Stanwell Moor & Staines Reservoir

A late morning visit to Stanwell Moor in sunny but very windy conditions produced the following species of note:-
Little Grebe (3 on river), Little Egret (3), Shelduck (1 over), Northern Pintail (pair over), Common Pheasant (male), Common Kestrel (female), Sparrowhawk (male), Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Green Woodpecker (2), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Eurasian Skylark (2), Meadow Pipit (4), Eurasian Jay (1),
Fieldfare (3). A buff-tailed Bumblebee was also observed, a very early record.
The footpath leading to the moor is flooded and in a terrible state and even with wellingtons I still managed to get covered in mud.
I then popped up to Staines Reservoir where the following species were noted:-
Little Grebe (1), Eurasian Wigeon (74), Common Teal (21), Northern Shoveler (c50), Greater Scaup (female), Common Goldeneye (9) all on north basin. A male Reed Bunting was flushed from the causeway and 15 Lapwing were present on the south basin. 
    

Tring Reservoirs

A late afternoon visit provided the following species of note:-
Wilstone Reservoir
Annoyingly very little seen as survey work was being conducted and involved an outboard motor cruising about flushing the waterfowl.
Marsworth Reservoir
Little Grebe (2), Red-crested Pochard (5 including 2 drake), Common Kestrel (1),
Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Water Rail (2), Common Kingfisher (1).
Disappointingly the roost of Corn Bunting didn't show and may have been put off by the strong windy conditions.

                                          Red-crested Pochard (male).

                                          Red-crested Pochard (female).


Startops Reservoir
Greylag Goose (61), Red Kite (1), Grey Wagtail (1).

                                          Grey Wagtail.

 
 

Springwell Reedbed

A late afternoon visit to conduct a count at dusk provided the following species of note:-
Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Little Egret (9 over heading south), Water Rail (4 calling birds), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Reed Bunting (10 roosting).

                                          Sunset at Springwell Reedbed.

A good afternoon birding

A late afternoon visit to Springwell Gravel Pit produced the following species:-
Little Grebe (1), Great Cormorant (2), Gadwall (2), Mallard (3), Common Pochard (11), Tufted Duck (23), Common Goldeneye (female), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Moorhen (2), Eurasian Coot (121), Black-headed Gull (40), Woodpigeon (11), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Wren (1), European Robin (1), Common Blackbird (5), Song Thrush (1), Redwing (1), Cetti's Warbler (1), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie (3), Western Jackdaw (over), Carrion Crow (1), Common Chaffinch (3).
The Cetti's Warbler was observed feeding among the reeds and crack willow on the overgrown river bank about ten feet past the red life ring.

                                         
                                                 Cetti's Warbler at Springwell Gravel Pit

I then had to head off back to Maple Cross to pick up my daughter and while waiting in Denham Way I noted 5 Bohemian Waxwing opposite number 74.
I then received news from Sir Geoff Lapworth that the male Smew and Great Bittern were again showing at Stockers Lake, so off I went. The light was beginning to fade on my arrival and I found most of the water still locked in ice. A small area of open water remained in front of the Shoveler hide and it was here I caught up with the "white nun".

                                                           The white nun in fading light.

It was time to go home and so making my way back along the riverside footpath I happened across the Great Bittern doing what comes naturally, Bitterning!
 

                                                     A very poor shot of the Bittern at Dusk.


    



   

No show Bittern but Waxwings perform

A brief morning visit to Stockers Lake with Steve Carter in search of last nights Great Bittern produced little reward with no sign of it apart from a single feather lieing among the reeds. A Common Kingfisher did appear briefly as it buzzed by on it way up river. As my partner in crime wasn't feeling too good we curtailed out outing and headed off back to Maple Cross. On arriving at Denham Way we noticed a small flock of Waxwing sitting in the tree tops opposite number 74. We parked up for a better look and counted 10 birds in total and even managed to take a few shots. A noisy bus passing by spooked the birds in to flight and they disappeared over the roof tops. After dropping off Steve I then travelled around the estate and relocated the flock at Chalfont Road outside number 17 feeding on Cotoneaster, a favoured food source. The birds didn't really settle and soon departed, briefly landing on a Silver Birch at the top of Maple Lodge Close before disappearing from view over the Franklins Estate. I then made a brief visit to Bury Lake where 38 Northern Shoveler were sat on the ice. On returning home I received a message from Geoff Lapworth stating that the Bittern did eventually show although very briefly before taking to the air and flying off in the direction of Maple Cross!

Early risers

While enjoying a hot cup of tea in my kitchen while watching the birds on my garden feeders 2 Red Kite appeared low overhead and spooked the lot!

Great Bittern at Stockers Lake

A Great Bittern that was first reported yesterday was showing well late this afternoon on the River Colne.
Following the river from the coach works end of Stockers Lake and passing the bench the bird was showing well on the far bank of the river opposite the large reedbed.

                                                                        

       

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

A brief afternoon visit produced the following species of note:-
Maple Lodge N.R
Gadwall (44 on clubhouse lake), Common Buzzard (1), Water Rail (1 from teal hide boardwalk).
Lynsters Farm
Greylag Goose (11), Canada Goose (114), Egyptian Goose (11), Eurasian Wigeon (2), Western Jackdaw (c200), Rook (4).
Mammals:-
Red Fox (1 on cattle field).
I then headed off to the gravel pits of West Hyde where the following species of note were encountered:-
Troy Mill G.P
Eurasian Wigeon (23), Common Kingfisher (1), European Goldfinch (10).
Tilehouse North G.P
Goosander (male).
 

Stockers Lake & Bury Lake

A brief afternoon visit with Steve Carter produced the following species of note:-
Bury Lake (80% ice cover)
Common Goldeneye (7).
Stockers Lake (90% ice cover)
Common Goldeneye (8), Ring-necked Parakeet (4), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Reed Bunting (female).

                                                               Goldeneye at Bury Lake

                                                                    Stockers Lock
                                                     

Maple Lodge and Lynsters in the snow

A very brief visit to Maple Lodge N.R to conclude my WeBS counts for Lynsters G.P produced the following species of note:-
Greylag Goose (7), Canada Goose (102), Egyptian Goose (7), Pheasant (male), Skylark (1 feeding with geese), Western Jackdaw (c50), Rook (5), all viewed from Lynsters Hide.

A few wintry shots of Maple Lodge Nature Reserve:-

 

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).

RSPB Rainham Marshes

A day spent at the RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve and River Thames with my daughter Emily provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (4), Great Cormorant, Grey Heron (1), Little Egret (2), Mute Swan (2), Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Common Shelduck (30), Eurasian Wigeon (c40), Gadwall, Common Teal (200+), Mallard, Northern Pintail (8), Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Western Marsh Harrier (female), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Kestrel (pair), Peregrine Falcon (2), Common Pheasant (male), Water Rail (1 calling), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, European Golden Plover (c50), Northern Lapwing (c500), Dunlin (c200), Common Snipe (20), Eurasian Curlew (1), Common Redshank (2), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Ring-necked Parakeet (8), Green Woodpecker (1), Meadow Pipit (4), Pied Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, European Stonechat (pair), Common Blackbird, Fieldfare (1), Cetti's Warbler (2), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Starling (c100), House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Reed Bunting (5).

                                                       The rather colourful visitor centre.

                                                        European Stonechat (male).

                                                        European Stonechat (female).

  

Broadwater G.P Nature Reserve

A mid-afternoon visit to Broadwater G.P with my daughter Emily provided the following species:-
Great-crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Eurasian Wigeon (7), Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Shoveler (17), Common Pochard (c50), Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye (7), Goosander (3 inc pair on River Colne), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull (4), Lesser Black-backed Gull (22), Herring Gull (20+), Woodpigeon, Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Common Chiffchaff (6), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (2), Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Siskin (2), European Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll (1).

Out and about my local patch

An afternoon visit around my local patch provided the following species of note:-
Woodoaks Farm:-
Common Buzzard (2), Collared Dove (25 in old orchard), Woodpigeon (32), Redwing (c10), Fieldfare (c40), Goldfinch (4).
Bottom Wood:-
Red Kite (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2).
Hornhill Road, Maple Cross:-
Sparrowhawk (mobbed by 2 Carrion Crow).
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve:-
Green Sandpiper (1 from Rotunda Hide), Green Woodpecker (2 from Rotunda Hide), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Eurasian Jay (2).
Lynsters Farm:-
Greylag Goose (8), Egyptian Goose (15), Common Buzzard (1), Rook (4).
Lynsters Gravel Pit:-
Canada Goose (48).
 
 

Scotsbridge Mill, Chess Valley Walk

My daughter and I arrived late morning in mild, calm conditions and observed the following species of note:-
Grey Heron (2), Little Egret (2), Common Buzzard (2), Common Kestrel (1), Common Pheasant (1), Water Rail (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (3), Eurasian Jay (1), European Goldfinch (4), European Greenfinch (5).
We then headed off to Mill Farm, Chenies, Bucks where from the bridge we observed the winter plumaged Great Egret feeding on the water meadow to the east just inside the Bucks boarder.
On arriving home I received a call from Joan Thompson informing me that she had discovered a flock of Waxwing at Oaklands Avenue, South Oxhey. Some thirty minutes or so later we were viewing 16 Waxwing from the back garden of a very obliging resident, a fitting end to a wonderful days birding.
  
  

WWT London Wetland Centre

A family visit to the London Wetland Centre, Barnes produced 3 new species for the year.

From the Wildside Hide a magnificent Eurasian Bittern was present in the phragmites reed and was viewed from the upper deck of the hide. Many thanks to the kind gentleman who let my ten year old daughter use his telescope to view a new lifer. I can remember how excited I was viewing my first Bittern many years ago at Stockers Lake. From the main centre I briefly noted a single Reed Bunting feeding on the seed heads of the Phragmites and a male Mandarin was observed overhead.

The pinioned Waterfowl collection held Common Goldeneye and Smew and I was fortunate to get a few close up shots to add to the blog. I also gained superb views of a pair of Little Grebe sporting winter plumage.

                                          Smew (male).

                                         Smew (female AKA redhead).

 

                                         Goldeneye (male).

                                          Goldeneye (female).

                                         Egyptian Goose (wild).

                                         Little Grebe.

Local birding New Years Day

I began the day with a mid-morning visit to Maple Lodge Nature Reserve and Lynsters Farm where the following species were encountered:-
Little Grebe (2), Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (2), Greylag Goose (9 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (49 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (11 Lynsters Farm), Eurasian Wigeon (2 Lynsters G.P), Gadwall (15), Common Teal (18), Mallard (8 including a copulating pair), Northern Shoveler (1), Tufted Duck (38), Common Buzzard (1 mobbed by Carrion Crow), Common Moorhen (4), Eurasian Coot (21), Green Sandpiper (1 Lynsters Farm), Black-headed Gull (c100 over from sewage works), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1 over), Herring Gull (1 over), Feral Rock Dove (c50 Lynsters Farm), Stock Dove (4 plus c30 Lynsters Farm), Woodpigeon (2), Collared Dove (1 Maple Lodge Close), Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Green Woodpecker (pair), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Meadow Pipit (11 Lynsters Farm), Pied Wagtail (2 over), Wren (1), Dunnock (2), European Robin (3), Common Blackbird (2), Song Thrush (2), Redwing (2), Goldcrest (1), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie (5), Western Jackdaw (c80 Lynsters Farm), Carrion Crow (5), House Sparrow (2 Maple Lodge Close), Common Chaffinch (16), Eurasian Siskin (7), Lesser Redpoll (6).

                                         Green Woodpecker (female) from Rotunda Hide.

After an early lunch I headed off with my daughter to Stockers West (Inns Lake) where the male Goosander was again seen although tucked up tight in to the far bank not giving great views.
Then on to Stockers Farm where I added Starling to my list before moving on to Stockers Lock and Stockers Lake where the following species were encountered:-
Snow Goose (1 of presumed captive origin with 23 Canada Geese on Grand Union Canal below Stockers Lock), Great-crested Grebe, Great Cormorant (18), Common Pochard, Common Goldeneye (13 inc 5 male), Common Kestrel (female), Northern Lapwing (7), Common Gull (6).
Finally at Bury G.P a singing male Goldfinch provided the last addition to my new years list.

                                         Snow Goose on Grand Union Canal.

Apparently there has been a bit of a debate going on as to whether this bird might in fact be a Ross's Goose. My own opinion is that there is no doubt that it is a Snow Goose. To me the head shape, long chin, bill length and thickness of dark band on gape of bill is characteristic to that of Snow Goose, but I will let you decide yourself.

                                         Tufted Duck (male) at Stockers Lake.

                                         Common Pochard (pair) at Stockers Lake.