After lunch we headed along the main path by the lake. Along the way a Green Woodpecker flew over to the south and perched at the top of a tall tree, still in view, and a Robin was singing away. There were lots of gulls and Woodpigeon around and then I spotted a single Cormorant flying over towards the lake. We arrived at the lake to see plenty of Mute Swan in the water with some Tufted Duck and Mallard. The lake was covered in Coot [150+] - I've never come across such large numbers before. On the far banks were large groups of Canada Goose and Greylag Goose, including one Greylag hybrid with a wide white band around it covering its breast and nape/mantle. One or two Cormorant were on the far shore too, as was a Grey Heron.
Walking further along the path showed a Blue Tit in the woods to the right. Further up a small number of Pochard could be seen at the far side under an overhanging tree. In with them was a Great Crested Grebe, with a few others scattered in amongst the large number of gulls. The gulls were mainly in the water, but also in flight too. The majority appeared to be Herring Gull, with many Lesser Black-backed Gull too.
Lesser Black-backed Gull [VidiBin capture]
Before reaching the end of the path, mum took the kids to watch the glass blowing exhibition, leaving us to the birds. A little way on where the path moved away from the water's edge for the reeds and some trees, we each spotted small birds flying about in them. One turned out to be a female Chaffinch and the other a Marsh Tit, which became my bird of the day. It wasn't up for being caught on video though - as the shots show (see screen captures).
Marsh Tit
We hung around at the end of the path for a while, but there wasn't much else to see easily, so headed back. On the way back a male Kestrel was on a fence post at the dammed end of the lake (see VidiBin capture). I had the video camera on it for a nice bit of film, too. It had a Shrew and rather than eat it, flew down to the ground and hid it in a hole for storage. I since found [thanks to BirdForum members] that this caching of food is not uncommon for falcons - especially Kestrels - typically when food is in abundance. In the background, at the river was another Grey Heron.
Male kestrel on fence above his "cache" [VidiBin capture]
Further along we saw a Wren in the hedge along the path, and some Long-tail Tit and Great Tit in the trees by the archery area. There were Goldfinch around too, and we had good views of one drinking from a puddle in the field to the left. Entering the main grounds again showed a single Starling flying around the tree tops, a male Chaffinch and a few Greenfinch up high in the pine trees to the left.
We walked down to the bridge behind the cricket ground to see half-a-dozen Moorhen in the field on the far side and good views of a Green Woodpecker feeding in the field. I managed to get closer for some reasonable footage (see screen captures). In the upstream direction there were more variety of ducks than in the main lake. A collection of Mallard, Teal and Gadwall were all hiding out of the way by the island. At the top of the dead trees a few Jackdaws were hanging around. It was starting to get late and cold, so that's when we headed back.
Green Woodpecker on fence post and feeding in a field
In all, 32 species were recorded including three which were new to my active life list: Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Marsh Tit. For me, the Kestrel and Green Woodpecker were the most interesting to watch ,though.
