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
Monday, 26 March 2012
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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