There has been some planting of Holly trees were we lost a lot of trees before from the startling nesting in the trees. It will brighten the area up a bit
There are a few rabbits out playing and looking for food this week they lost their habitat as the ANTS destroyed all the bamboo were they normally live
A pair of Jays seen in the park this week normally they are very timid but this one stayed close for a long time first time this year they have been seen
The cafe has had a major clean this week to get rid of Starlings mess but on a few occasions this week it has been broken into with windows smashed. There has been very little stolen as there is nothing of value in there but it effects the business having these problems.
Its been a bad year for the daffs on the main drive a very poor show this time and some of the beds havent done very well but the ones near the lodge are a nice display this time.
The starling have been making a mess of the trees near the lake for a while they all smell and it has been slowly killing the trees the wind chopped in and destroyed a lot of the branch's the birds had ruined. It look like some of the trees will have to be cut down.
There is get together to discuss Friends Group Activities and Fund Raising before the season gets under way.
Hope you'll be able to join us on Tuesday 23rd April from 5.30 in the West Lodge.
This will be an informal meeting to arrange dates for any stalls etc we might be able to run over the next few months - so bring along any ideas for new games and activities!
The destruction continues in the park with the starling still roosting and making a right mess. You can see the trees near the bottom of the lake are white with mess and its feared some of these trees may not recover from the onslaught. The dropping are a major problem with the smell and making the paths slippery but there is little to be done until they move on.
Over the week end the destruction continued in another form as vandals climbed on the cafe and bowls hut roofs pulling off lightening conductors and then proceeded to smash up one of the oldest bench's in the park and making a mess of the bowling green while doing it. The bench is past repair if anyone has any information please contact the Police
The gardeners have been giving the shrubs some stick all over the park and having a good clean up and cutting back getting rid of a lot of dead stuff and making it tidy.
The tufted duck is a medium-sized diving duck, smaller than a mallard. It is black on the head, neck, breast and back and white on the sides. It has a small crest and a yellow eye. In flight it shows an obvious white stripe across the back of the wing. It breeds in the UK across lowland areas of England, Scotland and Ireland, but less commonly in Wales, with most birds being residents. Numbers increase in the UK in winter because of birds moving to the UK from Iceland and northern Europe.
Aythya fuligula
Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Found across the UK at most times of year. Look in suitable habitat such as a local reservoir, gravel pit or lake.
All year round.
Molluscs, insects and some plants.
There was a male mid week and he brought his mate later in the week.
The starling are still being a problem and the footpath by the lake has been closes due to the mess. Its a loosing battle as it was cleaned Sunday but Monday it was bad again. Lets hope they soon move on as the smell is really bad.
