Maple Lodge in the snow

Steve Carter and I headed off to the reserve in heavy snow where we spent a couple of hours at the Clubhouse Hide. Below is a photographic record of some of the species encountered.

                                          Pheasant (hen).

                                          Pheasant (cock and hen).

                                          Ring-necked Parakeet.

                                          Long-tailed Tit.

                                          Robin.

                                          Fox.

                                          Fox on the run.

                                          Are you looking at me?

Waxwings arrive in Mill End

A total of 21 Waxwing were present throughout the day at the south end of Chiltern Drive where it meets Shepherds Lane in Mill End. A very mobile flock actively feeding on many varieties of berries. This area still holds a good crop so I expect the birds to remain for a few more days at least!


A couple of record shots of the Waxwing flock present at the Chiltern Drive/Shepherds Lane junction this afternoon.

Reed Buntings at Maple Lodge Close

I have been unable to get out and bird the last couple of days but after returning home this afternoon from a family commitment I noted 3 Reed Bunting in scrub behind my house. A male and 2 female birds present in Dog Rose accompanied by several House Sparrow. On paper this is an ideal spot for the odd Waxwing to drop in and feast on the abundant rose-hips so I will continue to keep an eye on this area!

Aldenham Country Park

A late morning early afternoon visit to Aldenham Country Park with fellow birder and good friend Steve Carter produced the following species list;
Little Grebe (3), Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Wigeon (c100), Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Smew (2 adult female), Mandarin (10 including 7 drake),
Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush (1), Redwing (2), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit (calling bird in wooded area), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper (1), Nuthatch (1), Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin.
Later a visit to Bury Lake produced 7 Red-crested Pochard including 5 drake.

                                          Mandarin (drake) at Aldenham Country Park.

                                          Mandarin (pair) at Aldenham Country Park.

                                          Smew (female) at Aldenham Country Park.

                                          Wren at Aldenham Country Park.

                                          Mute Swan at Aldenham Country Park.

Stockers Farm, Stockers Lake & Bury Lake

From Stockers pumping station I made my way through the farm to Stockers Lake & Bury Lake.
At Stockers Farm I noted 2 Little Owl in a large Crack Willow and 3 Lapwing present on the flooded field (now dry). At Bury Lake, which had 80% ice coverage, 6 Red-crested Pochard (inc 4 drake) were present on open water at the north end.
At Stockers Lake, also with 80% ice coverage, I noted an adult male Smew that was busily diving for food at the east side of the lake with at least 5 drake Goldeneye and c100 Shoveler also present.

                                          Smew (adult male) at Stockers Lake

Early morning at Maple Lodge

With much of the reserve frozen over and the only remaining open water present at the Clubhouse Lake waterfowl numbers were lower than usual.
Species counted as follows;

Little Grebe (2), Cormorant (1 over), Mute Swan (2), Teal (4), Mallard (4), Shoveler Duck (2), Pochard (2), Tufted Duck (1), Moorhen (42), Coot (65), Pheasant (3), Kestrel (1), Black-headed Gull (2 over), Woodpigeon (34), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird (3), Fieldfare (2 over), Redwing (1 over), Goldcrest (2), Long-tailed Tit (7), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper (1), Jay (2), Magpie, Jackdaw (over), Carrion Crow, House Sparrow (several at Maple Lodge Close), Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin (c100 very mobile flock).
A count of selected species observed at Lynsters Farm went as follows;
Canada Goose (2), Egyptian Goose (2), Stock Dove (3), Jackdaw (c100), Rook (5).

West Hyde

An afternoon visit to the Gravel Pits of West Hyde produced the following species of note;
Troy Mill G.P
Little Grebe (1), Little Egret (1), Kestrel (male), Water Rail (2), Common Gull (3), Herring Gull (c90), Lesser Black-backed Gull (5), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Jay (1), Siskin (2).
North Troy G.P (Helicon G.P)
Ice coverage was quite extensive on the lake today and I observed a colour ringed Herring Gull at rest on the ice. The ring was yellow and was present on it's left leg with a metallic ring on it's right leg.
The inscription on the colour ring was just visible and may have been 1682? or 1652?