Highlight of my last couple of visits to the park has been the return of the Cuckoo which has been heard calling occasionally but I've not managed to see it so far.
Also of note are the good number of House Martins which have now joined the Sand Martins and Swallows feeding over the lake. On the lake itself the second drake Mandarin is still around and continues to try to muscle in on the female but she is being admirably protected by her mate.
The Common Whitethroat is still around, and Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and the odd Willow Warbler are to be heard in the woods, and my first Red Admiral of the year was seen today too.
A female Mallard along with her lone duckling was on the lake earlier in the week, but I've not seen her, or the other female with the 9 ducklings, for a few days now but hopefully they are still safe and well.
Sadly the dropping of water levels on the meadow at, in mine and others opinion, a far too fast a pace has caused the Little Grebes to not only abandon their nest but also it now appears the site full stop which is a real shame, but hopefully lessons learnt and in the future the drainage will be managed better for the benefit of all the birds on site.
