Friends of Catton Park Bird Walk - 6th May 2007

A group of just over 20 birdwatchers assembled at 7.30 at South Lodge in Catton Park on a fine but hazy Sunday morning, with the rain holding off.  We set off clockwise around the Park, led by Steve Spawls, with expert assistance being provided by Ray Jones and Ryan Clabon.  Blackcaps were calling cheerfully in the tangles beside the path, and down at the southern corner a pair of chaffinches were scrapping in the branches above.  As we followed the path into the western woodland a song thrush made its appearance, robins were hopping along the path and a great tit, unfazed by the group of watchers, looked for insects at the base of a yew tree.  As we left the pond a chiffchaff sang loudly from the trees.

Ryan then took us across to the woodland surrounding the Hall School, where he had a treat in store for us; he had earlier located a hole where a nuthatch was nesting.  We had excellent views of this uncommon bird.  At first the nuthatch came in and out of the hole, but it then descended to a nearby branch and cheerfully made its way along, gleaning downwards as nuthatches always do, while we all had a chance to admire it at close quarters.  This was a superb sighting, Steve has never seen a nuthatch in the park before and Ray last saw one six years ago.

More fine bird sightings were had from the higher land in the northern part of the Park, with the great sweep of the park, looking like an African savanna, leading down to the far woodlands and the distant spires of the cathedrals.  Out on the open grassland a large flock of wood pigeons were feeding amongst the wildflowers.  A rough count indicated there were over 200 birds.  As we descended back towards South Lodge, some less black-backed gulls and a few carrion crows passed by.

At the edge of the wood we all had good views of a pair of stock doves.  These relatively uncommon doves look a bit like wood pigeons but have no white on the neck or wing, and are usually shy and thus not found in urban areas.  Ryan then took us to a tree he knew in the woodland; that had not one but five woodpecker nest holes. The first arrivals saw a great spotted woodpecker fly away, but the bird didn’t return for those of us who were tardy.  However we could hear the nestlings cheeping away inside their hole.

Finally, we made our way to South Lodge.  Matt, our warden, along with Ann, Betty and Brigit, had organised breakfast for us; tea and coffee, sausages and cookies.  This was most welcome, and while we were eating the last sighting was made; a lovely pair of goldcrests (our smallest British bird) made their appearance in a nearby yew and scrambled excitedly around the branches, the male’s crest such bright orange that he could almost be mistaken for the far rarer firecrest.  So a marvelous walk was enjoyed by all, and Ray’s final tally was 24 species, an excellent haul for the morning, proving that the recent changes in the woodland and open park have not diminished the variety of bird life.

Click here to see Ray Jones' list of birds found on the day.