New Hythe Lakes 7-1-2012

On Saturday afternoon Wendy and I went for a quick stroll at New Hythe lakes we only took binoculars so no pictures I’m afraid. We started off by checking the footpath by Strikers Lake, nothing other than a Coot and a Tufted Duck on the lake, however Blue Tits were in among the trees, just above our heads, a Robin was bobbing around at knee height, whilst at the very top of one tree a Great Spotted Woodpecker could be seen. Down to Ocean lake where we saw Canada and Greylag Geese, some Mallards, Mute Swans, Moorhens, Coots, and Tufted Ducks also what I assume are White Mallards. A few Herring Gulls were interspersed among the Black Headed Gulls.

We walked alongside the woodland by Strikers Lake towards the scrape, however other than a few Wood Pigeons, Magpies, Carrion Crows and a Blackbird, not much else was about. At the Scrape all was quiet, however we did pick out a pair of Jays at the far end. As we moved towards Round (Dipping) Pond a flock of about 20 Goldfinches rose up from the ground and chattered from the trees, we moved quickly on. A couple of Coots and BH Gulls was all there was at the Round Pond.

We then walked round the back of Round Pond where we saw a pair of what from their behaviour could only have been Wrens, however we never got a clear look at them and not a peep out of them either; we also saw a mixed flock of Blue Tits and Long Tailed Tits, at the same time there was also a couple of Great Tits but I am not sure they were travelling with the other two.

Due to limited time we decided to walk between Streamside and Railway Lakes as far as the bridge and then return, this was a good choice, on Streamside we saw Gadwalls and a pair of Shovelers, whilst on Railway we added Great Crested Grebe to the list. The return walk between the lakes gave us the best treat, a small flock of Siskins in the trees about 10 feet from us, constantly on the move, the wing bars in the dimming light confirming their identity, also with them was a Chiffchaff. The rest of the Walk back was uneventful though a couple of Cormorants had flown in and were now roosting on a boat one of them drying its wings. Not a long list, but still some nice spots for what was a walk with my girlfriend and not a Birding walk.