April 2008
Westbere Lakes
02/04/08
A Male Blackcap seen this afternoon at Westbere.
On my doorstep, but a place I seldom visit, is Westbere Lakes, and I had a couple of hours there this afternoon, trying to connect with any Spring Migrants in the area. I saw my first Blackcap of the Spring, and counted six before I left, with at least 8 Chiffchaffs, now in full voice. Also pleasing, was 2 Brambling, which were with a small Chaffinch flock that were working there way through the tree tops in the small copse beside the lake where I was staked out. 2 Marsh harriers were noted overhead, as was a Sparrow hawk and a Kestrel. There were 2 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, with what seemed the largest collection of Coots in the area, and I also counted 8 Great Crested Grebes. Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits were numerous, as were Robins, and I heard at least 4 Cetti’s Warblers down by the river. 4 Canada Geese were in amongst a flock of Greylag Geese, on the water meadows on the Trenley side of the river.