Edenbrook Country Park, Fleet

Red Kite Milvus migrans

 Saturday 18 April

Promising to be a lovely sunny morning as friend Richard Osman collected me at 8.30 for our drive up to Edenbrook Country Park, Fleet at the north of the county for the organised HOS meeting at 10am.  A total of ten members present under the guidance of John Blithe as we set out on our three mile circuit of the park including ponds, fields and wooded areas.  Even as we started we had first a couple of Red Kite overhead followed by a pair of passing Mute Swans and a lone Black-headed Gull.  Nearby both Blackbird and Robin before we found the singing Blue Tit.  naturally, there had to be Woodpigeons in the trees and then a Carrion Crow.  With regard to the Red Kites, we were never to be without at least one for the whole morning, often at very close quarters above us.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

Setting off on our clockwise circuit a pair of Mallard flew over and a nearby trees held a quartet of Goldfinch.  Approaching the first reed-covered pool with its two viewing platforms we saw Blackbirds then Chiffchaff and Cettis's Warbler calling and once at the platform, having already heard them, we found our first Reed Warbler.  Overhead at least three House Martins and then, as we moved off, our first Sedge Warbler of the morning.  Well exposed and often returning to the same small tree, the Sedge Warbler was very easy on the eye for all present.  Indeed, whilst standing in the same area we then made contact with both Linnet and more Goldfinches.  Almost right on cue a Willow Warbler put in an appearance as did a male Stonechat.

Male Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

In the next meadow area we found a family of well-grown Egyptian Geese with their parents and, at the back of the field, a mix of both Jackdaw and Rook.  Moving round the bend to the next field we found, in the long grass, a further score of resting Egyptian Geese along with about ten Canada Geese. beyond the geese we could hear the "yaffling" Green Woodpecker.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Continuing on, having already seen at least three male Reed Bunting, we recorded more Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits plus Wren, Robin and Blackbirds.  At the open water a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls plus both Coot and Moorhen with yet another male Reed Bunting.  To the left of the water more Mallards. passing the nearby houses on the now developed Edenbrook estate, the rough area produced more Reed Buntings and another Stonechat whilst the Red Kite above was joined by a circling Buzzard.  At this point we recorded our first Starling of the morning.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

As we approached the end of our walk we finally got to see, rather than just hear, a Dunnock.  Having, according to "Merlin" heard numerous Whitethroat, I returned to a suitable thick hedge near the car park, listened to the Whitethroat singing and finally caught sight of the bird as it moved away.  Job done I was very happy as I, personally, recorded my 35th species of the morning.  We said our goodbyes to pleasant company and as Richard and I ate our picnic lunch at the leisure centre, we watched a quartet of Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons) put in an appearance.

Male Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Red Kite, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, House Martin, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Red Kite Milvus migrans

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