Stockers Lake

An afternoon visit in sunny, mild conditions provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Black Swan (1), Greylag Goose (2), Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon (c40), Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye (3), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Northern Lapwing (28), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Common Chiffchaff (3), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Nuthatch (1), Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin.
Along the bank of the River Colne I observed 3 Chiffchaff feeding above the water among Crack Willows with at least one individual showing characteristics of the Siberian (tristis) sub-species.

                                                                   Black Swan

                                                     Possible Siberian Chiffchaff

                                                                European Robin



 

Stockers Lake in the fog

A morning visit to Stockers Lake with Steve Carter proved to be a challenging experience due to heavy fog covering the lakes with visibility down to approx 30 feet. We did find a small flock of Siskin feeding amongst the Alders adjacent Stockers House. On the lake an adult Mute Swan was doing its best to chase off an immature bird but it too was struggling to see in the fog. From somewhere out on the lake a few Eurasian Wigeon and a Common Kingfisher called. We soon made our way back to the car and headed off to Rickmansworth for a hot cup of tea.