LAPWING CHICKS

The second brood of lapwing chicks in the park's grazing fields was being carefully watched over by the two anxious parents on Tuesday 25th. The concerned calls from the parents indicated they had young nearby.

The four tiny lapwing chicks stayed very well hidden amongst the rushes and docks around the main pool in the fields. The chicks were only noticeable when they moved about.


Also in the main pool in the fields on Tuesday were 55 redshank, 8 black-tailed godwits, 6 teal and a wigeon. A pair of greylag geese was in the fields on Wednesday.
A female pochard was on the park pond on Tuesday and four swallows were flying about too.

Another willow warbler stopped off at the park on Wednesday, singing in trees along the horseride while a female wheatear was on the beach.
 

A pair of goldfinches was seen on the park cliff-top, this bird collecting some fluffy fabric for nesting material.

The other goldfinch perched on a nearby stick while the nesting material was being gathered.

Three common whitethroats were singing around the park on Tuesday along with two lesser whitethroats, three blackcaps and a couple of chiffchaffs.


Two pairs of song thrushes have been seen at the park feeding at either end of the car park and a pair of Mediterranean gulls flew over calling on Wednesday.


The first cuckoo was heard at the park on Monday 24th by Ian Black, the same day Annie Gordon heard one to the east of Coopers Beach. Emma Green heard a cuckoo in Shop Lane on Sunday 23rd.


Four adders were noted at the park on Tuesday.

The green hairstreak made its first appearance of the season in the Firs Chase garden on Sunday 23rd - in its usual spot by the backdoor!

Turning the garden compost revealed two slow-worms - the first ones seen here in Firs Chase this year.