Shipley Country Park

The sun was shining when we arrived at Shipley Country Park and there was very little cloud too. A very pleasant morning for a gentle stroll.

We set off towards the small garden area next to the visitor centre. Along the way we spotted a magpie, wood pigeon, crow, blackbird and a robin. In the garden we saw just blue tit, great tit, and a dunnock. 

Wood pigeon

We then made our way along the path towards the small lake. A very colourful shrub was spotted in the hedgerow which was later identified as European spindle- very pretty.

European spindle

As we neared the lake, the call of a green woodpecker was heard, it then suddenly appeared right in front of us, making a low undulating fly past- a bird often heard but seldom seen.

We then reached the lakeside and saw, moorhen, coot, black-headed gull, mallard, Canada geese, great crested grebe, mute swan and a muscovy duck.

Juvenile black-headed gull

We then set off, crossing the waterlogged grass towards Derby lodge and Mapperley reservoir. We spotted grey wagtail, nuthatch and a coal tit in the garden area near the lodge.

Grey wagtail

Nuthatch

We then reached the reservoir and walked along the bank, heading towards the visitor centre. Nothing of note was seen on the reservoir although a low flying cormorant made an appearance. We then carried on, back to the visitors centre for light refreshment.

The tally: 23 species

Magpie, crow, wood pigeon, robin, blackbird, blue tit, great tit, dunnock, green woodpecker, moorhen, coot, black-headed gull, mallard, Canada goose, great crested grebe, mute swan, muscovy duck, jackdaw, chaffinch, grey wagtail, coal tit, nuthatch, and a cormorant.