Waters Edge CP 30-6-11

With the weather quite pleasant (as usual it didnt last!) we set off for a walk round the country park to see what was about. Birdwise it was pretty quiet, lots of Skipper butterflies on the wing. We also had a few Ringlet and a single Gatekeeper. A Mute Swan pair with 6 youngsters were noted and a male Coot in frantic nesting mode, mating twice with his mate (nearly drowning her in the process!) and then busying himself gathering all manner of nest material. Swan and Coot had a few run ins! We headed down Pasture Rd, and called at the fishermans cafe for a coffee and a bite to eat then walked past all the fishing lakes and round by the sailing pit, very quiet on the whole. The weather wasnt very kind, lots of drizzle and the wind picked up also, but a pleasant walk all the same

Also a brief note from yesterday, first breeding record of Water Rail for me this season at Far Ings NNR

Cinnebar Moth Caterpillars

Coot

Mute Swan Cygnet

Grasshopper

Mute v Coot

Small Skippers

Small Skipper

Water Rail juvenile

Willow Warbler