Waxwings at Swakeleys Roundabout

While driving home c20 Waxwing were noted in a large tree a Swakeleys Roundabout near Uxbridge.

Waxwings at Harlington

While in Harlington I noted c10 Waxwing in flight briefly over Sipson Lane before landing in trees. Later 4 were present on the roof of a house in Harlington High Street.

Morning visit to Ruislip Lido

A late morning visit to Ruislip Lido with fellow birder and pal Steve Carter produced the following species of interest;
Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (1), Canada Goose (c40), Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal (4), Mallard, Shoveler Duck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Smew (2 drakes & a single redhead), Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush (4), Redwing, Goldcrest (2), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Nuthatch (2), Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chafinch, Goldfinch (10), Lesser Redpoll (32 feeding in birch), Bullfinch (8 feeding on hawthorn buds including 4 cock birds). 

                                          Naturalized Greylag Goose at Ruislip Lido.

                                          Woodpigeon foraging for food at Ruislip Lido.

Springwell Reedbed

I headed off late afternoon on my bike to Springwell Reedbed which is situated just over the border in Middlesex.Over a period of an hour a total of 71 Reed Bunting arrived to roost. They arrived surprisingly from high altitude in ones and twos and on landing their splayed tail feathers showed white edges. Other species of note included a male Goosander in flight overhead, 3 Water Rail calling from the reeds and a hunting kestrel.

Marsworth Reservoir, Tring

A later afternoon visit to Marsworth Res with Steve Carter in search of Bittern proved successful. Just before dusk a single Bittern alighted from the reeds briefly before disappearing back into the reeds. Earlier c80 Corn Bunting were observed flying in to roost in the reeds as nearby a Barn Owl hunted alone.

Hemel Hempstead & Wilstone Reservoir, Tring

En route to Wilstone Res, Tring, Steve Carter and I stopped off at Wood Lane End in Hemel where c25 Waxwing were present although mobile. We viewed the birds at some distance for several minutes before the flock dispersed and did not return so several minutes later we too departed..
At Wilstone Res the usual suspects were observed with species of interest as follows;
Little Grebe (3), Greylag Goose (43), Shelduck (pair), Wigeon (c30), Teal (c50), Shoveler Duck (12), Red-crested Pochard (drake), Goldeneye (7), Goosander (female), Redshank (1), Lapwing (c500), Golden Plover (26).

                                          Greylag geese.

                                       Lapwing and Golden Plover above Wilstone Res.

                                         Redshank at Wilstone Res.

Woodoaks Farm

A late morning visit to Woodoaks Farm in wet but very mild conditions produced the followinmg species;
Sparrowhawk (female hunting the old orchard), Red Kite (1), Black-headed Gull (2 over), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2 over), Feral Rock Dove (4), Woodpigeon (13), Collared Dove (c70 in the old orchard), Pied Wagtail (5), Robin, Blackbird (2), Fieldfare (140), Redwing (20), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay (2), Magpie (5), Jackdaw (9), Carrion Crow (3), Starling (46), Chaffinch, Goldfinch (1), Greenfinch (3), Yellowhammer (male), Reed Bunting (female).
Mammals;
Grey Squirrel (2 in ladywalk wood).

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

I made an early afternoon visit to the reserve in milder but wetter conditions where a species count went as follows;
Little Grebe (4), Cormorant (1), Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (4), Canada Goose (5), Gadwall (9), Teal (23), Mallard (20), Shoveler Duck (2), Pochard (4), Tufted Duck (21), Moorhen (38), Coot (33), Black-headed Gull (4 over), Herring Gull (1 over), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove (2), Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing (4), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay (1), Magpie, Jackdaw (over), Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch (8), Siskin (c60).
From Lynsters Hide a count of  species observed at Lynsters Farm went as follows;
Wigeon (10 grazing), Gadwall (9 grazing),  Canada Goose (20), Moorhen (23 feeding from manure pile), Jackdaw (c75), Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting.

Gadwall (drake) asleep.

                       And then rudely awoken by inquisitive Mute Swan (just out of shot).

Amwell Nature Reserve, Lee Valley

Steve Carter and I visited Amwell Nature Reserve in the search of Bittern where up to 2 birds had been showing well of late. Unfortunately the Bittern's did not make an appearance but many other interesting species did and are listed below;
Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Wigeon (c30), Gadwall, Teal (c60), Mallard, Pintail (2 drake), Shoveler Duck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Red-crested Pochard (3 Duck), Pheasant (6), Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Common Buzzard (3), Water Rail (1 calling), Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit (3 at feeders), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin (c20), Reed Bunting (2 at feeders).

                                      Amwell Nature Reserve looking towards White Hide.

                                        
                                          Reed Bunting.

                                          Long-tailed Tits.

                                          Coal Tit.

                                          Pheasant (hen).

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A late afternoon visit to the reserve in milder conditions produced the following species of interest;
Little Grebe (3), Canada Goose (9 on cricket pitch), Teal (31 from sanctuary hide), Shoveler Duck (5), Common Buzzard (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Long-tailed Tit (18 feeding on clubhouse feeders), Siskin (c50). Earlier I noted a Great Black-backed Gull on the playing field behind the reserve, an uncommon visitor.

Denham Country Park, Denham Lock Wood & Denham Quarry

Steve Carter and I made a visit to Denham Country Park and surrounding area where species observed were as follows,
Little Grebe (1), Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose (7), Wigeon (15), Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler Duck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goosander (9), Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (noted along A412 en route), Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Moorhen, Coot, Green Sandpiper (1), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Feral Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush (2), Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook (observed at rookery along A412), Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin (c60).

                                                              Egyptian Geese (pair).

                                          Goosander (male) at Denham Quarry.

                                          Little Egret.

                                          Canada Geese.

                                          Black-headed Gull (first winter).

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve, Stockers Lake & Bury Lake

Steve Carter and myself spent the late morning and early afternoon birding a few of our local patches adding to our annual species list.
The majority of water at Maple Lodge was frozen over with the exception of the Clubhouse Lake where a small area of open water remained. Here waterfowl were congregated with a single Little Grebe putting in a brief appearance.
A Ring-necked Parakeet was noted at the feeding station as 2 Siskin were observed briefly overhead.
At Stockers Lake 3 Goosander were noted on the River Colne as was  single Water Rail, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Little Egret. On the lake itself a few Goldeneye were feeding on a small area of open water at the south end and a single Egyptian Goose was busily preening on an island. At Bury Lake, which also held a small area of open water, a pair of Red-crested Pochard, c12 Wigeon and c60 Canada Geese were observed. 

                                       
                                         Goosander (male) on the River Colne at Stockers Lake.

                                         
                                        Tufted Duck on the River Colne at Stockers Lake.

                                         Little Egret feeding on the bank on the River Colne.
 

                                          Water Rail on the River Colne at Stockers lake.

Woodoaks Farm

An early afternoon visit to Woodoaks Farm produced the following species;
Sparrowhawk (1), Black-headed Gull (55), Woodpigeon (25), Collared Dove (c50), Little Owl (1 in old orchard), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Skylark (2), Blackbird, Fieldfare (15), Redwing (c100), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie (5), Jackdaw (5), Carrion Crow (4), Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch (4), Goldfinch (1), Yellowhammer (3).