cold snap

Wildfowl numbers have increased sharply with the onset of colder weather. Sixteen Goosander (15 girls and just the one boy) have assembled on Lower Lake whilst three drake Mandarin (below) are doing their best to brighten things up on the smaller water.

Three Cormorants are still present on the dead trees at Upper Lake and the two drake Pochards continue by Cascade Bridge. A handful of Teal did a fly-by and Tufted Duck numbers are rising on both lakes. 

  

Blue Tits by far outnumber other species around the hide at the moment. The birds are particularly sprightly now their moults are complete – this one was even doing his rocking dance complete with raised crest for the camera!

Today’s Rollcall: Little Grebe (4), Mute Swan (7), Goosander (16), Mallard (60+), Tufted Duck (35+), Teal (5), Pochard (2), Mandarin (3), Cormorant (3), Grey Heron (10+), Coot (30+), Moorhen (3), Pheasant (9), Grey Partridge (6), Black-headed Gull (100+), Kingfisher (1), Robin (3), Wren (2), Blackbird (2), Mistle Thrush (1), Goldcrest (2), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (6), Jay (8), Carrion Crow (6), Rook (25+), Jackdaw (10+), Chaffinch (1)

autumn colour

A flat, grey and birdless start to the day again but the sun got out eventually, making the most of the wonderful colour that transforms the park at this time of year.

Lack of activity around the hide meant a serch for subjects elsewhere this morning. Bretton has always been a good site for fungi in autumn and some fine examples of the bracket variety were adorning many Silver Birch around the west end of Upper Lake. 

kingfisher brightens wet bretton

Eighteen hours continuous rain meant a muddy tramp around Bretton this morning. The emergence of a little sunshine around lunchtime was cause for some celebration as a few of the residents began to appear.

 

Kingfisher

 A male Kingfisher and fiesty Wren were the most obvious and least camera-shy of the visitors to the hide. Last week’s peanut butter had vanished, to the dismay of a skulking female Blackcap - I must remember to bring some next time. 

Wren & Autumn Leaves