Friday, 4 May 2012
Cassiobury Park (30th April)
A summary of the Monday lunch time break birds included a showy male Blackcap, 1♂ Mandarin on the newly flooded meadows in the nature reserve, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jays, 1 Common Tern heading directly north without stopping and up to 4 Bullfinches. Other than the birds I also saw my first 2 Orangetips of the year and a Grass Snake swam across the canal towards the nature reserve. The highlight, came when I stumble across 2 Wheatear (1♂,1♀) at the eastern end of the football pitches, a rather unusual location as they are more often found near the wooden benches.
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Staines in the rain (29th April)
I was lucky enough to get another lift from my Mum to Staines Reservoir, as she often heads in the same direction on Sundays. Ironically, and as always, when the weather is bad the birding gets better. However, today, the weather was so bad at times that birding was made neigh impossible. I arrived at Staines at about 8:45am by which time the gusts of wind had already increased the wave height to the highest I have yet seen it at the Reservoirs. Anyway, the weather:
I arrived just before the regular Bob Andrews, and met up with Dave and Neil and together we were soon enjoying good views of an adult summer BLACK TERN (a year tick for me). Thanks to Niel who also pointed out the 4 LITTLE GULLS (1 2nd summer, 3 1st summers) battling through the strong gusts. Most of the birds were forced into the south westerly corner of the North Basin so we shelter behind a wind battered bramble bush near the westerly end of the causeway, were Bob, Niel and I remained for the remained of the day and early afternoon. As well as the 100's of ever present Black-headed Gulls (including the regular 1st winter bird with the abnormally large swollen yellow feet and tarsus), dozens of Common Terns and influx of 100's of Swifts, dozens of House Martins and lesser numbers of Swallows hawking over the water there was little of note until around midday.
As the wind picked up and our body temperatures fell, the birding didn't get much better, except for a new arrival in the form of a single Oystercatcher on the west bank of the north basin. Unfortunately, I missed both of Bob's Arctic Terns but checking the South bank of the causeway was good compensation as I quickly came across my first YELLOW WAGTAIL of the year (an adult male), 1 WHITE WAGTAIL (also male) and a single Little Ringed Plover, all within a few metres of one another. Very soon a summer plumaged Dunlin also flew in and landed with the Wagtails. I decided to walk further east along the bank in hope of getting some record shots. Fortunately, as well as getting some terrible shots, I also came across 2 summer plumaged BLACK NECKED GREBES, swimming west very close to the causeway.
- cloud 3/3 shade 1/3
- wind 2/3 later increased to 2-3/3
- temp. 0/3
- rain 2/3
one of the 1st summer Little Gulls
Swift
As the wind picked up and our body temperatures fell, the birding didn't get much better, except for a new arrival in the form of a single Oystercatcher on the west bank of the north basin. Unfortunately, I missed both of Bob's Arctic Terns but checking the South bank of the causeway was good compensation as I quickly came across my first YELLOW WAGTAIL of the year (an adult male), 1 WHITE WAGTAIL (also male) and a single Little Ringed Plover, all within a few metres of one another. Very soon a summer plumaged Dunlin also flew in and landed with the Wagtails. I decided to walk further east along the bank in hope of getting some record shots. Fortunately, as well as getting some terrible shots, I also came across 2 summer plumaged BLACK NECKED GREBES, swimming west very close to the causeway.
2 Black-necked Grebes, camera had a lot of condensation on it by this time so very hazy shots, but still very beautiful birds
Friday, 27 April 2012
Birding with a limp at Croxley Common Moor (27th April)
Straight after lecture, which finished at 15:10pm this afternoon I ran/ hobbled of to Croxley Common Moor, as I had smashed my knee cap into the flight of stone steps at school. Despite this lagging me down I arrived at the moor at c.15:40pm.
I headed straight across the moor from east to west, near the railway bridge (generally the most productive region). However, I could not locate anything except a few singing Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs Blackcaps. Several Reed Buntings were also present as were 2-3 Green Woodpeckers and a Pheasant calling from nearby the Gade River. I was limping back in the direction I had come when a Common Tern flew through followed by a text that Ian had located 5 Wheatear at Cassiobury Park (a potential first for me at the site). I decided to turn the situation around and up my momentum and no sooner had I put the phone away I located my first 2 SWIFTS of the year hawking over the southern edge of the moor, followed by another year tick in the form of 2 WHITETHROATS. I also nearly walking straight past my third year tick of the day, I just caught a glimpse of a brown bird perched in the open on a bramble bush and I quickly lifted my bins to reveal a stunning rufous ♀ CUCKOO! (maybe the day could be salvaged after all). It remained for some time perched in the open, before flying low across the ground and landing in a small tree on the opposite side of the River Gade, still in good view, allowing me to take some rubbish shots on my phone. Other birds of note, before a shower of rain set in were 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Jays, and several Swallows (up to 4). Next I received further news that Wheatears had been reported at the site earlier today, I assumed they would have taken land fall near the eastern extent of the moor, were the grass is shortest. Fortunately, luck was once again on my side and I bumped into 3 Wheatear (all stunning males, including a probable Greenlander). I retraced my steps again back to the western corner, when a shower of rain set in. Within minutes Wheatears were appearing all around me with a minimum total count of 8 Wheatear although I assume over 13+ were present in the nearby area. Even better, the rain also brought in a stonking ♂ WHINCHAT, a very pleasing find. It was mainly frequenting the central/northern edge of the moor, perching most of the time on long grasses or brambles (only once on the ground). I lost it several times due to interruptions from dog walkers, and as I was getting the message out but I did get occasional good views (although it wasn't very approachable). Other birds of note before I left at 17:50pm, included 4 Common Terns, many more Whitethroats (concentrated mainly near the river) and 2♂ Green Woodpeckers doing a stand-off, which involved swaying their necks from side to side in a threatening way to their opponent.
I still had to limp back through Watford to catch a bus and bypassed Cassiobury Park in hope of Ian's Wheatears. To my surprise all 5 Wheatear were still on the hill with the wooden benches, next to the cedar.
In all, a rather good days after-school birding.
CROXLEY COMMON MOOR
I headed straight across the moor from east to west, near the railway bridge (generally the most productive region). However, I could not locate anything except a few singing Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs Blackcaps. Several Reed Buntings were also present as were 2-3 Green Woodpeckers and a Pheasant calling from nearby the Gade River. I was limping back in the direction I had come when a Common Tern flew through followed by a text that Ian had located 5 Wheatear at Cassiobury Park (a potential first for me at the site). I decided to turn the situation around and up my momentum and no sooner had I put the phone away I located my first 2 SWIFTS of the year hawking over the southern edge of the moor, followed by another year tick in the form of 2 WHITETHROATS. I also nearly walking straight past my third year tick of the day, I just caught a glimpse of a brown bird perched in the open on a bramble bush and I quickly lifted my bins to reveal a stunning rufous ♀ CUCKOO! (maybe the day could be salvaged after all). It remained for some time perched in the open, before flying low across the ground and landing in a small tree on the opposite side of the River Gade, still in good view, allowing me to take some rubbish shots on my phone. Other birds of note, before a shower of rain set in were 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Jays, and several Swallows (up to 4). Next I received further news that Wheatears had been reported at the site earlier today, I assumed they would have taken land fall near the eastern extent of the moor, were the grass is shortest. Fortunately, luck was once again on my side and I bumped into 3 Wheatear (all stunning males, including a probable Greenlander). I retraced my steps again back to the western corner, when a shower of rain set in. Within minutes Wheatears were appearing all around me with a minimum total count of 8 Wheatear although I assume over 13+ were present in the nearby area. Even better, the rain also brought in a stonking ♂ WHINCHAT, a very pleasing find. It was mainly frequenting the central/northern edge of the moor, perching most of the time on long grasses or brambles (only once on the ground). I lost it several times due to interruptions from dog walkers, and as I was getting the message out but I did get occasional good views (although it wasn't very approachable). Other birds of note before I left at 17:50pm, included 4 Common Terns, many more Whitethroats (concentrated mainly near the river) and 2♂ Green Woodpeckers doing a stand-off, which involved swaying their necks from side to side in a threatening way to their opponent.
CASSIOBURY PARK
I still had to limp back through Watford to catch a bus and bypassed Cassiobury Park in hope of Ian's Wheatears. To my surprise all 5 Wheatear were still on the hill with the wooden benches, next to the cedar.
In all, a rather good days after-school birding.
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Staines Reservoir (22nd April)
Thanks to my mum, I was given a lift down to Staines Reservoir, where I hoped to catch up with a few of the specialties from the past few days, including Little Gull, Whimbrel, Arctic Terns and White Wagtail and perhaps an early Swift.
The turnout was rather different as to what I had imagined. One of the first birds I encountered was a fledgling Pied Wagtail on the north western edge of the south basin (my first fledgling of the year). Although 1 Little Gull had been seen in the morning I unfortunately arrived to late to connect with the bird. However, many of the commoner birds were present, including 2 Redshank, plenty of Common Terns, and a few scatterings of wildfowl, including Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal and Shoveler. Later on 3 Mallard chicks also swam past (my second fledglings of the year, spring and summer seem to arrive earlier here than in west Hertfordshire). The legendary Bob Warden (a daily visitor to the Res's and a privilege to meet and talk to) pointed out a near summer plumage MEDITERRANEAN GULL on the south basin. The other birder whom I was with also pointed out what initially appeared to be 2 Ringed Plovers, however, through the heat haze it was very difficult to tell. Wisely we decided to approached a little closer along the causeway only to discover they were infact 2 LITTLE RINGED PLOVERS (a year tick). Other birds of note included a very small passage of 4+ Swallows. Bob once again proved his skill by pointing out a very distant probable SANDWICH TERN flying south across King George VI Reservoir, unfortunately, like many birds at these reservoirs it was too distant to confirm but its jizz seemed to suite Sandwich. I also tried my luck and was very pleased to point out some new arrivals from the south west in the form of 3 WHIMBREL, which flew straight to the west bank of the north basin where they remained for about 20 minutes feeding along the grass edge and on the concrete sides before leaving.
I also found 2 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS (both 3rd summers) which also flew in from a similar direction as the Whimbrel but departed very soon. Some other birds of note included 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel followed by 2 Reed Buntings on the metal fence. Another highlight for the day was a stunning ♂ WHITE WAGTAIL (a year tick) and indeed a very welcome sight as I haven't seen one for a very long time. On my return, the last thing I saw was a Peacock Butterfly sunning in the middle of the causeway.
- cloud 0-1/3 shade 0-1/3
- wind 1-2/3
- temp. 2/3
The turnout was rather different as to what I had imagined. One of the first birds I encountered was a fledgling Pied Wagtail on the north western edge of the south basin (my first fledgling of the year). Although 1 Little Gull had been seen in the morning I unfortunately arrived to late to connect with the bird. However, many of the commoner birds were present, including 2 Redshank, plenty of Common Terns, and a few scatterings of wildfowl, including Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal and Shoveler. Later on 3 Mallard chicks also swam past (my second fledglings of the year, spring and summer seem to arrive earlier here than in west Hertfordshire). The legendary Bob Warden (a daily visitor to the Res's and a privilege to meet and talk to) pointed out a near summer plumage MEDITERRANEAN GULL on the south basin. The other birder whom I was with also pointed out what initially appeared to be 2 Ringed Plovers, however, through the heat haze it was very difficult to tell. Wisely we decided to approached a little closer along the causeway only to discover they were infact 2 LITTLE RINGED PLOVERS (a year tick). Other birds of note included a very small passage of 4+ Swallows. Bob once again proved his skill by pointing out a very distant probable SANDWICH TERN flying south across King George VI Reservoir, unfortunately, like many birds at these reservoirs it was too distant to confirm but its jizz seemed to suite Sandwich. I also tried my luck and was very pleased to point out some new arrivals from the south west in the form of 3 WHIMBREL, which flew straight to the west bank of the north basin where they remained for about 20 minutes feeding along the grass edge and on the concrete sides before leaving.
a very distant record shot of the 3 Whimbrel
I also found 2 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS (both 3rd summers) which also flew in from a similar direction as the Whimbrel but departed very soon. Some other birds of note included 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel followed by 2 Reed Buntings on the metal fence. Another highlight for the day was a stunning ♂ WHITE WAGTAIL (a year tick) and indeed a very welcome sight as I haven't seen one for a very long time. On my return, the last thing I saw was a Peacock Butterfly sunning in the middle of the causeway.
Peacock butterfly, fortunately no-body accidentally stood on it (so far)
Local Patch (21st April)
FIELDS BEHIND THE RSSKL
The day started with 1 Swallow and 1 Buzzard being mobbed by 3 very distant probable House Martins (a potential year tick for the local patch).
WHIPPENDELL BOTTOM
I was hoping to re-encounter the Little Owls but I have only been successful at this site on two occasions so it wasn't a surprise not to see any. In compensation, I saw 1 Red Kite together with 3 Buzzards, 1 flyover Linnet and 2 Stock Doves. Unfortunately the field east of Chipperfield now grows wheat instead of Pees so there was very little hope of last years repeat with the singing male Yellow Wagtails.
SCATTERDELLS WOOD
Next, I decided to head back on a round walk through Scatterdells Wood, bypassing the horse fields where all I found of note was 1 Green Woodpecker. The only birds of note at Scatterdells were flyovers which were glimpsed through the canopy, these included 1 Buzzard and 1 Swallow. 2 Blackcaps were also in the wood.
BARNES LANE
Barnes Lane was equally unproductive with the highlights being another Buzzard, 4 Linnet, 1-2 Skylarks and a LITTLE OWL perched nearby to the usual spot in the poplar avenue.
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Paxton Pits with the Hemel RSPB group (14th April)
A small group of us from the Hemel RSPB group including myself and my brother Ephraim set out for Paxton Pits in Cambridgeshire.
We arrived by car at about 9:25am and even before we had got our shoes on to head around the reserve we were enjoying the sight of 2 Sparrowhawks circling over the car park. Soon after entering the reserve footpath we were greeted by the song of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and several singing Blackcaps. From the Hayden Hide we enjoyed good views of Grey Herons and Cormorants making close and regular flights past the window allowing good photographic opportunities. We saw our first Swallow of the day fly over the East Scrub followed by 1 Stock Dove. The highlight undoubtedly came when we arrived at Wray House Gardens were all the group were able to listen to the rich song of a NIGHTINGALE singing from some deep cover. The photographer whom we met there was particularly keen to lure it out with his sound recording and soon it flashed past us before landing only metres from where we were stood. During our stay, it did several circuits of the Gardens and on several occasions showed very well for a brief period of time. Unfortunately, the photographer did over exploit his use of playing sound recordings and despite getting some excellent views he persisted in playing them which seemed to agitate the bird considerably. Moving on, we noted 2 Green Woodpeckers calling from the nearby woodland followed by 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. We all continued north towards the Washout Pit in the hope of finding our first waders of the day, however there was little mud and our chances of finding any were slim. In compensation, we found 6 Goldeneye diving and resting near the centre of the Lake. The surrounding hedgerows hosted 2 Bullfinches and later even a pair of mating Reed Buntings. On our return back to the visitor centre, we bypassed some arable farmland just outside the extent of the reserve boundaries. Here we saw 2 Red-legged Partridges, several Linnets and singing Skylarks displaying over their territory, whilst I picked up on 3 Buzzards circling in the distance. Our final stop along the Heron trail was at Rory's Wood and the Sailing Lake were we all had excellent views of a Treecreeper collecting nest material on the lower trunk of a tree and we found our first wader species of the day at the sailing Lakes in the form of 2 Lapwings. The islands were covered by at least 350+ nesting Black-headed Gulls amongst which we also found 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a nesting Greylag Goose and a hybrid Greylag×Canada Goose cross. Another highlight was the sight of an Oystercatcher chasing a Lesser Black-backed Gull from its nesting site out of view on the opposite side of the island. Just before we got back to the visitor centre we saw our first House Martin of the day (a year tick) whilst I got a short glimpse of a Muntjac Deer dive through a wooden fence before disappearing from view.
Whilst the rest of the group stopped of at the Visitor Centre for midday I continued south on the Meadow Trail to the Hayling Pit. The first bird of note was a Sparrowhawk which flew directly over my head towards the Hayling Pit. At the Pit itself, I heard my first singing Reed Warbler of the year. As the wind freshened up a small party of hirundines came in including 2 House Martins, 1 Swallow and my first Sand Martin of the year. It was rather quite before the rest of the Hemel group joined me at the Hayling Pit. However, as we approached the south western corner of the pit a CETTI'S WARBLER burst into song. Despite waiting for some time none of us were able to get a view of the bird and it only gave a burst of song every two or three minutes making it even more difficult to locate. The final birds of the day included a total of 4 Swallows flying north across the meadows 1 sparrowhawk and 1 Oystercatcher flying north across the Hayling Pit.
HERON TRAIL
We arrived by car at about 9:25am and even before we had got our shoes on to head around the reserve we were enjoying the sight of 2 Sparrowhawks circling over the car park. Soon after entering the reserve footpath we were greeted by the song of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and several singing Blackcaps. From the Hayden Hide we enjoyed good views of Grey Herons and Cormorants making close and regular flights past the window allowing good photographic opportunities. We saw our first Swallow of the day fly over the East Scrub followed by 1 Stock Dove. The highlight undoubtedly came when we arrived at Wray House Gardens were all the group were able to listen to the rich song of a NIGHTINGALE singing from some deep cover. The photographer whom we met there was particularly keen to lure it out with his sound recording and soon it flashed past us before landing only metres from where we were stood. During our stay, it did several circuits of the Gardens and on several occasions showed very well for a brief period of time. Unfortunately, the photographer did over exploit his use of playing sound recordings and despite getting some excellent views he persisted in playing them which seemed to agitate the bird considerably. Moving on, we noted 2 Green Woodpeckers calling from the nearby woodland followed by 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. We all continued north towards the Washout Pit in the hope of finding our first waders of the day, however there was little mud and our chances of finding any were slim. In compensation, we found 6 Goldeneye diving and resting near the centre of the Lake. The surrounding hedgerows hosted 2 Bullfinches and later even a pair of mating Reed Buntings. On our return back to the visitor centre, we bypassed some arable farmland just outside the extent of the reserve boundaries. Here we saw 2 Red-legged Partridges, several Linnets and singing Skylarks displaying over their territory, whilst I picked up on 3 Buzzards circling in the distance. Our final stop along the Heron trail was at Rory's Wood and the Sailing Lake were we all had excellent views of a Treecreeper collecting nest material on the lower trunk of a tree and we found our first wader species of the day at the sailing Lakes in the form of 2 Lapwings. The islands were covered by at least 350+ nesting Black-headed Gulls amongst which we also found 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a nesting Greylag Goose and a hybrid Greylag×Canada Goose cross. Another highlight was the sight of an Oystercatcher chasing a Lesser Black-backed Gull from its nesting site out of view on the opposite side of the island. Just before we got back to the visitor centre we saw our first House Martin of the day (a year tick) whilst I got a short glimpse of a Muntjac Deer dive through a wooden fence before disappearing from view.
MEADOW TRAIL AND HAYLING PIT
Whilst the rest of the group stopped of at the Visitor Centre for midday I continued south on the Meadow Trail to the Hayling Pit. The first bird of note was a Sparrowhawk which flew directly over my head towards the Hayling Pit. At the Pit itself, I heard my first singing Reed Warbler of the year. As the wind freshened up a small party of hirundines came in including 2 House Martins, 1 Swallow and my first Sand Martin of the year. It was rather quite before the rest of the Hemel group joined me at the Hayling Pit. However, as we approached the south western corner of the pit a CETTI'S WARBLER burst into song. Despite waiting for some time none of us were able to get a view of the bird and it only gave a burst of song every two or three minutes making it even more difficult to locate. The final birds of the day included a total of 4 Swallows flying north across the meadows 1 sparrowhawk and 1 Oystercatcher flying north across the Hayling Pit.
Kings Langley Woods and a local MEGA probable BLACK KITE in the fields behind the RSSKL (13th April)
KINGS LANGLEY WOODS
- cloud 1-2/3 shade 0-1/3
- wind 0/3
- temp. 1-2/3
FIELDS BEHIND THE RSSKL
- cloud 1/3 shade 1/3
- wind 1/3
- temp. 2/3
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