After a frosty start the temperature finally rose to around 6°C, which has to be one of the coldest days this Autumn. At least the sun was out, and having not visited Shaftesbury Avenue for quite sometime, I thought I might take the dogs for a walk there, to see what was about. So the first stop was Nythe Pool, then along Dorcan Brook up to Shaftesbury Lake and then doubling back to Nythe Pool.
It was extremely quiet around the pool, just a couple of Blackbirds and a Wren, so it was off up the path alongside the brook. There were a pair of Moorhens under the footbridge, not usually where they're found and as I peered down on them they headed downstream towards the pool. In the tall Ash trees there were several Magpies, Carrion Crows and Wood Pigeons, and unfortunately not much else, however the 6 Redwing that flew west was good to see.
The Lake was in sight and the first thing I noticed were the number of Mute Swans, 8 in total and all tolerating each other!! Early days yet, and then it will be a case of the fittest and strongest pair to take control of the lake. Also making their presence felt were 123+ Canada Geese which were split up into 3 groups, with a small gaggle of 12 birds, making driving conditions hazardous for motorists on Eldene Drive, as they wandered aimlessly over the road to the grass embankment on the other side.
The waterfowl was very disappointing, with just Mallard, Canada Geese and Swans. There were no Pochard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck or Goosanders. There were a good number of Coot and Moorhen, but that was it, apart from a Grey Heron on the north island. Even the Black-headed Gulls were less than you would normally find here and the lone Lesser Black-backed Gull that flew in, stayed for approximately 20 seconds before heading off.
So it was back down the path towards Nythe Pool and at long last something of interest, as 2 Chiffchaffs began calling from the brambles. One of the two was a bit more obliging, and was feeding and calling from about 20 metres away. Unfortunately it was either looking the other way or was hiding behind the branches to allow me a decent photograph of it.
It seemed my return trip was a lot better with lots of Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrests, Blue Tits and Great Tits foraging in the brambles all along the brook. A pair of Siskins overhead and deep into the woods a pair of Bullfinch were calling to each other. So after an hour long walk it was 29 species, which wasn't bad, but it does look as if a colder spell is needed to get a few more ducks on the lake.
A few images from the walk
Nythe Pool
A female Blackbird
Shaftesbury Lake
Grey Heron
Grey Heron
An adult Black-headed Gull in winter plumage
The obligatory Robin
A shy Chiffchaff
And again
And still hidden by a twig!!
A very calm and placid Grey Squirrel posing for me from about 12 fee
Birds Recorded: Grey Heron, 8 Mute Swans, 123+ Canada Goose, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 6 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 12+ Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, 4 Siskin, Goldfinch and 2 Bullfinch.
Mammals: 2 Grey Squirrels
