Wollaton Park, 30th March

Although the weather has been awful and looks set to continue for a while, i decided to risk getting wet for the sake of not staying in all day before work! It was actually reasonably nice once i'd got out, apart from one or two showers.

In the trees at the end of the football fields (one of the best spots in the park), there was a hive of activity. Birds were singing all over the place, blue tits and great tits were in abundance, but the most noticeable call was the sound of calling Nuthatch which was heard throughout the park today, and a good number were seen, indicating that this species is doing very well here. A couple of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers were heard and i got great views of one drumming at the top of a tree. Also in the area were a good number of Goldfinch and Greenfinch, as well as some starlings and song thrush. My first confirmed Stock dove was seen, as two were seen roosting high in the treetops and my first Treecreeper of the area.

More nuthatch were heard singing while walking across the deer park to the conservation area woodland. I stayed to observe this area for a while after hearing a Green Woodpecker but after viewing for 15 minutes nothing was seen, although a Tawny Owl was heard calling from the trees, odd during the day! The woodpecker was heard again, along with more nuthatch, but still stayed elusive. A Mistle Thrush was seen feeding on the woodland floor with a small group of Woodpigeon. My first Buzzard of the area was seen here today, other than sparrowhawks, i've never seen raptors here, possibly due to the very urban location. He didnt stick round for long, gliding of south, possibly towards the trent.

The sun decided to come out after a while, producing a lovely rainbow, which looked nice set back on a sunny landscape.







































I walked over to the other conservation area near the lake, where i saw a Coal Tit, feeding in the conifers, the first proper view of this bird i've had this year. As ever, there were even more nuthatch present. Near the lake were a group of Carrion Crows enjoying a bath in a large puddle.
































There were less birds than usual on the lake today, with no gulls present at all, which is odd as there are usually hundreds, and only a few wintering wildfowl left, including 2 Northern Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, along with all the other usual waterfowl. Another Treecreeper was seen in the trees next to the lake.
















In all a very good walk with some interesting species for the area, some of which i hadn't expected to see here. :)