Towpath & CB 31/3/08

First walk at CB for around two weeks this morning. At least 5 individual Chif-Chaf in the scrub at either side of the canal towpath down to Crowther Bridge. Both Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker calling here. Nothing near or on the Herons nest on the way down or back.Took the "path of desolation" down to the lagoon on Brookfoot Loop to have a look over the lagoon and ski lake. Nothing much visible on the ski lake but one pair of Reed Buntings on the lagoon and two Chif-Chafs in the scrub at the side of the lagoon.I crossed over via the bund path between the two lagoons and walked back up the "road of destruction and valley of strimmings" towards Tag Loop. No birds at all here apart from two Robins and a Kingfisher on the river. This is the only place on the walk I did not record Chif-Chaff. I also note that one of only 3 colonies I have recorded of a moth called Leucoptera spartifoliella which occurs on Broom has been removed and presumably shredded. The other colony at Lowfields has also been destroyed during construction work, at least the last colony I know of should be safe as its in a listed graveyard !

Crossed over to Tag Loop and immediately picked up Chif-Chaff again. Walked round the river path to Tag Cut and had good views of a male Greater Pecker drumming on Oak. Picked up more calling Chif-Chaf of the way towards the river, I also had Blue & Great Tits and a pair of Bullfinch here. Left tag via the kissing gate and spotted a Water Rail on the opposite bank of the river. Just a couple of pairs of Mallard above and below the weir. No Dippers yet which is very strange as they are usually around here now most years. Various tits and a few Chaffinch and Greenfinch in Tag hedge.

Three Roe deer out feeding in the usual place on the way back, the two regular does and the one antlered buck. I also spotted a Fox curled up sunning itself, also in its usual spot. A pair (I assume) of Treecreepers were investigating the loose bark of the tree they have nested in the past, so hopefully they will again. A nice, almost spring like walk in the sunshine and once you get past the horrible building site areas there is plenty to see in an hours gentle ramble round. There must have been a large influx of Chif-Chaf since I last visted the site as I counted at least 12 individuals this morning either seen or singing.