A Wintery Wander at Wicksteed

X4 time again this morning when I took a relatively short hop on the bus over to Kettering where I had a pleasant walk around Wicksteed Park. Still plenty of snow on the ground but at least it had stopped falling which made some photography possible.

Canada Geese in distinctly Canadian feeling conditions.

On arrival at the park I made my way down to the lake noticing a single Yellowhammer on the way. The main lake was partially frozen which meant that most of the wildfowl were tightly grouped particularly around Mute Swans. These seem to fulfil an icebreaking function as well as stirring up food for other species. Plenty of gulls around too with a few Herrings joining the more usual Black-heads and Commons. Rather a lot of them were roosting out on the ice while others rested on the many poles that line the lake.

Winter wildfowl.

The fishing lake was mostly frozen although a few Coots and Mute Swans were present. A Chiffchaff was the most interesting bird here but there was quite a lot of other activity. Wrens and Robins were feeding among the rushes where the odd Moorhen also revealed itself. Both of the winter thrushes were seen and a large mixed flock of tits and crests moved through. A single Common Snipe was noted flying overhead,

Herring Gull and Black-headeds.

A walk around the arboretum produced several more mixed flocks which did not sound very happy at all when a Sparrowhawk made a flying visit. One Mistle Thrush was seen while a Red Kite called from nearby. Back at the lake a Little Egret flew past and both of the common woodpeckers were heard. Small parties of Siskin were seen in the alders along the River Ise and were joined by several Goldfinches.

Little and Large, icebreaking Mute Swans and Wren.

Once I'd completed my stroll I made my way to the Earl of Dalkeith where a large fried breakfast washed down with a pint was the order of the day.

A few more wintery scenes.