Conningbrook Lakes - the Country Park project and plans.

Conningbrook Lakes is an area on the edge of Ashford that I try to visit regularly, once a month if possible - not always easy. A Country Park has been mentioned and discussed for a couple of years now and it seems that plans are now gaining momentum. Some intriging ideas and information is available at the following link:

http://www.conningbrooklakes.info/

Just this last winter this site held 4 species of Heron at the same time: 2 Great White Egrets, 1 Bittern, 4+ Little Egrets and several Grey Herons as well a nice flock of Goosander that commuted between the lakes, the River Stour and Eastwell Park lake, which is not too far away.

A visit a few weeks ago revealed a Kingfisher (I believe a pair might be nesting somewhere on/near the middle lake), 2 Yellow Wagtails (always appear to breed in the farmland adjacent to the river), 7 singing Reed Warblers and the same number of Whitethroats. Also Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings, a calling Cuckoo plus good numbers of Swallows, Swifts and House Martins with the odd Sand Martin in the mix.

The bird list for this site over the years is quite impressive and long may it continue with the hoped for conservation and management plans mentioned on the website above.

June photos and update.

Lots going on as usual. A few visits out and about, notably a trip to Sevenoaks KWT Reserve on the 17th for a few photo opportunities and lens trialing for Angela.

Preening Coot from the Sutton Hide.

Cranefly ???

Egyptian Goose family - female with 7 young.

Egyptian Goose family seen from the Tyler Hide.

Female Egyptian Goose.

Foxglove from the Slingsby Hide.

Garden Warbler near Long Lake.

A couple of interesting sightings in the garden of late too.

Juvenile Robin on the lawn - taken through the window.

Newt in the pond - presumably a Smooth Newt.

That is all for now.

Hobby Days

Here are some photos of a Hobby (1st Summer?) that I took at Dungeness RSPB today (9th). The bird was perched on the brick wall by Boulderwall Farm and allowed a very close approach. The rumours were that it been stunned/glanced by a passing car. The bird was still able to fly and was later seen further along the entrance track, on the bend by the gate to Hookers and Dengemarsh.

Hobby up close

Hobby at Boulderwall Farm

Hobby on the garden wall of the farm

Hobby - on the entrance track, near the gate to Hookers

More to follow later....