13 November 2016

WeBS Count On Newton Park Lake

Date: 13th November 2016
Location: Newton Park Lake
Weather: Blue Sky, Sunny + Light Wind
Other Species: 1 Coal Tit, 6+ Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2+ Buzzard, 6 Starling, 3 Jay, 1 Blackcap (Male), 25+ Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Stonechat (Pair), 2 Meadow Pipit.
WeBS Count - 53 Mallard, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 63 Black-Headed Gull, 6 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 1 Wigeon, 3 Teal
Click Here for Full List

Observation: Today's aim was to complete our first WeBS Core Count. Our fellow patch birder Robert assisted us with today's walk and count: @Rojobus As normal we headed out through Bath Mill, with some lovely mushrooms on display.


A fly-over Grey Wagtail along with a single Pied Wagtail on the roof of reception. Onto the Dog Walk, 2 Roe Deer were present in the woodland along with a Buzzard who was being mobbed by Crows and Magpies! On the Top Fields a further 2 Buzzards were circling over Seven Acre Woods and 6 fly-over Starlings.

Black-Headed Gulls and Lesser Black-Backed Gulls were present, feeding in their normal spots on the Lower Globe Fields. Another Buzzard (the same one from earlier) and a single Kestrel (Female) circling over our heads.


Whilst watching them, another 2 Roe Deer come bounding across the Lower Globe Fields in the sunshine.


We were hoping they would jump over the hedge but unfortunately not...


In the Village a single Male Blackcap was present in the Yew Tree along with a small group of House Sparrow, Blue Tit and Great Tits.

At the Lake we started the WeBS count, we spent around an hour completing this. The result was:

1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 53 Mallard, 6 Moorhen, 63 Black-Headed Gull, 3 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 1 Coot, 1 Wigeon, 3 Teal. This totalled to 9 species and 133 individuals!

The single Female Wigeon, 1 Coot present in this photograph.


Other birds during this time but can't be counted, 1 Cormorant (fly-over), 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Goldcrest.


After the count we walked back through the College and out onto College Drive. Plenty of Redwing about in the trees collecting berries, also a single Fieldfare, another Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush.



Robert dashed off at this point, so we continued along the College Drive, after watching the Fieldfare and Redwing for a while.

The Grey Heron was present again in the fields, posing for a few shots...


Before flying off towards the Lake.


A single Greater Spotted Woodpecker and Herring Gull also present.

Back in the Village, the Stonechat pair were in their normal post in the far fields. A fly-over Greater Spotted Woodpecker heading towards the location of the one on the College Drive.

At the Crossroads a pair of Collared Doves landed on a nearby roof and the last spot of the day was a pair of Meadow Pipits, only one seen (other one heard calling).


 A total count of 43 species today and once again another great patch walk, although the 3 Goosander seen earlier in the week have disappeared, hopefully they will return for winter again this year!


Thanks For Looking !

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