Stoat

On Wednesday 28th October, 13.15. A stoat ran across the Pads footpath from Big Meadow to the Orchard just North of the South entrance to the Orchard. I distinctly saw its black tipped tail.

Wildlife from the Wednesday Work Group

Swallows were swooping over the Wednesday Work Group as we worked to clear algae from the Alder Pond in Big Meadow. We were careful not to go near the moorhen’s nest and found this newt.

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As we were packing up, a mother mallard emerged from the marsh with her chicks, we think eight, and led them on to the  water, clearly appreciating our clearance.

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A Spring of Teal

I walked along the path from the Fairfield Orchard to the Cromwell Road gate this afternoon at about 2:45 pm.  The weather was cold but sunny.

There was one song thrush in the Big Meadow not far beyond the map board.  I watched it for about 5 minutes and it did not move much.

Continuing to the School Pond I spotted teal.  In the end I counted 5 pairs; so a total of 10.

They were spread around the edges of the pond initially but went into the water eventually.  However they stayed visible on the water and did feel the need to retreat to the reeds on the far side of the pond.

There was also one moorhen around the School Pond.

According to the Internet, the collective noun for a group of teal is “a spring”.  Hence the title of this post.

Wednesday Work Group sightings

Whilst the Wednesday Work Group were working in Big Meadow this morning we observed two buzzards being ‘bombed’ by a group of noisy seagulls.

On the way back I observed an interesting bird very busy adjacent to the larger Fauna path boardwalks. From its dark head and white chin I summised it to be a nuthatch but I’m by no means certain of this. Any thoughts from our birders?

Sightings

Two pairs of goosander on the School Pond this lunchtime.

Yesterday another sighting of a hare in Big Meadow and long tailed tit in the Orchard