Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A late afternoon visit to the Rotunda Hide provided the following species of note:-
Common Teal (11), Water Rail (1), Cetti's Warbler (singing male), European Greenfinch (2), Reed Bunting (1). The Water Rail showed well and at times was too close to photograph from the hide.

Stockers Lake & Bury Lake

An early morning visit to conduct a wetland bird survey provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe (7), Great Cormorant (13), Grey Heron (2), Black Swan (1), Mute Swan (34), Canada Goose (6), Eurasian Wigeon (15), Gadwall (16), Hybrid Mallard (3), Mallard (23), Northern Shoveler (29), Common Pochard (147), Tufted Duck (237), Red-crested Pochard (3), Common Moorhen (12), Eurasian Coot (293), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Black-headed Gull (40), Lesser Black-backed Gull (3), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (5), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Pied Wagtail (2), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch.

Broadwater Gravel PIt

I visited mid-afternoon in sunny, mild conditions and followed the footpath along the River Colne eventually reaching the yacht club. Here the skies darkened rapidly and before too long I was caught in a heavy shower of rain and ended up completely drenched. The return leg back along the canal side of the lake towards the causeway was uncomfortable. I was surprised how over-grown the causeway had become and I had to force my way through some thick undergrowth to finally return to the Colne side of the lake. Before heading off home I stopped briefly to warm myself up at a huge bonfire that the fisherman had gratefully left behind.
A full list of species observed as follows:-
Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Egret (15), Grey Heron, Mute Swan (pair present with at least one large cygnet), Greylag Goose (45), Canada Goose, Gadwall, Common Teal (4), Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Water Rail (heard only), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Red Kite (2), Common Buzzard (1), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Kestrel (1), Northern Lapwing (13), Common Snipe (5), Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Common Kingfisher (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (5), Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff (1), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (7), Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch.


   

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A late afternoon visit began at the Rotunda Hide where a very obliging Water Rail fed among the reeds close to the hide. Out on the water four Common Teal fed in the shallows while overhead a single Red Kite passed by. From the Shell Hide two Little Grebe and an adult and juvenile Great Crested Grebe were noted before I headed off home. I bumped into one of our members during my visit who informed me of an Osprey that had been seen early afternoon at Broadwater Gravel Pit. Hopefully the bird will remain in the area and maybe visit the reserve. 

                                                            Water Rail Rallus aquaticus.

Raptor galore at West Hyde

An afternoon visit in sunny, mild conditions provided the following species of note:-
Red Kite (4), Common Buzzard (7), Eurasian Hobby (2), Common Skylark (2), Yellowhammer (17).

                                          Eurasian Hobby hawking insects low over the fields.

                                                              Displaying Red Kite.

West Hyde

An early afternoon visit in mild conditions provided the following species of interest:-
Red Kite (1), Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (3), Eurasian Hobby (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Northern Wheatear (2), Common Stonechat (2).

                                                              Common Stonechat.

                                                               Northern Wheatear.