Grey Wagtail

Having previously heard one a couple of times over the park, it was nice to finally see a Grey Wagtail today with one around the lake, although it never stuck in one place long as it was continually being flushed by walkers out enjoying the sun.

A drake Shoveler, the third one recorded this year, was initially on the flooded meadow but then moved onto the lake.

The pair of Mandarins were again on the lake, a Green Sandpiper flew over, and as usual I took the opportunity to get a few photos of some of the locals too!

Firecrest

After a lot of searching around the park this year, I finally found a Firecrest last weekend, so today decided to revisit the area to see if it was still around and was pleased to see that it was, and even more pleased that despite it being constantly on the move and going in and out of glare and deep shadow, I managed to get a few photos too.

Ducks

The pair of Mandarins again put in an appearance on the lake today, and whilst they briefly came out into the open water, they as usual quickly headed into the trees where the drake showed well if partially hidden.

 

Also on the lake good numbers of Tufted Ducks remain with this drake also giving a good photo oportunity from the screen.

 

 

The less wary resident Mallards also decided to pose as I walked around the lake.

 

 

Finally a Shelduck, only the second of the year following the recent fly-over, had dropped in to the flooded meadow.

 

 

Bank Voles

With the Bank Vole still being regularly seen most days, I decided to put some seed down to try to get some better views and naturally photos, and I wasn't disappointed with at least two showing really well!

 

First Sand Martins

A walk down to the lake today revealed two Sand Martins feeding high over the lake, a few Chiffchaffs were in song, and a Red Kite drifted over the park hopefully heralding the start of spring migration.

Woodland Residents

Sill practising with the new camera on some of the park residents as I walk round with pics below of a stunning male Bullfinch, a Stock Dove, Great-spotted Woodpecker on the feeder in the car park, and a couple of Roe Deer.

Crossbills

A number of Crossbills are still being seen daily around the park, mostly paired up or in very small groups but a bigger flock of 25+ is still evident too.

 

The identification of some are still a challenge and below are some zoomed-in record shots showing a selection of bill shapes on birds seen today. Shortly before photographing the top bird a very distinctive deeper and slower Chop....Chop call was heard quite unlike anything I've previously heard in the park over the last few months and in stark contrast to the high pitched and quick Chip, Chip Chip, Chip calls of the Common Crossbills.

 

 

Amphibians

The spring weather and above average temperatures has seen a lot of Amphibian action taking place in and around the lake in recent days.

 

A host of Frogs have been busily making their way to the nearest bit of water to mate and spawn.

Numerous Toads have also started to appear too.

 

And although somewhat difficult to photograph through the water both female and male Smooth Newts were noted by the sluice.

 

Waders

With the water levels in the flooded meadow currently being lowered the area is becoming more attractive to waders with a pair of Oystercatchers and Lapwing now frequenting the area.

 

Mealy Redpolls

Three or four Mealy Redpolls were again feeding in the larches today and performed well in the gorgeous spring weather.

Warm weather produces the birds......

With the temperature hitting 19 degrees this seemed to bring the birds out in force today with a Red Kite drifting south over the park, a Mealy Redpoll in the Crossbill larches, a silent Chiffchaff by the lake and a pair of Little Grebes on the water meadow all new species for the year.

 

 

......and the Butterflies!

The warm weather also brought out the Butterflies from hibernation today with Brimstone, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell all being seen around the park.

 

More good temperatures occurred during the next few days with Comma also recorded, and it was good to test out the camera some more.

 

Shelduck

Had a go at testing out the new Camera (Canon Powershot SX50) today on a few of the resident birds around the lake and was really pleased with the results, with these being my two favourite pics so far.

A Shelduck was noted flying south over the park which was the first new bird species for the year recorded here for a couple of weeks.

More Mammals and first Butterfly

A few more mammals have been added to the park year list in recent days with a couple of roosting Daubenton's Bats, Munjac, a Weasel and this Bank Vole.

Today the first butterfly of the year, probably a Peacock, whizzed past me and up into the line of the sun to prevent a positive id, and an Oystercatcher was present on the flooded meadow.