The Med Comes To Cassiobury Park - 5.11.12

My first day back at work after 7 weeks off with my back and annual leave was hard work after doing virtually nothing but a bit of walking whilst off but the birds made up for it. An adult Common Gull was with the Black-Headed Gulls and due to heavy rain the day before a small pool of water had appeared infront of the toilet block. On it were single Pied and Grey Wagtails, 15 Mallard and a Grey Heron! 40+ Siskin were back again for the winter by the mini railway and 5 Redwing flew over. Near the hide 2 Goldcrest and a Treecreeper were in with a tit flock, a Coal Tit was on the new feeders and a Water Rail called. A Little Owl was heard calling from the park while I was in the car park but the bird of the day and I guess the Autumn seeing as I missed most of it was the first park record of Mediterranean Gull (a 1st winter) that circled over the cricket outfield for around a minute before it frustratingly flew off south. This bird represents the 155th species recorded in the park/Whippendell Woods.