Croydon Ducks - Kelsey Park

Croydon Ducks - Kelsey Park - 2017

Latest update: 6th October 2017

External Links: Council Information and Map Google Map Friends of Kelsey Park Wikipedia

Kelsey Park is situated in Beckenham, just outside the Croydon boundary and not that far from Elmers End and South Norwood Country
Park. It is a long park with a river flowing through, with large lakes and ponds, and many formal gardens. Kelsey Park is owned by
Bromley Council and is about 100 years old.

There are entrances all around the park, with road parking only, Kelsey Park Road (BR3 6LJ for satnavs) in the north, Manor Way
west side (BR3 3LJ, entrance top and near the middle of the road), Wickham Road (BR3 8QW) east side (only entrance near
southern end) which is close to the cafe and play ground, and Stone Park Avenue (BR3 3LT) along the southern border. The better
borders and planting appear to be the west side. Unfortunately, the west side of the park is barred to dogs (even on leads).

Older Photos of Kelsey Park - 2016

19th March 2017, the meandering stream near the top of the park, rarely see wildlife here, but there are a pair of Mallards.

The upper waterfall near the top of the park.

Generally, very peaceful at the park today, there is wildlife around but not in the numbers seen in the summer.

A few Mallards and a couple of Coots on the top pond, but no geese.

A heron waiting for fish to pass close by. A couple of quiet Canada Geese.

Again this lake does not have many birds. There are usually dozens of Mandarin Ducks, but none today.

A few mallards further up the lake.

The main waterfall half way up the park.

Not much happening on the large lake either.

But at least the sea gulls have flown north for the summer.

There are a few Graylag Geese on the far side of the grass, who realise food might have arrived.

And come strolling across the grass to eat.

A group of Tufted Ducks on the main lake, with one very quiet sea gull.

The bridge across the lower lake.

A few geese on the pond at the bottom of the park.

An Egyptian Goose.

The Coots are already nesting, they manage two families a year.

Both Egyptian Geese, and the Coot again.

Only saw a single swan today and it spent all the time washing, continually diving under water.

Two herons on the small island, the swan is still washing.

More herons this time on Heron Island.

And higher on Heron Island, looks like a pair of herons mating. This island has dozens of such nests.

Wider view of Heron Island, before it disappears behind tree leaves.

Back at the top of the park, a few geese have arrived for food. Unusually, I left the park with some bread uneaten, normally I've finished
three or four loaves even before reaching half way.

26th May 2017, two Mallards on the path just inside the northern entrance to the park, never seen any birds this far up the park, there
is a stream just to the left, but rarely any ducks there either.

A Mandarin duck and Coot before the bridge near the top of the park.

Not much happening on the small lake.

But a lot of birds on the grass, who come looking for food, two Egyptian geese, Mandarin and Mallard ducks.

Same group, finishing off their food.

Not much happening on this lake either.

More Mandarins on the grass.

A Coot nest.

The stream below the main water fall, with several large fish, dark one hard to see, probably crowded here because the weather has
been very dry so low water levels, and the waterfall help oxygenate the water.

Even the main lake is peaceful.

But Canada and Graylag geese on the banks,.

Birds slowly arrive from around the lake for food.

Including a swan.

The swan puffing up feathers.

Many of the birds are following me up the lake.

Several heron nests on the island.

Up near the playground, but not many children, it's a school day.

Another coot nest.

Two more Egyptian geese and their gosling. For some reason, the Egyptians seem to breed either very early or late in the year.

The Egyptian gosling again.

Near the bottom pond, more Mandarin ducks and Canada geese.

Mandarin and Mallards on the bottom pond.

View from the bottom bridge of the main lake.

The other swan with three cygnets. there were seven last year.

A Coot family.

The light is against me, but several Coot chicks and some ducklings in the distance.

A Mallard with three ducklings.

The swan family again.

Back on the main lake, the other swan is still patrolling.

Probably one reason for the lack of cygnets and ducklings.

Two more herons looking for food.

The squirrels here are always very tame.

A solitary Mandarin duck near Heron island.

More Mallards near the water's edge.

4th July 2017, a Mallard family under the bridge at the north end of the park, with a Moorhen.

Four ducklings, about a month old, now joined by more ducks from further up the stream.

A Coot family of one, on the northern pond.

Not much else happening on this pond, no geese and just a few Mallards.

No-one to feed or photograph on the northern lake, just a few birds on the grass.

Including a female Mandarin duck.

A heron watching the water from a tree.

Just a few ducks on the water.

And more on the grass, now all hungry.

A few Canada geese as well, not seen any goslings this year.

A male Mandarin duck in duller colours than normal, summer molt happening.

A few ducks arrive from the other side of the lake.

Another Coot family under the waterfall, two chicks this time.

Even the carp fish are eating bread today.

The Coot family again.

The main lake from the bridge over the waterfall, a few geese coming for food.

The visitor centre near the main entrance.

More geese and ducks on the path than in the water.

The swan family, for some reason the three cygnets stay in the middle of the lake.

While the adult is content to come for food.

The cygnets are still keeping their distance.

Some of the Graylag geese just keep following me along the path.

As do some of the ducks.

Another Coot family, this time almost fully grown.

The view toward the playground, school day so only toddlers here.

Another heron looking for breakfast.

One little duckling, seems to be separated from mother.

Maybe that is mother close to the pond edging.

A lot of birds on the lower pond, and hungry so leave the water for food.

The main lake from the lower bridge, seems quiet.

The lower pond is very busy, the birds that left the water for food are now back in again looking for seconds.

Under the bridge, various ducks and geese.

Another single duckling under the bridge.

Most of the Canada geese seem to be at the south end of the park, but still no goslings.

More geese near the playground.

Heron island is very quiet, no nests left, but still the odd heron fishing.

21st July 2017, mix of geese and ducks on the northern pond.

Lots of hungry Canada Geese following me down the path.

The main water fall that holds back the main lake.

The main lake above the waterfall, ducks and geese waiting for food.

Most the geese from the last photo have swum up the lake.

Still hungry, ate four loaves of bread.

Always seem to find a Graylag Goose family by this garden.

Only three cygnets this year.

The second adult swan arriving.

More geese and ducks near the small island.

Near the high bridge.

Egyptian goose on the lower pond.

View back down the main lake from the high bridge.

The swan family has come across the lake for more food.

4th August 2017, hungry geese and ducks on the northern pond.

The Canada Geese don't let you forget they are waiting to be fed.

A Moorhen family.

Egyptian Goose at the northern end of the park, usually find them at the south.

The Egyptian goose again, with Mallard and Mandarin ducks.

A Coot family feeding.

Not as many ducks and geese on the grass as some weeks.

A Koi Carp fish near the main water fall.

The Graylag Geese seem to prefer land to water.

And get lots of exercise following walkers up and down this path.

All still very hungry

It's now school holidays so the park is much busier than normal weekdays, the playground is in the distance. A swan heads my way.

The swan family eating.

One of the parent swans is late, as usual.

Today a lot of Canada Geese on the grass, not seen as goslings this year, park wardens must have been collecting eggs.

Below the high bridge.

Don't often see birds walking here, too many dogs and people.

Lots of Coots, probably a family.

Two more Egyptian Geese about to jump into the main lake as a dog arrives. .

Heron Island, very quiet now, all the nests are empty.