We were on a bit of a twitch, hoping to see a Mandarin Duck and a Gadwall, both having been seen here recently. The southern end of the main lake had Canada Geese, Mallard, Coots, Moorhens, several Tufted Duck and a pair of Mute Swans. Missing were the great flocks of Black-headed Gulls which usually dominate the scene. Had they all returned to their breeding grounds already?
As we made our way northwards, Ring-necked Parakeets were squawking everywhere. It is said that they have mostly driven out the resident Stock Doves from their tree-hole nests. What will they crowd out next? Woodpeckers? In the little waterway east of the William Rathbone statue, we found the Mandarin duck, exactly where he was supposed to be. A Mandarin has been seen here at this season for several years, and it’s hard to avoid the feeling that it is the same individual.
Various little birds were about, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit. In the grove of Scots Pines between the Palm House and the Fairy Glen we found some less-common birds. Several fast-moving Goldcrests were among the pine branches, and we spotted the Nuthatch we had heard calling earlier.
Down the bank here is the Persian Ironwood tree, whose flowers were just going over.
We lunched in our usual spot near the old aviary, then went along the Obelisk path to see the crocus display. They are at their best now, so don’t miss them.
There was a Coot on a nest below the eastern side of the bandstand.
I spotted a big slow-moving Bumblebee heading towards some yellow crocuses, but when I went nearer to try to identify it, I couldn’t find it again. It was probably a Buff-tailed Bumblebee, which are known to emerge around now. Something not emerging at the right time, but 4-6 weeks early, were the flowers of a Norway Maple tree at the path junction about 100 yards south of the bandstand. Every other Norway Maple I have seen (and they are common street trees) blooms in April or even May, but this one tree is always way ahead.
There was no sign of the Gadwall in the backwaters where it had previously been seen. However, there were lots of people about in the park, and many of their dogs went splashing through the water, so the Gadwall may have gone to hide somewhere. There was a single Little Grebe on the lake and some Black-headed Gulls had eventually appeared at the southern end, accompanied by a few Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Public transport details: Bus 82 from Eliot Street at 10.03, arriving Aigburth Road opposite Ashbourne Road at 10.20. Returned on bus 82 at 2.10 from Aigburth Road / Jericho Lane, arriving Liverpool at 2.25.
Next week we plan to go to Landican Cemetery, hoping for Brown Hares (meet 10 am Sir Thomas Street) and the week after to Birkenhead Park (meet Central Station 10 am).