I finished the last blog asking what the first snow of the winter may bring. Well one of the answers is that it got warmer and quite considerably on 14 November with temperatures reaching around 13°C. This temperature remained into the evening which brought out many bats to feast on the flying insects that were also taking advantage of the milder weather. Using a handheld Thermal Imaging Scope it was clear just how many bats were about, especially around the dam. The video below was taken on a mobile phone through the scope and shows what are probably soprano or common pipistrelles.
Bats feeding around dam by Gavin Chambers
However the weather has generally more typical for November and a few different wildfowl have been moving through. Another 3 whooper swans appeared on the 7th along with a goldeneye on the same day. On the 12th a single lapwing at the top of the lake was an unexpected surprise and 7 common scoter off the Old Village are becoming a regular sighting. The final unusual sighting has been 3 tufted duck just off the dam. There has also been at least 62 teal, 30+ mallard, 4 little grebe and 3 goosander around the lake.
Common scoter by Gavin Chambers
Along the trails there are small mixed flocks of birds busily foraging for food in the undergrowth. These flocks often consist of long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, treecreeper, goldcrest and also potentially willow tit, which is most likely near the Centenary Hide or along the Yellow Trail. A number of woodcock are now being seen along the road side and while walking through woods. They are typically nocturnal birds that move out of the dense cover of woods to feed on verges and in fields after dark to reduce the chance of being caught by a predator.
Crossbill by Gavin Chambers (Archive photo)
Crossbill are being very vocal at the moment with small numbers being heard and seen all around the lake. They are very early nesters and may already be setting up territory with males being heard singing and even a female seen carrying nesting material recently. Good places to spot them are at the top of the lake in the conifers leading to the Centenary Hide, around the Old Village car park, and along the Orange, Blue or Red trails, though any conifer plantations could have them.
Previous Blog: Autumn Feast