A Drizzly Patch !

Date: 21st February 2016

Location: Newton Park Lark - Circular

Weather: Cloudy, Light Rain, Some Wind

Other Species: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Long-Tailed Tit, 15+ Blackbird, 2 Jay, Goldcrest, 5 Skylark, 2 Mistle Thrush, 60+ Redwing, House Sparrow, 9 Grey Heron (Nest Building!), 5 Siskin, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Goosander (3 Male, 1 Female), 1 Cormorant, 18 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Coal Tit, 150+ Starling, 2 Stonechat, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Collared Dove, 5+ Pied Wagtail, 2 Bullfinch - Of Note - 43 Total Species

Observation: A drizzly start to the walk, but it didn't stop the birds! The walk started with a single Greenfinch, a good count of both Great Tit, Blue Tit and Goldfinch on our feeders. On the entrance to Bath Mill, there were the normal fly-overs of Crow, Magpie and Lesser Black-Backed Gull's along with a single Blackbird. A Jay fly-past was nice to see, not seen one since 2nd January on the patch. 

Onto the Dog Walk, a sudden surge of Wood Pigeon, 200+ took to the air for a few minutes and settled in nearby trees, largest count on the patch! Another fly-past Jay was seen, Goldcrest, Wren and Dunnock also seen in full song.

At the Village, 3 Blackbirds, 1 Redwing and House Sparrow feeding on some berries.

At 'Butterfly Alley', we spotted some Grey Heron in the tree, upon going closer, there were a total count of 9 Grey Heron, where a few were nest building, hopefully we should get some chicks this year!

Back on 'Butterfly Alley' a small group of 5 Siskin were feeding in the Alders before flying overhead. Lower Lake produced the resident Kingfisher (Male).

Top Lake produced 4 Goosanders (3 Male + 1 Female), 1 Cormorant, 18 Teal and 1 Little Grebe.

We sat for a few minutes on the grass lawn of Bath Spa University, best here were 2 Nuthatch 1, Greenfinch and 1 Coal Tit.

Back along the College Drive, another Goldcrest calling nearby and a large flock of 150+ Starling and a few Redwing, who were feeding in the rain.

On 'Horse Fields' the pair of Stonechat were still present and the a single Yellowhammer in it's normal garden. Another flock of 50+ Redwing with the single Fieldfare still present feeding in the rain.

Finished the walk with 2 Collared Dove and 2 Bullfinch on our feeders. Takes our total to 43 species, not bad for a drizzly walk!

Thanks For Looking !