New Hall Valley Country Park.

Great early morning Birding trip to a relatively warm and sunny latter Autumnal day at New Hall Valley Country Park near Sutton.

Highlight of the day was easily the sighting of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker which was actually in the same tree as a Great Spotted Woodpecker and on an adjacent branch, I've never seen these two birds in the same tree before, so the size (the Lesser being smaller) being much more noticeable than seeing a Lesser on it's own, it was also one of those perfect opportune moments with the sun behind you and clear blue skies coupled with no leaf cover at all to fully admire this stunning little bird, it's red crown, black nape and barring on it's wings and lower back being clearly identifiable, it was there for a good five minutes, let's hope there are more at this site.

Coming in a close second for the spot of day was seeing a majestic Green Woodpecker foraging in the grass for ants where there was also plenty of Redwing present. Another great sight seen today (no less than three times at different locations around the park) was a flock of c.100+ Goldfinch, they looked superb flying from one tree to another. It was also nice to see many sightings of Greenfinch and Bullfinch, two great birds that don't see nearly enough of. Today was also the first time I'd ever seen Lesser Spotted, Great Spotted and Green Woopdecker in one day, which was nice.

Birds seen today were Kestrel, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Dunnock, Wren ,Robin, Starling, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Redwing, Jay, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Pheasant (Hen), Grey Heron, Moorhen and Mallard.