Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm/Lynsters G.P

The cold snap continues with much of the reserve frozen. Small areas of open water remain at the top end of the Clubhouse Lake and at the Sluice. There was approx 50% ice coverage at Lynsters G.P and at Lynsters Farm the cattle were out on the field feeding and taking on water at Lynsters G.P.
Species of interest as follows;
Maple Lodge
Little Grebe (1 at the clubhouse lake), Moorhen (31 on cricket pitch), Pheasant (cock flushed from it's alder roost near rotunda hide), Mistle Thrush (1 over calling), Goldcrest (1 calling), Siskin (1 over calling).
Lynsters Farm
Egyptian Goose (2), Wigeon (pair grazing), Common Buzzard (2 over briefly), Moorhen (18), Black-headed Gull (22 feeding among cattle), Lapwing (1), Pied Wagtail (2), Fieldfare (5 over), Jay (1), Jackdaw (56).
Lynsters G.P
Water Rail (1 calling from bank), Teal (6).  

Lysters Farm, Troy Mill G.P & North Troy G.P

An afternoon visit in freezing conditions produced the following species of interest;
Lynsters Farm
Canada Goose (31), Egyptian Goose (2), Wigeon (38 grazing on the bank of Lynsters G.P), Jackdaw (c150 feeding among cattle).
Troy Mill G.P
Little Grebe (1), Kestrel (male), Common Snipe (1 circled overhead before dropping into marsh at north end of troy cutting), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Jay (1), Siskin (1).
North Troy G.P (Helicon G.P)
Greylag Goose (1), Wigeon (4), Teal (12).
While writing this c50 Lapwing have just passed over the house heading south towards West Hyde.

Colour ringed Canada Goose update.

The colour ringed Canada Goose I observed at Bury Lake on the 24th November seems to be a bit of a resident at the site. I am surprised by it's age, these geese live longer than I anticipated. 

Below is a detailed breakdown of all the sightings of this bird that I have recently received.

 

Ring       Colour                  BTO Ring No                       Date                      Site                                                                        Grid Ref

FSD        Orange                 5219356                                04/07/01              Bury Lake                                                            TQ053938

FSD        Orange                 5219356                                15/08/01              Stocker’s Farm                                                  TQ054935

FSD        Orange                 5219356                                01/01/02              Rickmansworth Aquadrome                       TQ0593

FSD        Orange                 5219356                                21/02/03              Bury Lake                                                            TQ053938

FSD        Orange                 5219356                                18/09/03              West Hyde Fields                                            TQ027915

FSD        Orange                 5219356                                06/01/04              Bury Lake                                                            TQ053938

FSD        Orange                 5219356                                19/06/06              Bury Lake                                                            TQ053938

FSD        Orange                 5219356                                04/07/07              Bury Lake                                                            TQ053938

FSD        Orange                 5219356                                24/06/08              Bury Lake                                                            TQ053938

FSD        Orange                 5219356                                24/11/10              Bury Lake                                                            TQ053938

Maple Lodge Close

Watching the sun rise from my bedroom window a Red Kite appeared into view and circled above the playing field before drifting south. A great start to the day. 

Stockers Lake, Stockers Farm & Bury Lake

A morning visit to Stockers Lake produced the following species list;
Little Grebe (1), Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose (including ringed bird at Bury Lake, Left/Orange/Black FSD), Gadwall, Teal (pair), Mallard, Shoveler Duck (24), Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye (4 inc 3 males), Pheasant (5 hens), Water Rail (2 from Kingfisher Hide), Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing (6 on tern raft), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull (3), Herring Gull (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Ring-necked Parakeet (3), Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail (on tern raft), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush (3), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch (female), Siskin.
Stockers Farm
At Stockers Farm a single Little Owl was present low down in a large Crack Willow on the once flooded field.
Bury Lake
A pair of Red-crested Pochard and 11 Wigeon were observed on Bury Lake.  

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

A cold, quiet day with little in the way of waterfowl present at the reserve although a calling Water Rail was noted from Rotunda Hide. At the Sluice a single Kingfisher put in a brief appearance.
From Lynsters Hide a total of 10 Wigeon were noted on Lynsters Gravel Pit with a single Grey Wagtail observed over briefly. At Lynsters Farm 10 Meadow Pipit and 6 Stock Dove were present near the muddy pool.

Woodoaks Farm

A late morning/early afternoon visit produced the following species of interest;
Common Buzzard (2), Kestrel (male hunting above manure pile), Black-headed Gull (c60), Common Gull (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Collared Dove (c50), Green Woodpecker (1), Skylark (4), Meadow Pipit (3),
Fieldfare (1), Redwing (2), Jay (2), Chaffinch (c50 feeding among barns), Linnet (10 feeding on paddock below old orchard).

Late Swallow at Maple Lodge Farm

While returning home from a late afternoon visit to Maple Lodge Nature Reserve I discovered a Swallow flying around the old barn at Maple Lodge Farm. After several circuits of the barn it then headed east towards the cricket pitch and disappeared from view. This is the latest record I have had of this species in the UK. Earlier at Maple Lodge Nature Reserve I noted a Water Rail from Rotunda Hide feeding among the reeds and shortly after disappearing 2 calling birds were heard.
At Lynsters Farm c75 Jackdaw nosily fed among the cattle.

                                Water Rail from Rotunda Hide, Maple Lodge N.R.

                                          Teal from Rotunda HIde, Maple Lodge N.R.

Return to Broadwater with Steve Carter

I spent a late morning, early afternoon visit to Broadwater with birding pal and friend Steve Carter but in all the excitement I left my bins in the car, or am I just getting old and forgetful? Still I had my scope and we arrived at the lake edge to be told by several birders that the Velvet Scoter had not been seen. I was quite confident that the bird was still present and set up the scope between both hides and after a few minutes had relocated it much to Steve's delight. The light was good and eventually Steve and I were able to make out the slight yellow to the base of the bill which I was unable to see yesterday. The pale markings to it's face and white wing-bar were also very evident. The bird was again observed busily diving for food and would remain underwater for some 30 seconds or so before reappearing. We then scoured the lake for the 2 Slavonian Grebes that were present yesterday but to no avail. Steve did find a drake Shelduck and  a total of 10 Little Grebe were observed before we called it a day.

Morning visit to Woodoaks Farm

An early morning visit to the farm in mild conditions produced the following species list;
Common Buzzard (2 worming on pasture above old orchard), Red Kite (2),  Black-headed Gull (57), Woodpigeon (62), Collared Dove (20), Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Little Owl (1 in old orchard), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Skylark (10), Meadow Pipit (1), Pied Wagtail (3), Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird (8 raiding Hawthorn of berries), Redwing (6), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay (2), Magpie (3), Jackdaw (5), Carrion Crow (2), Starling (7), House Sparrow (32), Chaffinch (7), Greenfinch (1), Linnet (c50 very mobile), Bullfinch (male calling from Holly in Ladywalk Wood), Yellowhammer (6), Reed Bunting (male in hedge at old orchard).

                                   Little Owl in it's favoured tree in the old orchard.

                                          Yellowhammer (male) on Dog-rose.

Slavonian Grebe update, Broadwater Gravel Pit.

A good friend, Geoff Lapworth has just notified me that there were 2 Slavonian Grebes at Broadwater Gravel Pit today. He viewed both and the Velvet Scoter this afternoon. I did originally think that there may have been 2 birds at the site as the one I was viewing this morning seemed to move from the middle of the lake to the margin unbelievably quickly, but I just could not find the 2 together!
Lets hope all 3 birds remain for a few more days at least.

Slavonian Grebe & Velvet Scoter at Broadwater Gravel Pit, Harefield

After yesterday's debacle birding in thick fog I thought I would make the most of the better conditions and headed off to Broadwater G.P, Harefield. This was a wise move as not long after arriving I connected up with a Slavonian Grebe. At first I embarrassingly miss identified the bird as Black-necked Grebe as it was a long way out and one had been reported a few days earlier at Stockers Lake. But once it decided to move in close to the bank my mistake was obvious. It's contrasting dark, flat crown and pale cheeks met at eye level and the bill was straight. The bird was very active regularly diving for food and was later pushed further along the bank by a Great-crested Grebe. I then made my way to the second hide where I panned around with my bins and eventually found the immature male Velevet Scoter that had been reported over the weekend. Present with Tufted Ducks it's larger size was obvious and it too was busy diving for food. A magic day and one I will remember for some time.

                                          Slavonian Grebe.

                                          Distant shot of Velevet Scoter.

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve in the fog

A late morning, early afternoon visit to the reserve with a thick blanket of fog covering everything made birding very difficult indeed. At the Clubhouse feeding station Blue & Great Tit's busily fed on the nut feeders while below several Chaffinches squabbled over the scattered pickings. A cock Pheasant then appeared briefly before several Moorhen moved in and took advantage of an easy feed. Above in an Alder a single Ring-necked Parakeet called out as a Cormorant suddenly appeared and successfully landed in the gloom. Then a female Great-spotted Woodpecker landed on the nut feeder and hungrily fed. The rest of the reserve was comparatively quiet but at Lynsters Hide I did note a Grey Wagtail at Lynsters Farm.

                                          Pheasant at the Clubhouse feeding station. 

                                           Great-spotted Woodpecker (female).

                                                        Friendly Robin

Weekend update

My weekend was spent juggling my time between family commitments and conducting Wetland Bird Survey counts throughout the Colne Valley. I received news on Saturday of a Velevet Scoter that had been found on Broadwater Gravel Pit and yesterday a Black-necked Grebe was reported at Stockers Lake. Frustratingly I was unable to get out and view either bird! A shopping trip to Hemel Hempstead today did produce a single Grey Wagtail in the Town Centre but as far as birding went that was it.

WeBS Counts
13-11-10 Stockers Lake
Great-crested Grebe (10), Cormorant (38), Grey Heron (5), Mute Swan (34), Canada Goose (40), Egyptian Goose (2), Wigeon (6), Gadwall (19), Mallard (36), Shoveler Duck (57), Pochard (18), Tufted Duck (201), Goldeneye (7 including 3 males), Water Rail (1), Moorhen (18), Coot (379), Lapwing (1), Black-headed Gull (137), Common Gull (2), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Kingfisher (1).
Other species of note;
Ring-necked Parakeet (3), Treecreeper (1), Siskin (c50).
15-11-10 Troy Mill G.P
Little Grebe (3), Great-crested Grebe (5), Cormorant (2), Grey Heron (2), Mute Swan (2), Mallard (8), Pochard (18), Tufted Duck (48), Moorhen (1), Coot (441), Black-headed Gull (6).
North Troy G.P
Great-crested Grebe (4), Mute Swan (5), Canada Goose (15), Gadwall (4), Mallard (24), Tufted Duck (9), Moorhen (3), Coot (197), Black-headed Gull (2), Common Gull (1).
Helicon/Pynesfield G.P's  
Great-crested Grebe (7), Cormorant (4), Mute Swan (2), Wigeon (24), Gadwall (33), Mallard (1), Pochard (6), Tufted Duck (43), Moorhen (1), Coot (165), Black-headed Gull (8), Common Gull (2), Kingfisher (2).
A Sparrowhawk was briefly observed overhead.
Lynsters G.P
Very poor visibility as I have no access to this site. (under recorded)!
Great-crested Grebe (1), Canada Goose (5), Gadwall (3), Mallard (2), Tufted Duck (7), Coot (12).
Other Species of note;
Meadow Pipit (4), Pied Wagtail (8), Jay (2), Kestrel (female).




 

Woodoaks Farm

An early afternoon visit in glorious sunshine with a cold north-easterly breeze produced the following species;
Common Buzzard (1 at rest in Beechen Dell), Red Kite (4), Lapwing (26), Black-headed Gull (c100), Herring Gull (1 in old orchard), Feral Pigeon (4), Stock Dove (4), Woodpigeon (58), Collared Dove (15), Green Woodpecker (1), Pied Wagtail (12), Wren (2), Dunnock (1), Meadow Pipit (1), Skylark (4), Blackbird (5), Song Thrush (2), Goldcrest (4), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie (4), Jackdaw (6), Carrion Crow (4), Starling (23), House Sparrow, Chaffinch (7), Greenfinch (10 in hedge at Long Lane), Goldfinch (2), Linnet (9 very mobile), Yellowhammer.

 

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A species count at Maple Lodge went as follows;
Little Grebe (2), Cormorant (2), Mute Swan (2), Gadwall (10), Teal (22), Mallard (13), Shoveler Duck (4),
Pochard (5), Tufted Duck (8), Sparrowhawk (1), Moorhen (19), Coot (56), Black-headed Gull (several over), Common Gull (1 over), Feral Pigeon (1 over), Woodpigeon (4), Ring-necked Parakeet (2 flushed by Sparrowhawk), Kingfisher (1 from Teal Hide), Great-spotted Woodpecker (female at clubhouse feeding station), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay (2), Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin (c50 in Alder plantation).
From Rotunda Hide Geoff Lapworth noted 2 Water Rail annoyingly minutes after I had left the hide! 
Mammals;
Rabbit (4), Grey Squirrel (1).
 
 

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

Species of interest observed at Maple Lodge as follows;
Kestrel (pair on owl nest-box), Water Rail (2 heard calling from Rotunda Hide), Kingfisher (1 at sluice), Green Woodpecker (1 in Alder plantation), Jay (1 at Clubhouse feeding station).
At Lynsters Farm a single Egyptian Goose and 3 Greylag Geese were noted as C100 Jackdaw busily fed among the cattle.

                                        Jay feeding among leaves at Clubhouse feeding station.

                                          Robin at Clubhouse feeding station.

Stockers Lake area

I decided to brave the wind and rain and headed off to Stockers Lake from Stockers Farm pumping station passing Bury Lake on route. Birds observed of interest as follows;
Stockers Farm
Lapwing (3 on flooded field), Mistle Thrush (2 on flooded field).
Stockers Lake
Kestrel (male taking refuge from the rain under the eaves of Stockers House), Goldeneye (2 male, 3 female),
Siskin (16).
Bury Lake
Red-crested Pochard (pair), Goldeneye (immature male).

Broadwater Gravel Pit, Harefield

An afternoon visit to Broadwater G.P produced the following species list;
Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret (1 at heronry), Mute Swan, Greylag Goose,
Wigeon (15), Gadwall, Teal (3), Mallard, Shoveler Duck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye (male & 2 female), Goosander (male over heading south), Lapwing (46), Green Sandpiper (1), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon (2 over briefly), Woodpigeon, Kingfisher (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Green Woodpecker, Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (male),
Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff (1 at north end), Goldcrest (4),
Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay (2), Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin (6 very mobile). Goldeneye, Goosander and Green Sandpiper were my first Autumn records for 2010.

   

Stockers Lake & Stockers Farm

An afternoon visit to Stockers Lake and Stockers Farm with very mild conditions and a strong westerly wind produced the following birds of note;
Stockers Lake;
Little Egret (1 at heronry), Wigeon (7), Red-crested Pochard (15 below heronry), Pheasant (female), Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Green Woodpecker (1).
Stockers Farm;
Meadow Pipit (2), Kestrel (male).
                                       
                                   Pheasant (female) in Hawthorn at Stockers Lake.

                                         

Lynsters Farm and West Hyde Gravel Pits

An early afternoon visit to Lynsters Farm and West Hyde Gravel Pits produced the following species of note;

Maple Lodge Close, Maple Cross,
Red Kite (3 low over gardens).


Lynsters Farm,
Egyptian Goose (4).

Pynesfield North G.P,
Wigeon (18).

Troy Mill G.P.
Little Grebe (2), Common Buzzard,  Water Rail (2 on Troy cutting), Kingfisher.

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A late afternoon visit to the reserve produced  fantastic views of Water Rail, Kingfisher and Green Woodpecker from Rotunda Hide. A second Water Rail was heard calling from the Long Hedge Hide Area.

                                          Green Woodpecker (female) from Rotunda Hide.

                                                     Water Rail from Rotunda Hide.

Rainham Marshes

An away day visit to Rainham Marshes R.S.P.B Nature Reserve produced the following species;
Little Grebe (3), Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret (3), Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (35), Pink-footed Goose (3), Canada Goose, Wigeon (c200), Teal (c30), Mallard, Pintail (5 inc 4 drakes), Shoveler Duck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Marsh Harrier (female), Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Golden Plover (16),
Lapwing,Curlew, Redshank (c100 on bank of Thames), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull (5), Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit (2 on bank of Thames), Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Stonechat (4), Blackbird, Redwing, Cetti's Warbler (6 singing males), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling (several thousand on migration above Thames), House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet (6), Reed Bunting.

                                          Pintail, drakes and duck at Rainham Marshes.

                                          Little Egret at Rainham Marshes.