Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

An afternoon visit produced the following species;
Great-crested Grebe (Lynsters G.P), Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (Lynsters G.P), Gadwall (Lynsters G.P), Teal (42), Mallard (10), Northern Shoveler (2), Tufted Duck (Lynsters G.P), Water Rail (1 from Shell Hide), Moorhen (6), Coot (1), Black-headed Gull (5), Herring Gull (1 over), Feral Rock Dove (over), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (3), Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (male at feeders), Pied Wagtail (9 Lynsters Farm), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Jay (2), Magpie, Jackdaw (c50 Lynsters Farm), Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch (2), Siskin (c10).   

At the Long Hedge I discovered a Weasel trying to store prey in the trunk of an Elderberry bush.

                                         Weasel at the Long Hedge.

Snow Bunting at Startops End, Reservoir, Tring.

Today I conducted a brief afternoon visit to Startops End Reservoir, Tring where I connected with the reported Snow Bunting. A glorious male showed extremely well as it preened on a concrete shelf before beginning to feed along the stony shoreline of the reservoir. Other species of note included 2 Little Grebe, a pair of Red-crested Pochard and 2 Mistle Thrush. Nearby at Marsworth Reservoir a lone Kingfisher was observed at rest in a tree before darting off and landing in the reed bed.

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Woodoaks Farm

A brief morning visit to Maple Lodge with Steve Carter produced  Green Sandpiper (3), Common Snipe (2), Ring-necked Parakeet (5) and a calling Kingfisher, all from the Shell Hide.

                                          Green Sandpiper at Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.

In the afternoon I headed off to Woodoaks Farm where I noted a mobile flock of c200 Golden Plover.

                                          Golden Plover above Woodoaks Farm.

Broadwater Gravel Pit

An afternoon visit to Broadwater Lake Nature Reserve produced the following species:-
Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret (1), Grey Heron, Mute Swan, White-fronted Goose (2 european birds present with greylag geese), Greylag Goose (120), Canada Goose (c30), Egyptian Goose (2), Wigeon (12), Gadwall (8), Teal (2), Northern Shoveler (6), Pochard (96), Tufted Duck, Goldeneye (12), Water Rail (1), Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing (c50), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull (c200), Great Black-backed Gull (1), Woodpigeon, Kingfisher (2), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Chiffchaff (4), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Treecreeper, Jay (2), Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Siskin (15), Lesser Redpoll (4).

Below are a couple of record shots taken of the White-fronted Geese.

Earlier at Maple Lodge 35 Teal and a single Green Sandpiper were observed from the Sluice Hide while at Woodoaks Farm c130 Collared Dove and 2 Red Kite were noted.

 

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

A late morning visit in dry but cold conditions provided the following species of note:-
Little Grebe (1), Grey Heron (3), Little Egret (1), Teal (37), Water Rail (1), Green Sandpiper (1), Common Snipe (14), Feral Rock Dove (c60 Lynsters Farm), Ring-necked Parakeet (3), Kingfisher (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Jay (2), Jackdaw (c70 Lynsters Farm).

Below are a couple of distant Water Rail shots taken from Shell Hide.