West Hyde and Maple Cross

A morning out in the snow conducting belated WeBS counts at West Hyde produced the following species:-
Troy Mill G.P:-
Great-crested Grebe (2), Great Cormorant (3), Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (20), Eurasian Wigeon (6), Gadwall (6), Mallard (12), Common Pochard (2), Tufted Duck (36), Common Moorhen (4), Eurasian Coot (395), Black-headed Gull (40), Common Gull (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull (3), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren (1), European Robin (1), Common Blackbird (1), Fieldfare (1), Blue Tit (1), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie (1).
North Troy G.P:-
Great-crested Grebe (3), Great Cormorant (3), Mute Swan (1), Eurasian Wigeon (4), Gadwall (32), Mallard (4), Mallard Hybrid (1), Northern Shoveler (6), Common Pochard (1), Tufted Duck (27), Eurasian Coot (44), Black-headed Gull (2), Common Gull (1), Woodpigeon (1), Wren (1), Song Thrush (1), Blue Tit (1).
Helicon/Pynesfield G.P's (40% Ice cover):-
Great-crested Grebe (3), Great Cormorant (1), Mute Swan (4), Eurasian Wigeon (92), Gadwall (8), Mallard (4), Northern Shoveler (8), Common Pochard (15), Tufted Duck (42), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Eurasian Coot (66), Black-headed Gull (41), Common Gull (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Great Black-backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (5 including a colour ringed bird with an orange ring with black inscription on left leg and BTO metal ring on right leg), Wren (1), European Robin (1), Song Thrush (1), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Common Magpie (1), Carrion Crow (1).
Denham Way, Maple Cross:-
At least 7 Bohemian Waxwing were again present in the same area as yesterday feeding on Cotoneaster in a garden opposite the recreation ground. At least one of the birds was colour ringed and I hope to get some news on this bird if possible.

                                                   Waxwing on Cotoneaster.

                                                    A ringed bird with grey ring on right leg.

      

Waxwing at Denham Way, Maple Cross

Chris Bessant discovered a small flock of Waxwing this morning at Denham Way feeding on Rosehip and Cotoneaster. She then kindly informed Steve Carter who then rang me and so early this afternoon I got out for a bit and photographed them. A total of 6 birds were present during my visit but up to 8 birds had been seen.

  

Birding the patch

A morning out and about birding the local patch with Steve Carter provided the following species of note:-

Chalfont Road area, Maple Cross
Common Buzzard (1), Red Kite (1), Common Kestrel (1), Northern Lapwing (40), Eurasian Skylark (c20 feeding among stubble), Meadow Pipit, Eurasian Nuthatch (1), Yellowhammer (c30).
Mammals:-
Stoat (1) crossed Chalfont Road.
Woodoaks Farm:-
Common Buzzard (1), Eurasian Golden Plover (51) settled briefly on winter wheat before becoming agitated and mobile, Meadow Pipit (2), Fieldfare (12).
Bury Lake:-
Red-crested Pochard (4), Eurasian Wigeon (9), Common Goldeneye (12).
Stockers Lake:-
Common Goldeneye (1), Red Kite (1), Reed Bunting (female), Siskin (c50).  

                                          Golden Plover at Woodoaks Farm

                                       
                                                                Redwing at Bury Lake.

The Redwing above was sporting unusual plumage in the fact that the right flank was very pale compared to the rufous left flank.

Stockers Farm, Bury Lake & Stockers Lake

A mid-afternoon visit in freezing conditions with much of the water frozen on both lakes produced the following species:-
Stockers Farm:-
Little Owl (1 in hawthorn on flooded field), Northern Lapwing (6), Green Woodpecker (1), Fieldfare (10 including a leucistic bird), Redwing (2), Common Starling (100+).
Bury Lake:-
Eurasian Wigeon (6), Red-crested Pochard (2 pairs), Common Goldeneye (11).
Stockers Lake:-   
Common Teal (9), Common Goldeneye (3), Common Kingfisher (1 along grand union canal), Eurasian Nuthatch (1).

                                          Red-crested Pochard at Bury Lake

                                          Fieldfare at Stockers Farm

Scotsbridge Mill, Chess Valley Walk

The weather had turned a little warmer and brighter this afternoon with much of the snow now melting turning the well trodden footpath into muddy slush. The River Chess was still flowing fast although the council have now repaired the breach in the bank that recently caused the footpath to flood. On reaching the footbridge I crossed the river and followed the chess valley walk towards Loudwater Lane. I then returned along the footpath passing the grounds of the masonic school to my right.
Species observed of interest as follows:-
Grey Heron (1), Little Egret (3), Water Rail (1), Common Pheasant (8 inc a male bird), Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Mistle Thrush (2), Western Jackdaw (20), Eurasian Bullfinch (3 male), European Goldfinch (4).

                                          Little Egret feeding among the watercress.

Woodoaks Farm, Stockers Farm & Stockers Lake

A mid-afternoon visit in cold but calm conditions with Steve Carter produced the following species of note:-
Woodoaks Farm:-
Common Buzzard (1 feeding on earth worms on winter wheat field), Collared Dove (36 in old orchard), Fieldfare (c50 on pasture above old orchard).
Stockers Farm:-
Common Teal (7 on flooded field), Ring-necked parakeet (3), Mistle Thrush (3 feeding on field above paddock), House Sparrow (7 in hawthorn).
Stockers Lake:-
Eurasian Wigeon (2), Common Goldeneye (8), Water Rail (1 calling from reeds at the east side of the lake), Eurasian Nuthatch (3 including 2 birds visiting bird table).




 

West Hyde Gravel Pits

 A brief afternoon visit to the Gravel Pits of West Hyde provided the following species of note:-
Troy Mill G.P :-
Little Egret (1), Eurasian Wigeon (2), Common Kingfisher (1), Common Treecreeper (1), Goldcrest (2), European Goldfinch (4). 
Helicon G.P:-
Goosander (male), Sparrowhawk (male).
Pynesfield North G.P:-
Eurasian Wigeon (19).