12 September 2010

The forecast wasn't quite to plan, it had forecast a nice day, but with sunny intervals the odd rain shower and a rainbow it wasn't what I had expected, wind was medium north/northwest, temp 14c, visit from 06.30 - 09.00.

Rainbow over Westport

So far September has been quite quiet, esp compared to August which was a great month, things weren't to change today with very little happening, the Mute Swans continue to drop slowly with 5 on the boating lake and 8 on the main lake, Tufted Ducks are also down with 74 on the main lake and a single on the boating lake, also on the main lake the pair of Ruddy Duck are back after disappearing for a day or two, 10 Great Crested Grebes of which 4 are juveniles, back on the boating lake a single Pochard and 'Sammy' Shoveler.

Quite a few Pied Wagtails seem to be going through today and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over, a single Blackcap was calling from near the top pool with at least another 3 on the old sewage works, a couple of Willow Tits were along the nature reserve side of the main lake with a Coal Tit, 12 House Martins went over the main lake, Chiffchaff numbers have dropped off with just 8 around the park, a Kingfisher was seen on the main lake and heard around several places in the park with possibly two being present, 3 Meadow Pipits flew over the old gas works and 11 Swallows were on here and the sewage works, at least 3 Grey Wagtails were on the gas works, along the canal side of the main lake a Jay flew across, 5 Mistle Thrushes were on the housing estate with about 35+ Starlings and 2 Grey Herons flew over.

Received a call from Steve Seal late afternoon to say the Common Sandpiper was still present on the main lake, it had been seen earlier in the morning by one of the park staff and I presume it's the same one from last night.

Also Phil Jones had a Garden Warbler on the sewage works.

Late news from yesterday, Dave Kelsell had 3 Shoveler on the main lake.