PICCOTTS END OSPREY

Local birder DAN FORDER could hardly believe his eyes when he discovered this juvenile OSPREY at Piccotts End Fish Farm on Sunday 21 September 2008. During the course of the following week, he was able to obtain these terrific images of the bird, both in flight and perched on its favourite fir tree. Two images also show the landscape.

Just outside the Tring Reservoirs Recording Area, a juvenile OSPREY is present for its 8th consecutive day at Piccotts End Fish Ponds. It is a particularly confiding individual and has been visiting the ponds up to four times per day - in the early morning, late morning, between 1300 and 1400 hours and again late afternoon. It generally flies in from the NE and glides low over the pools, searching for a prized Carp to plunge upon. It has been catching up to three fish a day and on most occasions, flies towards Varney's Wood with its catch and utilises an assortment of dead trees on the slope above Leighton Buzzard Road to feed.

It also favours a tall Leylandii Conifer in the large garden of Gaddesden Hall in which to roost, where it affords some outstanding views from the footpath adjacent. Unfortunately, the owners of the fish farm (L. Cura & Sons) are far from impressed with their new resident and are making their best efforts to scare the bird away from their expensive Carp.

ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS

Park carefully in Piccotts End village (just north of Hemel Hempstead on the A4146) and walk along Leighton Buzzard road past the Garden Centre to Noakes Mill Lane. Follow the lane for 400 yards to Gaddesden Hall and then follow the public footpath SE for 200 yards to view the private fish ponds from the gap in the hedgerow and fence.

Two LITTLE EGRETS are also present, along with a GREEN SANDPIPER, 2 COMMON KINGFISHERS and a WHINCHAT. I also saw a late HOBBY here on 28th.

HAWFINCH brightens up an otherwise quiet morning on the hills

SUNDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

IVINGHOE HILLS NR

(0900-1100)

Once again, it was the Beacon and Steps areas which were deviod of fog for much of the morning but unlike yesterday, migrants were few and far between.

The undoubted highlight was a male HAWFINCH which flew over Steve Rodwell and Peter Nash at 0937 flying towards Inkombe Hole. It hit the fog bank however and halted and was seen very well in isolated trees adjacent to the gate and stile at the top of the Hole from 0950 to at least 0953 (see photograph above). It then flew back towards the Top Scrub and called several times in flight as it bounded low over the bushes (LGRE).

Two LESSER REDPOLLS also flew over, along with 4 SISKINS and 2 GREY WAGTAILS.

A number of JAYS were once again present, including a single flock of 9, as well as 6+ BLACKCAP and 15+ COMMON CHIFFCHAFFS.

Two COAL TITS were also still present, with Green Woodpecker and 4 BULLFINCHES also seen.

Steve Rodwell also saw two COMMON STONECHATS, with single males on Steps Hill and near the Beacon.

28 SEPTEMBER 2008

SUNDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2008

PITSTONE HILL

2 NORTHERN WHEATEARS, 36 Skylarks, 34 Meadow Pipits and an adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL with 120 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in fields in the vicinity (Steve Rodwell)

WILSTONE RESERVOIR

LITTLE EGRETS - 2 still, both flying off to roost towards Tringford at 1825

Mute Swans - now alarmingly down to 19

WHOOPER SWANS - pair still

NORTHERN PINTAIL - 7 still present

Northern Pochards - up to 86

WATER RAIL still

EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER (12)

COMMON SANDPIPER (1)

Common Snipe (2)

*RUFF - juvenile still present

COMMON KINGFISHERS (2)

Grey Wagtails (3)

Pied Wagtails (19 flew to roost)

YELLOW WAGTAIL (1) (DB)

BARN SWALLOWS - 23 near Wilstone Great Farm

27 SEPTEMBER 2008 - VISIBLE MIGRATION OVER IVINGHOE HILLS WHILST EVERYWHERE ELSE WAS FOGBOUND

TODAY'S IMAGES

The view across the Chiltern Hills this morning showing the extent of the fog and the clear summit of Ivinghoe Hills (Dave Bilcock)

Three FIRECRESTS were present with a mobile Goldcrest flock (Bob Duckhouse/Dave Hutton)

Large numbers of Goldfinches remain, with an influx of both Jays and Song Thrushes (Mike Lawrence)

SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2008

At 0800 hours, birding in the vicinity of Amersham was out of the question, as dense fog was covering the entire region. Likewise, the Aylesbury Vale and Tring Area were equally out of bounds, so it was with some surprise to hear Dave Bilcock inform me of a Grey Plover that Mike Wallen had seen fly over Ivinghoe Beacon at 0720 hours. However, on speaking direct to Dave, I was amazed to hear that the very tip of the Beacon and the Top Scrub was completely clear......and more to the point, full of migrants.

I immediately made my way up and arrived shortly prior to 0900 hours.

IVINGHOE HILLS NR (0900-1100 hours)
(Dave Bilcock and Mike Wallen were both present, whilst I spent some time birding with Steve Rodwell)

Although clusters of dense fog drifted in and out during the period I was present, the Beacon, Top Scrub and upper slope of Steps Hill were largely clear, with blue skies and warm sunshine. Vismig was quite impressive, and amongst the highlights were 8 migrant Coal Tits, 3 Firecrests, large numbers of Song Thrushes and a large throng of mobile Jays.

For the first half hour, at least 107 HOUSE MARTINS graced the summit, commuting between the clear Beacon (where many were resting on the wires and perching on Hawthorns) and the scrubby area opposite the main car park. Some 25 BARN SWALLOWS were also associating with them.

In the tall Beech trees that border the road and the scrub between the car park and Steps Hill, a total of 8 different 'migrant' COAL TITS were encountered, at least two of which had bluish-grey upperparts and a striking white nape patch indicative of the migrant continental nominate form 'ater'.

Further migrants included 25 Goldcrest, amongst which were 3 FIRECRESTS, all actively moving along the line of mist on the upper reaches of Steps Hill (DB had also seen a single FIRECREST in scrub opposite the car park), as well as at least 17 BLACKCAPS and a single LESSER WHITETHROAT.

Equally impressive were the number of JAYS and CONTINENTAL SONG THRUSHES present. There were at least 27 of the former, with a tight flock of 12 birds constantly circling high above the scrub and attempting to fly out into the fog. After every attempt, they returned to the Top Scrub. Song Thrushes seemed everywhere, with their 'ticking' coming from every other Hawthorn bush as they flew out of cover. Numbers were difficult to estimate, but involved at least 30 birds.

MW and DB had also earlier recorded TREE PIPIT (4 flyovers) and REDWING (5 birds), whilst MW had seen a GREY PLOVER fly west at 0720 hours.

More resident 'fare' included 88 Goldfinch, 2+ Bullfinch, 2 MARSH TITS, 3 Common Treecreepers and Linnet, with 2 Magpies overhead, Skylark passage totalling 12 birds, Meadow Pipits 23 and Chaffinches 25. Three Mistle Thrush were also noted.

Woodpigeon 'vizmig' included 9 at 0948 (flying high SW), with 4 SISKINS.

There was much butterfly activity in the sunshine, with large numbers of Speckled Woods seen, and a few Red Admirals.

27 SEPTEMBER 2008

Juvenile Ruff - present on Wilstone Reservoir for its third day - and only the SECOND Ruff recorded at the reservoirs in 2008

SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2008

WILSTONE RESERVOIR (2 visits; 1100-1300 & 1700-1900; with Steve & Vicky Rodwell)

It was not until virtually midday that the fog started to clear and allow clear visibility. It then gradually got warmer, peaking at an above average high of 72 degrees C. There was no wind.

Great Crested Grebes - 19
Little Grebes - 8
LITTLE EGRETS - 2 remain present
Mute Swans - just 22 remain
WHOOPER SWANS - the adult pair remain in residence, today having a fallout with one of the male Mute Swans in front of the hide. They succeeded in seeing him off.
Eurasian Wigeon - 142
Common Teal - 238
Gadwall - 11
*NORTHERN PINTAIL - all 7 birds again present, favouring the 'SW quarter'.
Tufted Duck - 72
Northern Pochard - 53
RUDDY DUCK - 3

Lapwing (250+)
EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER - 2 early on increased to 11 by evening
RINGED PLOVER - 1 mobile bird remaining
RUFF - the juvenile still present (for its 3rd day) - a male on size. On mud well right of hide.
COMMON SANDPIPER - 2 together on mud by the new overflow
Common Snipes - 4

WATER RAIL - adult still
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL - 2 adults flew east

COMMON KINGFISHER (2)
BARN SWALLOW - flock of 13 flew through eastwards at 1240

Stock Dove (3)
Meadow Pipits (12 over)

**ROCK PIPIT - both RH and DB saw what they believed to be a Rock Pipit briefly in flight.

MARSH TIT - a ringed individual was feeding on thistle heads adjacent to the footpath between Cemetery Corner and the gate to the boathouse early morning, the first record in over 12 months at the location (Roy Hargreaves).

26 SEPTEMBER - OSPREY SPENDS 15 MINUTES OVER WILSTONE

FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

WILSTONE RESERVOIR

Much to Dave Bilcock's chagrin, yet another OSPREY circled the reservoir today - spending just over 15 minutes in view - and once again, superbly photographed by local birder Derek Girvan (see images above).

The bird came into view at around 1220 and circled the reservoir for the next 15 minutes. It appeared as if it wanted to fish. It was harassed in turn by Jackdaws, a Red Kite and then Black-headed Gulls and eventually dropped out of view from those 5 or so people in the hide behind the trees of the central causeway. It was not seen to reappear but presumably gained height and flew away to the SW (Derek Girvan et al).

The juvenile RUFF was still present, along with just 2 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS (Derek Girvan)

25 SEPTEMBER 2008

Francis Buckle discovered this flock of 8 Black-tailed Godwits today, along with a juvenile Ruff (Dave Bilcock)

THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2008

WILSTONE RESERVOIR

Today's highlight was a flock of 8 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS and a juvenile RUFF, feeding and resting on islands to the left of the Drayton Bank Hide.

The two EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVERS remained, as did 2 LITTLE EGRETS, the 2 WHOOPER SWANS and 5 PINTAIL. The PEREGRINE visited again briefly.

Francis Buckle, Dave Bilcock, Steve Rodwell, et al

24 SEPTEMBER 2008

WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2008

A day of cool NE winds, bringing intermittent rain and heavy cloud.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR
(Evening visit, with Steve Rodwell)

Great Crested Grebes - 19
Little Grebe - 8
Sinensis Cormorant - 34 (with 3 dead birds - reasons unknown)
WHOOPER SWANS - 2 adults still
Eurasian Wigeon (163)
Common Teal (228)
Gadwall (21)
NORTHERN PINTAIL - all 5 birds still present
Northern Shoveler (41)
Tufted Duck (57)
Northern Pochard (39)

Lapwing - slight increase to 527 birds
*EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER - NEW ARRIVALS - 2 birds in with the Lapwings on the mud
COMMON SANDPIPER still present
COMMON SNIPE - 1 on mud
RINGED PLOVERS - 2 present for their second day (SR)

WATER RAIL - adult showing

COMMON KINGFISHER

Common Starlings - flock of 108 on plough by Cemetery Corner

Common Gulls - 5+ (SR)

STONECHATS - glorious STONECHATS

TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2008

An increasing NE wind pushing down thick cloud, with the odd heavy shower. Temperatures still holding up.


IVINGHOE HILLS NATURE RESERVE

STONECHATS, glorious STONECHATS. All EIGHT COMMON STONECHATS were still present today, showing well along the fenceline just along from the Sheep Pens - the largest gathering this year (and present since Friday).

23 SEPTEMBER 2008

TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2008

An increasing NE wind pushing down thick cloud, with the odd heavy shower. Temperatures still holding up.

TRING RESERVOIRS
(1500-1800 hours, the latter period spent with Dave Bilcock and Steve Rodwell)

Startopsend Reservoir: a nice muddy margin appearing, allowing for waders and crakes - a full inventory revealed 5 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Mute Swans (2 cygnets) (with 4 more adults on the adjacent Grand Union Canal), 22 Northern Shovelers, 5 Tufted Duck, 33 Common Coot, 10 Moorhen, Grey Wagtail, 8 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail and a Common Chiffchaff.

Marsworth Reservoir: 6 Great Crested Grebes (including the two small stripey young), adult drake Northern Pochard and two vocal CETTI'S WARBLERS. An expanse of mud is appearing by the overflow.

Tringford Reservoir: 8 Great Crested Grebes (including a first-winter), 6 adult Mute Swans, 4 Northern Shovelers and 31 Common Coots.

Wilstone Reservoir: much mud and islands again visible, particularly at the west end.

Great Crested Grebes - 17 present including a first-winter
Little Grebes - 8 still
Sinensis Cormorants - 40 roosting
LITTLE EGRET - 2 remain
Mute Swans - just 31
WHOOPER SWAN - adult pair still
Eurasian Wigeon - 122
Common Teal - 236
*GARGANEY - still present early morning (DB only)
Gadwall - 11
Northern Shoveler - 61
*NORTHERN PINTAIL - 5 remain
Tufted Duck - 58
Northern Pochard - 38+
RUDDY DUCK - 2 adult drakes, an adult female and 1 juvenile

**PEREGRINE - one flew through at 1729 hours flushing all of the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls. It flew off strongly north (DB, LGRE)

Common Buzzard - 1

Lapwings - click-counted 516 birds
Moorhens - 79+
*WATER RAILS - 2 adults near Cemetery Corner (SR, LGRE)
Common Coot - 388+
Common Gull - 1 sub-adult
Black-headed Gulls - 303+
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 9

COMMON KINGFISHER
BARN SWALLOW - 15 flew east across reservoir at 1725

22 SEPTEMBER 2008

Wildfowl are now very much the order of the day, with large numbers of wintering birds now freshly arrived on Wilstone Reservoir. Many drake Gadwalls are now in full plumage after moulting out of eclipse (see Sue Tranter's images above)

A fairly calm day, with light to moderate winds. Dry and cloudy with temperatures reaching 60 degrees F.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR

Great Crested Grebe (18)
Little Grebe (5+)
Mute Swans (27+)
WHOOPER SWANS - both adult pair remain
Eurasian Wigeon (168+)
Common Teal (225+)
Gadwall (11)
Northern Pochard (31+)
Northern Shoveler (45+)
COMMON SANDPIPER - 1 still present
*MOORHENS - 84 still present

MARSWORTH RESERVOIR

Great Crested Grebe (pair with two small stripey young)
CETTI'S WARBLER - vocal individual in reeds