25th November 2007

There was a male Brambling in trees briefly in the Grove (Andrew Gardener), and five Siskins in flock with Goldfinches, feeding in Alder trees behind the CA pond (Bob Watts).

Water Rail still at conservation pond

At approx 8.40am this morning a Water Rail was calling from dense cover at the northern end of the conservation pond, so there is at least one still present (up to three have been heard in recent weeks). Nearby six Gadwall and six Pochard were on the Tunnel Reservoir, along with one Little Grebe, but there was again no sign of last week's Firecrest in the conservation area (Dominic Mitchell)


Drake Gadwall, Tunnel Res, 18 November © Dominic Mitchell

Brambling and rat-catching heron

Brambling, Siskin, 35 Fieldfares north, 2 Goldcrests & Water Rail in the conservation area/pond early morning (Andrew Gardener, Dominic Mitchell, Gareth Richards and Bob Watts) but no sign by 9am of yesterday's Firecrest; lunchtime: trilling Little Grebe, 2 Water Rail heard in Conservation Pond area, 2 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, 2+ Goldfinch; many Brown Rats (Des McKenzie, Mike Benyon); plus Siskin, 3 Goldcrests, Coal Tit and Nuthatch in The Grove and Grey Heron attacking, drowning and swallowing a Brown Rat at the boating pond (Dominic Mitchell).

Firecrest adds to record year

A Firecrest was seen at 12:34hrs in scrub c75 metres north along path from Conservation Pond (in area near marker post), plus female Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, 25 Common Gull, Green Woodpecker; no sign of recently reported tristis Chiffchaff (Des McKenzie). The first Firecrest in the park for three years, it moves on this year's record annual total to 111 species - now three species higher than last year's record total of 108 species.

Today's bird news

No sign of the tristis Chiffchaff (13:00-14:00hrs); 3 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe, Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, male Blackcap (Cricket Scrub), 4 Goldcrest, redpoll sp in from south at 13.55hrs, ditched into trees near Conservation Pond (small and dark looking in flight so presumably a Lesser) (Des McKenzie); also, Fieldfare flew from Cricket Scrub 0800 (Bob Watts)