08-01-17 Broadwater Lake Nature Reserve

An afternoon visit with fog hanging low over the water provided the following species:-

Little Grebe (4), Great Crested Grebe (5), Great Cormorant (60), Little Egret (1), Grey Heron (5), Mute Swan (3), Greylag Goose (1), Canada Goose (2), Eurasian Wigeon (20), Gadwall (6), Common Teal (5), Hybrid Duck (1), Mallard (14), Northern Shoveler (2), Common Pochard (35), Tufted Duck (240), Common Goldeneye (3), Goosander (male on River Colne), Common Moorhen (13), Eurasian Coot (145), Northern Lapwing (40), Red Kite (1), Black-headed Gull (300), Common Gull (2), Herring Gull (4), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Great Black-backed Gull (6), Woodpigeon (7), Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (2), Grey Wagtail (2), Wren (6), Dunnock (4), European Robin (7), Common Blackbird (5), Song Thrush (1), Cetti’s Warbler (2), Common Chiffchaff  (4), Siberian Chiffchaff (1), Goldcrest (9), Long-tailed Tit (17), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie (3), Western Jackdaw (5), Carrion Crow (6), European Goldfinch (11).

At the north end of the lake I discovered a Siberian Chiffchaff which was wearing a metal ring on its leg. It busily fed on flying insects from Crack Willows that overhang the River Colne. The plumage of the bird was much paler and more grey looking than the Common Chiffchaff that were also present. The River Colne at this particular location acts as the county boundary and so this bird can be added to both the London and Hertfordshire lists.

                              Siberian Chiffchaff  Phylloscopus collybita tristis.

                                                           Grey Wagtail.

 At the south end of the lake a Cetti's Warbler gave fantastic views as it fed among an area of dogwood that overhangs the river bank. This area is fantastic for insectivores with Goldcrest, Common Chiffchaff  and Tits all observed catching flying insects. This also happens to be where HS2 will eventually cross the River Colne so it's days, I'm very sad to say, are numbered.

                                                    Cetti's Warbler

 

 

05-01-17 Woodoaks Farm

A very brief visit provided close views of a Little Owl which was present below the old orchard warming itself in the winter sunshine.

05-01-17 Stockers Lake

A late morning visit provided the following species:-

Great Crested Grebe (11), Great Cormorant (22), Grey Heron (3), Mute Swan (17), Eurasian Wigeon (107), Gadwall (98), Common Teal (4), Mallard (8), Northern Shoveler (134), Common Pochard (8), Tufted Duck (82), Red-crested Pochard (12), Common Goldeneye (10), Smew (redhead), Red Kite (3), Water Rail (2), Common Moorhen (4), Eurasian Coot (455), Northern Lapwing (1), Black-headed Gull (35), Common Gull (2), Herring Gull (11), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Woodpigeon (28), Collared Dove (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (4), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Common Kingfisher (1), Wren (3), Dunnock (2), European Robin (4), Common Blackbird (6), Song Thrush (1), Long-tailed Tit (10), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (3), Eurasian Nuthatch (1), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie (4), Western Jackdaw (1), Carrion Crow (6), House Sparrow (1), Common Chaffinch (1), European Greenfinch (2), Eurasian Bullfinch (1), European Goldfinch (3), Eurasian Siskin (4).

In front of the Shoveler Hide a redhead Smew was observed fishing tight to a Crack Willow covered island while at the south end of the lake a gathering of Red-crested Pochard busily dived for weed.

02-01-17 The London Wetland Centre WWT

A late morning visit in sunny but cold conditions produced the following species:-

Little Grebe (1), Great Crested Grebe (2), Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose (9), Canada Goose (2), Egyptian Goose (2), Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Northern Pintail (pair), Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Water Rail (1), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Common Snipe (1), Northern Lapwing (51), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove (1), Feral Rock Dove (8), Woodpigeon (8), Ring-necked Parakeet (13), Green Woodpecker (2), Water Pipit (1), Cetti’s Warbler (1), Dunnock (1), European Robin (5), Common Blackbird (2), Redwing (1), Blue Tit (8), Great Tit (6), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie (5), Western Jackdaw (4), Carrion Crow (6), Common Starling (1), Common Chaffinch (1), European Goldfinch (1).

From the Peacock Tower overlooking the flooded meadow a single Water Pipit was observed busily searching for food amongst the grasses. Prior to my visit a couple of Great Bittern had been observed in flight before disappearing into the reeds.

New Years Day at Maple Lodge

An early morning visit to the reserve provided the following species:-

Little Grebe (2), Great Cormorant (1 over), Grey Heron (1), Common Teal (13), Mallard (38), Hybrid Mallard (2), Tufted Duck (5), Egyptian Goose (2), Common Moorhen (12), Eurasian Coot (3), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (male), Black-headed Gull (1), Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon 5), Green Woodpecker (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Wren (4), Dunnock (5), European Robin (15), Common Blackbird (9), Redwing (19), Song Thrush (1), Goldcrest (5), Long-tailed Tit (16), Blue Tit (7), Great Tit (12), Common Magpie (4), Western Jackdaw (200 leaving night roost), Rook (1 over), Carrion Crow (3), Common Chaffinch (5), European Goldfinch (4), Eurasian Siskin (6).

The Jackdaw roost is usually located at the north end of the reserve in the Grey Poplars with over 1000 birds present some evenings. 

From Lynsters Hide the following species were observed at Lynsters Farm:-

Greylag Goose (4), Canada Goose (12), Egyptian Goose (1), Eurasian Wigeon (46), Common Buzzard (2), Black-headed Gull (55), Common Magpie (21), Grey Heron (1), Stock Dove (3), European Robin (2), Western Jackdaw (80), Rook (20), Herring Gull (1), Common Moorhen (3), Woodpigeon (2), Common Blackbird (2), Mistle Thrush (2), Pied Wagtail (27).