An Afternoon at Coate Water

On the way to Coate Water via Dorcan Way, I came across a Green Woodpecker sat on the kerb next to a Diversion Sign. Thinking that it had been hit by a car I drove all around the roundabout, back down to the next roundabout and back up on the same side as the Woodpecker. With hazard lights on I parked the car up and started to walk towards the Woodpecker. I must have walked about 4 metres and it took off. Whether it had been hit by a car or not it was in good health and took off in the direction of Liden. Not only was this good news, but this was also my first Green Woodpecker of the year. As I pulled away a Grey Heron flew low over roundabout and just before the Coate Roundabout a Sparrowhawk was trying to get away from a disgruntled Carrion Crow.

The car park at Coate Water was absolutely packed, as you can imagine for a Sunday. But what was surprising was that despite the number of cars there didn't seem to be that many people walking around the water. Mind you the mud was horrendous on the paths especially at Broome Manor Lane, so I guess a lot of people were just milling around the diving board and children's play area.

Here are a few images from today's walk:

A pair of Teal on the Reserve Lake

Same pair in and out of the overhanging branches.

A female "redhead" Goosander

An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull

A 4th winter Lesser Black-backed Gull

And its other side.

And finally a Common Gull. One of two on the main lake.

Birds Recorded: 12+ Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 15+ Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Mallard, 1 pair Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 female Goosander, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Gull, Wood Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Treecreeper, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Siskin and Goldfinch.

Also 4 Grey Squirrels

Liden: Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron and Sparrowhawk being harassed by a Carrion Crow.

County Ground: Red Kite