Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

An afternoon visit to the reserve produced the following species of note:-
Little Grebe (1), Little Egret (2), Greylag Goose (33 at Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (3 at Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (3 at Lynsters Farm), Northern Shoveler (4), Common Snipe (7), Green Sandpiper (1), Water Rail (1 from Shell Hide), Feral Rock Dove (29 Lynsters Farm), Stock Dove (6 Lynsters Farm), Ring-necked Parakeet (5 feeding on Apple tree), Kingfisher (1), Pied Wagtail (18 Lynsters Farm), Meadow Pipit (1 Lynsters Farm), Redwing (11 at long hedge), Fieldfare (1 at long hedge), Greenfinch (2), Goldfinch (7), Jackdaw (c60 Lynsters Farm).

                                          Green Sandpiper viewed from Teal Hide.

                                         Little Egret viewed from the sluice.

On returning back to the clubhouse I noted this Fungi which I believe to be Oyster Fungus.

Broadwater Gravel Pit, early morning

An early morning visit in mild but windy conditions provided the following species:-
Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret (5), Mute Swan, Canada Goose (30), Wigeon (12), Gadwall (23), Teal (18), Mallard, Northern Shoveler (5), Pochard (80), Tufted Duck, Goldeneye (11 including 3 drake), Smew (female viewed from east end of causeway), Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing (72), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull (2), Lesser Black-backed Gull (5), Herring Gull (13), Stock Dove, Woodpigeon (c30), Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Kingfisher (2), Green Woodpecker (1), Meadow Pipit (1 over), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing (1), Mistle Thrush (1), Song Thrush, Goldcrest (5), Long-tailed Tit, Blue it, Great Tit, Treecreeper (3), Jay (2), Magpie, Jackdaw (24), Rook (1over), Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch (3), Siskin (c80), Lesser Redpoll (1).

                                          Smew (female) viewed from causeway.

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve, late afternoon

A brief late afternoon visit to the reserve in calm, bright conditions provided the following species of note:-
Cormorant (1), Grey Heron (4), Little Egret (1), Greylag Goose (59 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (2 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (1 Lynsters Farm), Teal (24), Mallard (11), Common Buzzard (1), Kestrel (1 mobbed Buzzard), Common Snipe (11), Green Sandpiper (2), Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Kingfisher (2), Green Woodpecker (1), Jay (2), Treecreeper (1).
Water levels at the reserve remain critically low with much of the marsh lake dry from Rotunda Hide through to Sluice with shallow water remaining from the Sluice through to Shell Hide.

                                         The marsh lake viewed from Teal Hide.

                                          Common Snipe from Shell Hide.

                                          Common Buzzard

                                        Common Buzzard showing full crop giving the bird an odd appearance

  

Cetti's Warbler remains at Stockers Lake

This morning while conducting Wetland Bird Survey counts I again heard the singing male Cetti's Warbler at the north end of the causeway. Also of intetest 5 Red-crested Pochard were busily feeding at Bury Lake.

Interesting feeding behaviour of Black Redstart

I have just witnessed a male Black Redstart at 01:00 catching insects attracted by a spotlight adjacent an aircraft hangar at London Heathrow. I watched for several minutes as this very cunning bird successfully fed before disappearing into the night. I encounter this species regularly year round at Heathrow while carrying out my work duties.

Woodcock arrives at London Heathrow

This evening while driving along a service road near runway 27 left I flushed a Woodcock from its roost. It flew low above the road directly in front of my vehicle before gaining height and disappearing from view. A great find and my first this year!

Scotsbridge Mill water meadow

A walk along the chess valley at Scotsbridge Mill provided the following species;
Little Egret (1), Common Buzzard (1), Water Rail (1), Kingfisher (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Meadow Pipit (1), Jay (2).   

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A morning visit to the reserve produced the following species of note:-
Little Grebe (2), Teal (21), Mallard (49), Northern Shoveler (22), Common Snipe (12), Green Sandpiper (2), Ring-necked Parakeet (5), Kingfisher (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Redwing (c30 over long hedge briefly), Jay (2).

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A brief late afternoon visit to the reserve produced 11 Common Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper and a single Sparrowhawk all from Shell Hide.

Broadwater Gravel Pit

A morning visit produced the following species:-
Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret (3), Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (9), Canada Goose (7), Egyptian Goose (2),Wigeon (30), Gadwall, Teal (2), Mallard, Northern Shoveler (22), Pochard (135), Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing (36), Black-headed Gull (c100), Common Gull (7), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (c110 nearly all immature), Woodpigeon (c80 over), Ring-necked Parakeet, Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing (2), Chiffchaff (2), Goldcrest (3), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Jay (2), Magpie, Jackdaw (12), Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin (3), Bullfinch (pair).

Earlier while driving past Woodoaks Farm 10 Egyptian Geese were briefly noted over heading east.

Bird Strike with a happy ending!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N65ALqiBW_o

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

An afternoon visit in mild, sunny conditions provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (7), Grey Heron (4), Teal (30), Mallard (45), Northern Shoveler (10), Pheasant (1), Moorhen (16),
Common Snipe (7), Green Sandpiper (1), Black-headed Gull (137),  Herring Gull (2 over), Feral Pigeon (5 over), Stock Dove (1), Woodpigeon (8), Kingfisher (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Green Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren (4), Dunnock (1), Robin (7), Blackbird (2), Redwing (2), Goldcrest (2), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper (2), Jay (2), Magpie (2), Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling (c30 over), Chaffinch (2), Goldfinch (3).
From Lynsters Hide 2 Egyptian Geese were observed grazing at Lynsters Farm and at Lynsters Gravel Pit Great-crested Grebe, Tufted Duck and Coot were all noted.

                                           Common Snipe from Long Hedge Hide.