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Please send any wildlife reports and/or pictures to Bill Grange for this section
January 2010
A severe prolonged cold spell, with moderate falls of snow have marked the beginning of 2010
Click on the buttons below to see illustrated reports of the Park's landscapes and wildlife on various dates during this time:
3rd January, 2010 - pictures by Bill Grange
8th January, 2010 - pictures by Bill Grange
6th January, 2010 - pictures by Steve Plant
8th January, 2010 - pictures by Steve Plant
Friday 19th February, 2010.
There might not have been much snow but
combined with the sun and blue sky I knew the park would look spectacular, this
was confirmed when I looked through our landing window toward Big Wood just
after 8am.
I knew the sun would soon melt the snow on the trees so was at
Woodlands Road car park by about 8.15am. The trees looked like lace, spectacular
and reminiscent of a few years ago when the frost built up over several days.
The drama of the scene was added to by the sun shining on some trees whilst
others were still in the shade, a beautiful contrast. I had a good few minutes
capturing the glory and drama of the scene, then some large clouds slipped
between the sun and the park.
I decided to quickly go down to the
lake.
I'm always impressed by how many Robins the park supports, there
had been some males singing up at Big Wood, there were more still down by the
lake. Starting my walk around the lake near Short Avenue, the usual lake
residents were present, some of the Black Headed Gulls, Mallards, Canada Geese,
Coot and a female Tufted duck. As I walked towards the Evans Avenue corner of
the lake there were numerous small songbirds around thanks to lake side
residents putting food out for the birds.
Investigating amongst the dead
leaves etc., under the lake edge shrubs was a Song Thrush. A couple of strides
further and through a small gap in the shrubs and trees I saw 2 pairs of
Gosander on the lake, they were already aware of me and were paddling away. Near
the top of a tall dead tree sat three Cormorants enjoying the returned sunshine.
Before I could get a clear shot of them with my camera two of them went off to
fish, but the third sat calmly sunning itself while I took several shots, just
casting me a casual glance from time to time.
I was dismayed to see
several loose dogs around the lake despite the notices asking owners to keep
their dogs on leads around the lake. The first one I encountered was getting a
bit old and was slow and calm, so not too much of a problem. I then encountered
three separate others, all more youthful and boisterous AND no sign of their
owners. I imagine they were elsewhere oblivious and uncaring as to where their
respective dogs were and what they were doing ! So it was pleasing to later meet
one owner with their dog on the lead.
The squirrels were still finding
lots of Yew seeds to feed on, seemingly their eyesight isn't great, I can creep
up on them if I am quiet, but they are very aware of the cameras operating
noises. They soon learn to ignore the camera noise though. The Alders were being
noisily and thoroughly investigated by Blue Tits and Long Tailed
Tits.
Beyond the pump house the ducks, geese and gulls were gathered in
the usual place. Four of the geese were sunbathing on one of the fisherman's
jetties. It was good to see several pairs of Tufted ducks, most I have seen on
the lake. I couldn't see the Mandarins anywhere though, had the dogs caused them
to go elsewhere ?
Near the weir between the upper and lower lake I could
hear a male Dunnock singing, he took a bit of spotting with his colouring and
the similar colouring of the bare shrubs and trees. When I did see him he was
quite close and allowed me a few photo's. A Kingfisher darted across the upper
lake in a blue and orange blur
Beyond the railings I could see more
Gooseanders among the Canada Geese, Mallards and Coot etc.
Normally I
would have continued in the same anti clockwise direction around the lake. On
this occasion I decided to retrace my steps.
An immature Moorhen was
quite happy to have me approach quite close as it found food within the boundary
rim of the lake outlet. It was quickly spooked by one of the loose dogs though,
precisely why they should be on leads of course.
A little further on the
same loose dog then charged over to a fisherman who had set up two rods, the dog
came close to dislodging the rods and causing mayhem. The owner appeared, called
to the dog, the dog ignored it's owner and the owner ignored the fisherman, no
apology or any other words were offered !
Back to the lakeside between
Evans Avenue and Short Avenue a Robin sang just eight or nine feet up in a
shrub, completely ignoring me he allowed lot's of photo's A cock Wood Pigeon was
getting amorous with a female but she wasn't in the mood.
Near where the
Song Thrush had been there was a male Redwing, just the one.Nearby a cock
Goldfinch was sat singing loud and proud. Then hearing a song I didn't recognise,
I spotted a Nuthatch just a few feet from me. I got one shot and then he was
gone.
Back at the Short Avenue end of the lake and as I was about to make
my way home I just caught a glimpse of more Goosanders to the left almost hidden
from view. I found a spot where I could view them from some cover and get some
photo's. While I did so two pairs of the elusive Mandarin suddenly appeared as
if from nowhere. I was just wishing I had seen them coming when another eight,
nine or ten pairs suddenly and almost silently dropped down on to the lake. They
descend so quickly, if you don't see them coming they are down before you know
it.
A fitting end to a great few hours in our wonderful park on a
stunning February morning.
Steve Plant
3rd June, 2010
WATER SURVEY - LAKE
it was beautifully sunny and warm, just as well as Pat Sear had an OPAL Water Survey to carry out to check the quality of the water in the
lake and to get some idea of life in the lake.Pat asked if Bill Grange could be
present to identify as much of the nature retrieved by dipping as possible,
myself to try and get some photo's. As one of the rangers, Mike Day came to help
having a good knowledge of the park and lake. John Menzies in his capacity of the new chairman
of FOAP came along to see what we turned up and I suspect enjoyed it more than
he had anticipated ! The results of the dipping were rather mixed. There
were Daphnia by the thousands, which is good, and there were quite good numbers of
immature water boatmen. There were also two species of water snail. But species
we could have expected were absent. Although I have found the odd adult Mayfly
we didn't find any larvae and only one Caddis Fly larvae. Neither did we net any
water beetle species.The biggest and most entertaining species we saw
was a male Broad Bodied Chaser. The speed and agility of this spectacular and
wonderful dragonfly dwarfs any of man kinds achievements.We await the
results of the metals test from the sample of mud Pat has sent to the lab.
Hopefully given the location of the lake etc., this will be good.
Click on the button to see some of the excellent pictures taken by Steve of the fascinating aquatic life-forms we saw.
Steve Plant
24th June, 2010
INSECT RECORDING SESSION
Steve Plant and Bill Grange carried out an insect survey, using a beating tray and sweep net, in the meadow area to the north-west of the Lake. A wide array of different species were discovered, photographs of which can be seen by clicking on the button below.we have yet to identify them to species.
Click on the button to see pictures taken by Steve Plant of some of the insects we recorded.
This session was part of a systematic recording of the Park's Wildlife, which we have begun as part of the Five-year Plan of The Friends.
24th June, 2010
Pat Sear, Pond Warden for Allestree Park and member of the Friends of Allestree Park Committeeorganised a public pond-dipping session in the ornamental pond in front of Allestree Hall. Lots of enthusiastic children and grown-ups came along and really enjoyed themselves in netting some fascinating creatures.FOAP committee members Bill Grange and Steve Plant were on hand to try to identify them and Steve took some excellent pictures of our finds. To see them, click the button below.
It was obvious that the life of the pond was not as rich as expected. The pond does need some management, including clearing out the alien Canadian pondweed and the introduction of native plants.
Click on the button to see some excellent pictures taken by Steve of the aquatic life-forms we found on the pond-dip.
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