Thursday 17 March 2011

KL Woods and Cassio. Park

There was 1 Ring-necked Parakeet over the entrance to Cassiobury Park at Shepherds Road at 7:15.  At the WGSB there were also numerous Black-headed Gulls (most in full summer breading plumage) and a Lesser Black-backed Gull was alsoo perched on the building.  On my way back through KL Woods there were 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Nuthatch, Blue and Great Tits.  A small rodent was also near the top of the woods scurrying through the leaf litter (Its body was c.4.5cm long and with the tail would have been approximately 8cm).  Overall it had brown/grayish fur and a horn/pink coloured tail, it was also relatively chubby and didn't seem to have the usual pointy nose that is characteristical of shrews, I don't know rodents so well but the closest match would be a Wood Mouse).  I also flushed a dark brown bird from the leaf litter, it was difficult to note the exact size and feature because I only noticed it once it had taken flight.  It was smaller than a Red-legged Partridge and seemed to display the characteristics of a Woodcock.  As with Woodcocks it also had strong barring on its back with a mottled bark/pale brown plumage.  I'll record it as a probable Woodcock.

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