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Many congratulations and thanks to Maurice Nauta and Brian Chapman for providing these excellent reports which now provide a continuous record since June 2013.
The overall data since June 2013 is displayed in the spreadsheet below. You can scroll around the table to see all the data, or click on the link to the right to download a copy. |
Here are the month-on-month reports:
Notes: April 2020
Weather sunny and warm, with little breeze
Weather sunny and warm, with little breeze
Notes: March 2020
The survey was conducted in around 10 degrees, making it warm enough for birds to venture out. It was dry underfoot for the most part. We were surprised to count so many great tits (18) which seemed to follow us around. Our singing birds generally were in good voice, particularly robins, chaffinch and fieldfare (masses of these winter visitors which will soon be away back to their homelands.)
I should also add that we saw one large grey squirrel and one Brown Hare.
The survey was conducted in around 10 degrees, making it warm enough for birds to venture out. It was dry underfoot for the most part. We were surprised to count so many great tits (18) which seemed to follow us around. Our singing birds generally were in good voice, particularly robins, chaffinch and fieldfare (masses of these winter visitors which will soon be away back to their homelands.)
I should also add that we saw one large grey squirrel and one Brown Hare.
February 2020
January 2020
Notes: December 2019
We also spotted a grey squirrel having fun near the bird eatery
We also spotted a grey squirrel having fun near the bird eatery
Notes: November 2019
We had a good hour or more walking the pathways, which were very wet but manageable.
We had a good hour or more walking the pathways, which were very wet but manageable.
Notes: October 2019
Luckily we both had wellingtons on, and we needed them! I felt sorry for the small dogs which passed us just before the “small lakes” on our journey!
Luckily we both had wellingtons on, and we needed them! I felt sorry for the small dogs which passed us just before the “small lakes” on our journey!
Notes: September 2019
We recorded 20 shelduck [missed off BirdTrack below, but included in the spreadsheet above] ... on what appeared to be a lake, but was probably a very flooded field.
We recorded 20 shelduck [missed off BirdTrack below, but included in the spreadsheet above] ... on what appeared to be a lake, but was probably a very flooded field.
August 2019
No notes for July, but the spread sheet above is up to date
Notes: June 2019
I also noted painted lady butterflies, a small blue and a meadow brown.
I also noted painted lady butterflies, a small blue and a meadow brown.
Notes: May 2019
Well, the place looks a picture of health doesn’t it? So much blossom, so many butterflies, and the birds turned out as well, though many were probably seeking shelter from the sun.
Well, the place looks a picture of health doesn’t it? So much blossom, so many butterflies, and the birds turned out as well, though many were probably seeking shelter from the sun.
Notes: March 2019
Highlights were the weather ( hot and clear skies) a couple of very well fed rabbits drinking at the pond opposite the car park, and lots of butterflies.
It was good to hear the chiffchaffs in good voice (my wife says they give her a headache). The greylags were not keen on my presence and circled overhead.
Highlights were the weather ( hot and clear skies) a couple of very well fed rabbits drinking at the pond opposite the car park, and lots of butterflies.
It was good to hear the chiffchaffs in good voice (my wife says they give her a headache). The greylags were not keen on my presence and circled overhead.
Notes: February 2019
I was delighted to see a smart fox walking through the shrubs near to the pond entrance, and the fattest grey squirrel in the world at the main entrance.
I was delighted to see a smart fox walking through the shrubs near to the pond entrance, and the fattest grey squirrel in the world at the main entrance.
Notes: January 2019
First visit of the year, and very cold, so birds must have found warmth somewhere hidden from me. Having said that, the number of gulls seen shows it was even colder on the coast.
First visit of the year, and very cold, so birds must have found warmth somewhere hidden from me. Having said that, the number of gulls seen shows it was even colder on the coast.
Notes: December 2018
Did the survey [30 December] and weather very good. A very large, fat squirrel greeted me at the entrance. It was a real treat to see and hear the swans flying overhead. Hardly any pheasants or wood pigeons, perhaps the result of a cull at this time of year?
I only heard the heron, didn’t see it, but it was a very clear call.
Did the survey [30 December] and weather very good. A very large, fat squirrel greeted me at the entrance. It was a real treat to see and hear the swans flying overhead. Hardly any pheasants or wood pigeons, perhaps the result of a cull at this time of year?
I only heard the heron, didn’t see it, but it was a very clear call.
Notes: November 2018
Not much birdlife around, probably hunkering down in the bushes to escape the recent very strong winds. But a nice day for a stroll.
Not much birdlife around, probably hunkering down in the bushes to escape the recent very strong winds. But a nice day for a stroll.
Notes: September 2018
The grey heron was seen flying from the pond region across to the beck It looked like a pterodactyl in flight!
Good to see the buzzard and the large gang of goldfinches
The grey heron was seen flying from the pond region across to the beck It looked like a pterodactyl in flight!
Good to see the buzzard and the large gang of goldfinches
Notes: August 2018
It would have been easier to “spot the agricultural machinery” today, as they seemed to be breaking hedgerows, broadening paths and generally creating commotion. Still, the end results have been good, despite there being less to note today.
It would have been easier to “spot the agricultural machinery” today, as they seemed to be breaking hedgerows, broadening paths and generally creating commotion. Still, the end results have been good, despite there being less to note today.
Notes: July 2018
This survey was done earlier than usual, and not so many birds around. They are probably trying to keep cool out of sight.
Chairman's Note: good to see the great crested grebes are with us
This survey was done earlier than usual, and not so many birds around. They are probably trying to keep cool out of sight.
Chairman's Note: good to see the great crested grebes are with us
Notes: June 2018
The whole area looks gorgeous, with long grass meadows and flowers peeking through, loads of butterflies (and some not so nice flyers, but definitely needed). The birds were reluctant to show themselves, so a lot depended on my hearing, which isn’t so good these days, nevertheless 31 different species recorded.
The whole area looks gorgeous, with long grass meadows and flowers peeking through, loads of butterflies (and some not so nice flyers, but definitely needed). The birds were reluctant to show themselves, so a lot depended on my hearing, which isn’t so good these days, nevertheless 31 different species recorded.
Notes: May 2018
Monks Wood looks tip-top, with golden meadows, lots of bird sounds, colourful butterflies and beautiful pathways around the site which have kept habitat intact but made it easy to walk.
Monks Wood looks tip-top, with golden meadows, lots of bird sounds, colourful butterflies and beautiful pathways around the site which have kept habitat intact but made it easy to walk.
Notes: April 2018
Got caught in a couple of showers, but plenty of sunshine too.
It was great to listen to the skylarks on top form, probably due to nesting/breeding. Meanwhile, the visiting whitethroats issued forth with their creeks and groans, but by their very presence forecast that summer will be here soon. It was also lovely to see a female mallard escorting 7 ducklings in the beck near the farm
Got caught in a couple of showers, but plenty of sunshine too.
It was great to listen to the skylarks on top form, probably due to nesting/breeding. Meanwhile, the visiting whitethroats issued forth with their creeks and groans, but by their very presence forecast that summer will be here soon. It was also lovely to see a female mallard escorting 7 ducklings in the beck near the farm
Notes: March 2018
There are more birds than ever on site. I can still hear the cacophony of bird sound coming from the skies, copse, hedgerows and fields. I also saw my first butterfly of the year (a brimstone) and we saw a fallow deer and 3 rabbits also. The very large flock of starlings was on the approach to the car park. We heard our first chiffchaff of the year, so spring has sprung!
The yellowhammers we saw looked like canaries in their best yellow coats. The chaffinches were in gorgeous regalia too. It is unusual to see more redwings than fieldfare in flocks, but we thought that perhaps many of the fieldfare had already left. Your friend the buzzard was in peak condition and ready to do his duty!
There are more birds than ever on site. I can still hear the cacophony of bird sound coming from the skies, copse, hedgerows and fields. I also saw my first butterfly of the year (a brimstone) and we saw a fallow deer and 3 rabbits also. The very large flock of starlings was on the approach to the car park. We heard our first chiffchaff of the year, so spring has sprung!
The yellowhammers we saw looked like canaries in their best yellow coats. The chaffinches were in gorgeous regalia too. It is unusual to see more redwings than fieldfare in flocks, but we thought that perhaps many of the fieldfare had already left. Your friend the buzzard was in peak condition and ready to do his duty!
Notes: February 2018
Very cold day, but plenty of people out and about, which is good to see. Large flocks of Fieldfare and redwing, and starlings, many of which look fat enough to explode! Also, one very large squirrel near the bird feeding station.
Very cold day, but plenty of people out and about, which is good to see. Large flocks of Fieldfare and redwing, and starlings, many of which look fat enough to explode! Also, one very large squirrel near the bird feeding station.
Notes: January 2018
Started very slowly with hardly any birds, but [saw] over 20 species.
The approach road is bad now and the tracks used by walkers are very muddy, but still people were happily walking the area. Still fieldfare and redwing around, and a buzzard sighted (the other heard) quite close to the gulls near the car park.
Started very slowly with hardly any birds, but [saw] over 20 species.
The approach road is bad now and the tracks used by walkers are very muddy, but still people were happily walking the area. Still fieldfare and redwing around, and a buzzard sighted (the other heard) quite close to the gulls near the car park.
Notes: December 2017
I saw one fallow deer, which jumped across the path in front of me and disappeared into nowhere. Beautiful sight.
Very frosty under foot and difficult for some birds. However, large flocks of fieldfare, with redwings and starlings, and even a couple of song thrushes, were a real highlight, plus the sparrowhawk, looking very sleek and menacing against the clear blue sky.
Lots of people out and about, many with children, which is good to see.
I saw one fallow deer, which jumped across the path in front of me and disappeared into nowhere. Beautiful sight.
Very frosty under foot and difficult for some birds. However, large flocks of fieldfare, with redwings and starlings, and even a couple of song thrushes, were a real highlight, plus the sparrowhawk, looking very sleek and menacing against the clear blue sky.
Lots of people out and about, many with children, which is good to see.
Notes: November 2017
This was a busy Sunday, as a lot of people (presumably connected to the Woodland Trust) were on site. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, despite the cold.
A bit too blustery for most birds, except those that like the comfort of crowds, such as goldfinches, fieldfare and wood pigeons. Still plenty of food around though, so we may see more winter visitors yet.
This was a busy Sunday, as a lot of people (presumably connected to the Woodland Trust) were on site. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, despite the cold.
A bit too blustery for most birds, except those that like the comfort of crowds, such as goldfinches, fieldfare and wood pigeons. Still plenty of food around though, so we may see more winter visitors yet.
Notes: October 2017
The birds were congregating and flying around as though they are aware of hurricane Ophelia’s arrival. I suppose there is safety in numbers, and there’s certainly enough food left to feed them all. Two buzzards were flying over the car park at the end of my walk, but didn’t seem to be staying locally. Wood pigeons were flying hither and thither, first one way then another. Big groups of goldfinches, rooks and crows also, all a little bit hectic.
The birds were congregating and flying around as though they are aware of hurricane Ophelia’s arrival. I suppose there is safety in numbers, and there’s certainly enough food left to feed them all. Two buzzards were flying over the car park at the end of my walk, but didn’t seem to be staying locally. Wood pigeons were flying hither and thither, first one way then another. Big groups of goldfinches, rooks and crows also, all a little bit hectic.
Notes: September 2017
Nice day for a walk. We saw a grey squirrel, lots of butterflies, including red admiral, and also buzzard, lapwings flying over.
Nice day for a walk. We saw a grey squirrel, lots of butterflies, including red admiral, and also buzzard, lapwings flying over.
Notes: August 2017
The latest list [is] somewhat more sparse than usual, no doubt due to the heat. I think many birds must have packed up and gone to the seaside for the day. The site was glorious and looked a picture.
Still lots of colour, lots of food for mammals, birds and butterflies (including lots of dragonflies too).
The latest list [is] somewhat more sparse than usual, no doubt due to the heat. I think many birds must have packed up and gone to the seaside for the day. The site was glorious and looked a picture.
Still lots of colour, lots of food for mammals, birds and butterflies (including lots of dragonflies too).
Notes: July 2017
Despite strong winds, a good day for sightings, made more pleasant by the pathways having been cut. This also helped a green woodpecker, which obviously thought it was a golf course. It’s mate nearby waited dutifully for its mate to finish off its feed first.
Dragonflies again sweeping and swooping, lovely to watch, and great flower colours.
Despite strong winds, a good day for sightings, made more pleasant by the pathways having been cut. This also helped a green woodpecker, which obviously thought it was a golf course. It’s mate nearby waited dutifully for its mate to finish off its feed first.
Dragonflies again sweeping and swooping, lovely to watch, and great flower colours.
Notes: June 2017
A bit wet this time, but plenty of birds still singing, if not always putting in an appearance. The buzzard looked a bit the worse for wear, but that’s probably due to the stress of bringing up young and fending off others.
Apart from the birds, there is a lot of colour from flowers like purple vetch, meadowsweet, daisies, mallow, cornflower and yarrow... Everything is growing quickly after the heat and now the rain, so next month could be a bumper one for wildlife.
A bit wet this time, but plenty of birds still singing, if not always putting in an appearance. The buzzard looked a bit the worse for wear, but that’s probably due to the stress of bringing up young and fending off others.
Apart from the birds, there is a lot of colour from flowers like purple vetch, meadowsweet, daisies, mallow, cornflower and yarrow... Everything is growing quickly after the heat and now the rain, so next month could be a bumper one for wildlife.
Notes: May 2017
Birds were in full voice, making a real cacophony at times. The field which usually has sheep in near the entrance /exit was awash with buttercups and a great sight. It certainly brightened up the day quite literally.
Birds were in full voice, making a real cacophony at times. The field which usually has sheep in near the entrance /exit was awash with buttercups and a great sight. It certainly brightened up the day quite literally.
Notes: April 2017 - Very large gatherings of chaffinches and goldfinch, sometimes together, other times separate. There must be plenty of food sources available, which is great, and the banding together may be their “safety in numbers” approach to food gathering at a time when they have nests with eggs or young.
Three swallows were seen over the lake, dipping for water. These are the first I have seen this year. Whoopee!
Also saw a lovely orange tipped butterfly, dancing across our path. Made me want to dance too.
Have you seen the next stage of the coltsfoot, which I so love? They have flat caps of silver seeds, like a troop of old brass band players up north.
We also came across what I at first took for a little circle of spilt white paint on the path ahead, but which turned out to be daisies all fully out for the sunshine.
Three swallows were seen over the lake, dipping for water. These are the first I have seen this year. Whoopee!
Also saw a lovely orange tipped butterfly, dancing across our path. Made me want to dance too.
Have you seen the next stage of the coltsfoot, which I so love? They have flat caps of silver seeds, like a troop of old brass band players up north.
We also came across what I at first took for a little circle of spilt white paint on the path ahead, but which turned out to be daisies all fully out for the sunshine.
Notes March 2017 - the latest survey report includes Chiffchaff singing full pelt, many species in glorious new colours for the breeding season, and skylarks singing at the top of their voices. Makes you glad to be alive.
On top of this, there are swathes of two of my favourite wild flowers (coltsfoot and cowslip) and spotted a grey squirrel foraging around the car park. Pity about the churned up grass pathway, but I suppose this is also a time for work on the estate.
Didn’t see any frogspawn, and my wife and I looked because there are large dollops in our pond. Perhaps it’s the wrong kind of water (instead of snow).
On top of this, there are swathes of two of my favourite wild flowers (coltsfoot and cowslip) and spotted a grey squirrel foraging around the car park. Pity about the churned up grass pathway, but I suppose this is also a time for work on the estate.
Didn’t see any frogspawn, and my wife and I looked because there are large dollops in our pond. Perhaps it’s the wrong kind of water (instead of snow).
Notes February 2017 - The skylarks were singing, and so were thrushes, blackbirds and chaffinches... Fieldfare still around with the odd redwing, so there’s still food available. Good to see a big gathering of goldfinches too.
Notes January 2017 "Weather very cold with frost underfoot, but enjoyed the sunshine. One field with stubble contained hundreds of fieldfare, starlings, blackbirds and a few redwing. Great sight.
Despite the frost, moles were very busy, with lots of fresh molehills around the paths. Shooting nearby was not helpful, but managed to spot 26 species."
Despite the frost, moles were very busy, with lots of fresh molehills around the paths. Shooting nearby was not helpful, but managed to spot 26 species."
Notes December 2016: The latest bird survey was carried out in what turned out to be freezing fog after a lovely start.
As well as the birds on our list we saw a grey squirrel and a vole. The lake was almost entirely frozen.
The highlight for me was seeing a woodcock in flight, a bird we haven’t seen at the site before.
As well as the birds on our list we saw a grey squirrel and a vole. The lake was almost entirely frozen.
The highlight for me was seeing a woodcock in flight, a bird we haven’t seen at the site before.
Notes October 2016:- Beautiful afternoon, clear skies, warm, little wind. Loads of dragonflies around, making the most of it.
Also, lots of fieldfare and a few redwing, the first I’ve seen this autumn. Everything looking very handsome.
Also, lots of fieldfare and a few redwing, the first I’ve seen this autumn. Everything looking very handsome.
Notes September 2016: - We carried out the September survey yesterday, in glorious sunshine but a very strong wind which kept the birds lying low. It was good to see goldfinches on the teasel, and a surprising amount of insect life, including dragonflies.
Nothing on the lake this time, though they may have hunkered down on the island.
Nothing on the lake this time, though they may have hunkered down on the island.
Notes - July 2016: Lots of goldfinches, a cormorant flying over... Strange not to see swallows, martins and swifts
Notes - June 2016: Plenty of bird song, including sedge warbler, garden warbler and willow warbler. Magnificent display of wild flowers and other plants.We also saw a water vole for the first time, crossing a path in front of us. A few butterflies at last, despite all the recent rain.
Notes - May 2016: Large flocks of goldfinches (lots of their favourite foods still around). 4 Greylag geese on field near the lake. A female kestrel in the nesting box near the lake, looking out for her husband and patiently (though she looked a bit grim) waiting for dinner to be served. Willow warblers singing well.
Notes - April 2016: This was an early morning rather than an afternoon visit. I am pleased to say that many of the spring and summer visitors already feature. We think the sand martin was “ passing through”, but others, like whitethroat, chiffchaff, blackcap, willow warbler and garden warbler may be around for some time. Also, a single fieldfare was “tail-end Charlie” for all his mates whose company we have enjoyed over the winter. It seems that the greylag geese may become resident , too. Just to add that we also saw 2 squirrels, probably in their overcoats given the early morning temperature
Notes - March 2016 : The little egrets were in a field close to the car park. The buzzards were seen first on fence posts near the entrance, then later in a bird box near to the entrance. The kestrel was also seen in a nest box, near the lake area, as was the Barn Owl (different boxes!) The lapwings were displaying in a field next to the site. The large number of golden plover were in a ploughed field near the large barn, and were difficult to see as they blended in with the soil and did not move. We also saw two Brown Hares (near the large barn, on a track). There was a large area of coltsfoot by the lake.
Notes - February 2016: We saw large flocks of fieldfare, possibly gathering ready to return home. Five greylag geese, safe from Christmas, flew honkingly over us on the way somewhere. The egret also flew up from a nearby field, so we counted it too. A couple of interesting early flowers in coltsfoot and celandine. The two mallard were on the pond near the car park. 32 species of bird, good for the time of year.
Notes - January 2016: Not a good day as it happens with high winds keeping activity low. It was wet and gluey underfoot. Looking forward to the spring, and there are signs with early buds.
