
Back down at Westport from 17.30 til 19.40, the weather was much better, very dry and sunny, but with a strong north/northwest breeze which eased off as the sun went down.
I've just added the birds that I didn't see this morning, first was 2x Grey Wagtail on the edge of the main lake, in the pools/wood area 3x Willow Tit, 1x Coal Tit and 1x pair of Teal.
Back on the main lake and a House Martin was in a flock of about 100+ Sand Martin and Swallows, finally as I walked down the canal side of the lake a pair of Treecreepers where making there way along the trees.
Total number of species seen for the day is 49, my best ever count for a day so far this year.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
6 April 2010
Just made a quick visit this afternoon from 17.50 - 19.00, Phil Jones had a Kittiwake at 16.40, the third record of the year at Westport, and I still haven't seen any this year, so I was hoping to catch up with this one.
I did a quick check of the model boating lake, the pair of Great Crested Grebe still at the nest and 10 Mute Swans, at the main lake, not a Gull in site, counted another five Great Crested Grebe and 26 Tufted Duck, the lowest count of the month so far. At the top end of the lake 17+ Swallows where flying around catching the many insects that seems to be about on this quite warm afternoon. A adult Lesser Black-backed Gull flew in but sadly no Kittiwake, and the Grey Heron flew in to start it's late afternoon feed.
I did a quick check of the pool/wood area, 4 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warblers where singing, by the top pool a pair of Bullfinch, Willow Tit and a female Blackcap to go with the male I had seen the previous day.
As I made my way back along the main lake 8+ Sand Martins flew through, I tried hard to find a House Martin among them but no luck.
Total species seen 31.
I did a quick check of the model boating lake, the pair of Great Crested Grebe still at the nest and 10 Mute Swans, at the main lake, not a Gull in site, counted another five Great Crested Grebe and 26 Tufted Duck, the lowest count of the month so far. At the top end of the lake 17+ Swallows where flying around catching the many insects that seems to be about on this quite warm afternoon. A adult Lesser Black-backed Gull flew in but sadly no Kittiwake, and the Grey Heron flew in to start it's late afternoon feed.
I did a quick check of the pool/wood area, 4 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warblers where singing, by the top pool a pair of Bullfinch, Willow Tit and a female Blackcap to go with the male I had seen the previous day.
As I made my way back along the main lake 8+ Sand Martins flew through, I tried hard to find a House Martin among them but no luck.
Total species seen 31.
Monday, 5 April 2010
05 April 2010
It had rained very heavy overnight so everywhere was very wet under foot, very overcast and cool, forgot to make a note of the breeze.
As usual the Grey Wagtail was along the canal singing away, I made my way through the top wood and over the grass mound, along the sidings and then down to the model boating lake, 11x Mute Swans where on here nearly all young ones from last year, the two Great Crested Grebe still sitting on the nest.
On the main lake counted another 4x Great Crested Grebe and 33x Tufted Duck, no sign of the Shoveler or Goldeneye which had returned yesterday, they have started to move about a bit now. The Grey Heron was doing it's usual tour of the lake and a couple of adult Lesser Black-backed Gull where on the lake.
I met up with Nick and we went through to the wood/pool area, Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming, Chiffchaff calling (in total saw/heard 6), up by the top pool we had a male Reed Bunting, the second one, the first was in the trees by the visitors centre, 2x Willow Warblers where also singing in the top pool area, there was another 2x Mute Swans in the reed bed, Nick left for his hols (jammy sod) and I decided to have a look in the old gas works area, a single Kestrel was hovering over the grass area and at the same time 3x Swallows flew over and a single Sand Martin.
I made my way back to the top pool and had a male Blackcap and a male Bullfinch.
I came back out to the main lake and counted another 2x Sand Martins and 10x Swallows, on the grass verge a Oystercatcher was feeding as I walked round to the Visitors Centre 2x Mistle Thrush flew over a Grey Wagtail was on the beach area and I watched the Grey Heron catch and devour a large Pike, as I had another look at the Oystercatcher again and I noticed a Little Ringed Plover also on the grass verge.
Total species seen 40.
Also recorded by Phil Jones later in the day, 2x Willow Warbler and Blackcap still present, Green Woodpecker calling on the old gas works, first record for the month.
Back down to Westport from 17.45 - 19.40, it was very dull an overcast with light showers, a slight breeze from the south/southwest, additional species seen were, Coal Tit x1, Willow Tit x1 and Jay x2 all in the wood area at the back of the grass mound.
In the wood/pools area the male Shoveler was back, it seems to have paired up with a female Mallard so we will have too see what happens.
Total species seen for the day is 44.
As usual the Grey Wagtail was along the canal singing away, I made my way through the top wood and over the grass mound, along the sidings and then down to the model boating lake, 11x Mute Swans where on here nearly all young ones from last year, the two Great Crested Grebe still sitting on the nest.
On the main lake counted another 4x Great Crested Grebe and 33x Tufted Duck, no sign of the Shoveler or Goldeneye which had returned yesterday, they have started to move about a bit now. The Grey Heron was doing it's usual tour of the lake and a couple of adult Lesser Black-backed Gull where on the lake.
I met up with Nick and we went through to the wood/pool area, Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming, Chiffchaff calling (in total saw/heard 6), up by the top pool we had a male Reed Bunting, the second one, the first was in the trees by the visitors centre, 2x Willow Warblers where also singing in the top pool area, there was another 2x Mute Swans in the reed bed, Nick left for his hols (jammy sod) and I decided to have a look in the old gas works area, a single Kestrel was hovering over the grass area and at the same time 3x Swallows flew over and a single Sand Martin.
I made my way back to the top pool and had a male Blackcap and a male Bullfinch.
I came back out to the main lake and counted another 2x Sand Martins and 10x Swallows, on the grass verge a Oystercatcher was feeding as I walked round to the Visitors Centre 2x Mistle Thrush flew over a Grey Wagtail was on the beach area and I watched the Grey Heron catch and devour a large Pike, as I had another look at the Oystercatcher again and I noticed a Little Ringed Plover also on the grass verge.
Total species seen 40.
Also recorded by Phil Jones later in the day, 2x Willow Warbler and Blackcap still present, Green Woodpecker calling on the old gas works, first record for the month.
Back down to Westport from 17.45 - 19.40, it was very dull an overcast with light showers, a slight breeze from the south/southwest, additional species seen were, Coal Tit x1, Willow Tit x1 and Jay x2 all in the wood area at the back of the grass mound.
In the wood/pools area the male Shoveler was back, it seems to have paired up with a female Mallard so we will have too see what happens.
Total species seen for the day is 44.
Sunday, 4 April 2010
04 April 2010
Unfortunatley I was unable to get down to Westport today, but Nick Smith kindly kept me upto date with what was recorded.
Highlights where a Kittiwake flying around, a Fieldfare flew over and the Blackcap was still present by the top pool, a small passage of Meadow Pipits flew through and after missing for a day the pair of Goldeneye and male Shoveler returned.
The Kittiwake was still present at 07.40 sticking close to the Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Later in the day a report was received from Pete Lunt of 2x male Shoveler being present at Westport.
Highlights where a Kittiwake flying around, a Fieldfare flew over and the Blackcap was still present by the top pool, a small passage of Meadow Pipits flew through and after missing for a day the pair of Goldeneye and male Shoveler returned.
The Kittiwake was still present at 07.40 sticking close to the Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Later in the day a report was received from Pete Lunt of 2x male Shoveler being present at Westport.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
03 April 2010
Left nice and early this morning, in fact I was so early (06.00) it was still dark, so used my ears instead of my bins and made a note of what I heard (which was just the usual), decided to start at Westport by walking through the wood at the back of the model boating lake and then onto the grass mound on the other side, it was still fairly dark and only noted the commoner stuff.
As I walked along the old railway siding I thought I heard a Curlew calling overhead, but I was unable to locate it, Checking the model boating lake and two Little Ringed Plover where on the far bank, two Great Crested Grebe were in the usual place, 2x Tufted Duck but no Mute Swans.
I made my way to the main lake to count the duck, Tufted Duck numbered 27, 6x Mute Swans but no Goldeneye or Shoveler, both have been long stayers, again I heard Curlew calling, this time I located it, it kept flying around looking as though it wanted to land, after about 15/20 mins it gave up and headed off south. There were 2x Grey Heron on the main lake one was mobbed by a Lesser Black-backed Gull and did'nt hang around, at the top end of the lake a Swallow flew through.
I made my way into the wood/pools area again Chiffchaff was singing away, by the end of the day we had counted at least 10+, 2x Willow Warbler where by the bottom pool plus 3x Willow Tit, a pair of Bullfinch where by the 2nd gate and a single Teal flew from the 2nd pool, by the top pool still a pair of Mute Swan and the male Reed Bunting calling.
Checked out the old gas works where 2/4 Stock Doves were flying around, a single Jackdaw flew over followed by another 2 later on, on the wires by the canal 5x Swallow were resting on the wires.
Total species seen was 40.
Also recorded later in the day a male Blackcap by the top pool, seen by Dave Kelshall.
As I walked along the old railway siding I thought I heard a Curlew calling overhead, but I was unable to locate it, Checking the model boating lake and two Little Ringed Plover where on the far bank, two Great Crested Grebe were in the usual place, 2x Tufted Duck but no Mute Swans.
I made my way to the main lake to count the duck, Tufted Duck numbered 27, 6x Mute Swans but no Goldeneye or Shoveler, both have been long stayers, again I heard Curlew calling, this time I located it, it kept flying around looking as though it wanted to land, after about 15/20 mins it gave up and headed off south. There were 2x Grey Heron on the main lake one was mobbed by a Lesser Black-backed Gull and did'nt hang around, at the top end of the lake a Swallow flew through.
I made my way into the wood/pools area again Chiffchaff was singing away, by the end of the day we had counted at least 10+, 2x Willow Warbler where by the bottom pool plus 3x Willow Tit, a pair of Bullfinch where by the 2nd gate and a single Teal flew from the 2nd pool, by the top pool still a pair of Mute Swan and the male Reed Bunting calling.
Checked out the old gas works where 2/4 Stock Doves were flying around, a single Jackdaw flew over followed by another 2 later on, on the wires by the canal 5x Swallow were resting on the wires.
Total species seen was 40.
Also recorded later in the day a male Blackcap by the top pool, seen by Dave Kelshall.
Friday, 2 April 2010
02 April 2010
Left the house at 06.20 this morning and was making a note of the birds I could hear calling, as I made my way around to the canal I realised i'd forgotten my bins!, a great start.
The weather was cool but dry, heavy cloud coverage and a slight south/southeast breeze.
Again the Grey Wagtail was on the canal a male singing away, but no sign of a mate as yet, along to the model boat lake and the Great Crested Grebe are still sitting plus the five first year Mute Swans. On to the main lake and again this morning a Little Ringed Plover on the grass verge but no sign of the other one this morning. Counted the Tufted Duck x33 and Great Crested Grebe x5, the pair of Goldeneye are still present and the single male Shoveler although it's getting abit more flighty at the moment. As usual the Grey Heron was on the main lake fishing, we watched it catch a fish later on in the morning and swallowed it in one go.
Into the wood/pools area and the Chiffchaff was singing away in the same place as yesterday, all together we counted 7/8 singing, only one Willow Warbler today so looks like the others have past through. At the top pool the Mute Swans continue nest building and a male Reed Bunting was calling in the small reedbed. On the old gas works another Grey Heron flew over making two for the day, a couple more Chiffchaff here and Bullfinch but not much else.
On returning to the main lake a single Swallow flew through.
Total species seen was 37.
Also later on in the morning Pete Lunt recorded the following, Swallow x2 flying over, Chiffchaff x2, Bullfinch x8 (Very good count), Little Ringed Plover x2, Buzzard flying over and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker.
The weather was cool but dry, heavy cloud coverage and a slight south/southeast breeze.
Again the Grey Wagtail was on the canal a male singing away, but no sign of a mate as yet, along to the model boat lake and the Great Crested Grebe are still sitting plus the five first year Mute Swans. On to the main lake and again this morning a Little Ringed Plover on the grass verge but no sign of the other one this morning. Counted the Tufted Duck x33 and Great Crested Grebe x5, the pair of Goldeneye are still present and the single male Shoveler although it's getting abit more flighty at the moment. As usual the Grey Heron was on the main lake fishing, we watched it catch a fish later on in the morning and swallowed it in one go.
Into the wood/pools area and the Chiffchaff was singing away in the same place as yesterday, all together we counted 7/8 singing, only one Willow Warbler today so looks like the others have past through. At the top pool the Mute Swans continue nest building and a male Reed Bunting was calling in the small reedbed. On the old gas works another Grey Heron flew over making two for the day, a couple more Chiffchaff here and Bullfinch but not much else.
On returning to the main lake a single Swallow flew through.
Total species seen was 37.
Also later on in the morning Pete Lunt recorded the following, Swallow x2 flying over, Chiffchaff x2, Bullfinch x8 (Very good count), Little Ringed Plover x2, Buzzard flying over and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
01 April 2010
Left the house this morning at 06.30, there was snow on the ground, it was rather cold and I was well wrapped up, is this an April's Fool!!
As usual the Grey Wagtail was singing away on the canal, the model boating lake had the pair of Great Crested Grebe and 5x Mute Swans, I made my way down to the main lake to do the duck count, in front of the grass verge there was a Little Ringed Plover as I watched fly high and north it was joined by another one, back to the duck count and Tufted Ducks were up to 39, the pair of Goldeneye are still present, another 4x Great Crested Grebe and the Grey Heron was walking along the path.
I made my way to the first gate into the wood/pools, here I had my first of 2 Willow Warblers and the first of 4 Chiffchaff, again a pair of Teal flew from the brook and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker landed on a tree in front of me, a single Redwing popped out of a bush at the side of the gate, I thought I may of seen the last of these til autumn, but given the weather I shouldn't of been surprised.
Up by the top pool another pair of Mute Swans are nesting and the male Shoveler was on here, in the Tit flock a Coal Tit was present and at least 4 Willow Tit with two excavating a hole in a tree, a Reed Bunting was also calling by the pool.
Just after I'd left Nick and made my way along the canal side of the main lake I noticed a large bird of prey flying across the lake, it was a lovely male Peregrine, it flew along the lake up an over the wood/pools and then up and over Bradwell Wood, I have seen Peregrine here before a lot of years ago with Bill Lowe so it was a nice finish to the morning.
Total species seen was 41.
As usual the Grey Wagtail was singing away on the canal, the model boating lake had the pair of Great Crested Grebe and 5x Mute Swans, I made my way down to the main lake to do the duck count, in front of the grass verge there was a Little Ringed Plover as I watched fly high and north it was joined by another one, back to the duck count and Tufted Ducks were up to 39, the pair of Goldeneye are still present, another 4x Great Crested Grebe and the Grey Heron was walking along the path.
I made my way to the first gate into the wood/pools, here I had my first of 2 Willow Warblers and the first of 4 Chiffchaff, again a pair of Teal flew from the brook and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker landed on a tree in front of me, a single Redwing popped out of a bush at the side of the gate, I thought I may of seen the last of these til autumn, but given the weather I shouldn't of been surprised.
Up by the top pool another pair of Mute Swans are nesting and the male Shoveler was on here, in the Tit flock a Coal Tit was present and at least 4 Willow Tit with two excavating a hole in a tree, a Reed Bunting was also calling by the pool.
Just after I'd left Nick and made my way along the canal side of the main lake I noticed a large bird of prey flying across the lake, it was a lovely male Peregrine, it flew along the lake up an over the wood/pools and then up and over Bradwell Wood, I have seen Peregrine here before a lot of years ago with Bill Lowe so it was a nice finish to the morning.
Total species seen was 41.
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