A damp and overcast morning with the number of winter visitors (like Teal and gulls) declining and not much change from the summer visitor point of view. What was surprising was a Goldcrest singing from the conifer at the Allotments. Our Goldcrests usually only stay for the winter, and this one seems to have found the only conifer on the Marshes to call for a mate from. Saw my grey-naped crow on the floor at Clendish Marsh and got some distant shots one of which should be attached. On my way back down the Lee Navigation from the Chalk Bridge I saw a Stock Dove on display flight between the trees on the West Lee bank, which then sang from these trees! Perhaps it's found a hole that it wants to nest in?
Saturday 2 April 2011
Today a much nicer morning to walk round the Marshes. A male Gadwall flew over the channel between the Green and Sandpiper Bridges and I came across at least five male pheasants (two seen and another three calling). Incidentally, when I was over Walthamstow Reservoirs on Friday I saw a male pheasant with four females feeding on the allotments east of Wild Marsh East - quite a harem!
But back to today. Two singing Willow Warbler as I walked down the towpath to Stonebridge Lock and another two later (or the first two moving around quickly). Now we have to wait to see if any stay to breed. Last year was the first year they didn't stay, so fingers crossed. The Goldcrest was singing again at the Allotments and a Linnet flew briefly into the trees at Clendish before flying off NE. This is only my second record of 2011. Blackcaps and chiffchaffs all very vocal and then 2 Little Grebes chasing in the channel just north of the Green Bridge, maybe these will stay to breed here.
Pete
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