Center Parcs Elveden Forest Trip Report > Fraser's Birding Website


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Elveden Forest Center Parcs Suffolk
13-17 Jan 2020
Observers: F. Simpson, L. Simpson, J. Simpson

Introduction

This was a family break for our five-year-old's birthday to Center Parcs Elveden Forest in Suffolk. The focus was on relaxation, fresh air and birthday celebrations. We packed some bird seed, peanuts and the i-Spy books, and set up a feeding station at our lodge in the Pine zone. Point-blank views of various woodland birds were a continuous feature with Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker the obvious highlights. Mammals included the ubiquitous Grey Squirrels and Reeves' Muntjac Deer, and a Stoat which ran past our lodge on the first day. Birds were present throughout the site (comprised mainly of Scots and Corsican Pine with a deciduous understorey) and seemed quite habituated to humans. Below is a list of counts (including the peak counts at our feeding station) at specific times but birds, including the Marsh Tits, were a feature throughout the site. In 2021 we stayed at another Center Parcs site at Whinfell Forest.

Center Parcs, Elveden Forest, Suffolk © Fraser Simpson Cycling, Center Parcs Elveden Forest, Suffolk

Center Parcs, Elveden Forest, Suffolk © Fraser Simpson Wildlife Observation Hide, Center Parcs Elveden Forest, Suffolk

Center Parcs, Elveden Forest, Suffolk © Fraser Simpson Our lodge, Center Parcs Elveden Forest, Suffolk

Center Parcs Trip Reports: 2022 | 2021 | 2020

Species List

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

4, SE corner of main lake, 14-Jan.

2, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

1, NW corner of main lake, 16-Jan.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

8, SE corner of main lake, 14-Jan.

4, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

2, NW corner of main lake, 16-Jan.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

1 (heard), on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

1, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

3, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

1, in autumn-sown cereal field on edge of Pine zone, 16-Jan

3 Barnacle x Canada hybrids, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

3 Barnacle x Canada hybrids, in autumn-sown cereal field on edge of Pine zone, 16-Jan

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis

57 free-flying feral birds, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

47 free-flying feral birds, in autumn-sown cereal field on edge of Pine zone, 16-Jan

Greylag Goose Anser anser

2, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

2, NW corner of main lake, 16-Jan.

13, NE lake in Maple zone, 17-Jan.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

15, SE corner of main lake, 14-Jan.

31, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

pr, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

Pochard Aythya ferina

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

1 m, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

95, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

Goosander Mergus merganser

1 m, NE lake in Maple zone, 17-Jan.

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

1 (heard), near our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

2 mm, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

1 f, NE lake in Maple zone, 17-Jan.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

9, train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

1, calling over NW corner, 15-Jan.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

3, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

11, SE corner of main lake, 14-Jan.

3, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

20+, noted on cycle through Pine & Cedar zones, 15-Jan.

1, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

40+, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

3, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

2, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

Coot Fulica atra

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

4, SE corner of main lake, 14-Jan.

20+, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

1, over our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

12, SE corner of main lake, 14-Jan.

1, over our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

c70, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

40+, NE lake in Maple zone, 17-Jan.

Common Gull Larus canus

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

1, NE lake in Maple zone, 17-Jan.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

Feral Pigeon Columba livia domest.

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

Stock Dove Columba oenas

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

4 (inc singing m), Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

10, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

3, Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

13, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

21 (inc 6 singing), on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

17, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

8, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

2, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Collared Dove Sreptopelia decaocto

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

Tawny Owl Strix aluco

1 m, calling, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

1, calling, near Pine 251 lodge on the cycle to swimming, 15-Jan.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

1 f, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

2, Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

1 f, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

1, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

1 f, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

1 f, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

1 m, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Woodlark Lullula arborea

1 (heard), on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

Skylark Alauda arvensis

1 (heard), on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

1, NE lake in Maple zone, 17-Jan.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba

1, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

1, over our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

3 (inc 1 singing), on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

1, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

8 (inc 5 singing), on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

2, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

1, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

1, Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

1, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

Blackbird Turdus merula

2 (ad m, 1-cy m), at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

3 (ad m, ad f, 1-cy m), at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

1 (ad m), at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

2 (ad m, 1-cy m), at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

Redwing Turdus iliacus

Heard, after dark, passing over, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelus

2, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus

4, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

2, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

9, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

6, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

8, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

10, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

4, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

18, Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

6, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

6, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

3, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

4, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

16, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Great Tit Parus major

3, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

12, Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

5, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

11, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

6, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

5, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

11, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Coal Tit Periparus ater

6, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

7, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

16 (inc 6 singing), on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

4, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

6, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

13, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Marsh Tit Poecile palustis

2, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

2, Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

2, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

11, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

2, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

2, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

2, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

2, NE lake in Maple zone, 17-Jan.

2, near check-in, 17-Jan.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

3, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

1, Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

2, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

2, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

2, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Treecreeper Certhia familiaris

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

2, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

1, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Jay Garrulus glandarius

2, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

1, Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

4, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

1, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

3, NW corner of main lake, 16-Jan.

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

Magpie Pica pica

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

1, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

2, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

4, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

2, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

6, over the Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

2, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

4, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

c35, over main car park at entrance, 17-Jan.

Rook Corvus frugilegus

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

3, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

1, Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

9, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

c4000, over Thetford, 17-Jan.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Noted, Thetford, 17-Jan.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

8, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 14-Jan.

19, Wildlife Observation Hide, 14-Jan.

14, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 15-Jan.

6, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

8, at our feeding station, Pine 251 lodge, 17-Jan.

4, Wildlife Observation Hide, 17-Jan.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

2, NE lake in Maple zone, 15-Jan.

Siskin Carduelis spinus

Noted on train/bus, Essex-Thetford, 13-Jan.

2, on 60 min walk north then east around perimeter fence from Pine 251 lodge to golf course, 15-Jan.

c40, flew over, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

3-4, heard passing over, Pine 251 lodge, 16-Jan.

Our lodge in the Pine zone, Elveden Forest, Suffolk

Muntjac Deer, Grey Squirrel & Moorhen, Elveden Forest, Suffolk

Wildlife observation from our lodge, Elveden Forest, Suffolk

Keep your door shut - alien invaders - Grey Squirrel, Elveden Forest, Suffolk

View from the Wildlife Observation Hide, Elveden Forest, Suffolk

The north-eastern lake in the Maple zone appeared to be the most productive for birds with

Goosander, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe and Sparrowhawk.

Feral Barnacle Geese at the NE lake in Maple zone, Elveden Forest, Suffolk

The Birthday Boy, Center Parcs, Elveden Forest, Suffolk

Fraser's Birding Website · fssbirding.org.uk

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