I left the car in the drive today and walked from home to Brooklands lake and back via the country park. These are some of the good bits.
The Goldeneye, pictured above is still on the smaller of the two Alders Lakes, aka the Trout lake. It's very difficult to get close to but I managed to sneak up a bit nearer today. There was a flock of about twelve Siskins feeding in the first Alder tree down the towpath between the two Alders lakes along with some Goldfinches. On the big lake were plenty of Pochard, Shoveler and Gadwall alongside the regular species, but strangely no Gt. Crested Grebes as far as I could see. Probably due to a lack of small prey fish in this lake since it was given over to monster Carp.
I accidentally flushed a Common Snipe from the Bittern viewing spot, one of two seen today, unfortunately though, despite my best efforts, I didn't see the Bittern. But after i'd seen it a couple of weeks ago, Eddie Denson spoke to some contacts at SE Water and I believe Mid Kent Fisheries and the Country Park and asked for some extra protection for the birds. Today I saw this sign which refers to the fishing swim directly alongside the reed bed that the Bitterns use. This could have been a major disturbance for them if it had been occupied by fishermen for days and nights on end. Nice one Eddie.
Still good numbers of Little Grebes on the river, where I saw the second Snipe of the morning along with three Redshanks, a single Lapwing and one of two Kingfishers seen today. There were literally hundreds of Redwings in and around the sunken marsh as well as three Bullfinches, a Green Woodpecker and a single Fieldfare.
And finally, i'm pleased to say that the Slavonian Grebe is still with us on Brookland lake, although it took me about half an hour to find it. There was also a Goosander at some point in the morning but I managed to miss that. Grrrrh!!
No new additions to the New Hythe November list today, which looks like staying at 56 species.
5 comments:
you have some mouth watering species over there Phil, December could be an interesting month ?
You are so lucky to have such great places to visit within walking distance Phil, I am very envious!
Good news that the authorities took that action to protect the Bittern and that your acquaintance brought it to their attention.
I see the Robin which migrated from you to me has returned to you again :) Lovely photo!
Hi Phil.
Another good walk had today, along with some good birds.
Like you I will have to try again to see the redhead Goosander.
Nice pics, especially the Robin.
It looks as though I will have find time to wander over to your part of the world sometime and get some real photography done. Looks very good.
Phil ,
My only worry is that at some point , you will be arrested , sneaking around NH as you do .
You did much better than me yesterday , I just got very cold , and saw practicaly nothing .
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