End of year birding at Stockers Farm & Stockers Lake

A late morning visit in light drizzle provided the following species:-
Stockers Farm:-
Snow Goose (1 of presumed captive origin), Canada Goose (193), Wigeon (23), all feeding on the flooded field.
Stockers Lake:-
Little Egret (1), Red-crested Pochard (drake), Goldeneye (13 including 2 male), Smew (male observed from the Kingfisher Hide), Red Kite (1), Lapwing (21), Nuthatch (1calling near Kingfisher Hide). 

 

Stockers West, Stockers Farm & Stockers Lake

As the light was good with plenty of sunshine, Steve Carter and I decided to bird the Stockers Lake area in hope of photographing something interesting. With reports yesterday of possible Black Kite over Rickmansworth and a Cattle Egret at Latimer we were hopeful of finding our own rarity!
We first stopped off at Stockers West (inns lake) where yesterdays male Goosander remained. Steve managed a few flight shots as it departed after being spooked by a wary Cormorant. We then drove to the pumping station at Stockers Farm Road and walked the track passing the flooded field. Here dozens of Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush and several Lapwing fed on Earthworms as nearby on the old Crack Willow a Little Owl surveyed its territory.We then walked the causeway at Stockers noting common waterfowl before continuing along the river and rejoining the lakeside path to the east. At the flooded Alder wood dozens of Siskins fed and were accompanied by a single Lesser Redpoll..
We then headed off back to the farm where we photographed a very obliging Redwing before calling it a day.  

Stockers Lake, Bury Lake & Stockers Farm

A late morning visit to conduct a wetland bird survey produced the following species:-
Great-crested Grebe (4), Great Cormorant (27), Grey Heron (2), Mute Swan (15), Canada Goose (34), Gadwall (13), Mallard (64), Domestic Mallard (2), Northern Shoveler (42), Common Pochard (31), Tufted Duck (213), Common Goldeneye (13), Red Kite (2), Common Moorhen (10), Eurasian Coot (287), Northern Lapwing (24), Black-headed Gull (178), Common Gull (8), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (2), Woodpigeon (6), Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Green Woodpecker (1 stockers farm), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Wren (6), Dunnock (1), European Robin (8), Common Blackbird (5), Fieldfare (5 stockers farm), Redwing (1), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Common Magpie (9), Western Jackdaw (3 over), Carrion Crow (3), Common Starling (7 stockers farm), House Sparrow (4 stockers farm), Common Chaffinch (8), Eurasian Siskin (6).
At Stockers West, now commonly known as Inns Lake, a wonderful male Goosander performed well.

                                    On the River Colne a Grey Heron had caught a Brown Rat.

                                                       European Robin at Stockers Lake.

                                                      Drake Goldeneye at Stockers Lake.

Broadwater Gravel Pit

An afternoon visit in mild conditions provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (1), Great-crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron (3), Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon (10), Gadwall, Common Teal (13), Mallard, Northern Pintail (female over briefly), Northern Shoveler (22), Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye (7), Red Kite (1), Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (1), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Feral Rock Dove (2), Woodpigeon (9), Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock (2), European Robin (3), Common Blackbird (7), Fieldfare (7), Song Thrush (1), Common Chiffchaff (7), Goldcrest (3), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (2 over briefly), Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll (2), European Goldfinch (2), Eurasian Siskin (c50), Eurasian Bullfinch.

                                                          Common Chiffchaff

Barn Owl at London Heathrow

While driving adjacent runway 27 left with work colleague Andrew Malcolm at 01:20 GMT we happened across a wonderful Barn Owl hunting along the verge. The bird stopped to rest briefly on a sign before continuing to hunt.

A poor record shot of the Barn Owl resting on a runway sign taken by Andrew Malcolm.

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

Steve Carter and I conducted a late morning visit to the reserve with conditions dry but cold with little wind if any. As the work party were busy conducting their duties around the clubhouse we decided to head off towards the Long Hedge briefly visiting the Teal and Lynsters hides along the way. Species encountered of any significance as follows:-
Little Grebe (3), Great Cormorant (1 on the clubhouse lake), Red Kite (1over), Common Buzzard (1over), Ring-necked Parakeet (10 briefly at the clubhouse feeding station), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1 at the clubhouse feeding station), Blackcap (female in the long hedge), Redwing (15 over heading north), Eurasian Jay (2 feasting on nuts at the clubhouse feeding station), Eurasian Siskin (c10 at the alder plantation).

                                                                     Eurasian Jay

                                                              Ring-necked Parakeet

                                                                 Eurasian Siskin

         

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

A morning visit in wet but mild conditions provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (2), Great-crested Grebe (1 Lynsters G.P), Great Cormorant (2 Lynsters G.P), Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (1 plus several colour ringed at Lynsters Farm), Greylag Goose (4 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (21 Lynsters Farm), Eurasian Wigeon (12 Lynsters Farm), Gadwall (16), Common Teal (3), Mallard (32), Northern Shoveler (3), Common Pochard (2), Tufted Duck (18), Red Kite (1), Common Moorhen (6), Eurasian Coot (33), Black-headed Gull (2 over), Feral Rock Dove (116 Lynsters Farm), Stock Dove (24 Lynsters Farm), Woodpigeon (5), Collared Dove (2), Green Woodpecker (2), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Pied Wagtail (7 Lynsters Farm), Meadow Pipit (2 Lynsters Farm), Wren (1), European Robin (3), Common Blackbird (4), Song Thrush (3), Redwing (1), Goldcrest (1), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie (4), Western Jackdaw (c50 Lynsters Farm), Rook (8 Lynsters Farm), Carrion Crow (2), Common Starling (1), House Sparrow (singing male at Maple Lodge Close), Common Chaffinch (23), European Goldfinch (6), Eurasian Siskin (c50), Lesser Redpoll (1).

After several months of drought the marsh in front of Rotunda Hide is finally in flood.

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

A late afternoon visit in sunny, cold conditions provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (4), Grey Heron (1 Lynsters Gravel Pit), Mute Swan (2), Greylag Goose (24 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (33 Lynsters Farm), Gadwall (16), Common Teal (3), Mallard (13), Northern Shoveler (5), Tufted Duck (9), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Moorhen (12), Eurasian Coot (29), Black-headed Gull (11 Lynsters Farm), Herring Gull (7 over), Woodpigeon (8), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Grey Wagtail (1 over), Pied Wagtail (2 Lynsters Farm), Wren (4), Dunnock (2), European Robin (5), Common Blackbird (5), Goldcrest (4), Long-tailed Tit (2), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (6), Common Treecreeper (1), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie (2), Western Jackdaw (c100 over), Rook (2 over), Carrion Crow (2), Common Starling (1), Common Chaffinch (2).

                                                       Great-spotted Woodpecker (male).

                                          Eurasian Jay.

                                                           Ring-necked Parakeet.


     

St Lucia 29-10-12 - 06-11-12

A family holiday to the Caribbean island of St Lucia offered great birding opportunities where I would be looking to add to my life list. We departed London Gatwick at 10:36 in dry mild conditions arriving at Hewanorra, St Lucia 14:32 local time. The weather was very sunny and hot with a light sea breeze and temperatures topped 36 degrees Celsius. En route to the hotel Cattle Egret, Carib Grackle and Zenaida Dove were all noted with Common Tern, Grey Kingbird, Tropical Mockingbird, Shiny Cowbird all noted at our hotel the Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa.

 

                                          Grey Kingbird


30-10-12
I began the day with an early morning walk along the beach and around the hotel complex with my 9 year old daughter Emily. Cattle Egret, Carib Grackle, Zenaida Dove, Greater Yellowlegs, Bananaquit, Black-faced Grassquit, Tropical Mockingbird, Green-throated Carib, Antillean Crested Hummingbird and Shiny Cowbird were all seen. Spending much of the day on the beach and around the pool I noted a fishing Osprey that caught a fish off shore, but due to its preys large size it had great difficulty in getting airborne and eventually had to drop its catch. At least 7 Magnificent Frigatebirds were observed out to sea following several small fishing vessels. By mid afternoon the resident feeding flock of  Shiny Cowbirds had risen to c80 and a Greater Yellowlegs was photographed as it fed in a drainage ditch. A single Grey Kingbird was also observed as it caught insects on the wing. From the beach viewing the Lesser and Greater Maria Islands that lie half a mile offshore I noted 7 Tropicbirds in flight but they were too distant to identify any further, a great pity as both species of Tropicbird are missing from my life list. I did later try to make a visit to these islands but could not get an official guide to this protected wildlife reserve.
Late afternoon I again walked around the hotel grounds noting Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs.

                                          Greater Yellowlegs

                                         Spotted Sandpiper

                                          Tropical Mockingbird

                                          Zenaida Dove
31-10-12
Another early morning walk around the hotel grounds produced the usual suspects plus 2 Snowy Egret briefly overhead, a single American Kestrel, a single Mangrove Cuckoo, a single Scaly-breasted Thrasher and a migrant Blackpoll Warbler. Late morning from the beach provided 2 Magnificent Frigatebirds that  put in brief appearances overhead as a storm approached. Also of interest an adult male Carib Grackle was noted feeding a juvenile Shiny Cowbird that it had obviously reared. Shiny Cowbird like the Cuckoo is a parasitic species. A late afternoon walk along the beach produced a single Yellow-crowned Night Heron, my first of the holiday.

                                          Lesser Yellowlegs

                                         Solitary Sandpiper

                                          Greater Yellowlegs

                                          The Lesser and Greater Maria Islands just offshore

01-11-12
A morning walk around the hotel grounds produced the usual suspects and after overnight rain there was a fresher feel to the day. Among an area covered in fruiting trees I briefly viewed a single Waterthrush that was quite vocal and bobbed about before being flushed and was probably Louisiana Waterthrush.
Among a wet area of waste ground I flushed a Wilson’s Snipe which circled once before settling down again to feed. Among a flower garden I discovered my first Lesser Antillean Bullfinches of the holiday as they fed on berries. In the distance I briefly observed a single Black Swift as it flew by which was large in size similar to our European Swift. Out to sea at least 2 Magnificent Frigatebirds cruised around while on the beach the resident flock of Shiny Cowbirds fed on discarded food. Late in the afternoon while photographing Cattle Egrets I noted 3 Common Ground Dove.

                                         Lesser Yellowlegs

                                                     Cattle Egret

                                         Solitary Sandpiper

                                         Shiny Cowbird (female)

02-11-12 
I began the day with my usual early morning walk around the hotel grounds adding a pair of nesting Eurasian Collared Dove, a single Barn Swallow and 2 Yellow Warbler to my holiday list. I also noted a single Small Asian Mongoose that crossed the path in front of me as I returned back to my room.

                                                               
                                                   Tropical Mockingbird


 

                                         Eurasian Collared Dove

                                          Antillean Crested Hummingbird (female)

                                          Greater Yellowlegs

03-11-12
Today we went on a day trip along the Caribbean coast to Soufriere Volcano and sulphur springs via Laborie and Choiseul and then onto Diamond Waterfall and botanical gardens before finishing at Asne Chastanet beach. En route I noted at least 2 Great Egret feeding in the marsh near Hewannorra Airport. On arriving at the volcano and sulphur springs I observed 3 Broad-winged Hawk circling overhead while a single St Lucia Warbler showed briefly from nearby foliage. Then at Diamond Waterfall and Botanical Gardens I discovered my first Grey Trembler feeding and trembling from a fruiting Mango. Overhead at least 2 Lesser Antillean Swift were observed their short, squat tail most noticeable. A Mangrove Cuckoo showed briefly and a pair of Caribbean Elaenia displayed nearby. Many Lesser Antillean Bullfinch were seen with several displaying pairs observed. At our final destination, Asne Chastanet beach a single immature Brown Booby cruised low over the sea while overhead 2 hunting American Kestrel made several sorties into the forested hills.

                                          Lesser Antillean Bullfinch (male)

                                                        Lesser Antillean Bullfinch (female)

                                                       Sulphur Springs at Soufriere



04-11-12
My last early morning birding around the hotel gardens produced the usual species but a sneaky final look around the scrub mid-afternoon provided me my first Lesser Antillean Streaked Saltator.

                                          Shiny Cowbird (male)





06-11-12 Vieux Fort Bay, St Lucia
I was unable to travel home with my family on our departure date as the flight was full so had a couple of extra days based in the Vieux Fort Area. While enjoying the delights of the beach at Vieux Fort Bay I noted the following species adding Royal Tern and American Golden Plover to my holiday list.
Royal Tern (7), Brown Booby (1), American Golden Plover (1),
Osprey (2).

List of species observed:-
1. Brown Booby (Common along coastal areas).
2. Magnificent Frigatebird (common along coastal areas).
3. Tropicbird Species (Present at Greater Maria Island ).
4. Royal Tern (Vieux Fort Bay).
5. Common Tern (Beach at Coconut Bay).
6. Cattle Egret (Common).
7. Snowy Egret (Briefly over at Coconut Bay).
8. Great Egret (Several sighting near Hewanorra Airport. 
9. Yellow-crowned Night Heron (1 from beach at Coconut Bay).
10. Green Heron (Coconut Bay).
11. American Golden Plover (1 on beach at Vieux Fort Bay).
12. Solitary Sandpiper (Several at Coconut Bay).
13. Wilson’s Snipe (1 at Coconut Bay).
14. Spotted Sandpiper (1 at Coconut Bay).
15. Lesser Yellowlegs (Several sightings Coconut Bay).
16. Greater Yellowlegs (Several sightings at Coconut Bay).
17. American Kestrel (2 at Coconut Bay and Asne Chastanet Beach).
18. Broad-winged Hawk (Soufriere Volcano and Diamond Botanical Gardens).
19. Osprey (Common).
20. Feral Rock Dove (2 at Vieux Fort).
21. Common Ground Dove (Several sightings Coconut Bay).
22. Zenaida Dove (Common).
23. Eurasian Collared Dove (Coconut Bay and Vieux Fort).
24. Mangrove Cuckoo (Singles at Coconut Bay and Diamond Botanical Gardens).
25. Black Swift (1 at Coconut Bay).
26. Lesser Antillean Swift (2 at Diamond Botanical Gardens).
27. Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Common).
28. Purple-throated Carib (1 at Diamond Botanical Gardens).
29. Green-throated Carib (Several sightings at Coconut Bay).
30. Grey Kingbird (Common).
31. Caribbean Elaenia (Pair at Diamond Botanical Gardens).
32. Barn Swallow (2 sightings at Coconut Bay).
33. Grey Trembler (1 at Diamond Botanical Gardens).
34. Scaly-breasted Thrasher (1 at Coconut Bay).
35. Tropical Mockingbird (Common).
36. Blackpoll Warbler (Several sightings at Coconut Bay).
37. Waterthrush Species (1 at Coconut Bay).
38. Yellow Warbler (2 at Coconut Bay).
39. St Lucia Warbler (1 at Soufriere Volcano).
40. Bananaquit (Common).
41. Shiny Cowbird (Common).
42. Carib Grackle (Common).
43. Black-faced Grassquit (Common).
44. Lesser Antillean Saltator (1 at Coconut Bay).
45. Lesser Antillean Bullfinch (Common).

 

14-10-12 Stockers Lake & Bury Lake

An afternoon visit to conduct a Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (1), Great-crested Grebe (9), Great Cormorant (24), Grey Heron (3), Little Egret (1), Mute Swan (23), Greylag Goose (23), Canada Goose (125), Mallard (37), Domestic Mallard (2), Northern Shoveler (8), Common Pochard (39), Tufted Duck (86), Common Moorhen (5), Eurasian Coot (118), Black-headed Gull (54), Common Gull (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Stock Dove (1), Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Wren, European Robin (4), Common Blackbird (3), Goldcrest (2), Blue Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch.

13-10-12 John O'Gaunts Trout Fishery, Stockbridge Hampshire

Situated on the outskirts of King Somborne in the Test Valley some 200 yards from the River Test this wonderfully located fishery was the venue for the Croxley fly fishing Society. Arriving early morning there was a chill in the air and the sun had just began to burn off the light mist covering both lakes and the nearby River Test. 
By 11:00 am I had caught my 4 fish quota and so with Steve Carter and Tom Mixture we headed off for a walk along the bank of the river. Several Redwing were noted overhead and a wonderful Barn Owl was flushed from its Crack Willow roost, a superb addition to the 2 Common Raven I had observed overhead earlier. A couple of Roe Deer were noted briefly as they fed in the undergrowth before we headed off back to the fishery.   

                                          My first fish of the day.

                                          Steve Carter preparing to cast a fly.

                                         Early morning view as the sun began to rise.

Woodoaks Farm

A brief afternoon visit provided the following species of note:-
Red Kite (3), Common Buzzard (3), Green Woodpecker (2), Common House Martin (10), Meadow Pipit (2), Common Skylark (1).

                                                    Red Kite

Raptor delight at Woodoaks Farm

A brief mid-afternoon visit to the farm provided the following species of note:-
Red Kite (7), Common Buzzard (2), Common Kestrel (2), Green Woodpecker (1), Chiffchaff (1), Eurasian Jay (1).

                                          Red Kite

                                          Common Buzzard

                                         Common Kestrel

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

I conducted a morning visit to the reserve with fellow birder and pal Steve Carter where we noted the following species :-
Little Grebe (4 immature on clubhouse lake), Great Cormorant (1), Grey Heron (3), Red Kite (2), Common Buzzard (1), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Green Sandpiper (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Cetti's Warbler (male singing briefly from phragmites), Chiffchaff (1), Eurasian Jay (2),

Dragonflies & Damselflies:-
Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Common Blue Damselfly.

Butterflies:-
Small White, Comma, Speckled Wood. 
 

                                                    Ring-necked Parakeet at feeding station

                                          Eurasian Jay at feeding station

                                         Chiffchaff at Long Hedge.

                                                        Migrant Hawker at Long Hedge

                                                        Common Darter at Long Hedge

                                                         Comma at Long Hedge

                                          Speckled Wood at Long Hedge