Wednesday 9 April 2008
Nonsuch 9th April 2008
Another trip to Nonsuch today, focussing on the western half, aka Ewell end. I checked the scrubby area at the furthest point first. It wasn't as good as I remember with only a couple of Chiffchaffs singing and a Blackcap. Next I went to Warren Farm where there were some House Sparrows, my first for the year at Nonsuch and an increasingly scarce bird at the site. There were about 5 Jays in the scrub and woodland around the edges too and I saw a male Sparrowhawk circling in the distance from the farm. Next I went to the ponds, where there was a drake and female Mallard and three Moorhen with a singing Chiffchaff or two in the area. Green Woodpeckers were plentiful as were Blackcaps with at least 6 present. Just as I was leaving, there was a female Kestrel dust bathing in the non concrete car park right next to the school.
Tuesday 8 April 2008
Nonsuch Park 7/4/08
Another trip to Nonsuch (there will be many in the next two weeks as I'm off school).
There were no Gulls today on the Cheam Park playing fields, I think the majority have gone to breed at more coastal sites now. There were several Green Woodpeckers on site and one or two Great-spotteds were heard. Tits seen were Blue, Great and Long-tailed. A Goldcrest was seen in the woods near the 1st no dogs area (ND1). A Mistle Thrush was heard singing. The Little Owl was present again. It was in the same tree just north of the mansion house, past the fence until a dog walker, or rather his dog, flushed it and it flew past the fence into the plantation of young trees where it was mobbed by Tits and Blackbirds. It was eventually driven into the gardens where a pair of Mistle Thrushes added to the gang mobbing it, it then flew into another tree; we decided to go so we wouldn't cause it more stress. The ponds produced a single Moorhen and a Chiffchaff or two were singing around there. There were around 23 Magpies on site, a record.
There were no Gulls today on the Cheam Park playing fields, I think the majority have gone to breed at more coastal sites now. There were several Green Woodpeckers on site and one or two Great-spotteds were heard. Tits seen were Blue, Great and Long-tailed. A Goldcrest was seen in the woods near the 1st no dogs area (ND1). A Mistle Thrush was heard singing. The Little Owl was present again. It was in the same tree just north of the mansion house, past the fence until a dog walker, or rather his dog, flushed it and it flew past the fence into the plantation of young trees where it was mobbed by Tits and Blackbirds. It was eventually driven into the gardens where a pair of Mistle Thrushes added to the gang mobbing it, it then flew into another tree; we decided to go so we wouldn't cause it more stress. The ponds produced a single Moorhen and a Chiffchaff or two were singing around there. There were around 23 Magpies on site, a record.
Monday 7 April 2008
Nonsuch 30th March 2008
I ended up at Nonsuch again on the 30th and when I set off I didn't know how good it was going to be!
Soon after walking into the woods I spotted a gorious male Sparrowhawk flying into a tree! I have always wanted to see a male perhed and it sat there for about 5 minutes preening.
Another highlight was a Weasel running around at Cheam Park. It kept running in and out of bushes making a 'pssst' noise. There was the usual stuff around the park and the Green Woodpeckers were really noticable as they are starting to breed now.
I had a look for the Little Owl I heard a couple of weeks before but couldn't find it but just as I was making my way to the mansion house to have a snack in the cafe, I heard one in a nearby tree, after looking at all angles for it I eventually spotted it and phoned Phil who was soon on the scene. Before he arrived, the same Sparrowhawk circled low over me. Phil and I continued on together and we saw Goldcrest in the gardens. We were both pleased with the shots that he managed.
I did take photos and I will put them on the blog as soon as I have time.
David
Soon after walking into the woods I spotted a gorious male Sparrowhawk flying into a tree! I have always wanted to see a male perhed and it sat there for about 5 minutes preening.
Another highlight was a Weasel running around at Cheam Park. It kept running in and out of bushes making a 'pssst' noise. There was the usual stuff around the park and the Green Woodpeckers were really noticable as they are starting to breed now.
I had a look for the Little Owl I heard a couple of weeks before but couldn't find it but just as I was making my way to the mansion house to have a snack in the cafe, I heard one in a nearby tree, after looking at all angles for it I eventually spotted it and phoned Phil who was soon on the scene. Before he arrived, the same Sparrowhawk circled low over me. Phil and I continued on together and we saw Goldcrest in the gardens. We were both pleased with the shots that he managed.
I did take photos and I will put them on the blog as soon as I have time.
David
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