Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, Billingham. UK (1 Viewer)

[IanF]

I had a look around the park this afternoon, a spur of the moment decision once the sun came out. It proved to be one of the best days this summer for both birds and insects.

Starting off from the west access where the blocked off section of Wolviston Back Lane meets Seal Sands Road I headed more or less north along the raised bank path. As soon as I entered the park I saw a Southern Hawker a few feet in from the gate - it seems to be a favourred area for them. It was constantly in flight and never settled.

Having crossed the stream by the first bridge I was amazed at the number of butterflies and damselflies. This year has been pretty poor for them so far, but today things looked back to normal. Red and green damselflies were along the path along with Wood Brown, Meadow Brown and Small Heath. Several Migrant Hawker were making use of the oak trees to rest up. The thistle patches held Green-veined White, Small White, Painted Lady, numerous Peacock and Comma.

On reaching the cycleway to Greatham I checked out the streamside bushes by the bridge which so often hold birds looking for a drink or to bathe. The only birds around were Goldfinch which were pretty active, flitting around.

I turned right and made my way along to the car park and then back into the park following the track to the board walk. I checked the sewage works for Grey Wagtail but no sign. The bushes along the hedge opposite held Reed Bunting, Willow Warbler, Chaffinch, Dunnock and Wren. I only intended walking as far as the hump-back bridge to check for Sandpiper on the weir - no sign today but two adult Mute Swan were bathing there with two grey signets. Whilst watching them a Grey Wagtail flew from under the birdge and landed on a fallen weed, staying put for about ten minutes and giving the best views I've ever had of one here. If I'd seen nothing else this day I'd have gone home happy with having connected with the Grey Wagtail - but better was to come!

I retraced my steps to the sewage works and headed left through the gate following the long hedge up past the activity centre. There was little to see along this section - no birds and no insects. Once I reached the railway lines I came across two Bullfinch, several Goldfinch, Whitethroat, Linnet, Long-tailed Tit, Yellowhammer, Blackcap and Willow Warbler all in the young alder trees. A Kestrel was hunting across the lines.

The main pond was pretty quiet still with great swathes of green weed on the surface. Plenty of Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Tufted Duck. Two young Little Grebe were feeding with one of their parents. The pair of Mute Swan were present - their eggs having failed to hatch again this year. The bushes around the pond were quiet as well with just Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin and a single Tree Sparrow.

On leaving the pond I turned right behind the hill and then forked left over the bridge following the path beside the stream. I saw little else apart from a few Swllow and Sand Martin.

On reaching the cycleway I turned left and headed back towards the car park. This time by the stream the bushes were full of birds. The sun had been out a while and there were plenty of bugs about. Around a dozen Goldfinch were present with a similar number of both Willow Warbler and Long-tailed Tit. A few Blue Tit and Great Tit were feeding there as well. I stood a while admiring the way the Willow Warbler were behaving like Flycatchers flying up from the bush tops to snatch a fly and landing again when my eyes nearly popped out of my head - one of them was a Spotted Flyctacher! First one I've ever seen in the park. All of the birds were very confiding. With me stood on the track 8' away they completely ignored me as they sat preening and feeding. I took a few photos and even had to use an extension tube on my 400mm lens as they were so close.

Afterwards I retraced my steps to Seal Sands Road. The butterflies were still present though no sign of the Southern Hawker - however almost in the exact same spot I came across a Speckled Wood - another first for me in the Park and a great way to finish my visit.

 

[IanF]

A few insects from today -

 

[IanF]

I've been calling in here for an hour after work this week. The Grey Wagtail has been in the same place on the same perch the last three evenings but there was no further sign of the Spotted Flycatcher until today when I relocated it 50 yds away from where it was last seen - this time just sat quietly in the sun.

Two Southern Hawker and at least a dozen Migrant Hawker seen today - also Common Darter and Emerald Damselfly.

Quite a few Common Blue, Peacock, Wall Brown, Green-veined White and Comma butterflies around as well as a few Painted Lady.

 

[IanF]

I spent a couple of hours wandering around the Park this morning. It was quite dull with heavily overcast skies though it remained fine.

Not too many birds about at all. Goldfinch x20 were feeding on thistles by the car park when I arrived. Willow Warbler, Dunnock and Whitethroat were in the other bushes. The Grey Wagtail was on the beck on the cycleway side of the sewage works.

I saw little else until I reached the Pond. The usual Tufties, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe were present. A Heron was on the stone island. I spent a while watching a young Sparrowhawk making half hearted attempt at catching Woodpigeons. Some move onto the dead wood sticking out of the lake but others just sat still and ignored it. One refused to move at all and just left it to three Crows to take care of the Sparrowhawk. They eventually crowded it out. Three Kestrel passed over heading for the pylons.

I came across another Speckled Wood butterfly today this time on the railway embankment behind the hill - a few minutes later and the bushes it was on would have been strimmed by the wardens.

I walked around by Greatham but saw little else apart from a flock of Linnet c.60 and heard Grey Partridge calling from a yet to be harvested corn field. Two Pheasant exploded fom the field there as well.

Back at the car park I came across a Great Crested Newt crossing the path from one pond to another - first one I've seen here! There are several signs and a 'newt proof' fence to protect them from work on a new pipeline that was supposed to start in August but hasn't, but I did wonder if any were actually present - now I know

 

[IanF]

10:30am-12:00pm today.

Not a great deal doing bird wise this morning. A shame as it was a lovely sunny morning.

Blue Tits and Goldfinches were in the bushes in the car park when I arrived, but I saw little else until I reached the main pond where a Kestrel tok off from low down on one of the pylons.

The pond itself held the usual Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Shoveller, Mute Swan, and Tufted Duck. I counted six Gadwall which haven't been here four a while and four Teal. Four Little Grebe were around - two adults and two young. A Heron was on the stone island. Quite a few buttterflies and dragonflies around the margins. With several Migrant Hawker, Common Darter and Blue and Emerald Damselfly. Is aw Small Tortoieshell, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Small White and Wall Brown.

 

[IanF]

I had a wander around the park this morning - a lovely sunny morning c.10°C and no wind.

Starting from the car park I walked along to the boardwalk to check what was on the stream - just Moorhen and Mute Swan - two adults and two cygnets. Dunnock and Robin were singing from the bushes. I retraced my steps along the boardwalk and saw a Pied Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail fly into the filter beds and begin feeding on the sides on the black plastic liner.

Following the hedge alongside the Activity Centre to the railway lines I only came across Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock and Magpie. On reaching the railway lines a Sparrowhawk flew south across Seal Sands Road mobbed by four Crow.

Even the pond was pretty quiet. I sat on one of the seats to feed the ducks. Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen came straight over to me. They were followed by a Pochard and a Canada Goose - most likely recent arrivals. Whilst I was sat I watched three young Sparrowhawks on the far side of the pond chasing each other around. If they weren't chasing each other they were chasing the Crows or the Crows were chasing them. Every now and again they had a go at a Wood Pigeon which flew a few yards away before settling again. They were favouring the dead tree which the Egrets and Herons use - sat out in the sun now doubt getting warmed after the chilly night.

Two Little Grebe, an adult and a youngster were feeding in the conservation area near to where a Gadwall was dozing. A Grey Heron flew in and landed on the stone island shortly followed by a pair of Shoveler. I walked around the pond the only addition being a Wigeon.

There wasn't a great deal on the beck towards the cycleway - just Mallard and Moorhen. A few Linnet, Greenfinch and Goldfinch were in the bushes. You can't reach the cycleway by following the beck at present as they've started on the new pipeline. In stead I followed the path back to the car park via the sewage works fence where I came across Redwing 12+ feeding on berries - hawthorn, sloe and elderberry. Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin and Blackcap were here as well.

On arriving back at the car park I checked the feeding station - it hasn't been cleared out yet - so no activity at all, though a Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the birches overhead. Following the path through the wood alongside Seal Sands Road I came across Dunnock and several Wren and a Speckled Wood butterfly.

I also came across several Common Damselfly and a couple of Migrant Hawker today - still a few around.

The Wigeon was a new year tick.

 

[IanF]

A morning of dull overcast skies but pretty mild and next to no wind.

Most notable this morning were the number of winter thrushes passing overhead. I saw half a dozen flocks of Redwing passing over heading west above pylon height, most were c.30 birds but one was 150-200 birds. Only one flock of Fieldfare seen of 34 birds, mostly circling over the A1185 by the Activity Center. Around 30 Redwing seen in the bushes around the park and one or two Fiedfare. Loads of Blackbirds present though. Several flights of Geese passed over heading west but they were all Greaylag.

Other birds seen in flight passing over were Heron x2, Great Spotted Woodpecker x1, Curlew c.12 and Cormorant x27 which were also heading west. A flock number c.50 of small birds comprising mostly Linnet and Goldfinch were seen a few times.

Very few other birds seen in the bushes, most notable being 20+ Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch x2.

Four Grey Partridge were on the back of the hill and another two seen later.

On the main pond were Mallard, Tufted Duck x12, Teal x7, Wigeon x5, Moorhen x9, Cootx11, Little Grebe x2, Cormorant x2, Mute Swan x2. A single Grey Wagtail was below the benches on the east side. Two young Sparrowhawk were on the dead tree on the west side. Quite a few BH Gulls and pigeons were about.

 

[IanF]

A cold morning with the first decent frost of the Autumn, not that it lasted long before thawing leaving the grass cold but soggy.

After being dropped off at the car park at 8:30am I headed for the boardwalk. As I reached it a pair of Grey Wagtail took off from the sewage works and headed over towards the main pond. Overhead were several flights of Redwing 60-80 strong all heading west. Throughout my visits flocks passed over every 10-15minutes - probably totalling around 1,000 birds. At least one flock looked to be mostly Fieldfare. From the hump-backed bridge I could only see BH Gull and Moorhen on the stream. After the boardwalk I turned left and followed the fence line. The berry bushes were full of Redwing, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit and a few Fieldfare.

Walking over to the main pond there was nothing much of note. Even the pond was pretty quiet with fewer birds than of late - apart from Mallard and BH Gull. There were a few Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen and one pair of Pochard. A Grey Heron took off as I arrived followed by a Cormorant. The bushes by the dead tree held several Pigeon and Magpie and a pair of young Sparrowhawk were palying about again.

Whilst sat on a bench, Robin, Dunnock, Reed Bunting and Linnet were in the bushes with more Linnet passing overhead.

Heading back to the car park revealed nothing new.

I popped into the feeding station where it was good to see that it's been cleared out ready for winter. Still a few too many leaves on the trees at present making it pretty gloomy, but they're dropping freely now so it won't be long before it lightens up in there. Some mixed seed was on the tables and two hanging feeders of peanuts. I put out some seed and apples and moved to the viewing screen. It wasn't long before a Coal Tit appeared followed by a Robin and then Great Tit and Blue Tit. Chaffinch, Dunnock and Wren soon followed. Unfortunately so did the rats - three of them which took a fancy to the apple and carted most of it away before returning to tuck into the peanuts. Goldfinches and Greenfinches appeared in the trees overhead and several pigeons but none entered whilst I was there.

I continued along the path adjacent to Seal Sands Road and checked out the wood there was this time of year Goldcrest and Treecreeper are usually about, but I only found Great Tit, Blue Tit and Wren.

Next came the best sighting of the morning - a Jay - which took off from a sycamore tree and passed overhead heading south-east, but not carrying anything. I hung around 20 minutes hoping it was foraging, collecting food to bury, but it didn't return. First sighting of the year here.

67. Jay

Whilst hanging around I noticed several Common Darters still around and even a Hawker and a Speckled Wood.

 

[IanF]

A pleasant sunny morning today with a cold bite in the air.

Entering from the west corner off the A1185 first bird seen was a juvenile female Sparrowhawk that made several runs on flocks of Wood Pigeon feeding in the ploughed field. Probably down to inexperience as they're a little on the large side for it to handle.

Following the path alongside the stream and crossing the first bridge there's an alcove of bushes on the left which catch the early morning sun, some of them well berried hawthorn. The last week or so Redwings and Fieldfares have been feeding on the berries here. Today they were out numbered by the Goldfinch and Blackbird and even a few Greenfinch and tits. Also present were three Bullfinch - two males and a female.

Just after the second bridge I heard a flock of Siskin. There were initally six of them in a willow tree but as they flew off another four or five followed. Apart disturbing a female Sparrowhawk sat in a bush and a few scolding Wren there was little else to see before reaching the cycletrack. Here I turned left following the track towards Cloff Bridge. With Faith Wood being closed at present due to a new pipeline I think that few people are using the path at present. Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Robin, Dunnock and Blackbird were in the path side bushes. On reaching the bridge a Weasel popped out of the verge at my feet and scuttled off sharpish. Then another came onto the track 30yds ahead of me, staying in view long enoough to snatch a few photos. Meanwhile another female Sparrowhawk appeared and glided south towards the main pond circling lazily over the ploughed field.

Just as I was about to retrace my steps along the cycleway five Redpoll landed in the trees above the bridge. Unfortunately only for a few seconds before they headed into Faith Wood. At least they're back.

I followed the path back along to the car park and briefly called into the feeding station. It was pretty quiet, mostly with Robin, Chaffinch Great Tit, Blue Tit and Coal Tit. A few Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow briefly visited. A Great Spotted Woodpecker came in twice for a few seconds as did three Magpie. Siskin were calling from the trees above but didn't visit the feeders.

One leaving the feeding station I crossed over Seal Sand Road and entered the park. A Kestrel was perched on top a young ash tree but left on seeing me. As it flew off it disturbed a Jay which disppeared into the wood. I saw either it or another several more times before reaching the housing estate.

 

[IanF]

A few more photos from today

 

[IanF]

A wander around yesterday morning brought very little. Maybe a bit too cold and windy despite nice sunny weather.

Most notable species were two recently arrived Goldeneye on the main pond.

Still not a great deal going on in the feeding station. Over a 30 minute period - Great Tit x4, Blue Tit x3, Robin x1, Yellowhammer x2. Great Spotted Woodpecker was in trees overhead but never came in.

A bit of an oddity is a Crow with white primaries on both wings that's been hanging around the car park area for a few weeks now. Looks a little strange when seen in flight.

 

[IanF]

Just a quick visit today over to the main pond and back to the car park.

A GSW was in the trees above the car park when I arrived along with Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Yellowhammer x4. Goldfinch and more Chaffinch were in th thick hawthorn hedge. Two Grey Heron flew over towards the pond from the west.

I followed the long hedge up to the railway lines seeing just a few Dunnock, Wren and Chaffinch. Several Crow and Magpie were perched on the tree tops by the Activity Centre.

On the pond were Pochard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Goldeneye x2, Cormorant and BH Gull 40+.

Dunnock, Wren x4, Robin and Blue Tit were in the low bushes by the edge of the pond.

In the trees behind the old hide was a flock of Siskin 8+ and a Bullfinch male.

Heading over to the water treatment works fence a flock of Redwing 9+ and Fieldfare 8+ flew in from the east and landed in the hawthorn bushes where Blackbird 10+ were feeding on the berries.

Upstream from the hump backed bridge were BH Gull x8 and a Moorhen. Whilst stood on the bridge a Grey Wagtail flew in from the weat and landed on the smaller water treatment compound towards the car park where it began feeding on the roof of the small building.

Back in the car park a male GSW was on one of the telegraph poles by the entrance. More finches were in the trees by the feeding station where on a quick visit I saw Yellowhammer x4, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren & Dunnock. Siskin were in the trees above as were a flock of Goldfinch.

 

[IanF]

A lovely sunny morning to have a walk around my local patch.

I felt lazy today so I drove over in the car - though I couldn't enter the car park until a Moorhen got out of the way. Loads of birds in the big hedge in the car park. Mostly it was Goldfinch making all the noise, but others around were Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Robin and Blackbird. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling from the taller trees behind and it wasn't long before it flew over head. The white winged Crow was about as well.

On entering the park I followed the path to the boardwalk. Only Pied Wagtail x2 were in the filter bed. A few Redwing were in the Hawthorn hedge and Wrens scolding from the reeds. On reaching the humped bridge another Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling, possibly the sme one I'd seen earlier. It seemd strange to find it sat actually in a Hawthorn Bush rather than on one of the trees. As it took off I saw it was a male.

I followed the hdge along by the sewage works fence not seeing or hearing a great deal. Mostly it was Blackbirds 8+ in the hedges though towards it's end a male Blackcap was on the bramble patch. A few Redwing and Fieldfare were on a hawthorn bush over towards the new pipeline.

Passing through Faith Wood there were few birds around apart from a Kestrel overhead and a Blue Tit x3 in the alders. On the beck by the bridge and outfall was a Little Grebe. A few more singles of Redwing were flitting about.

On reaching the main pond I picked up calling Siskin straight way where 13 were feeding on an alder bush with two Goldfinch. The pond itself held Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Pochard, Cormorant, Mallard and Goldeneye x4 - two males and two females. Around 50 BH Gull were present.

Following the path by the railway lines I picked up more Goldfinch in alders. On reaching the long hedge leading down to the Activity Centre I disturb Bullfinch x3 just as I came across a flock of Long-tailed Tit 8-9 moving through the trees. Chafifnch and Goldfinch were with them.

On reaching the car park another GSW passed overhead towards the feeding station trees. I then came across Derek Clayton, local birder and ringer. I'd just mentioend not seeing any Treesparrow when one flew into the hedge behind us! We had a wander around together picking up Grey Wagtail and Sparrowhawk as extras for the day.`

 

[IanF]

A better morning than expected both for weather and birds. The forecast was for high winds, cloud and heavy rain - turned out to be fine and quite a bit of sunshine and no winds to speak of!

A friend had told me about a flock of Siskin and some Mistle Thrushes on the south side of the Park earlier in the week so I had a walk around that area today. I don't venture to that area regularly due to it being mostly wooded with a very high proportion of birdless young conifers.

The first half mile along Wolviston Back Lane there was nothing much to see apart from a few Blue Tit, Blackbird and House Sparrow in the hawthorn hedges. Just after passing the junior school I saw three Siskin fly into an alder tree to feed. As I moved closer I passed by what I thought was a heavily leaved Alder (I was looking into the sun) but suddenly the leaves took off - not a murmur from them. It turned out to be a flock of 50-60 Siskin with a few Redpoll. I think they must have roosted there overnight.

Passing by Billingham Cemetery I spotted some Fieldfare and Redwing on the berry trees. On closer inspection I found 100+ birds. Around 60 were Fieldfare and 40 were Redwing. Best find of the day though was Waxwing x7! - first ones this winter. Also present were four Mistle Thrush. A GSW was in the young trees on the other side of Sewage Access Road - great road names around here!

I saw nothing new until I reached the north side of the A1185 and entered the car park. Looking into the feeding station I could see Treesparrow x12, Yellowhammer x6, GSW x1, Chaffinch 12+, Willow Tit, Greenfinch x6, Goldcrest and quite a few other tits. Even a flock of Long-tailed Tit passed through. It was good to see the Treeesparrow have returned.

I had a quick walk over to the main pond an back with nothing new seen from my last visit apart from Little Egret and an otter in the stream by an outfall - almost managed a photo as well, but I must have spooked it. First time I've seen one here, though a friend first saw one a week or so ago in the same spot.

 

[IanF]

A fresh and frosty (3°C) sunny morning with cloudless blue skies and no wind at all.

Entering the Park from the SW corner and following the path alongside Seal Sands Road produced very little in the way of birds apart from pigeons and Crow.

Even the feeding station was quiet with just Great Tit and a Robin picking over the scraps on the empty tables.

The hedge in the car park though was packed with birds sitting on the sunny side facing into the car park - Tree Sparrow x7, Yellowhammer x5, Song Thrush x4, Blackbird x9, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Goldfinch, Robin, Greenfinch and a GSW in the trees above.

Following the boardwalk to the bridge there were several Blackbird in the hedges. On the stream which was pretty full with the weir barely visible was just Moorhen.

I followed the metal fence only coming across Blackbird until reaching just before it's end where a pair of Bullfinch were feeding. A wander around Faith Wood was also unproductive - just a few Blue Tit, pigeons and a Kestrel overhead. Several Magpie were perched about. Nor was there anything on the stream - also pretty full. A pair of Reed Bunting were flitting about in a frosty bush.

Heading over to the main pond I found it to be 90% frozen with a 30yds circular ice free patch between the stone island and the top benches. Not that many birds here either apart for 100+ gulls. Amongst the ducks I picked out Goldeneye m & f, Pochard x3, Tufted Duck x4, Coot x3, Moorhen x3, Mallard x12, Mute Swan x2 - all in all very poor. I checked out some bread and seed onto the ice which brought over the Mallard and Swans and many of the gulls. Amongst the gulls were two Med Gull - 2nd winter - a first for me here. They could have been here weeks as I've seldom checked out the gulls.

Following the fence by the railway through the alders I came across Siskin x8 and then another group x11. Long-tailed Tit x7 were in the trees by the Activity Centre. A pair white-winged Crow were about. Poor photos as it looks like the camera shutter is on the way out!

On returning to the car park I put some food out in the feeding station though by then some seed and peanuts had been put out. Fat balls and sunflower hearts seem to be the main thing at present as they were hardly touching the provided seed and peanuts. Birds seen Coal Tit x3, Tree Sparrow x9, Yellowhammer x3, Chaffinch 15+, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin x2, Dunnock and Greenfinch x5.

I crossed Seal Sands Road and headed over to the Cemetery. Fieldfare 40+, Mistle Thrush 7+ and Blackbird were feeding on what few berries remain. A GSW was in the small trees alongside Cowpen Bewley Road.

Heading back into the park on my way home I came across Jay x2, Magpie 7+, Long-taield Tit x12 and Siskin 30+.

 

[IanF]

A few more photos from today

 

[IanF]

A couple more

 

[IanF]

I called back this morning for a quick wander around. Bright and sunny again but not as cold as the previous day.

Pretty quiet again all around the Park. On the main pond were gulls numbering 400+. Amongst them though was an adult Med Gull and one 2nd winter that gave very close views at times as it circled the pond with the rest of the gulls every so often. Also present were Goldeneye x4 (2m & 2f). A real strange one for here was a pair of Common Redshank which flew in and landed on the ice amongst the gulls. The only place in the Park you normally see them is on the tidal streams at low tide - the main pond has no where for them to wade!

Nothing else much of note seen. A few LTT were in the alders by the rail lines as were Goldfinch x7.

One of the best finds though was on the small frozen ponds by the car park when a Water Rail wandered out onto the ice before diving back into cover again - a seldom seen species here.

 

[IanF]

An overcast morning but slightly milder than the last few days. The smaller ponds were frozen solid still, but the main pond was 50% ice free.

I've been putting out a few peanuts the last few days on the ponds byt he car park and this morning a Water Rail was there again.

No sign of any Med Gulls on the main pond this morning. Not many gulls at all today, possibly due to the tip being closed today. One pair of Goldeneye, two pairs of Gadwall and two Scaup - though one looks a tuftie hybird, Pochard x2, Tufty male x1, Mallard 20+. Mute Swan x2, Coot c.8, Moorhen 4+.

 

[IanF]

As the skies were a little brighter this morning I went for a wander around. A tad on the cool side at 1°C but with just a light breeze.

The bushes in the car park held the usual birds Blackbird, Yellowhammer, Song Thrush, Tree Sparrow, Dunnock, Wren, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and various tits.

No sign of the Water Rail in the ponds by the side of the car park but I threw down some peanuts anyway onto the partially frozen ponds. The Mute Swan pair and signet were present along with Moorhen x11! - all feeding in a small area on the grass. A pair of Mallard were in the ponds. On reaching the fence line a GSW was in the alders. Reed Bunting and Wren were in the reeds. Following the hedge to the railway lines I came across Yellowhammer, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch x7 and a pair of Bullfinch. Several Crow and Magpie were in the trees.

On the main pond just a few areas of the margins were frozen over, most of the water was ice free. There weren't great numbers of birds about. Around 50 gulls were on the water, mostly Black-headed. No sign of any Med Gulls but there was one Little Gull on the water. Mostly it stayed pretty distant but it did make one flight around the pond.

Also present were Goldeneye male & two female, Gadwall x7, Little Grebe x2, Scaup x2 staying pretty distant today, Tufted Duck x8, Pochard x6, Mallard 15+, Moorhen and Coot. Mute Swan x2.

Heading back to the car park via the Boardwalk the only other notable birds were Kestrel x1 and Grey Wagtail x1 which was on the weir above the bridge.