MUNTJAC IN MEADOWS

A muntjac deer wandered along the back of the park's grazing meadows on a sunny mid-morning on Wednesday 14th. After a few minutes browsing as it walked along, it then disappeared inside the hedge.

The regular common buzzard perched in a tall tree at the back of the pond, a siskin was briefly with some of the 30 goldfinches by the pond, a redwing was in nearby bushes.
In the grazing fields there were 20 juvenile brent geese among a flock of 60, later the flock increasing to 200 geese. At the Point were 2 rock pipits, 6 skylarks and 800+ brent geese on the mud.

On Thursday 15th at the park pond were common buzzard, sparrowhawk, blackcap, 40 goldfinches, 6 gadwall and 3 tufted ducks. Flying over the park were 400 golden plover, some seen later on the mud, also a snipe flew over calling and there were two goldcrests along one of the paths.

Two lesser redpolls flew west over the park on Tuesday 13th, briefly landing near the car park. Also noted were a common buzzard, 40 goldfinches, while on the pond were 20 shoveler. At the Point were 2 rock pipits, 5 meadow pipits and 2 reed buntings.

Ten siskin flew over the park on Monday 12th and a fieldfare was heard calling in the car park in the morning.
A red squirrel was seen briefly in the trees behind the park buildings on Monday morning. There was also the usual male red squirrel at the nut feeder in the Firs Chase garden first thing on Monday.

A merlin was seen perched on Pewit Island in the Pyefleet Channel by Andy Field on Sunday 11th, also two marsh harriers on Langenhoe.

The moth trap operated on a couple of recent nights with ten individuals on Tuesday 13th and then five the following night with seven species in total including this mottled umber pictured above.

A scarce umber was found resting on the moth trap beside the mottled umber, both typical early winter moths at the park. Also noted were large wainscot, red-green carpet, turnip, feathered thorn, November sp moth and yellow-line quaker.

Hiding among the fallen leaves on the ground near the trap was this well camouflaged angle-shades.