31st January '10 Wollaton Park

Very cold, sunny, still.

Wollaton Park.

This magnificent oak must be around 400yrs old.

We always enter the park from the university entrance on the A52. Its the quietest part of the park and immediately to the left on entering, after a short climb is a magnificent oak tree. The tree was accompanied by an equally magnificent beech which unfortunately succumbed to the high winds. Around the oak is a small copse of firs, always good for Coal Tits and Goldcrest. We then make our way along the perimeter wall heading lakewards and enter the conservation area. This is a lovely place hemmed in by the busy A52 on one side and the hustle and bustle of park visitors walking around the lake, on the other. This is an ideal location to see woodpeckers, treecreepers and nuthatch.

There's always the chance of a view like this.

Coaltit, LTT, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Jay, Redwing.