Another good day.
1 Pied Wagtail (something like 3rd or 4th record here for me), 2 Nuthatch (1 near Mansion House, 1 near ponds), 1 Kestrel (male north east of ponds), c15 Goldcrests (gardens, ponds etc), 1 Coal Tit (gardens), 9+ Mistle Thrushes (around Mansion House), 1 Stock Dove (over), 1 Chiffchaff (ponds), 2 Moorhens (ponds)
Showing posts with label Moorhens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moorhens. Show all posts
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Saturday, 27 September 2008
27/09/2008
I think I broke my day list record for Nonsuch Park today with 34 species seen or heard.
Some of these species were great patch birds. Species in bold are occasional visitors to the site, others are resident or seasonal but in low numbers.
Swallow (1 south 1st site record for me) Pied Wagtail (1 over near ponds, 3rd site record), Grey Heron (regular in winter but scarce in autumn), 24+ Jays (all over the place), 2 Green Woodpeckers (1 near ponds, 1 at north end), 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, (mainly around ponds), 3 Nuthatches (2 in gardens, 1 c500m north of ponds), 10+ Goldcrests (mainly around gardens), 1+ Chiffchaff, 1 Kestrel (near ponds), 1 Sparrowhawk (over ponds), 1 Moorhen (ponds), c10 Jackdaws, 2+ Mistle Thrushes, 2 Stock Doves.
So, in summary, an awful lot of patch scarcities but no decent migrants despite 4 hours of almost non-stop thorough watching. I am surprised I didn't have another Buzzard or Peregrine as it looked pretty good for raptors with Gulls circling on thermals. No sign of the Hobbies today... perhaps they've left. I think they probably have as it was a clear, sunny day with a fair number of dragonflies and still no sign...
Some of these species were great patch birds. Species in bold are occasional visitors to the site, others are resident or seasonal but in low numbers.
Swallow (1 south 1st site record for me) Pied Wagtail (1 over near ponds, 3rd site record), Grey Heron (regular in winter but scarce in autumn), 24+ Jays (all over the place), 2 Green Woodpeckers (1 near ponds, 1 at north end), 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, (mainly around ponds), 3 Nuthatches (2 in gardens, 1 c500m north of ponds), 10+ Goldcrests (mainly around gardens), 1+ Chiffchaff, 1 Kestrel (near ponds), 1 Sparrowhawk (over ponds), 1 Moorhen (ponds), c10 Jackdaws, 2+ Mistle Thrushes, 2 Stock Doves.
So, in summary, an awful lot of patch scarcities but no decent migrants despite 4 hours of almost non-stop thorough watching. I am surprised I didn't have another Buzzard or Peregrine as it looked pretty good for raptors with Gulls circling on thermals. No sign of the Hobbies today... perhaps they've left. I think they probably have as it was a clear, sunny day with a fair number of dragonflies and still no sign...
Saturday, 13 September 2008
13/09/2008
3 hours from around 2:30pm to 5:30pm gave me the following highlights at the park:
1 Little Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Nuthatch, c8 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, c3 Jackdaws, 1 Moorhen, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c20 Ring-necked Parakeets.
Directions for anyone interested:
The Little Owl was in the thick young plantation adjacent to the gardens, near the mansion house.
The Kestrel was around the old oaks c200m north of the mansion house along the main concrete path.
The Sparrowhawk flew over the Cheam end car park and appeared to settle in the woods.
The Nuthatch was heard calling near the ponds.
The Green Woodpeckers were as follows: 2 near Cheam end car park, 2 at the first no dogs area near the aviary, 1 at the edge of the woods, 2 at the old oaks c200m north of the mansion house, 1 at the second no dogs area near the south car park. Though some of these could involve the same birds.
The Goldcrest was heard singing around the edge of the gardens from a conifer.
The Coal Tit was calling around the Cheam end car park
The Lesser Black-backed Gull stayed for 3 minutes (4:33pm-4:36pm) at ND2, my 8th record for the site.
The Jackdaws flew over the old oaks c200m north of the mansion house.
The Moorhen was heard amongst the Reeds at the ponds.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling from the area of scrub north of the ponds.
The Ring-necked Parakeets were all over the place.
1 Little Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Nuthatch, c8 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, c3 Jackdaws, 1 Moorhen, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c20 Ring-necked Parakeets.
Directions for anyone interested:
The Little Owl was in the thick young plantation adjacent to the gardens, near the mansion house.
The Kestrel was around the old oaks c200m north of the mansion house along the main concrete path.
The Sparrowhawk flew over the Cheam end car park and appeared to settle in the woods.
The Nuthatch was heard calling near the ponds.
The Green Woodpeckers were as follows: 2 near Cheam end car park, 2 at the first no dogs area near the aviary, 1 at the edge of the woods, 2 at the old oaks c200m north of the mansion house, 1 at the second no dogs area near the south car park. Though some of these could involve the same birds.
The Goldcrest was heard singing around the edge of the gardens from a conifer.
The Coal Tit was calling around the Cheam end car park
The Lesser Black-backed Gull stayed for 3 minutes (4:33pm-4:36pm) at ND2, my 8th record for the site.
The Jackdaws flew over the old oaks c200m north of the mansion house.
The Moorhen was heard amongst the Reeds at the ponds.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling from the area of scrub north of the ponds.
The Ring-necked Parakeets were all over the place.
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
2nd September 08
2 Hobby around Mansion House 16:00hrs. Also 4 Stock Doves, c20 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Jays (3 near mansion house 2 in gardens), 1 Nuthatch (north of mansion house), 3 Mistle Thrush (around mansion house), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (near balancing ponds) and 1 Kestrel (north of mansion house), 1 Moorhen (ponds)
The Hobbies were briefer this time. First 1 was seen flying by the first no dogs area and landed in a tall tree in plain view in the woods then 2 were seen hunting around the gardens at 16:00hrs.
Still haven't found myself a Whinchat yet....
The Hobbies were briefer this time. First 1 was seen flying by the first no dogs area and landed in a tall tree in plain view in the woods then 2 were seen hunting around the gardens at 16:00hrs.
Still haven't found myself a Whinchat yet....
Friday, 29 August 2008
27th August 08
Today's highlights:
2 Hobbies, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5+ Stock Doves, 1 Moorhen, 40+ Jackdaws, 13+ Ring-necked Parakeets, 38 Magpies
The Hobbies were very good, at first I saw only one hawking around but on my way back there were 2 circling for quite a while, going for the passing Gulls, is one newly arrived or just been elusive, or it has been on the nest while the other has been hunting!?!? A possible breeding record here! I think that one of the birds must be last September's juvenile; less than a year on, back from Africa at the same site and possibly breeding! 1 Kestrel was c200m north of the mansion house near the mature trees and another was by the ponds. Green Woodpeckers were pretty spread out but 2 of them were at the second no dogs area which is adjacent to the southern most car park. The Stock Doves were spread out throughout the site, the Moorhen was by the ponds. The large group of Jackdaws were in the same area as the 1st Kestrel I mentioned and Ring-necked Parakeets and Magpies were obvious throughout.
2 Hobbies, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5+ Stock Doves, 1 Moorhen, 40+ Jackdaws, 13+ Ring-necked Parakeets, 38 Magpies
The Hobbies were very good, at first I saw only one hawking around but on my way back there were 2 circling for quite a while, going for the passing Gulls, is one newly arrived or just been elusive, or it has been on the nest while the other has been hunting!?!? A possible breeding record here! I think that one of the birds must be last September's juvenile; less than a year on, back from Africa at the same site and possibly breeding! 1 Kestrel was c200m north of the mansion house near the mature trees and another was by the ponds. Green Woodpeckers were pretty spread out but 2 of them were at the second no dogs area which is adjacent to the southern most car park. The Stock Doves were spread out throughout the site, the Moorhen was by the ponds. The large group of Jackdaws were in the same area as the 1st Kestrel I mentioned and Ring-necked Parakeets and Magpies were obvious throughout.
Sunday, 17 August 2008
17th Aug 08
I'm back from France now (report will be on www.southeastbirding.com shortly). And am straight back into local patching. Because I'm writing the report I currently only really have time to give a quick summary of today's birds:
1+ Hobby (flying over), 2 Kestrel, c7 Stock Dove, 1 Moorhen, 1 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron (flying over), 5 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jackdaw, c18 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Sparrowhawk
Bold = unusual/unseasonal visitor others are seasonal/resident but in low numbers.
1+ Hobby (flying over), 2 Kestrel, c7 Stock Dove, 1 Moorhen, 1 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron (flying over), 5 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jackdaw, c18 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Sparrowhawk
Bold = unusual/unseasonal visitor others are seasonal/resident but in low numbers.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
29/7/08
A good day at the park with the highlights summarised below and given more detail at the bottom (rare patch visitors in bold, others are regular/seasonal but in low numbers or in the case of Ring-necked Parakeet, interesting)
1 Hobby, 20+ Ring-necked Parakeet, c200 Black-headed Gull, 3 juvenile Sparrowhawk, 6 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Moorhen , 16+ Herring Gulls over
Further details on the above:
The Hobby was seen flying low over the conifers near the aviary. Could be last year's juvenile that is summering here as a young non-breeder?
The Sparrowhawks were very vocal and were chasing eachother around the woods that border Nonsuch Park and Cheam Park.
Green Woodpeckers were mainly heard but good views were had of one at the second no-dogs area (ND2) which is the enclosed area that the southern most car park overlooks. The usual female and juvenile were feeding the the gardens. I still haven't seen the male.
Ring-necked Parakeets are becoming increasingly vocal now that breeding is finished and their numbers are boosted by the juveniles that I have seen quite often. They are easy to spot with their shorter tails.
Black-headed Gulls were at their highest so far this season with at least 102 at the playing field at Cheam Park (more birds constantly dropping in). A single 2nd summer Lesser Black-backed Gull joined them. Numbers of Black-headed Gulls were seen flying over and there were about 50 more feeding at the second no-dogs area (again, numbers constantly increasing).
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew into the gardens and started climbing a conifer.
3 Mistle Thrushes were present around the gardens.
1 Stock Dove was seen in flight around the main grassland area.
1 Song Thrush was heard singing near the ponds.
1 tiny and downy Moorhen was seen at the ponds and an adult was heard (second brood?)
Finally, 16+ Herring Gulls were seen flying over the site.
Finches today included a single Goldfinch over the second no-dogs area, about 20 Greenfinch throughout the whole site, and about 10 Chaffinch around the gardens and aviary. They were all very vocal and obvious today.
1 Hobby, 20+ Ring-necked Parakeet, c200 Black-headed Gull, 3 juvenile Sparrowhawk, 6 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Moorhen , 16+ Herring Gulls over
Further details on the above:
The Hobby was seen flying low over the conifers near the aviary. Could be last year's juvenile that is summering here as a young non-breeder?
The Sparrowhawks were very vocal and were chasing eachother around the woods that border Nonsuch Park and Cheam Park.
Green Woodpeckers were mainly heard but good views were had of one at the second no-dogs area (ND2) which is the enclosed area that the southern most car park overlooks. The usual female and juvenile were feeding the the gardens. I still haven't seen the male.
Ring-necked Parakeets are becoming increasingly vocal now that breeding is finished and their numbers are boosted by the juveniles that I have seen quite often. They are easy to spot with their shorter tails.
Black-headed Gulls were at their highest so far this season with at least 102 at the playing field at Cheam Park (more birds constantly dropping in). A single 2nd summer Lesser Black-backed Gull joined them. Numbers of Black-headed Gulls were seen flying over and there were about 50 more feeding at the second no-dogs area (again, numbers constantly increasing).
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew into the gardens and started climbing a conifer.
3 Mistle Thrushes were present around the gardens.
1 Stock Dove was seen in flight around the main grassland area.
1 Song Thrush was heard singing near the ponds.
1 tiny and downy Moorhen was seen at the ponds and an adult was heard (second brood?)
Finally, 16+ Herring Gulls were seen flying over the site.
Finches today included a single Goldfinch over the second no-dogs area, about 20 Greenfinch throughout the whole site, and about 10 Chaffinch around the gardens and aviary. They were all very vocal and obvious today.
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.
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