Sightings - 27th April 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

An excellent visit today with plenty of highlights.

Following my last visit, I added a further 5 new bird records for the year: Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. In addition, I saw my first butterfly records of the year: a Peacock and a Small White.

I also found 4 Common Lizards and 5 Slow Worms, both new reptile records for the site for me .... a return visit to the same area with my camera and macro lens is required!

During a 1 hour visit in cool and cloudy weather from 10 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (in the area between Holly Cottage and the end of Pitseahall Fleet):

Chiffchaff (2)
Blackcap (3)
Common Whitethroat (2)
Lesser Whitethroat (1)
Reed Warbler (1)
Cuckoo (1)
Turtle Dove (1)
Cettis Warbler (heard only)
Robin
Dunnock
Blackbird
Wren (heard only)
Blue Tit
Great Tit (heard only)
Chaffinch
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Woodpigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove

Birds (Pitseahall Fleet):

Coot (c.15)
Little Grebe (1)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Greylag Goose (2 nesting pairs)
Mallard (1 pair)
Common Pochard (1 male and 3 females)

Mammals:

Rabbit (1)

Reptiles:

Common Lizard (4)
Slow Worm (5)

Butterflies:

Peacock (1)
Small White (1)