Birds present this evening included a flock of approx 100 Goldfinch feeding, 6 Mistle Thrush, 32 Pied Wagtail in a pre-roost flock on the visitor centre roof (departed east) 11 Coot and singles of Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch
Kestrel Goldfinch Nuthatch Coot Canada Goose Little Grebe Woodpigeon Carrion Crow Pied Wagtail Swallow Swift Buzzard
Although the gardens seem to concentrate on ornamental horticulture, (which attract plenty of pollinators and butterflies), there is plenty of space put aside for wildflower meadows, open water and woodland with dead timber and cleared rhodedendron. There seems to be a strategy of improving the biodiversity of the site in general.
I saw plenty of dragonflies over the lakes and ponds...who knows perhaps a hobby from the neighbouring mosses will be teased, I can imagine a barn owl would like the habitat too.