Box End Park WeBS: 18/12/2011

Another cold start for the WeBS count this morning at Box End Park. Fortunately the lakes were pretty much free of ice and the usual characters were in residence. Highlight was a Redshank, only my second record for this site and a handsome looking Fox at the north end of the park. Thought it was going to catch a Mute Swan which was on the bank, but the Swan recognised the danger in time.

Fieldfare and Redwing were much in evidence this morning with parties to and fro throughout. As I got out of the car I heard Redwing passing over and I saw the tail end of a flock heading south in the half light. Further parties of 3, 8, 4, 2 and 1 were seen. Parties of 7, 5, 3, 15, 21 and 17 Fieldfare were also seen.

Full counts as follows:

Black-headed Gull 16  
Cormorant 3  
Grey Heron 1  
Kestrel 1  
Lapwing 107  
Little Grebe 2  
Mallard 70  
Mandarin Duck 1  
Meadow Pipit 8
Moorhen 4
Mute Swan 5
Pied/White Wagtail 3
Redshank 1  
Skylark 1
Total number of species: 14 Individuals: 223