A quick round-up

This week began with a short walk before work on Monday morning, as I didn't have to go in until lunchtime.
It appears that the one Great Crested Grebe chick had disappeared,so not a good start! There were two pairs of adults still on the lake along with 24 mallards and two Herons.
The only waterfowl that have done OK is the local Moorhens as there have been 5 broods raised successfully.
The Reed Warblers on the lake appear to be doing well as I sat and watched a few adults diving into the reeds with food and could hear one brood calling as they were being attended by their parents.
On the field at the southern end that had been grubbed out during the winter there were 2 Herring Gulls, 3 Black Headed Gulls and a Lesser Black-Backed Gull and on scanning around I found no fewer than 34 Mistle Thrushes, this is far and away the greatest number I have ever seen.

Before I left for work I sat watching the feeders in the back garden this produced 20 Goldfinches, 6 Greenfinches, 2 Chaffinches and a dozen House Sparrows and an invasion of about 30 Starlings. I did manage a half decent shot of one of the juvenile Goldfinches(see Pickie below)

Tonight I had a look in on the lake on my way home and noticed a few gulls on the field at the southern end, so decided to check them out. There were 48 Black Headed Gulls(including 10 juveniles), A fine adult Mediterranean Gull, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a summer plumaged Common Gull(this is the first time I have had this species during the summer).On the walk back to the van I had a Grey Wagtail. I was very pleased as I almost didn't bother to stop because of the weather.
I realised after I had posted my last blog that I hadn't added Common Tern(104)and Red Legged Patridge(105) to the year list, both of which I had seen the week before my holiday.