An afternoon of sunny periods and scattered showers slowly developed into darker skies with more persistent rain. I followed the footpath from the clubhouse towards Rotunda Hide stopping for a few minutes at the viewing panel that overlooks the Bittern channel and reed bed located between the Double Decker Hide and Sanctuary Hide. No sign of anything significant so onwards to Rotunda Hide. A couple of Grey Squirrel were busily raiding nuts from the bird feeder while a few Common Teal dabbled in the shallows. After several minutes I decided to continue around the reserve but not before another stop at the viewing panel. Scanning the reeds I was drawn to a movement at the far end of the water channel so took a closer look with my bins. To my amazement there in front of me was a wonderful Eurasian Bittern frozen in a typical Bittern pose, bill pointing to the sky with two beady eyes peering back at me. I tried in vain to get my camera out of its bag as quickly and quietly as possible but the bird disappeared into the reeds before I could ready myself.
All in all a wonderful sight and to add icing to the cake I later noted a feeding Water Rail at the same location but viewed from Teal Hide. The newly excavated Bittern channel has lived up to its name and only a few months after its completion.
egret
Monday, 27 January 2014
Saturday, 18 January 2014
Stockers Lake & Bury Lake
A late morning visit in dull overcast conditions produced a combined count as follows:-
Great Crested Grebe (8), Great Cormorant (15), Grey Heron (17), Mute Swan (39), Black Swan (1), Canada Goose (35), Eurasian Wigeon (90), Gadwall (143), Mallard (36), Northern Shoveler (15), Common Pochard (43), Tufted Duck (138), Red-crested Pochard (8), Common Goldeneye (16), Common Moorhen (9), Eurasian Coot (256), Northern Lapwing (45), Black-headed Gull (58), Common Gull (3), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (8), Feral Rock Dove (2 over), Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (4), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Meadow Pipit (18 Stockers Farm), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch (1), Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (2 over), Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch (1), European Goldfinch (3), Reed Bunting (1).
Grey Heron at Bury Lake
Great Crested Grebe (8), Great Cormorant (15), Grey Heron (17), Mute Swan (39), Black Swan (1), Canada Goose (35), Eurasian Wigeon (90), Gadwall (143), Mallard (36), Northern Shoveler (15), Common Pochard (43), Tufted Duck (138), Red-crested Pochard (8), Common Goldeneye (16), Common Moorhen (9), Eurasian Coot (256), Northern Lapwing (45), Black-headed Gull (58), Common Gull (3), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (8), Feral Rock Dove (2 over), Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (4), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Meadow Pipit (18 Stockers Farm), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch (1), Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (2 over), Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch (1), European Goldfinch (3), Reed Bunting (1).
Grey Heron at Bury Lake
Friday, 17 January 2014
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm
An afternoon visit in mild sunny conditions with a light wind provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (2), Great Cormorant (1), Greylag Goose (53 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (95 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (8 Lynsters Farm), Common Teal (1), Mallard (7), Common Pochard (4), Tufted Duck (10), Common Buzzard (1), Common Moorhen (2), Eurasian Coot (24), Black-headed Gull (35), Stock Dove (4 Lynsters Farm), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Common Kingfisher (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (2 over), Carrion Crow, Common Starling, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (4), Eurasian Siskin (c30), Lesser Redpoll (1), Common Reed Bunting (1).
A Red Fox was observed from Lynsters Hide as it crossed the farm on its way to the paddock where it was later seen unsuccessfully hunting a Grey Squirrel.
Little Grebe (2), Great Cormorant (1), Greylag Goose (53 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (95 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (8 Lynsters Farm), Common Teal (1), Mallard (7), Common Pochard (4), Tufted Duck (10), Common Buzzard (1), Common Moorhen (2), Eurasian Coot (24), Black-headed Gull (35), Stock Dove (4 Lynsters Farm), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Common Kingfisher (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (2 over), Carrion Crow, Common Starling, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (4), Eurasian Siskin (c30), Lesser Redpoll (1), Common Reed Bunting (1).
A Red Fox was observed from Lynsters Hide as it crossed the farm on its way to the paddock where it was later seen unsuccessfully hunting a Grey Squirrel.
Monday, 13 January 2014
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm
A morning visit in sunny conditions provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (2), Greylag Goose (30 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (62 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (3 Lynsters Farm), Common Teal (1), Mallard (15), Common Pochard (2), Tufted Duck (12), Common Buzzard (1 Lynsters Farm), Green Sandpiper (1 Lynsters Farm), Common Moorhen (8), Eurasian Coot (22), Black-headed Gull (over), Stock Dove (2 Lynsters Farm), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail (2 Lynsters Farm), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare (3 Lynsters Farm), Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush (2 Lynsters Farm), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (2), Eurasian Jay (3), Common Magpie, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (2), Eurasian Siskin (c30).
Little Grebe (2), Greylag Goose (30 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (62 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (3 Lynsters Farm), Common Teal (1), Mallard (15), Common Pochard (2), Tufted Duck (12), Common Buzzard (1 Lynsters Farm), Green Sandpiper (1 Lynsters Farm), Common Moorhen (8), Eurasian Coot (22), Black-headed Gull (over), Stock Dove (2 Lynsters Farm), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail (2 Lynsters Farm), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare (3 Lynsters Farm), Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush (2 Lynsters Farm), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (2), Eurasian Jay (3), Common Magpie, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (2), Eurasian Siskin (c30).
Sunday, 12 January 2014
Wilstone Reservoir, Tring
An afternoon visit in overcast, cold, windy conditions produced the following species:-
Little Grebe (1), Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Egret (2), Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (35), Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye (1), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, European Golden Plover (c60 over), Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe (1), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail (2), Wren, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare (c50), Redwing, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch.
Little Grebe (1), Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Egret (2), Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (35), Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye (1), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, European Golden Plover (c60 over), Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe (1), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail (2), Wren, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare (c50), Redwing, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch.
Saturday, 11 January 2014
Woodoaks Farm
A morning visit in glorious sunshine provided the following species:-
Red Kite (2), Common Buzzard (1), Black-headed Gull (8), Herring Gull (c40), Great Black-backed Gull (4), Feral Rock Dove (2), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove (13), Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Eurasian Skylark (7), Meadow Pipit (1), Pied Wagtail (2), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare (c30), Song Thrush, Redwing (3), Mistle Thrush (3), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch (6), European Goldfinch (2), Yellowhammer (2).
Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls.
Common Chaffinch (female).
European Goldfinch.
At the Heronsgate side of Woodoaks Farm I discovered three Roe Deer feeding in scrub adjacent Shepherds Lane before being flushed.
Red Kite (2), Common Buzzard (1), Black-headed Gull (8), Herring Gull (c40), Great Black-backed Gull (4), Feral Rock Dove (2), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove (13), Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Eurasian Skylark (7), Meadow Pipit (1), Pied Wagtail (2), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare (c30), Song Thrush, Redwing (3), Mistle Thrush (3), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch (6), European Goldfinch (2), Yellowhammer (2).
At the Heronsgate side of Woodoaks Farm I discovered three Roe Deer feeding in scrub adjacent Shepherds Lane before being flushed.
Friday, 10 January 2014
Stockers Lake
A late afternoon visit in fading light produced the following species of note:-
Black Swan (1), Common Goldeneye (3), Red Kite (1), Red-crested Pochard (3 inc two drake), Ring-necked Parakeet (5), Common Kingfisher (1), Common Chiffchaff (2 inc one of the race tristis).
At Stockers Farm 4 Goldfinch were observed feeding on Burdock seed heads.
Chiffchaff tristis
Chiffchaff collybita
Both of the Chiffchaff were actively feeding among Crack Willow branches close the the water surface of the River Colne.
Black Swan (1), Common Goldeneye (3), Red Kite (1), Red-crested Pochard (3 inc two drake), Ring-necked Parakeet (5), Common Kingfisher (1), Common Chiffchaff (2 inc one of the race tristis).
At Stockers Farm 4 Goldfinch were observed feeding on Burdock seed heads.
Chiffchaff tristis
Both of the Chiffchaff were actively feeding among Crack Willow branches close the the water surface of the River Colne.
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm
An afternoon visit in cold, sunny conditions provided the following species of note:-
Little Grebe (1), Greylag Goose (39 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (116 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (3 Lynsters Farm), Common Teal (5), Northern Shoveler (2), Tufted Duck (3), Red Kite (2), Green Sandpiper (1), Water Rail (2, lone birds from Rotunda Hide and Clubhouse Hide), Common Kingfisher (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Cetti's Warbler (1 calling), Common Bullfinch (3 including two male at Long Hedge), Feral Rock Dove (c50).
Egyptian Goose
Greylag Goose
Northern Shoveler
Common Bullfinch
Little Grebe (1), Greylag Goose (39 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (116 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (3 Lynsters Farm), Common Teal (5), Northern Shoveler (2), Tufted Duck (3), Red Kite (2), Green Sandpiper (1), Water Rail (2, lone birds from Rotunda Hide and Clubhouse Hide), Common Kingfisher (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Cetti's Warbler (1 calling), Common Bullfinch (3 including two male at Long Hedge), Feral Rock Dove (c50).
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve, Lynsters Farm & Stockers Lake
A brief afternoon visit to the reserve with Steve Carter provided the following species of note:-
Canada Goose (130), Cackling Goose (1), Greylag Goose (38), Egyptian Goose (3), Feral Rock Dove (c100), Stock Dove (10) all present at Lynsters Farm viewed from Lynsters Hide, Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), European Goldfinch (2).
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii minima.
Canada Goose.
We then headed off to a rather wet and damp Stockers Lake where the causeway was flooded in many places. The flooded meadow at the west side of the causeway had attracted a Little Egret which we watched for some time.
Canada Goose (130), Cackling Goose (1), Greylag Goose (38), Egyptian Goose (3), Feral Rock Dove (c100), Stock Dove (10) all present at Lynsters Farm viewed from Lynsters Hide, Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), European Goldfinch (2).
We then headed off to a rather wet and damp Stockers Lake where the causeway was flooded in many places. The flooded meadow at the west side of the causeway had attracted a Little Egret which we watched for some time.
Friday, 3 January 2014
Chenies Bottom, Chess Valley
A late afternoon visit produced the following species of note:-
Little Egret (4), Red Kite (1), Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (1), Common Pheasant (1), Filedfare (3), Redwing (10).
Little Egret (4), Red Kite (1), Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (1), Common Pheasant (1), Filedfare (3), Redwing (10).
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm
An afternoon visit in very unsettled conditions provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (2), Great Cormorant (1over), Mute Swan (1), Greylag Goose (54 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (10 Lynsters Farm), Cackling Goose (1 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (2 Lynsters Farm), Common Teal (7), Mallard (9), Common Pochard (3), Tufted Duck (9), Common Buzzard (2), Green Sandpiper (1 Lynsters Farm), Water Rail (1), Common Moorhen (14), Eurasian Coot (16), Black-headed Gull (6 over), Feral Rock Dove (1 over), Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (8), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (3), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin (2), Common Blackbird (2), Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (2), Eurasian Siskin (26), Reed Bunting (2).
A distant Water Rail from Rotunda Hide.
Little Grebe from Sluice Hide.
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii minima at Lynsters Farm.
Little Grebe (2), Great Cormorant (1over), Mute Swan (1), Greylag Goose (54 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (10 Lynsters Farm), Cackling Goose (1 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (2 Lynsters Farm), Common Teal (7), Mallard (9), Common Pochard (3), Tufted Duck (9), Common Buzzard (2), Green Sandpiper (1 Lynsters Farm), Water Rail (1), Common Moorhen (14), Eurasian Coot (16), Black-headed Gull (6 over), Feral Rock Dove (1 over), Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (8), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (3), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin (2), Common Blackbird (2), Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (2), Eurasian Siskin (26), Reed Bunting (2).
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve and Lynsters Farm
A late afternoon visit produced the following species of note:-
Maple Lodge N.R:-
Little Grebe (1), Common Teal (4), Redwing (20), Eurasian Jay (1), Western Jackdaw (c150) pre roost gathering.
Lynsters Farm:-
Greylag Goose (47), Canada Goose (30), Stock Dove (1).
Maple Lodge N.R:-
Little Grebe (1), Common Teal (4), Redwing (20), Eurasian Jay (1), Western Jackdaw (c150) pre roost gathering.
Lynsters Farm:-
Greylag Goose (47), Canada Goose (30), Stock Dove (1).
Stockers Lake & Stockers Farm
My New Years birding began with an afternoon visit to Stockers Lake & Farm in sunny, mild conditions with the following species observed :-
Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Black Swan (1), Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard (pair copulating), Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Red-crested Pochard (pair), Common Goldeneye (4), Goosander (1 over briefly), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (6), Little Owl (1 Stockers Farm), Green Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Redwing (c20 Stockers Farm), Fieldfare, Chiffchaff (4), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin.
Along the bank of the River Colne a total of 4 Chiffchaff including one bird showing characteristics of the race tristis were observed feeding on flying insects in the winter sunshine.
House Sparrow at Stockers Farm
Chiffchaff probable race tristis at Stockers Lake
Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Black Swan (1), Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard (pair copulating), Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Red-crested Pochard (pair), Common Goldeneye (4), Goosander (1 over briefly), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (6), Little Owl (1 Stockers Farm), Green Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Redwing (c20 Stockers Farm), Fieldfare, Chiffchaff (4), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin.
Along the bank of the River Colne a total of 4 Chiffchaff including one bird showing characteristics of the race tristis were observed feeding on flying insects in the winter sunshine.
Chiffchaff probable race tristis at Stockers Lake
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