Wildlife in Bedfords Park 2014

Following  info on wildlife spotted in the park so far this year:

Birds recorded in the park so far this year are listed below. Still a few common species lacking which I have normally seen by mid-January (eg Meadow Pipit, Tufted Duck). If the weather improves (less rain) I will try some dusk visits for owls, Mandarin Duck and Woodcock; also some early morning visits. The Peregrine Falcon was reported on the SE Essex RSPB site on 14th by two visiting birders - seen over Larch Wood. I still need this species for my BP list. I have seen Peregrines over Gidea Park on two occasions which is not far away and there is at least one previous park record; all presumably wanderers from Romford Town Centre.

The 2 Firecrests continue the regular occurrence of the species for the site (fifth consecutive winter since 2009). 

Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Mallard
Pheasant
Cormorant
Little Egret  (01/01/14)
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Moorhen
Coot
Woodcock
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull  )
Herring Gull                       } flyovers
Great Black-backed Gull   )
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker

Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Fieldfare
Song Thrush
Redwing  (150 on 15th)
Mistle Thrush
Firecrest (2)
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Jay
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Lesser Redpoll
Bullfinch


Hi all.

A few butterflies have already been seen this mild February at a number of sites particularly from the 16th. I finally caught up with my first in 2014 in the park yesterday.

2 Peacock

2 Small Tortoiseshell  (also 2 seen by a n other including 1 probably same individual as 1 of mine)

1 Comma

I also disturbed a basking Grass Snake which slithered off before I could take a photo, the earliest I have seen here out of hibernation.

With the mild weather it remains very quiet for birds wintering in the park but many are singing. The plant growth is so in advance of last years very late spring. Prunus cerasifera is out in full flower but I could not find any nectaring butterflies on it - a few bees.