Sunday, 14 August 2011

Box End Park WeBS: 14/08/2011

Surprise of the morning was saved for the end, having done my circuit of the park I noticed a number of small birds in the grass by the camp site. These turned out to be Yellow Wagtails and a scan of the grass with the scope revealed at least 15, all of which appeared to be juveniles. These were a first for the site. While watching the Wagtails a Lesser Whitethroat was heard singing. Earlier a family group of Foxes was spotted in the field adjacent to the park. Two youngsters were indulging in a spot of play fighting until the adult stepped in to break it up. Most of the Common Terns have departed with just a single adult fishing over the lake at the end of the session. Full counts were:

Black-headed Gull 3
Common Sandpiper 2
Common Tern 1
Great Crested Grebe 1
Grey Heron 2
Grey Wagtail 1
Kestrel 1
Kingfisher 1
Lapwing 5
Mallard 76
Moorhen 4
Pied/White Wagtail 2
Sparrowhawk 1 (Carrying prey, possibly a blackbird.)
Yellow Wagtail 15

Total number of species: 14 Individuals: 115

Also present were ~72 House Martins and 11 Swallows. Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler were also present and the Sedge Warbler was carrying food.

Sunday, 17 July 2011

Box End Park WeBS: 17/07/2011

Black-headed Gull 1
Common Tern 23 (At least 10 of this years birds seen and at least 3 of those were ringed.)
Cormorant 3
Great Crested Grebe 1
Grey Heron 1
Grey Wagtail 1
Lapwing 3
Mallard 92 (one of the females had 6 small young.)
Moorhen 1
Pied/White Wagtail 1
Skylark Present

Also seen/heard 30+ House Martins, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Blackcap.

Highlight of the morning was a female Otter on the river. A Fox was also seen.

Sunday, 12 June 2011

Box End Park WeBS: 12/06/2011

Common Tern 21 (Visibility poor on the spit due to vegetation so unable to see any of the nests/young).
Cormorant 1
Great Crested Grebe 2
Grey Heron 1
Lapwing 2
Mallard 60 (Includes females with 3,4,1 and 1 ducklings).
Mute Swan 2
Oystercatcher 4 (2 Adults with 2 large juveniles).
Pied/White Wagtail 5
Skylark Present

Total number of species: 10 Individuals: 98

Also present:

Blackcap 6
Chiffchaff 4
Reed Warbler 4
Sedge Warbler 3
Common Whitethroat 1
Stock Dove 3
Swift, Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin all present

A single male Tufted Duck did a circuit of the lake but didn't stop.