09 June 2010

Another wet morning, not as bad as yesterday but still heavy showers at times, temp down to 15c, not sure of wind direction as it was very light, was down from 06.00 - 08.00.

Canada Geese numbers still seem to be climbing slowly as they come into moult, there are feathers everywhere, the last of the sitting Canada Geese now seem to have hatched with two new groups of 2 and 4 young bringing the total young to 50, this includes the 2 unusual ones which opinions seems to be that these are Domestic young that the Canada Geese have taken over. Great Crested Grebe numbers continue to rise as well as the 2 plus 3 young on the model boating lake, there are another 12 on the main lake giving us the highest count this year (I think), a Grey Heron continues it's early morning stroll along the edge of the boating lake before getting disturbed by the joggers, the 4 Greylag Geese are still on the ramp, Tufted Ducks are down slightly to 7 but Mute Swans have shot up to 26 plus the single youngster.
The male Shoveler is still spending most of it's time near the ramp and 'Marvin' the Marbled Duck was at the top end of the main lake, 2 Blackcap were in the Nature Reserve along with a single Chiffchaff plus another 2 on the old sewage works, a Garden Warbler was singing in the Nature Reserve and 2-3 Reed Warblers in the reeds on the top pool with the male Reed Bunting again carrying food, 3 Stock Doves on the old gas works and the Willow Warbler was giving it's half song on the old sewage works, also a couple of Whitethroats on here.

Total species seen 38.

Back down Westport this evening for a couple of hours, strong north easterly breeze, dry but very cloudy, only a few additions to what I saw this morning, a pair of Willow Tits along the 'Avenue', 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew north over the main lake, a single Collared Dove on the old gas works and a Kestrel on the old sewage works, finally a few House Martins were over the main lake.

Total species for the day 43.