Woodoaks Farm

A late morning visit produced the following species of note:-
Red Kite (2), Common Skylark (3), Northern Wheatear (1 present in paddock below old orchard), Common Stonechat (female on old orchard perimeter fence), Yellowhammer (5 at Chalfont Road end).

                                          Northern Wheatear (male).

                                         Common Stonechat (female).

                                         Yellowhammer (male).

Broadwater Gravel Pit

A morning visit in sunny but cold conditions provided the following species:-
Great-crested Grebe, Great Cormorant (at least 21 occupied nests), Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (5), Canada Goose (18), Egyptian Goose (2), Eurasian Wigeon (22), Gadwall (4), Common Teal (6), Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye (20 including 6 drake), Common Buzzard (1), Common Pheasant (1), Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-headed Gull (c250), Herring Gull (c60), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (3), Common Kingfisher (2), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Grey wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Redwing (15), Blackcap (1), Common Chiffchaff (8 inc 4 singing birds), Goldcrest (2 inc singing bird), Long-tailed Tit (nest building), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch (several singing birds), European Greenfinch (displaying male), European Goldfinch (1), Eurasian Siskin (4), Eurasian Bullfinch (3 inc pair), Common Reed Bunting (male).

                                                              Common Chiffchaff

                                                              Great-crested Grebe

Good Friday Birding

An early morning visit to Woodoaks Farm in cold but sunny conditions provided the following species:-
Red Kite (2), Common Buzzard (2), Common Kestrel (1), Black-headed Gull (3), Herring Gull (4 over), Woodpigeon (37), Collared Dove (2), Green Woodpecker (1), Common Skylark (3), Meadow Pipit (2), Dunnock (2), European Robin (1), Northern Wheatear (2), Common Stonechat (female), Common Blackbird (6), Song Thrush (3), Goldcrest (1), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie (10),
Western Jackdaw (6), Carrion Crow (2), House Sparrow (2), Common Chaffinch (7), European Greenfinch (1), Yellowhammer (3). 

                                        
                                                     Northern Wheatear (male).

I then made my way to Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm where the following species of note were observed:-
Egyptian Goose (4) Lynsters Farm, Common Buzzard (1) sitting in Alder adjacent Rotunda Hide, Red Kite (2) Lynsters Farm, Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Fieldfare (3), Redwing (c20), Eurasian Siskin (4) at flooded plantation.

                                                         Great-spotted Woodpecker (male).

                                                          Egyptian Goose at Lynsters Farm.

  

21-03-13 Staines Reservoir

I decided to visit Staines Reservoir en route to work and although it is now early spring condition were very wintry with a cold biting wind constantly blowing. Braving these condition I headed along the causeway and on reaching the lower fencing I discovered an adult Black-necked Grebe on the south basin. Coming into summer plumage the bird was constantly diving for food eventually ending up close enough for me to take a record shot with the camera. I then continued east along the causeway stopping at the second rest area. It was here while scanning the north basin I eventually discovered the immature Great Northern Diver being followed by a much smaller Red-throated Diver. Both birds swam in unison although now and again the Great Northern Diver would circle keeping its smaller cousin at a comfortable distance.

Stockers Lake and Bury Lake

I braved the bitterly cold, windy conditions and made my way around the lakes to conduct belated WeBS counts. Passing the flooded field at Stockers Farm where I noted Eurasian Wigeon (55), Northern Lapwing (20), Redwing (2), Mistle Thrush (2).
Stockers & Bury Lakes
Great-crested Grebe (6), Great Cormorant (12), Grey Heron (18), Little Egret (2), Mute Swan (32), Canada Goose (41), Eurasian Wigeon (22), Gadwall (6), Mallard (29), Northern Shoveler (22), Common Pochard (13), Tufted Duck (81), Red-crested Pochard (3), Red Kite (1), Common Moorhen (11), Eurasian Coot (88), Black-headed Gull (107), Common Gull (1), Herring Gull (12), Lesser Black-backed Gull (5), Woodpigeon (17), Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Wren (1), Dunnock (1), European Robin (2), Common Blackbird (1), Song Thrush (1), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie (5), Western Jackdaw (2 over), Carrion Crow (8), Common Starling (15 over), House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch (2), European Goldfinch (11), Eurasian Bullfinch (2).