FRIDAY 30 MARCH
The last day of March saw temperatures really struggle, with lots and lots of low grey cloud blotting out the sun. The wind was also NNE and therefore stifling any continuing passage of migrants. It felt pretty chilly, especially considering the unseasonal temperatures of late
CHAFFINCH HOUSE, LITTLE CHALFONT (BUCKS)
Pair of Common Magpie building nest, whilst pair of Jay looked on; 3 Goldfinches still on Niger seed.
WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)
(1000-1135 hours)
Expected to see some hirundines with the low cloud and relatively poor visibility but nothing. In fact, very little to show for my visit. The DARK-BELLIED BRENT was still in the East Fields, whilst 36 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 8 Mute Swans, 38 Greylag, 10 Gadwall, 18 Shoveler, 22 Teal, 6 Wigeon (5 drakes), 262 Tufted Ducks, 8 Pochard, the 2 OYSTERCATCHERS and just 6 Black-headed Gulls were present. In the Poplar Wood on the east bank, single Common Chiffchaff and Blackcap were present.
STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR (HERTS)
Drake Red-crested Pochard, 3 RINGED PLOVERS, 2 LITTLE RINGED PLOVERS, the problematic Pied Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 male Blackcaps of note.
COLLEGE LAKE BBOWT (BUCKS)
A migrant flock of 15 REDWING flew east
The marsh held 2 OYSTERCATCHERS, 11 Common Redshank, 3 COMMON SNIPE, numerous Lapwings (including 3 occupying island nests) and 10 Shoveler, whilst a Mistle Thrush flew over.
IVINGHOE HILLS NNR (BUCKS)
Did an exhaustive walk covering all suitable migrant hotspots but yielded zilch, highlights being 4 migrant LESSER REDPOLLS, migrating FIELDFARES (in parties of 70 and 3), 2 Red Kites, 4 Common Buzzards and 8 singing male Common Chiffchaffs in Top Scrub.
BOVINGDON BRICKPITS (HERTS)
My first Speckled Wood butterfly of the year when the sun finally came out, and 2 singing Blackcaps and at least 8 Common Chiffchaffs.
Friday, 30 March 2012
Thursday, 29 March 2012
MARSH TITS in Baldwin's Wood
THURSDAY 29 MARCH
Another glorious day with high pressure firmly established across the country. Afternoon temperatures reached 66 degrees F once more although the light breeze was now coming from a NE direction. Most migrating birds seem to be going straight through........
CHAFFINCH HOUSE, LITTLE CHALFONT (BUCKS)
My first singing male COMMON CHIFFCHAFF of the year
CHENIES BOTTOM (BUCKS)
The LITTLE OWL was in its favoured Pollarded Willow, with Common Buzzards displaying and a party of 3 Linnets over; also a pair of YELLOWHAMMERS coming down for a drink in the Chess
BALDWIN'S WOOD, FLAUNDEN (HERTS)
Finally caught up with the pair of MARSH TITS in the wood, the male in full song; also 8 singing Goldcrests, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays and a singing male Mistle Thrush
PITSTONE QUARRY (HERTS)
Most unusual was the presence of 9 Mute Swans, along with a pair of Greylag Geese, pair of Tufted Duck and 2 singing male Common Chiffchaffs.
Nearby along Northfield Road, a flock of 70 Linnets was in the large field just north of Tring Station
COLLEGE LAKE BBOWT (BUCKS)
A single EURASIAN CURLEW was present on the main marsh at College for just over half an hour but then flew high NE (per Joan Thompson)
WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)
A dead Badger was besides the road at Cemetery Corner
Very quiet on Wilstone with 34 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Gadwall, 3 drake Wigeon, 11 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 240 Tufted Duck, 9 Pochard and the pair of OYSTERCATCHERS noted
ROOK SURVEYING IN SOUTH BUCKS
In WEST WYCOMBE PARK (SU 833 936), 33 active nests, whilst at HAZEL GROVE, CLAYHILL (SU 833 909), a further 44. In trees opposite WESTSIDE FRUIT LTD FARM SHOP IN CLAY LANE, CLAYHILL, another 39 active nests. Lastly, 25 more nests just north of the M40 at WHEELER END.
SPADE OAK PIT, LITTLE MARLOW (SOUTH BUCKS)
No sign of the Little Ringed Plovers on site, just a single COMMON REDSHANK.
Also 14 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Egyptian Geese, 12 Gadwall, drake Wigeon, 12 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 2 COMMON SHELDUCK, 42 Tufted Duck, 31 Lapwing, 48 Herring Gulls, 4 singing Common Chiffchaffs and 3 singing male Blackcaps; also Brimstone butterflies on the wing.
Another glorious day with high pressure firmly established across the country. Afternoon temperatures reached 66 degrees F once more although the light breeze was now coming from a NE direction. Most migrating birds seem to be going straight through........
CHAFFINCH HOUSE, LITTLE CHALFONT (BUCKS)
My first singing male COMMON CHIFFCHAFF of the year
CHENIES BOTTOM (BUCKS)
The LITTLE OWL was in its favoured Pollarded Willow, with Common Buzzards displaying and a party of 3 Linnets over; also a pair of YELLOWHAMMERS coming down for a drink in the Chess
BALDWIN'S WOOD, FLAUNDEN (HERTS)
Finally caught up with the pair of MARSH TITS in the wood, the male in full song; also 8 singing Goldcrests, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays and a singing male Mistle Thrush
PITSTONE QUARRY (HERTS)
Most unusual was the presence of 9 Mute Swans, along with a pair of Greylag Geese, pair of Tufted Duck and 2 singing male Common Chiffchaffs.
Nearby along Northfield Road, a flock of 70 Linnets was in the large field just north of Tring Station
COLLEGE LAKE BBOWT (BUCKS)
A single EURASIAN CURLEW was present on the main marsh at College for just over half an hour but then flew high NE (per Joan Thompson)
WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)
A dead Badger was besides the road at Cemetery Corner
Very quiet on Wilstone with 34 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Gadwall, 3 drake Wigeon, 11 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 240 Tufted Duck, 9 Pochard and the pair of OYSTERCATCHERS noted
ROOK SURVEYING IN SOUTH BUCKS
In WEST WYCOMBE PARK (SU 833 936), 33 active nests, whilst at HAZEL GROVE, CLAYHILL (SU 833 909), a further 44. In trees opposite WESTSIDE FRUIT LTD FARM SHOP IN CLAY LANE, CLAYHILL, another 39 active nests. Lastly, 25 more nests just north of the M40 at WHEELER END.
SPADE OAK PIT, LITTLE MARLOW (SOUTH BUCKS)
No sign of the Little Ringed Plovers on site, just a single COMMON REDSHANK.
Also 14 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Egyptian Geese, 12 Gadwall, drake Wigeon, 12 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 2 COMMON SHELDUCK, 42 Tufted Duck, 31 Lapwing, 48 Herring Gulls, 4 singing Common Chiffchaffs and 3 singing male Blackcaps; also Brimstone butterflies on the wing.
Monday, 26 March 2012
WILLOW WARBLERS both moved through
MONDAY 26 MARCH (LGRE DIARY NOTES)
The gorgeous summer-type weather continued today with a light SE breeze and wall-to-wall sunshine culminating in another top temperature of 66 degrees F.
Although most of the day was spent surveying, a brief visit to Tring Reservoirs finally pushed my tally through the 100 species barrier......
BOVINGDON BRICKPITS (HERTS)
Spring is well and truly underway with bird song seemingly everywhere. The Brickpits were alive with activity and although I failed to find yesterday's Willow Warbler, no less than 8 Common Chiffchaffs were in full song. A nice male Blackcap was showing well too.
Otherwise, the site yielded Red Kite, 3 Green Woodpeckers, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2+ Nuthatch, 2 Song Thrushes, 5 Common Blackbird, Dunnock, Robin pair, 2 Wrens, singing male Goldcrest, BULLFINCH and 6 Linnets. Butterflies on the wing included COMMA and Small Tortoiseshell.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE ROOKERIES
That at Chessbury has now increased to 44 active nests whilst the colony besides the A413 just south of Great Missenden (at SU 905 996) now holds 15 nests. In the town centre by the church (SU 894 014), one tree holds 16 nests, whilst further north just before the A413 enters the Wendover Bypass, 29 active nests were counted at SU 873 066. A singing male Common Chiffchaff was also at the latter site.
BACOMBE HILL AND ENVIRONS (BUCKS) - CREST SURVEY WORK PART 2
Spent three hours surveying Coxgrove Wood, Smalldene Farm, both High and Low Scrubs, Upper Bacombe, Bacombe Warren and Bacombe Hill Nature Reserve. Although Dave Cleal and I found Firecrest in this area last year, my visit today resulted in a blank sweep. In fact, despite a massive area of suitable fir woodland covered, just 2 Goldcrests were found. A total of 5 singing male Common Chiffchaffs was noted, with 6 Nuthatches, 2 Jays, Common Treecreeper and a single MARSH TIT (High Scrubs). A pair of BULLFINCH was in 'Upper Verney' garden, with 18 Carrion Crows in one group in a neighbouring field.
Numerous butterflies were on the wing including Green-veined White, Peacock and 4 Brimstones.
WENDOVER FOREST (BUCKS)
Did a full and comprehensive survey of all of the southern part of the forest - beginning at 1330 hours and finishing just over two hours later. Perhaps it was the time of the day but it was real hard work. I managed to find just 5 FIRECRESTS (4 singing males), with 1 close to the Hale entrance gate on the main drove, two males in a usual area not far from the hide and a pair in a new area east of the fort. Steve Rodwell had fared much better yesterday, recording no less than 9 singing males.
GOLDCRESTS were far more numerous with no less than 11 singing males counted.
At the Keeper's Cottages at the Hale entrance, a gorgeous male BRAMBLING was in full song, with two more females with Chaffinches in the same area. SISKINS were seemingly everywhere and in constant display throughout the wood, whilst 2 COMMON CROSSBILLS flew over near Post 9.
Three Nuthatches, 9 Coal Tits, 2 MARSH TITS (singles at the Hale and another near 'Picket Piece') and a singing male BLACKCAP were also encountered, whilst a TAWNY OWL hooted in the warmth of the afternoon sun at 1503 hours. Lots of butterflies again, with 3 COMMAS, Small Tortoiseshell and up to 6 Brimstones.
WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)
Following a call from Dave Hutchinson, arrived at Wilstone at 1545 hours - a flock of LITTLE GULLS had flown in on the southeasterly. Initially, 16 birds was present, but this soon increased to 20, including four adults in full breeding plumage and a single first-year. The remaining birds were a mixture of white-headed adults and third-years. This was my largest flock in quite a while at Wilstone and I immediately updated RBA and David Bilcock. Francis Buckle and Jack O'Neill soon turned up and the flock were still present when I departed (1615). According to Charlie Jackson, both he and Mike Wallen watched the flock get intimidated by a Lesser Black-backed Gull not long later and this forced them all to fly off strongly east towards Ivinghoe Beacon. Chaz then discovered a further single early evening.
Also on Wilstone Reservoir were 21 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Mute Swans, 15 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 2 drake Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, all 10 remaining Common Goldeneyes, 4 Little Egrets and the 2 OYSTERCATCHERS. A full breeding-plumaged adult Common Gull flew through.
STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR (HERTS)
New birds for me for 2012 included a pair of LITTLE RINGED PLOVER and a splendid adult male WHITE WAGTAIL, both species joining the pair of RINGED PLOVER and the near summer-plumaged WATER PIPIT
FROGMORE MEADOWS (HERTS)
Again, no sign of the Willow Warbler seen by Chris Pontin here on Friday, just 2 singing male Common Chiffchaffs and the resident pair of Common Kestrels
PENN WOOD SSSI (BUCKS)
BRAMBLINGS were in fine fettle and making a cacophony of nasal sounds. At least 36 birds were still utilising the site for roosting, initially arriving in the tall fir trees at the west end of the main circuit before flighting down towards the Penna Rhododendrons to roost. Many of the males were in outstanding condition and the birds were feeding on seeds in the conifers.
Four COMMON CROSSBILLS were in the tall pines along the western perimeter trail including a female with a bulging lower mandible.
A male BLACKCAP was also noted, 4 different male Common Chiffchaffs, 8 singing male Goldcrests, Nuthatch, 6 Coal Tits and 3 singing male Song Thrushes.
The gorgeous summer-type weather continued today with a light SE breeze and wall-to-wall sunshine culminating in another top temperature of 66 degrees F.
Although most of the day was spent surveying, a brief visit to Tring Reservoirs finally pushed my tally through the 100 species barrier......
BOVINGDON BRICKPITS (HERTS)
Spring is well and truly underway with bird song seemingly everywhere. The Brickpits were alive with activity and although I failed to find yesterday's Willow Warbler, no less than 8 Common Chiffchaffs were in full song. A nice male Blackcap was showing well too.
Otherwise, the site yielded Red Kite, 3 Green Woodpeckers, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2+ Nuthatch, 2 Song Thrushes, 5 Common Blackbird, Dunnock, Robin pair, 2 Wrens, singing male Goldcrest, BULLFINCH and 6 Linnets. Butterflies on the wing included COMMA and Small Tortoiseshell.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE ROOKERIES
That at Chessbury has now increased to 44 active nests whilst the colony besides the A413 just south of Great Missenden (at SU 905 996) now holds 15 nests. In the town centre by the church (SU 894 014), one tree holds 16 nests, whilst further north just before the A413 enters the Wendover Bypass, 29 active nests were counted at SU 873 066. A singing male Common Chiffchaff was also at the latter site.
BACOMBE HILL AND ENVIRONS (BUCKS) - CREST SURVEY WORK PART 2
Spent three hours surveying Coxgrove Wood, Smalldene Farm, both High and Low Scrubs, Upper Bacombe, Bacombe Warren and Bacombe Hill Nature Reserve. Although Dave Cleal and I found Firecrest in this area last year, my visit today resulted in a blank sweep. In fact, despite a massive area of suitable fir woodland covered, just 2 Goldcrests were found. A total of 5 singing male Common Chiffchaffs was noted, with 6 Nuthatches, 2 Jays, Common Treecreeper and a single MARSH TIT (High Scrubs). A pair of BULLFINCH was in 'Upper Verney' garden, with 18 Carrion Crows in one group in a neighbouring field.
Numerous butterflies were on the wing including Green-veined White, Peacock and 4 Brimstones.
WENDOVER FOREST (BUCKS)
Did a full and comprehensive survey of all of the southern part of the forest - beginning at 1330 hours and finishing just over two hours later. Perhaps it was the time of the day but it was real hard work. I managed to find just 5 FIRECRESTS (4 singing males), with 1 close to the Hale entrance gate on the main drove, two males in a usual area not far from the hide and a pair in a new area east of the fort. Steve Rodwell had fared much better yesterday, recording no less than 9 singing males.
GOLDCRESTS were far more numerous with no less than 11 singing males counted.
At the Keeper's Cottages at the Hale entrance, a gorgeous male BRAMBLING was in full song, with two more females with Chaffinches in the same area. SISKINS were seemingly everywhere and in constant display throughout the wood, whilst 2 COMMON CROSSBILLS flew over near Post 9.
Three Nuthatches, 9 Coal Tits, 2 MARSH TITS (singles at the Hale and another near 'Picket Piece') and a singing male BLACKCAP were also encountered, whilst a TAWNY OWL hooted in the warmth of the afternoon sun at 1503 hours. Lots of butterflies again, with 3 COMMAS, Small Tortoiseshell and up to 6 Brimstones.
WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)
Following a call from Dave Hutchinson, arrived at Wilstone at 1545 hours - a flock of LITTLE GULLS had flown in on the southeasterly. Initially, 16 birds was present, but this soon increased to 20, including four adults in full breeding plumage and a single first-year. The remaining birds were a mixture of white-headed adults and third-years. This was my largest flock in quite a while at Wilstone and I immediately updated RBA and David Bilcock. Francis Buckle and Jack O'Neill soon turned up and the flock were still present when I departed (1615). According to Charlie Jackson, both he and Mike Wallen watched the flock get intimidated by a Lesser Black-backed Gull not long later and this forced them all to fly off strongly east towards Ivinghoe Beacon. Chaz then discovered a further single early evening.
Also on Wilstone Reservoir were 21 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Mute Swans, 15 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 2 drake Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, all 10 remaining Common Goldeneyes, 4 Little Egrets and the 2 OYSTERCATCHERS. A full breeding-plumaged adult Common Gull flew through.
STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR (HERTS)
New birds for me for 2012 included a pair of LITTLE RINGED PLOVER and a splendid adult male WHITE WAGTAIL, both species joining the pair of RINGED PLOVER and the near summer-plumaged WATER PIPIT
FROGMORE MEADOWS (HERTS)
Again, no sign of the Willow Warbler seen by Chris Pontin here on Friday, just 2 singing male Common Chiffchaffs and the resident pair of Common Kestrels
PENN WOOD SSSI (BUCKS)
BRAMBLINGS were in fine fettle and making a cacophony of nasal sounds. At least 36 birds were still utilising the site for roosting, initially arriving in the tall fir trees at the west end of the main circuit before flighting down towards the Penna Rhododendrons to roost. Many of the males were in outstanding condition and the birds were feeding on seeds in the conifers.
Four COMMON CROSSBILLS were in the tall pines along the western perimeter trail including a female with a bulging lower mandible.
A male BLACKCAP was also noted, 4 different male Common Chiffchaffs, 8 singing male Goldcrests, Nuthatch, 6 Coal Tits and 3 singing male Song Thrushes.
BRAMBLINGS and CROSSBILLS in Penn Wood
Sunday 25 March.
Common Crossbill - 4 seen at 17:20. Adult male drinking from cleft in birch trunk at crossroads near north end of paddock, others feeding in top of same tree. Flew to top of nearby spruce where they completely disappeared.
Brambling - 22 seen between 17:35 and 18:50. Only 5 found near The Penna, with the remainder being at the northern end of the paddock.
Greenfinch - 5 seen!! A few others heard at one roost area, but otherwise no sign of any.
Kevin Holt
Common Crossbill - 4 seen at 17:20. Adult male drinking from cleft in birch trunk at crossroads near north end of paddock, others feeding in top of same tree. Flew to top of nearby spruce where they completely disappeared.
Brambling - 22 seen between 17:35 and 18:50. Only 5 found near The Penna, with the remainder being at the northern end of the paddock.
Greenfinch - 5 seen!! A few others heard at one roost area, but otherwise no sign of any.
Kevin Holt
Thursday, 22 March 2012
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE in Chenies
THURSDAY 22 MARCH
Another fabulous day, with temperatures reaching 64 degrees F mid afternoon in the sunshine and clear blue skies. A fresh South-easterly then set in, increasing as the afternoon went on.
At CHENIES (BUCKS) first thing, I noted my first local RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE of the year, calling from a bare patch in the field just east of the village.
Another fabulous day, with temperatures reaching 64 degrees F mid afternoon in the sunshine and clear blue skies. A fresh South-easterly then set in, increasing as the afternoon went on.
At CHENIES (BUCKS) first thing, I noted my first local RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE of the year, calling from a bare patch in the field just east of the village.
Monday, 19 March 2012
First CHIFFCHAFF of the year
MONDAY 19 MARCH (LGRE DIARY NOTES)
A glorious day weatherwise following a sharp overnight frost. Predominantly blue skies, bright sunshine and a light westerly wind.
WATERCRESS COTTAGE LOOP TRAIL, CHESS VALLEY (BUCKS)
Following up a call from Chris Pontin, my first valley COMMON CHIFFCHAFF of the year was singing from the tall Poplar trees by Pow Wow Lake; 8 Gadwall were also freshly arrived, whilst the pair of Mute Swans were still in attendance.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming, with a male Goldcrest singing from thick ivy, 2 Wrens, a pair of Long-tailed Tits and a singing male Great Tit.
(Chris had earlier had 4 Ring-necked Parakeets fly over)
On the lower Chesham road, yet another dead Badger by Bois Mill Cottages.
CHENIES BOTTOM (BUCKS)
Two pairs of Mute Swan were in close proximity near Latimer Bridge, with 4 Little Egrets on the new lake west of the bridge at Chenies Bottom.
KING'S LANGLEY (HERTS)
Checked out a report of a female Black Redstart seen close to Junction 20 of the M25 yesterday but failed to find the correct farm nor the pond accompanying the grid reference ! Anyhow, whilst there, I then took a call from Darrel Bryant who had just found a BLACK REDSTART at Norton Green. Having missed out on two yesterday, I made my way straight over.......driving north up the A1, noticed two more dead Badgers within a mile of each other by the Welwyn Garden City exits
NORTON GREEN (HERTFORDSHIRE)
With Darrel's help, I quickly located his BLACK REDSTART, still frequenting the small scrubby bushes situated around the burnt out rubbish and caravan parts just yards south of the gypsy encampment. It was a young male, most likely a first-summer (slate-grey on the upperparts). It was consorting with a nice male NORTHERN WHEATEAR.
As I walked along the eastern flank of the site, I discovered a second BLACK REDSTART, this time an adult female. It was in the vicinity of some dumped hosing and was showing well. I phoned both Darrel and Mike Ilett to tell them of the update and I was talking to Mike, I had to make a very hasty retreat as three 'youths' were attempting to break in my car parked by the metal gate. One of them was watching me whilst the other two were trying to open the doors. BE VERY CAREFUL WHERE YOU PARK YOUR VEHICLE AT THIS LOCATION.
I then decided to visit the Sandon area in the hope of locating Merlin or Hen Harrier
SANDON, DEADMANS HILL & THERFIELD AREAS (HERTS)
Spent virtually three hours in the area with scant rewards
Yet another dead Badger noted - this time near the Bury Barns entrance
A nice male GREY PARTRIDGE was with 2 Red-legged Partridges close to the Horseshoe Wood Farm entrance, with another pair of GREY PARTRIDGE in the field south of Upper Heath Farm.
No less than 74 BROWN HARES were logged in the area, and three herds of FALLOW DEER
Totalling up the Rook nests lining the A505 came to an impressive 83 active
Just SW of Deadman's Hill, the fields and game strip thereabouts produced 330+ LINNETS and 18 CORN BUNTINGS
I came back through BEDFORDSHIRE, stopping off firstly at PEGSDON HILLS (birdless) and then BARTON HILLS (just 3 Yellowhammers). Finally added a county COMMON CHIFFCHAFF at DUNSTABLE SEWAGE WORKS and then headed back to Herts
TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTS)
Spent the last hour of daylight at Tring whereby WILSTONE offered 23 Great Crested Grebes, the DARK-BELLIED BRENT, the pair of Little Egret, 57 Teal, 46 Shoveler, Wigeon pair, 4 Gadwall, 18 Pochard and an impressive 237 Tufted Ducks. Highlight was a party of 10 COMMON GOLDENEYES - adult drake, first-winter drake and 8 female-types.
The pair of RED-CRESTED POCHARDS were on STARTOP'S, with a singing male COMMON CHIFFCHAFF in the Black Poplars behind MARSWORTH REEDBED. The CORN BUNTING roost was well attended with 151 birds arriving. With Jack O'Neill for company, we watched the BARN OWL appear over the meadow from 1820 hours
A glorious day weatherwise following a sharp overnight frost. Predominantly blue skies, bright sunshine and a light westerly wind.
WATERCRESS COTTAGE LOOP TRAIL, CHESS VALLEY (BUCKS)
Following up a call from Chris Pontin, my first valley COMMON CHIFFCHAFF of the year was singing from the tall Poplar trees by Pow Wow Lake; 8 Gadwall were also freshly arrived, whilst the pair of Mute Swans were still in attendance.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming, with a male Goldcrest singing from thick ivy, 2 Wrens, a pair of Long-tailed Tits and a singing male Great Tit.
(Chris had earlier had 4 Ring-necked Parakeets fly over)
On the lower Chesham road, yet another dead Badger by Bois Mill Cottages.
CHENIES BOTTOM (BUCKS)
Two pairs of Mute Swan were in close proximity near Latimer Bridge, with 4 Little Egrets on the new lake west of the bridge at Chenies Bottom.
KING'S LANGLEY (HERTS)
Checked out a report of a female Black Redstart seen close to Junction 20 of the M25 yesterday but failed to find the correct farm nor the pond accompanying the grid reference ! Anyhow, whilst there, I then took a call from Darrel Bryant who had just found a BLACK REDSTART at Norton Green. Having missed out on two yesterday, I made my way straight over.......driving north up the A1, noticed two more dead Badgers within a mile of each other by the Welwyn Garden City exits
NORTON GREEN (HERTFORDSHIRE)
With Darrel's help, I quickly located his BLACK REDSTART, still frequenting the small scrubby bushes situated around the burnt out rubbish and caravan parts just yards south of the gypsy encampment. It was a young male, most likely a first-summer (slate-grey on the upperparts). It was consorting with a nice male NORTHERN WHEATEAR.
As I walked along the eastern flank of the site, I discovered a second BLACK REDSTART, this time an adult female. It was in the vicinity of some dumped hosing and was showing well. I phoned both Darrel and Mike Ilett to tell them of the update and I was talking to Mike, I had to make a very hasty retreat as three 'youths' were attempting to break in my car parked by the metal gate. One of them was watching me whilst the other two were trying to open the doors. BE VERY CAREFUL WHERE YOU PARK YOUR VEHICLE AT THIS LOCATION.
I then decided to visit the Sandon area in the hope of locating Merlin or Hen Harrier
SANDON, DEADMANS HILL & THERFIELD AREAS (HERTS)
Spent virtually three hours in the area with scant rewards
Yet another dead Badger noted - this time near the Bury Barns entrance
A nice male GREY PARTRIDGE was with 2 Red-legged Partridges close to the Horseshoe Wood Farm entrance, with another pair of GREY PARTRIDGE in the field south of Upper Heath Farm.
No less than 74 BROWN HARES were logged in the area, and three herds of FALLOW DEER
Totalling up the Rook nests lining the A505 came to an impressive 83 active
Just SW of Deadman's Hill, the fields and game strip thereabouts produced 330+ LINNETS and 18 CORN BUNTINGS
I came back through BEDFORDSHIRE, stopping off firstly at PEGSDON HILLS (birdless) and then BARTON HILLS (just 3 Yellowhammers). Finally added a county COMMON CHIFFCHAFF at DUNSTABLE SEWAGE WORKS and then headed back to Herts
TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTS)
Spent the last hour of daylight at Tring whereby WILSTONE offered 23 Great Crested Grebes, the DARK-BELLIED BRENT, the pair of Little Egret, 57 Teal, 46 Shoveler, Wigeon pair, 4 Gadwall, 18 Pochard and an impressive 237 Tufted Ducks. Highlight was a party of 10 COMMON GOLDENEYES - adult drake, first-winter drake and 8 female-types.
The pair of RED-CRESTED POCHARDS were on STARTOP'S, with a singing male COMMON CHIFFCHAFF in the Black Poplars behind MARSWORTH REEDBED. The CORN BUNTING roost was well attended with 151 birds arriving. With Jack O'Neill for company, we watched the BARN OWL appear over the meadow from 1820 hours
Sunday, 18 March 2012
SHOVELER at Fishing Lakes
Chris Pontin discovered a drake SHOVELER on Chesham Fishing Lake last Sunday, but it has not been seen since. CP also had up to 44 Goldfinches in the vicinity
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
LITTLE OWLS, CROSSBILLS, WATER RAILS and BRAMBLINGS
TUESDAY 6 MARCH (LGRE DIARY NOTES)
Although the day started overcast, grey and cold, it soon brightened up and temperatures eventually recovered to 10 degrees C
WITHY BEDS LOCAL NATURE RESERVE (HERTS)
Put in a good couple of hours here but no sign of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker pair.
Highlight was a party of 3 LESSER REDPOLLS including a nice pink male, whilst an excellent list for such a small reserve included Grey Heron, 2 Coot, 1 drake Common Teal (my first here), pair of Common Kestrels (observed mating), 6 Stock Doves (all paired up with one utilising the owl nestbox), 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 males drumming), Green Woodpecker, 4 Song Thrushes, 23 Redwing, calling Nuthatch, Common Starling, 2 Common Magpies, Goldcrest, 8 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch and 4 Long-tailed Tits
HAREFIELD (MIDDLESEX)
Following up information kindly supplied by Alan Gardiner and Joan Thompson, I was delighted to find 4 TREE SPARROWS today feeding in the back garden of 91 Ash Grove. The birds were commuting between the bird feeders and the thick ivy-clad trees and scrub adjacent to the public footpath at TQ 061 909. Although just a few hundred yards from the Hertfordshire border, this is a fantastic record for London and the first Tree Sparrows I have seen in this vicinity for a very long time. A female BRAMBLING was also visiting the feeders, along with 2 Long-tailed Tits enjoying the energy pellets.
LYNSTER'S FARM, MAPLE LODGE (HERTS)
The 11 EGYPTIAN GEESE were still present and visible from the road
STOCKERS LAKE COMPLEX (HERTS)
There was no sign of the pair of Smew or Cetti's Warbler but the 3 adult drake GOOSANDERS were showing well on Inn's Lake at the west end. Bury Lake held 6 Great Crested Grebes and 30 Mute Swans whilst Stocker's added 8 more Great Crested Grebes, 6 more Mute Swans, a pair of Red-crested Pochard, 9 Gadwall, 17 Shoveler, 3 Common Goldeneyes and 15 Wigeon. At least 18 Grey Heron nests were now active.
BALDWIN'S WOOD AND CHENIES BOTTOM (HERTS/BEDS)
Four COMMON CROSSBILLS were still present in the well-stocked coniferous trees in Baldwin's Wood, along with Coal Tit, 8 Goldcrests, 2 Jays, 11 SISKINS and 3 calling Tawny Owls
Five Little Egrets were on the Chess, with 1 Little Grebe, 5 COMMON TEAL, male Pied Wagtail, pair of Grey Wagtail and singing male Greenfinch.
A first-year Mute Swan had collided with overhead wires and died.
Basking in the sunshine were a pair of LITTLE OWLS in a pollarded Willow
CHESHAM FISHING LAKES (BUCKS)
The GREAT CRESTED GREBE pair were back once more on the smaller lake with an unpaired male on the larger lake; also 4 Mute Swans (2 first-years), 14 Tufted Duck, 1 female Northern Pochard and 3 pairs of Reed Buntings.
CHESHAM WATERSIDE MILLFIELDS ALLOTMENTS (BUCKS)
No less than 4 WATER RAILS were taking advantage of the shallow water, ideal feeding conditions for them; 4 Moorhens were also in the vicinity
PENN STREET (BUCKS)
A total of 17 active nests in the Rookery at SU 926 954, with a Stock Dove nearby
PENN WOOD (BUCKS)
A TAWNY OWL was making the most of the afternoon sun whilst roosting finches included 2 LESSER REDPOLL, a female BULLFINCH, 194 Greenfinches (in the Holly Roost) and 76 BRAMBLINGS (Rhododendron Penna Roost), many of the latter now in full spring plumage and wheezing nasally and loudly.
Although the day started overcast, grey and cold, it soon brightened up and temperatures eventually recovered to 10 degrees C
WITHY BEDS LOCAL NATURE RESERVE (HERTS)
Put in a good couple of hours here but no sign of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker pair.
Highlight was a party of 3 LESSER REDPOLLS including a nice pink male, whilst an excellent list for such a small reserve included Grey Heron, 2 Coot, 1 drake Common Teal (my first here), pair of Common Kestrels (observed mating), 6 Stock Doves (all paired up with one utilising the owl nestbox), 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 males drumming), Green Woodpecker, 4 Song Thrushes, 23 Redwing, calling Nuthatch, Common Starling, 2 Common Magpies, Goldcrest, 8 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch and 4 Long-tailed Tits
HAREFIELD (MIDDLESEX)
Following up information kindly supplied by Alan Gardiner and Joan Thompson, I was delighted to find 4 TREE SPARROWS today feeding in the back garden of 91 Ash Grove. The birds were commuting between the bird feeders and the thick ivy-clad trees and scrub adjacent to the public footpath at TQ 061 909. Although just a few hundred yards from the Hertfordshire border, this is a fantastic record for London and the first Tree Sparrows I have seen in this vicinity for a very long time. A female BRAMBLING was also visiting the feeders, along with 2 Long-tailed Tits enjoying the energy pellets.
LYNSTER'S FARM, MAPLE LODGE (HERTS)
The 11 EGYPTIAN GEESE were still present and visible from the road
STOCKERS LAKE COMPLEX (HERTS)
There was no sign of the pair of Smew or Cetti's Warbler but the 3 adult drake GOOSANDERS were showing well on Inn's Lake at the west end. Bury Lake held 6 Great Crested Grebes and 30 Mute Swans whilst Stocker's added 8 more Great Crested Grebes, 6 more Mute Swans, a pair of Red-crested Pochard, 9 Gadwall, 17 Shoveler, 3 Common Goldeneyes and 15 Wigeon. At least 18 Grey Heron nests were now active.
BALDWIN'S WOOD AND CHENIES BOTTOM (HERTS/BEDS)
Four COMMON CROSSBILLS were still present in the well-stocked coniferous trees in Baldwin's Wood, along with Coal Tit, 8 Goldcrests, 2 Jays, 11 SISKINS and 3 calling Tawny Owls
Five Little Egrets were on the Chess, with 1 Little Grebe, 5 COMMON TEAL, male Pied Wagtail, pair of Grey Wagtail and singing male Greenfinch.
A first-year Mute Swan had collided with overhead wires and died.
Basking in the sunshine were a pair of LITTLE OWLS in a pollarded Willow
CHESHAM FISHING LAKES (BUCKS)
The GREAT CRESTED GREBE pair were back once more on the smaller lake with an unpaired male on the larger lake; also 4 Mute Swans (2 first-years), 14 Tufted Duck, 1 female Northern Pochard and 3 pairs of Reed Buntings.
CHESHAM WATERSIDE MILLFIELDS ALLOTMENTS (BUCKS)
No less than 4 WATER RAILS were taking advantage of the shallow water, ideal feeding conditions for them; 4 Moorhens were also in the vicinity
PENN STREET (BUCKS)
A total of 17 active nests in the Rookery at SU 926 954, with a Stock Dove nearby
PENN WOOD (BUCKS)
A TAWNY OWL was making the most of the afternoon sun whilst roosting finches included 2 LESSER REDPOLL, a female BULLFINCH, 194 Greenfinches (in the Holly Roost) and 76 BRAMBLINGS (Rhododendron Penna Roost), many of the latter now in full spring plumage and wheezing nasally and loudly.
Sunday, 4 March 2012
WATER RAILS at Chesham Millfields
On 3rd March four WATER RAILS were at Millfields Allotments. All viewable from Millfields, two side by side out in the open opposite the picket gate, one having a wash 'n' brush up, while the other fed and stretched its wings, until they ran into the nearby vegetation. The other two were in the pool area. A Grey Wagtail was also present.
Don Stone.
Don Stone.
Thursday, 1 March 2012
COMMON CROSSBILLS in Baldwin's Wood
THURSDAY 1 MARCH
The day dawned clear and bright but was soon followed by a blanket of fog. After an hour or so it eventually cleared, giving way to an absolutely glorious spring day - the warmest day of the year so far at 16 degrees C. There was no wind.
BALDWINS WOOD AND CHENIES BOTTOM, CHESS VALLEY (HERTS/BUCKS)
JT, Anna Marrett and I spent some time in Baldwin's Wood this morning and were rewarded with much COMMON CROSSBILL activity. In addition to the pair discovered on Tuesday, I located an additional flock of 8 birds in a neighbouring Larch plantation - birds flying back and forwards into the pines to feed. The pine crop is excellent in the plantation presumably encouraging the birds to stay and breed.
There was a lot of SISKIN activity too, whilst other species encountered included a single LESSER REDPOLL, Great Spotted & Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 2 singing male Nuthatches, a singing male Common Treecreeper, 4 singing male Coal Tits, Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits, Wren, Common Blackbird and Fieldfare. Joan & Anna also recorded 3 Marsh Tits.
A RING-NECKED PARAKEET flew east along the Chess Valley shreeking loudly, with 2 drake Teal by the bridge with a Little Egret and 4 Common Buzzards kettling.
The day dawned clear and bright but was soon followed by a blanket of fog. After an hour or so it eventually cleared, giving way to an absolutely glorious spring day - the warmest day of the year so far at 16 degrees C. There was no wind.
BALDWINS WOOD AND CHENIES BOTTOM, CHESS VALLEY (HERTS/BUCKS)
JT, Anna Marrett and I spent some time in Baldwin's Wood this morning and were rewarded with much COMMON CROSSBILL activity. In addition to the pair discovered on Tuesday, I located an additional flock of 8 birds in a neighbouring Larch plantation - birds flying back and forwards into the pines to feed. The pine crop is excellent in the plantation presumably encouraging the birds to stay and breed.
There was a lot of SISKIN activity too, whilst other species encountered included a single LESSER REDPOLL, Great Spotted & Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 2 singing male Nuthatches, a singing male Common Treecreeper, 4 singing male Coal Tits, Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits, Wren, Common Blackbird and Fieldfare. Joan & Anna also recorded 3 Marsh Tits.
A RING-NECKED PARAKEET flew east along the Chess Valley shreeking loudly, with 2 drake Teal by the bridge with a Little Egret and 4 Common Buzzards kettling.
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