Brideshead Invaded by Nuthatches!

The biggest change at Brideshead today was the sudden presence of Nuthatches, none of which had been there on Tuesday. There was quite a lot of thick mist at the start, but it began to burn off fairly quickly, and by the afternoon it was a glorious spring day. There was a Nuthatch singing in the car park, which some people found a little confusing as they share a tonal quality with Song Thrushes, which were also singing. It flew over to the old tree we were parked under, so everyone enjoyed fairly good views of it, despite the lousy light conditions. It was easier to see in the afternoon, but its stay was much briefer.

Nuthatch

 Nuthatch

We shared cars to the lake side parking area, and before we left the car park we could just about see some Mistle Thrushes on molehills through the mist. Then, almost as soon we went through the gate my first singing Reed Bunting of 2014 was heard. It proved very difficult to spot, as it began to skulk in the reeds. Also here was a Wren, Blackbird and Blue Tit, meanwhile the gentle beep of the life support machines could be made out - some Teal must have been on the other side of the reeds. 

Mistle Thrush

When we reached the lake proper there was a fine Great Crested Grebe, and Andy spotted a busy Goldeneye. We later saw a few more, including some young drakes 'on the turn.' The wildfowl was pretty similar to that on Tuesday, but it seemed more ducks had already made their way further north. 

Fighting Mute Swans

 Ditto

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 Mute Swan

 Greylag Geese (incl whiffling)

 Nuthatch

 Ditto

 Long-tailed Tit

On the trees we had better views of 2 Treecreepers, and another pair were heard at the furthest edge. There was also a pair of Long-tailed Tits here. 

Treecreeper

 Treecreeper

 Ditto

The Cormorants were making guttural laughing growls on their breeding colony, which also contained a Heron. The female Goosander was missing, but we did see Wigeon, Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, and plenty of Mute Swans. However, in the afternoon in the far eastern corner of the lake we found 2 female Goosanders and a drake. They were very nervous and flew away from us, but because of the activity in the children's playground, they soon returned.

Coltsfoot

 Speculum - for Absent Friends

On the way back the afternoon group discovered a pair of Nuthatches, that seemed to do a disappearing act, before suddenly reappearing again. Did they have a hidden nest hole in the ash tree we were watching them in. Near the car park a Robin landed almost within touching distance, and the Mistle Thrushes were back in the area of the molehills, until they spotted us returning!