Monday 23 April 2012

Nests, fledglings and migrants at East Park

A second visit to East Park this April. The weather held on and we didn't have rain. Things have moved on fast since my last visit. There were at least 10 occupied coot nests, at least one with chicks. I could see three Great Crested Grebes, one of them was on its nest, and judging by their position of the others in the lake, I think there might be three territories. At least two sets of ducklings were present.  House Sparrows were very visible, as they were busy hunting insects in mid air, flycatcher-style, they probably already have chicks on their nests.
The highlight was the strong passage of House Martins, many individuals chirping, which were joined by many Swallows, which were everywhere feeding low over the lake. A group of Swallows had stopped for a grooming session on a roof. 
 A group of around 20 Crows descended upon us, on realising we had some bread. They were shy and didn't like to get too close, and filled their beak pouches with the bread. Outside roosts, I've never seen so many Carrion Crows together.
 Several Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were singing.
Coot feeding two fledglings beside their nest
 A scene from "The Birds"? no! just East Park on a Monday morning
 This one couldn't possibly tuck any more bread in its beak pouch
 Great Crested Grebe nest tucked next to the bank of one of the islands
Swallows resting on roof
Bird list

  1. Blackbird, S 
  2. Blackcap, S 
  3. Blue Tit, S 
  4. Canada Goose, pair 
  5. Carrion Crow 
  6. Chaffinch, S 
  7. Chiffchaff, S 
  8. Collared Dove 
  9. Coot, FL 
  10. Dunnock, S 
  11. Feral Pigeon 
  12. Goldfinch, S 
  13. Great Crested Grebe, 3, ON 
  14. Great Spotted Woodpecker, pair 
  15. Great Tit, S 
  16. Greenfinch 
  17. Greylag Goose 
  18. Herring Gull, 2 
  19. House Martin, c20 
  20. House Sparrow, FF 
  21. Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 
  22. Magpie 
  23. Mallard, FL 
  24. Mistle Thrush, S 
  25. Moorhen 
  26. Mute Swan, 1 
  27. Pied Wagtail
  28. Robin, S 
  29. Sparrowhawk
  30. Starling, B 
  31. Swallow 
  32. Tufted Duck 
  33. Woodpigeon 
  34. Wren, S

2 comments:

Maggie said...

Hello Africa,
I just wanted to say how delighted I am to have found your blog! I've moved back to Hull (after over 30 years in London) to look after my elderly mum.
I have started bird and fox watching in her large back garden and am enjoying it a lot. I've got myself a new camera and 300mm lens ..
However, I can't leave mum for very long - so your blog is giving me a lot of suggestions of local places to go for a bit of wildlife spotting!
Thanks again!

Maggie

Africa Gomez said...

Hi Maggie! Thank you for your comment, I hope your move back to Hull is smooth and you can still find those precious moments with nature to fill you with energy to look after your mum.