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Latest news - 2010 June 2nd

The number of Mandarin males have increased and 8 little ducklings soon appeared in mid May (unfortunately now down to 7 after 1 was predated, by a cat). This photograph - left - was taken just below the main bridge, showing the remaining 7 ducklings with their mother.

A well anticipated event in the park is the arrival of cygnets - baby swans - regularly at the end of May. Born on Sunday the 30th of May, a proud Mum and Dad brought them over to one of the swans usual feeding points (see the Sightings and photo gallery pages).

For only a few days after birth, Mum obliges the cygnets by allowing them to ride on her back. Five cygnets were seen on the 1st June on Mum’s back, when she then took them back to their nest on Egg Island in the early evening. The 6th cygnet, which for some reason seems to follow Dad rather than Mum, trailed behind. Probably to their confusion, the riding cygnets were tipped from their ride when Mum had to climb the bank onto the island. With only a little difficulty the 6 cygnets duly followed.

The visiting Egyptian goose that arrived on 25th Feb has left and was last seen on Tuesday 13th April, but made a brief visit on Tuesday 25th May.

See the Sightings page for more news and link to photos, and also a new lake bird count page, tabulating their populations.

The newly built Cafe is finally open, adjacent to the childrens’ playground.

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Kelsey Park, with its lakes, wildlife, flower beds, spectacular herbaceous border and over 100 kinds of trees, is the jewel in Bromley’s crown. It is a haven for wildlife and over 65 species of birds have been recorded, (see the ‘Sightings’ and ‘Photo Gallery’ pages). There is a heronry on the larger island where over 30 pairs of grey herons successfully nest each year, making it probably the easiest place to see nesting herons in the south east of England.

The Park’s lawns are ideal for picnics, sunbathing, ball games and dog walking. The level paths provide easy access for the elderly and disabled. There is a well equipped and very popular children’s playground with a big climbing net and slide tunnel.

There is a café and the toilets have baby changing facilities. One toilet is for the disabled which is accessible with a radar key, (provided by the café).

Other facilities include a mini golf course (contact Maria on 07981 822364) and tennis courts.

The Information Centre, open weekend afternoons and staffed entirely by volunteers, is the best next stop to learning more, apart from simply going on a self-discovery walk. It can be found on the ‘Location’ page map.

The Friends campaign and work tirelessly to bring about improvements to maintain the park for all visitors, scoring recent notable successes, such as refurbishing Heron Island and the Rockery by the waterfall.

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This page was last updated on: 2nd June 2010 webmaster