Birding Tring Reservoirs

First PINTAIL

2012-01-29T20:02:00.003Z

A drake PINTAIL was seen on Wilstone today, the first I have heard of this year

Today's Highlights

2012-01-28T22:21:00.000Z

This morning on Startops the Snow Bunting was still present and the male Goosander was also there briefly. At Wilstone the Water Pipit was on the bank between the car park and overflow. The Brent Goose was in the field by the cemetery track with Greylags and Canadas. Two Little Egrets were about and the male Goosander dropped in from Startops. The male Goosander is certainly mobile – I have seen it at College Lake, Wilstone and Startops and presumably the same bird was seen over Broughton (Roy Hargreaves)

John Foster's images from today in the vicinity

2012-01-28T20:12:00.002Z

John got some nice new shots of our overwintering young DARK-BELLIED BRENT GEESE, along with a record of the Sinensis Cormorants in the sole remaining tree on the bund, one of the 40 or so Lapwings and a drake Northern Pochard of which there was a major influx of overnight

Finally caught up with the GOOSANDER

2012-01-28T20:08:00.001Z

SATURDAY 28 JANUARY

A rather grey start and very cold. The wind turned northerly, pegging temperatures right back but the light conditions improved later, with some bright periods. I spent most of the day birding Buckinghamshire........

First off, yet another dead Badger - this one on the A355 Amersham Road just north of Beaconsfield by Birchen Spring SU 952 922

CHURCH WOOD RSPB, HEDGERLEY (BUCKS)
(0800-1000 hours)

Put in a long stint at prime time and in calm conditions but no sight nor sound of the male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen here yesterday; in fact, no woodpeckers whatsoever....

I did see the following though - 2 Nuthatches, 3 Common Treecreepers, 15 Redwing, Great, Blue & Long-tailed Tits, Jay, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, 2 Bullfinches, Greenfinch, 15 SISKINS, 2 singing male Song Thrushes and Grey Squirrels.

HILLMOTT'S WOOD, HEDGERLEY (BUCKS)

Highlight here was undoubtedly the COMMON CROSSBILL flock - 15 birds including 9 adult males in both deciduous and conifer trees to the west of the road. The flock were very vocal and easy to see, especially if walking along the public footpath that leads through the wood to the pines.

Also noted were 4 SISKINS, several LESSER REDPOLLS, 2 Jays, 8 Red Kites including a very confiding bird perched in a dead tree in the wood, Wren, Long-tailed, Blue & Great Tits, 2 Nuthatches, 2 Common Treecreepers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Common Buzzard and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.

HOGBACK WOOD, BEACONSFIELD (BUCKS)

No sign of any Firecrests this morning but Great Spotted Woodpecker, 90 Woodpigeons, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 50 Redwings and Green Woodpecker

CHESHAM FISHING LAKES (BUCKS)

The pair of GREAT CRESTED GREBES on the smaller lake are the earliest back I have ever known in my Recording Area. Chris Pontin first recorded them over a week ago. The male is in full breeding plumage.

Coots numbered 16 and Tufted Duck 19, whilst a party of 20 SISKINS was feeding in the Alders. A Green Woodpecker was 'yaffling' from neighbouring trees

HIGH SCRUBS, NEAR TRING (HERTS)

At Kiln Farm (SP 929 086), a Mistle Thrush flew across the road

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

Since my visit yesterday, overnight had seen a few changes: two LITTLE EGRETS were roosting with 4 Grey Herons on the Drayton Bank, 2 Little Grebes were present, Great Crested Grebes had increased to 13, 5 Mute Swans were present, Northern Pochard had increased to an impressive 164 and a Grey Wagtail flew over. Best of all though, I finally connected with the cracking adult drake GOOSANDER that has been present for a while.

On the nearby Dry Canal and Wendover Arm, I was quite surprised to see a pair of Mute Swans still accompanying 5 of their last year's young - all harmoniously feeding together as a kind couple walking their dog threw them a whole container worth of food pellets. Six Coots were also present on this stretch of the canal (by Bridge 5 at Drayton Beauchamp).

The farmland here also produced 2 Yellowhammers and 4 Eurasian Skylarks.

BROUGHTON TROUT POOLS (BUCKS)

The pools hosted a single Great Crested Grebe and 4 Shovelers but the adjacent sedge beds were still very dry and consequently harboured no snipes of any species.

WOTTON UNDERWOOD LAKE (BUCKS)
(permit access only)

Wildfowl numbers included 5 Mute Swans, 397 Atlantic Canada Geese, 4 Common Teal, 2 Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, 22 Tufted Duck, 10 Wigeon, 3 Northern Pochard and 11 GOOSANDERS (including three adult drakes).

CALVERT BBOWT LAKE (BUCKS)

Made two separate visits this afternoon. Viewing from the first hide, noted 4 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Cormorants, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Little Grebe and 28 Coots. Checking the late afternoon pre-roost with Steve Rodwell and Warren Claydon, counted 24 Great Black-backed Gulls from the second hide, along with 125 Herring Gulls (largely argentatus), just 35 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 19 Common Gulls and about 300 Black-headed Gulls.

Went away and in the meantime, SR and WC located an ICELAND GULL. I returned with Graham Smith towards dusk and quickly located two different immature ICELAND GULLS from the first hide within a mammoth roost (the gulls had been forced on to the BBOWT by shooting). One Iceland Gull was a quite pale, dark-eyed and blue-based billed 2nd-winter-type whilst the other was a dark biscuit coloured juvenile - so dark that it suggested kumlieni but without seeing detail in the primaries in poor light, not possible to ascertain with any degree of confidence

Nearby at EDGCOTT, Graham and I witnessed a superb murmuration of at least 5,000 Common Starlings - flying round and round prior to roosting.

GALLOWS BRIDGE (BUCKS)

Two COMMON RAVENS were seen in the usual hide field whilst at dusk (1700 hours), a SHORT-EARED OWL appeared over the field adjacent to the access road (thanks to Rod Scaife for directions).

No sign of the drake Goosander today

2012-01-27T19:23:00.000Z

FRIDAY 28 JANUARY

A glorious day weatherwise. Following an overnight frost, the day was dominated by clear blue skies and sunshine, with an increasingly biting NW wind and cold temperatures

I spent today locally with a few target birds but managed to miss most things.......

SCHOOL LANE, OLD AMERSHAM (BUCKS)

I returned to the stubble field first thing, mainly in the hope of connecting with a pair of Common Ravens that had been displaying in the vicinity. Despite prime conditions, they failed to turn up.

The YELLOWHAMMER flock was still going strong, with 124 still present and showing well on the 'deck'. Also mixed in with them were 8 Goldfinches and a few Chaffinches, whilst the flock of 60 Eurasian Skylark were still in the stubble. Two MEADOW PIPITS were new, whilst 8 Common Starlings, 3 Song Thrushes and 5 Stock Doves were also encountered.

Red Kites were very numerous, with at least 8 hunting the stubble, including an individual with wing-tags - a number 7 on both tags with the left one bright yellow with a bright red border and the right one pink. Several Common Buzzards were also in the vicinity.

SHARDELOES LAKE AND MARRODS BOTTOM (BUCKS)

My first visit in a while and not much change - 5 Little Grebes, just 1 adult and 1 of last year's young Mute Swans on view, 75 Atlantic Canada Geese, 11 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck (2 drakes), 61 Coot and an adult Grey Heron. The gull flock yielded 8 Argenteus Herring Gulls (an adult and 7 first-years) and 44 Rooks were back at the rookery.

A further 36 Rooks were back at the rookery at Winchmore Hill, whilst the Beech trees at Marrod's Bottom produced 60 Chaffinches, 5 BRAMBLINGS and a Nuthatch. Kevin Holt and I had pondered for years about where the Penn Wood Bramblings go by day and Dave Cleal came up with the answer. It seems that these Beeches west of Great Beard's Wood are attracting some of them.

TRING (HERTFORDSHIRE)

Red Kites were everywhere today, including 3 circling low over Station Road in Tring.

THE TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTS)

My main aim for visiting the reservoirs was to see the drake Goosander that Roy, Mike C, Steve, Dave B and others had seen during the last week but despite searching hard, I could find no sign of it. With good weather, I fully censused the water birds present............

WILSTONE RESERVOIR held just 6 Great Crested Grebes, no Mute Swans, 70 Greylag Geese, 83 Atlantic Canada Geese, the first-winter DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE (very mobile today, flying about a fair bit), 22 Mallard, 12 Gadwall, 257 Eurasian Wigeon, 320 Common Teal, no Shoveler, 66 Tufted Duck, 68 Northern Pochard and 728 Coot. I could only find 1 drake Common Goldeneye.

Otherwise, 4 Sinensis Cormorants were attending nests in the remaining bund tree, 38 Lapwings were at the edges, a Green Woodpecker was in the north hedgerow, the North Fields harboured 38 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 96 Common Starlings and a male Chaffinch and the hide area 2 Wrens and 2 Great Tits.

A male Muntjac and 2 Chinese Water Deer were also at the reed edge.

STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR was where all of the Mute Swans were lurking with 31 counted (including 9 first-years), along with 1 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 313 Coot, 92 Mallard, 15 Wigeon, 9 Gadwall, 41 Tufted Duck and an impressive 98 Northern Pochards.

The first-year male SNOW BUNTING was putting on a particularly good show in the sunshine, showing down to just 10 feet on the stony beach - always in the vicinity of the steps at the NW end.

TRINGFORD harboured a further pair of Mute Swans with MARSWORTH yielding the only Shovelers - 35 of them - a further 3 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Pochard and my first Red Fox of the year; 3 Goldfinches too.

COLLEGE LAKE BBOWT (BUCKS)

After the excitement of last Sunday, proceedings were back to normal today with little to see - and no sign of Wednesday's Egyptian Goose.

The rollcall included 10 Mute Swans (1 first-year), 18 Wigeon, 1 drake Gadwall, 1 drake Pochard, 24 Tufted Duck, the usual pair of RED-CRESTED POCHARDS on the west bank of the deep lake, 44 Coot, 20 Lapwing and 2 COMMON SNIPE.

I then decided to move on to BEDFORDSHIRE where I had planned to add several species to that counties' year list of mine. That proved disastrous though and in the end, I managed to locate just 1 target bird.

SOUTHCOTT VILLAGE, LINSLADE (BEDS)

the ageing RING-NECKED PARAKEET of unknown origin was sleeping in its usual tree hole at the westernmost of the 6 trackside trees 75 yards beyond the gate following the dogleg in the footpath. This area also held 6 Yellowhammers, Goldcrest, 30 Rooks and 4 Rabbits.

At STEWARTBY LAKE, it was as barren as I have seen it in July, with no sign of the wintering Common Sandpiper and just 12 Pied Wagtails on the Sailing Club green.

The BROOM GP/DEREK WHITE'S COMPLEX was little better, with no sign of the Common Shelduck at any of 5 locations and just drake Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 1 Little Grebe and 50 Lapwings of note at the latter. Likewise, not a sniff of a Golden Plover flock and no Barn Owls at several sites too. Most notable was a Common Starling roost of some 400 birds in tall Leylandii at TOP HOUSE FARM, BEADLOW (at TL 104 385).

Little change at the resses

2012-01-25T18:03:00.000Z

This morning the DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE was in a field adjacent to the usual field – next to the farm shop. The WATER PIPIT was between the jetty and the north corner.

The water level is still rising to the point that the jetty spit has all but been submerged and the water is fairly close to the reed beds (Roy Hargreaves)

MEGA: LITTLE AUK at College Lake

2012-01-23T19:12:00.002Z

Sarah, one of the BBOWT wardens, noticed this first-winter LITTLE AUK on the main lake at College Lake shortly after 1500 hours and immediately contacted Paul Reed. Paul immediately broadcast the news and over the next two hours of light, some 25 or so local birders managed to connect. I happened to be in Hampshire finishing off my Round Britain tour but thanks to Paul and the staff, arrived at 1640 hours and was able to get over 20 minutes worth of viewing at just 10 yards range ! What a bird and my first for the Tring Recording Area and Buckinghamshire. Roy Hargreaves obtained the shot above.

The bird was still present early Monday morning but quickly succumbed to the interest of a Carrion Crow. It was killed pretty rapidly.

Drake GOOSANDER on Wilstone - 15 January

2012-01-23T17:29:00.002Z

15 January - WATER PIPIT showing well but flighty. Seen near jetty and car park bank. Dapper drake GOOSANDER also present…see image above (Dave Hutchinson).

SNOW BUNTING pics from today - Peter Brazier

2012-01-11T21:23:00.001Z

SNOW BUNTING again present

2012-01-11T19:21:00.001Z

Despite being missing for the past 3 days, Ryan Clark and others relocated the SNOW BUNTING today traversing both the Herts and Bucks side of Startop's End Reservoir........

WATER PIPIT still

2012-01-10T20:07:00.001Z

TUESDAY 10 JANUARY

Another very mild day with temperatures reaching 12 degrees C. Dry too, with some bright periods. Negligable wind.

Steve Blain's chiffchaff find was my main target bird of the day and Water Pipit......

STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR (HERTS)

Quickly responding to Roy's posting, I drove over to Startop's and checked the north bank. No sign of the Water Pipit nor of the Snow Bunting - the latter obviously now gone. The House Sparrow flock (13 birds) was back at Startop's Farm and a fortuitous meeting with Andy Grimsey provided me with an update on the pipit - it was back in its usual place on Wilstone......

WILSTONE RESERVOIR (HERTS)

Minutes later I was upon the east bank of Wilstone and after a couple of sweeps of the bank, caught the WATER PIPIT in flight as it was flushed by a dogwalker from the bay immediately north of the jetty. It flew a short way to Cemetery Corner, where it joined 3 Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail. I got closer to it and then enjoyed excellent views as it walked further and further away from the mud and into the vegetation and much closer to the bank. I was very pleased indeed at finally catching up with it, as disturbance around the banks renders its appearances erratic at the very least.

Closeby, all 54 Linnets were feeding in the weeds, whilst 2 LITTLE EGRETS were roosting on Drayton Bank, the 6 COMMON GOLDENEYE were still present and the DARK-BELLIED BRENT was still with the Canadas.

WESTEND HILL, CHEDDINGTON (BUCKS) (SP 915 170)

Two Red Kites lingering

First SHELDUCK of year

2012-01-09T21:36:00.000Z

I tried for the Marsworth Barn Owl this morning and had 20+ Corn Buntings leave the roost but no sign of Barn Owl. Couldn’t find any Jack Snipe either. Also I couldn’t find the Snow Bunting on the usual stretch of shore.

Wilstone the Brent was with the Canadas and there were two Little Egrets about and also a Shelduck on the mud to the right of the hide (Roy Hargreaves)

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS

2012-01-08T19:55:00.001Z

SUNDAY 8 JANUARY

Another dry day although heavy cloud late on produced a few spots of rain. Another mild day too, with some long bright periods.

Dipped again on the Wilstone Water Pipit then returned to Bedfordshire for the afternoon..........

CHESS VALLEY (BUCKS)

Just the 2 wintering LITTLE EGRETS again - today in trees just east of Bois Mill

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

Spent about an hour with Steve Rodwell, birding from the East Bank. Met both Lucy and Sheena.

Far and away the highlight were 3 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS - a very scarce species at the reservoirs. Firstly an adult flew NE, before two immatures, probably both third-winters, flew east shortly later. What was presumably the same adult then flew back west into Bucks. I generally see less than 5 GBBG's at Tring per year.

Despite searching, no sign yet again of the wintering Water Pipit

The first-winter DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE was with 30 Atlantic Canada Geese as usual in the East Fields, whilst the Greylag Geese flock has very slightly increased to 72 birds. Mute Swans are now down to just 1 adult, whilst 4 Grey Herons were standing forlornly by their fallen nesting tree and just 7 Great Crested Grebes were present.

Still 6 COMMON GOLDENEYES present, including the splendid adult drake, whilst Stock Dove, the 54 Linnet flock and 24 Jackdaws were noted.

GROVE (BEDS)

The geese flock had moved from just west of Grovebury Sandpit to Grove Lock on the Grand Union Canal, north of Grove at SP 918 227. The first-winter EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was present for its second day with 17 Greylag Geese (one with a damaged wing) and 175 Atlantic Canada Geese.

STOCKGROVE COUNTRY PARK (BEDS)

Very, very busy with visiting families, dogwalkers, ramblers, etc and consequently no sign whatever of any Mandarin Ducks - just 25 Mallard and 2 Moorhens on the lake.

The fenceline and woodland produced at least 15 very confiding Grey Squirrels, Chaffinch, 10 Great Tits, 6 Blue Tits, Nuthatch and 3 Goldcrests

CHARLE WOOD (BEDS)

Met up with Darren Thomas and birded the general area of the 6th tee, just 2-300 yards north of the parking spot by the border post at SP 923 327. A flock of 7 COMMON CROSSBILLS was in this vicinity (including 3 red males) but proved difficult, just fleeting flight views being obtained.

Nuthatch, Common Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Jay, 3 Goldfinch, female SISKIN, Great Tit, 7 Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrest were noted.

EVERSHOLT LAKE (BEDS) (SP 980 324)

In stark contrast to yesterday when I visited, the lake was brightened up by the presence of GOOSANDERS. In fact, no less than 17 present, including 9 fabulous adult drakes. They afforded excellent views but once they realised they were being watched, all saw, strongly towards the east end and behind the island.

A single adult Mute Swan was present, whilst 3 SISKINS flew over and a male Mistle Thrush was in song.

BROGBOROUGH LAKE (BEDS)

Returned to Brogborough Lake to study the Aythya flock. Bizarrely, today the GREATER SCAUP numbers had increased to THREE, with yesterday's 2nd-winter drake and juvenile female still present and an additional first-year drake with them. The small 'scaup' was also still present but when seen well appeared to show characters more prevalent of a retarded juvenile female Tufted Duck and I guess that is what it is. The bill pattern was that of a juvenile Tufted Duck, as was the head pattern. The flock of 27 Common Goldeneye was still present, whilst 11 Herring Gulls were loafing.

MARSTON VALE MILLENIUM PARK (BEDS)

No sight nor sound again of the 4 Bearded Tits, but 8 Reed Buntings roosted and CETTI'S WARBLERS were active. A Chinese Water Deer also crashed out of the reedbed.

At a neighbouring site, 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS were watched towards dusk but there was no sign of either of the Barn Owls seen in December.

Confiding KINGFISHER on Marsworth

2012-01-08T18:52:00.002Z

Finally able to get out today, only the second time this year. I met up with a friend (Sheena) and we went round Marsworth, Startops and, briefly, Wilstone Reservoirs. The highlight was found by Sheena at Marsworth - a beautiful COMMON KINGFISHER perched in the reeds on the water's edge, no more than 20 metres from the main path, SW corner (record shot attached). Also present, a Common Snipe. A handful of Fieldfare were in the area. A pair of Great Crested Grebe were beginning courtship displays! SNOW BUNTING still present and confiding on Startops. DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE with Canadas in field NE of Wilstone Reservoir. Distant and probable Linnet flock (30+) mobile around reeds/mud right of the hide (didn't have my scope to confirm species) (Lucy Flower birding)

Wendover Woods this morning

2012-01-07T17:47:00.001Z

Wendover Woods Saturday morning. Flock of 6+ COMMON CROSSBILLS, including a stunning male pictured above, at the lorry turning site.

Also a pair of COMMON RAVENS tumbling and calling above this area and 3 buzzards.

John Mason found a stunning little Marsh Tit which showed well nearthe main track crossroads (Sally Douglas).

WOODCOCK and just 78 CORN BUNTINGS in to roost at Marsworth

2012-01-06T17:53:00.000Z

I decided to take advantage of the clear, calm conditions and try Marsworth for the bunting roost. A quick scan of the tree tops revealed a group 12 Corn Buntings in one tree. As small groups of Buntings flew into the reeds at one stage there were 47 in the same tree. In the end Lynne, Jeff and I counted 78 going to roost. Jeff and I stayed to see if Barn Owl or anything else would appear. We managed to see several Common Snipe, possibly five, in the dark as they got distinctly active in the dark. As we walked back to our cars the ironic moment kicked in as a Woodcock flew out from the trees, over the reeds and reservoir to cross the causeway and presumably over Startops. Why couldn’t it have done that last week!!!

Roy Hargreaves

SNOW BUNT and BRENT still present but winter storm brings down trees all around

2012-01-06T16:52:00.002Z

StartopStartop's End Friday morning, SNOW BUNTING still showing well and pair of Grey Wagtails flew across same area calling.

On Marsworth , tree blown across main path (see pic), pair of Kingfishers perched together on far reeds and Water Rail flew along edge and into reed bed. No sign of Jack Snipe (Sally Douglas)

On Wilstone, the DBBG was still present.

BULLFINCHES in Wendover

2012-01-05T20:44:00.000Z

This morning: 5th January 2012

Bullfinches along Wendover Arm twixt New Mill and Bulbourne, group of at least three males outnumbered by females.

Solitary male near Toll House garden on Wendover Arm at Bulbourne

Howard Clarke
Bulbourne

CROSSBILL flock still at The Hale

2012-01-04T18:21:00.004Z

Still up to 14 COMMON CROSSBILLS in Wendover Forest today (per Mike Campbell) - Dave Hutchinson obtaining this image of one of the females

Birding the Watford and TRING area - 4 January 2012 (LGRE)

2012-01-04T18:12:00.003Z

WEDNESDAY 4 JANUARY

The day started off dry but fairly windy, with temperatures hovering around 9 degrees C. Thick cloud then moved in from the west leaving a dull and largely wet afternoon

Today I concentrated my efforts in the Watford and Tring areas of Hertfordshire, eventually adding just 6 new species to my 2012 list.........There were a few highlights, not least the terrific number of wildfowl wintering on Aldenham Country Park...............

ALDENHAM COUNTRY PARK (HERTFORDSHIRE)

Although I visited here with the sole intention of finding MANDARIN DUCK, I could not believe the number of wildfowl wintering on the reservoir. It was mightily impressive

After quickly securing the target bird - MANDARIN DUCK (of which 6 were present under the eaves, including 4 drakes), I set upon click-counting the remaining waterbirds......

Great Crested Grebe (3)
Little Grebe (3)
Grey Heron (2)
Mute Swan (15 including 4 first-years)
Atlantic Canada Goose (97)
Mallard (66)
GADWALL* (184 present - an internationally important figure, considering that just 25,000 winter in Britain)
Eurasian Wigeon (322)
Common Teal (just 1)
Northern Shoveler (7
Tufted Duck (47)
Northern Pochard (3)
RED-CRESTED POCHARD (2 adult drakes at west end)
Coot (488)
Moorhen (16)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1 adult)

Also noted were 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Carrion Crows, 5 Redwing and a SISKIN.

HILFIELD PARK RESERVOIR (HERTS)

Despite an exhaustive search, there was no sign of the recent long-staying first-winter Little Gull - perhaps it only roosts here?

What was notable however was the large number of Great Crested Grebes wintering - no less than 57 birds, by far the largest congregation in the county.

Also counted were 2 Little Grebes, 26 Cormorants, 2 adult Mute Swans, 35 Tufted Duck, ****************************** and 284 Coots. An adult argenteus Herring Gull was also present.

FRITHSDEN BEECHES, NORTHCHURCH COMMON (HERTS)

And on to a spot of woodland birding in the hope of finding Woodcock, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Common Treecreeper, Lesser Redpoll and the like. You'll be lucky......

What I did find in an hour stomp around a very muddy trail was 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Common Buzzards, 5 Carrion Crows, 150 Redwing, 2 male Chaffinches, Wren and a mixed feeding flock containing Nuthatch (my first of the year), 3 Great Tits, 6 Blue Tits and 12 Long-tailed Tits.

BERKHAMPSTED CANAL (HERTS)

In the town centre, the Grand Union Canal held 1 first-winter Mute Swan and 54 Mallards.

THE TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTS)

Very damp, muddy and blustery but I did a full circuit of TRINGFORD RESERVOIR logging everything avian - the reservoir held 2 adult Mute Swans, 53 Coot, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Northern Pochards, 5 Teal, 195 resting Black-headed Gulls and a single adult Lesser Black-backed Gull whilst the surrounding woodland tracts produced 1 Greenfinch (flyover), 3 Robins, 7 Common Blackbirds, 1 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare, 5 Rook, 15 Western Jackdaws, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Blue Tits and best of all, 3 SISKINS in the largest row of Alder trees at the west end. A female Grey Wagtail was also seen.

At STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR, the first-winter male SNOW BUNTING was still showing very well on the foreshore adjacent to the steps in the NW corner (see the superb new shots above), whilst the reservoir held 13 Mute Swans (3 first-years), just 3 Great Crested Grebes, 249 Coot, 29 Gadwall, 22 Pochard, 31 Tufted Duck, 18 Wigeon and 12 Moorhen.

Once again the gull roost on the mud was numerous and included 182 Black-headed Gulls and 9 Common Gulls (including 2 first-winters).

The perimeter banking held 8 Pied Wagtails

At MARSWORTH RESERVOIR, just 1 Great Crested Grebe was present, along with 25 Shovelers. A flock of just 17 Common Starlings was in Marsworth and Church Lane once again yielded a BULLFINCH.

A brief detour to COLLEGE LAKE BBOWT (BUCKS) to see the 4 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS (drake and 3 female-types) (my first in the county this year) before moving on to WILSTONE RESERVOIR, where the East Fields geese flock held 70 Greylag, 29 Atlantic Canada and the continuing single first-winter DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE.

Birding at the reservoir was difficult because of the rain and wind so a full count was not possible, although just 8 Great Crested Grebes was pitiful (and with the other 4, 12 is the lowest winter total for this species I have ever registered - perhaps they have all moved to Hilfield Park!). Just 2 female Common Goldeneye could be seen.

A single check of the gull roost yielded a minimum 3,300 Black-headed and 84 Common Gulls but not one large white-headed gull species.

For the last hour of daylight, I returned to MARSWORTH where the reedbed bunting roost was pathetic - just 9 CORN BUNTINGS flew in and 4 REED BUNTINGS (perhaps, because of the foul weather, they had all roosted prior to 1500 hours this afternoon - I hope so). A single Goldcrest in the wood was also of note.

BITTERN roosts as gale force winds batter region

2012-01-03T18:46:00.000Z

TUESDAY 3 JANUARY (LGRE DIARY NOTES)

Gale force winds and torrential rain associated with a very deep depression tracked quickly east across the country and swept through our region all morning. It typically wreaked havoc bringing down a large number of trees and chimney stacks, with winds gusting at 70 miles per hour at times. Then, at around 1300 hours, the rain stopped and the wind dropped substantially, leaving a clear and bright middle part of the afternoon, although hail and rain returned later.

I finally managed to brave the conditions after 1300 hours and made my way to Stevenage, where Tony Hukin had discovered a GREAT GREY SHRIKE yesterday afternoon and both Mike and darrel had confirmed its presence today in the rain and wind...........

NORTON GREEN, STEVENAGE (HERTFORDSHIRE) (TL 225 237)

I arrived at Norton Green at 1325 hours, only to be told by those three present that the bird had just captured a Field Vole and flown with it to the far side of the traveller camp. Like an idiot, I marched round there, only to be accosted by a marauding gang of 7 yapping guard dogs! There was no sign of the shrike and I had to make a quick and hasty retreat.

Returning back to the other observers about 20 minutes later, I was pleased to see that the bird had returned and was showing well. It was perched up just 35 yards away and was an adult and was favouring the scrub and isolated clumps of Hawthorn just 50 yards away from the camp at the extreme north end of the site. It remained on view for about 7 minutes before disappearing again. Alan Reynolds, Tony Hukin, Darrel Bryant and others turned up and after a while, the shrike reappeared and showed very, very well on top of the bushes. Alan obtained some excellent images (see above).

As Darrel stated, this is the first record of Great Grey Shrike for Norton Green and the fact that it seems to have a larder perhaps indicates that it has been around for some time. It is certainly a lot easier to see than the adult in the east of the county at Therfield Heath.

Other species noted included 48 Eurasian Skylarks (in the large stubble field adjacent), 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Common Kestrel, 5 Common Blackbirds, 2 Common Magpie and a male Greenfinch.

LEMSFORD SPRINGS NATURE RESERVE (HERTS)

Two GREEN SANDPIPERS were present (both unringed) as well as 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron and 10 Moorhens (up to 5 Green Sandpipers have been present at the site this winter).

EAST HYDE (HERTS)

The pair of EGYPTIAN GEESE was present with 8 Canada Geese and 3 Mute Swans (1 first-winter) by the river Lea west of the B653, whilst 17 Gadwalls, 4 Common Teal (2 drakes) and 2 Little Grebes were seen from the bridge.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD (HERTS)

The adult female PEREGRINE FALCON was sat on her usual perch at 1540 hours

TRING (HERTS)

A covey of 8 Red-legged Partridges was west of Tring and south of the B 488 at SP 929 112

WESTON TURVILLE RESERVOIR (BUCKS)

I pitched up at WTR at 1600 hours to find the hide virtually full (John Gearing, Richard Billyard, Nick Mariner already in situ). The wind was still strong and it was clear that conditions were not overly conducive. A Water Rail screamed, 1 Little Egret flew in to roost, a male Sparrowhawk did its last circuit and 4 Reed Buntings flew in to roost in the reedbed. What appeared to be a Cetti's Warbler scolded and a single lost Black-headed Gull attempted to roost.

And then, at 1628 hours, a solitary EURASIAN BITTERN flew from the reeds at the closest edge and flew to the far side. It was a regularly returning wintering bird and roosted in the usual area of reeds opposite the Susan Cowdy Hide. Despite the strong wind, it successfully made one platform of reeds but then fell off of it into the water. It gathered its composure, then climbed back up a few yards away and tried again. Eventually, after several attempts, it realised it was fighting a losing battle and as darkness approached, dropped further down into the reeds, presumably to roost close to the base.

Six new species for the Year List and particularly pleased with the shrike

WATER PIPIT still

2012-01-02T18:48:00.003Z

Our wintering WATER PIPIT (photographed above by Chris Holtby) was still present this morning, along with the SNOW BUNTING, DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE and 1 JACK SNIPE

Nearby, at least 18 COMMON CROSSBILLS were seen at Wendover Hale and 2 BITTERNS roosted again at Weston Turville Reservoir

NEW YEARS DAY BIRDING 2012 - LGRE DIARY NOTES

2012-01-01T19:57:00.002Z

NEW YEARS DAY - 01 JANUARY 2012

A considerably mild start to the year with temperatures reaching 13 degrees C. The day was mainly overcast with light rain for a time.

A total of 234 species was recorded in Britain and Ireland today, following last year's record total of 453 - a New Forest Dark-eyed Junco of 24 & 30 December being a belated addition.

As I had been partying for most of the night, my birding today was restricted to just local. I didn't start until 0930 hours so reaching 72 species by nightfall was reasonable I suppose (including 64 species in Bucks and 55 in Herts)..........

CHAFFINCH HOUSE, LITTLE CHALFONT (BUCKS)

In the vicinity of the garden first thing noted House Sparrow (30), Common Magpie (2), Carrion Crow, Common Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Blue Tit

CHENIES BOTTOM (CHESS VALLEY) (BUCKS)

All 4 COMMON TEAL were still present on the lake (3 drakes), along with the Little Grebe and 2 Mute Swans. A pair of GREY WAGTAILS was on the river, whilst Mallard, Robin, Wren, Moorhen and Jackdaw were also seen. The first of several singing male Song Thrushes of the day was noted whilst a further pair of Mute Swans was on the Chess by Church Covert.

At LATIMER, a flock of 116 Atlantic Canada Geese was in the fields

BOIS MILL POND added a further pair of Mute Swans, as well as the regular adult Continental Cormorant (sinensis) perched aloft the island tree; Long-tailed Tits were by the brook

A quick circuit from WATERCRESS COTTAGE around to CHESHAM FISHING LAKES yielded 3 more singing male Song Thrushes, Dunnock, Wren, 4 Robins, Rooks (inspecting the nests), 14 Redwing, Grey Heron and 3 Red Kites. The lakes held 4 Mute Swans (2 first-years), 1 Canada Goose, 37 Mallard, 16 Tufted Ducks, 10 Coot, 6 Moorhens and 73 Black-headed Gulls, the latter commuting to the sewage works.

OLD AMERSHAM (BUCKS)

I had a quick check of the large stubble field in School Lane where the flock of wintering YELLOWHAMMERS were still present - 70 seen with little effort; also Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Common Pheasant

SHARDELOES LAKE was pretty dire, mainly because of serious disturbance from New Year ramblers, but it was nice to see all 8 Mute Swans together, before the cob clears them all off this spring. Up to 50 Fieldfares were also still in the area.

THE TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTFORDSHIRE)

No New Years Day is complete for me without a visit to my main local patch and it gave me an excuse to do my first January count of the year as well as connecting with the major rares still left over from yesterday. Other than the wintering Water Pipit and a visiting Peregrine, it was a clean sheet.

I met up with my very good friend Darrel Bryant at Startop's and we birded the reservoirs together; I also saw both Roy and Ian as well as over 25 other regulars and visitors.

At STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR, the most celebrated local bird of 2011 was still present - the first-winter male SNOW BUNTING. Today it was showing as well as ever and was frequenting the north shoreline by the steps in the NW corner. Three Pied Wagtails were also in this vicinity.

Waterbird-wise we had 1 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Mute Swans (3 first-years), 27 Atlantic Canada Geese (marked arrival of this species), 93 Mallard, 17 Wigeon, 15 Common Teal, 42 Gadwall, 53 Tufted Duck, 11 Pochard, 289 Coot and 13 Moorhens.

A scan of the roosting Black-headed Gull flock on the mud and islands produced the wintering adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL (just before it flew off west at 1030 hours) and 3 adult Common Gulls.

TRINGFORD RESERVOIR was pretty scant - the usual 2 Mute Swans, 54 Coot and a few ducks. By the fisherman's car park, 35 Fieldfares were flying down to the field to feed.

A small crowd of observers were standing on the causeway overlooking MARSWORTH RESERVOIR reedbed and thanks to Roy, I was able to see both JACK and COMMON SNIPE huddled in a roost up against the reedbed (the mud is rapidly disappearing). Most unexpectedly, 2 JACK SNIPES was present - both violently 'bobbing' - as well as 3 COMMON SNIPES (see photographs of both the Med Gull and Jack Snipes by Dave Bilcock above)

The reservoir held 5 Great Crested Grebes and 33 Shoveler, with both Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker and 2 Grey Wagtails in the area.

Although we (and everybody else it seems) failed to locate the wintering Water Pipit, it was pleasing to find that the first-winter DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE had survived into the New Year - still mixing with the 73 Greylag Geese and 29 Atlantic Canada Geese in the roadside fields to the east of the reservoir.

A half-hearted check of the water harboured 8 Great Crested Grebes, the continuing Little Grebe, just 5 Mute Swans, 240 Wigeon, 330 Common Teal, 53 Shoveler, 77 Tufted Duck, 97 Pochard and best of all, the 7 COMMON GOLDENEYES in one group (two adult drakes).

Additional fare included a single LITTLE EGRET, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 11 Common Blackbirds in the Orchard area and the flock of 54 Linnets by the Drayton Hide

WENDOVER FOREST (BUCKS)

Moving on to Wendover Hale, it was very nice to bump into Simon Gardner's wife Lynsey and her friend and putting a face to those that kindly tipped me off about the COMMON CROSSBILL flock. Being limited in time today, I stayed around just long enough to see a single flock of 16 birds - all still favouring the cone crop in the stand of conifers by the turnaround, seemingly 700 yards from the access gate at Forestry Cottages. An adult male put on a great show for us, perched out in the open at the top of the tree for 15 minutes or more. John Foster got some nice shots (see above).

I was also very pleased to find a MARSH TIT by the Forestry Cottages, whilst Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, 9 Coal Tits, Great Tit and 7 Goldcrests were also noted.

AYLESBURY TOWN CENTRE (BUCKS)

Following up from Mike Wallen's post, both resident pair of PEREGRINES were showing well at the Council Buildings and displaying.

WADDESDON (BUCKS)

At least 25 House Sparrows counted in the hamlet, with 2 Collared Doves and 6 Red Kites also.

UPPER RAY MEADOWS RESERVE, GALLOWS BRIDGE (BUCKS)

Spent over 90 minutes searching for both Hen Harrier and Merlin but to no avail - only raptors being seen were Common Kestrel, 3 Common Buzzards and 8 Red Kites.

COMMON RAVENS were good value as usual with at least 8 individuals seen, as well as 12 Stock Doves in one flock, a flyover flock of 125 European Golden Plovers, numerous Common Starling and Fieldfare and 23 Eurasian Skylarks.

LINNETS were fairly abundant with a single flock numbering 190 birds.

CALVERT BBOWT LAKE (BUCKS)

Being a Sunday and the landfill closed, gull numbers were pretty low. Despite that, there was still a good variety, including a probable adult CASPIAN GULL, 2 adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS, 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, 132 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 31 Herring Gulls (predominantly Argentatus) and an adult Common Gull. Most surprising was the number of laridophiles on site including Ian Lewington, Warren Claydon, Steve Rodwell and Jon Holt.

In addition to the pre-roosting gulls, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Cormorant, 26 Mallard, 27 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 3 Pochard and 32 Coot were counted.

CALDECOTTE LAKES (NORTH BUCKS)

Continuing north and east, I eventually reached Caldecotte Lakes. The long-staying juvenile GREAT NORTHERN DIVER that I had initially found at Stewartby Lake in November was still present and showing well from the bypass. It was at the northern end of the South Lake.

There was an impressive gull roost here, including 7 adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS, whilst waterbirds counted included 28 Great Crested Grebes (largest number in Bucks?), 23 Mute Swans, 18 Canada Geese and 54 roosting Cormorants; also 128 Coot and 22 Tufted Ducks.

WILLEN LAKES (NORTH BUCKS)

Thanks to Simon Nichols, I was able to make a hasty retreat to Willen North Basin where I quickly connected with the beautiful adult drake SMEW - presumably the bird from Caldecotte and present for five days. It was swimming with dabbling ducks to the east of the spit.

With light fading fast, I undertook a full count of both the North and South Basins resulting in totals of just 21 Great Crested Grebes, 58 roosting Cormorants, an impressive 144 Mute Swans (including 133 on the South Basin), 70 Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 86 Mallard, 40 Gadwall, 66 Teal, 193 Wigeon, 16 Shoveler, just 38 Tufted Duck, 17 Pochard, 8 Common Goldeneye, NO Goosander, 517 Coot and 397 Lapwings.

LINFORD LAKES (NORTH BUCKS)

As dusk approached, I visited Linford in the hope of counting the egrets roosting. As it was, I arrived too late and they had all disappeared into thick cover. Interestingly, Linford's Great White Egret was intercepted by Neil Wright at Brogborough Lake this morning, constituting the very FIRST record for Bedfordshire. It remained on view for just 3 minutes before heading back in the direction of Milton Keynes.

I counted 54 Mute Swans on Linford but did not see a single Barn or Short-eared Owl along Swans Way as darkness fell......

Weston Turville Reservoir Access

2011-12-31T16:23:00.003Z

Weston Turville Reservoir is situated just north of Wendover and can be accessed either from the south end (Halton Lane - parking area A) or from by the dam on Worlds End Lane (marked B on map). There is a public hide in the Se corner from where it is best to watch the BITTERNS at dusk (from 3.30pm onwards) but the footpath continues the circumference of the site (marked in red)

WENDOVER FOREST CROSSBILLS

2011-12-31T14:58:00.001Z

NEW YEARS EVE (31 DECEMBER 2011)

2011 went out on a very mild note - in fact, temperatures were as high as 13 degrees C - so like Christmas 2011, one of the mildest festive periods in history. It was very windy too, with a little light rain in the wind. Predominantly overcast, apart from a few bright periods.

WENDOVER FOREST (BUCKS)

The cone crop at Wendover is fabulous at the moment and consequently, a large flock of COMMON CROSSBILLS has moved in to take advantage. This afternoon, no less than 26 birds were present in the vicinity of the turning area (the former butterfly Buddleigh bush site), including at least 12 resplendent adult males (see map above for access instructions). Although silent for long periods of time, every now and again the entire flock would take flight and wheel around loudly 'jipping'..

Nothing much else to see in the woods, particularly busy with walkers - just 3 Goldcrests and a few Coal Tits

Happy New Year

Lee Evans

Wintering BITTERNS are back at Weston Turville

2011-12-30T18:22:00.002Z

There were two EURASIAN BITTERNS at Weston Turville Res' this evening, best viewed from the Susan Cowdy hide. One was already being watched by Richard Billyard when I arrived, then at c3.50 another one flew across the water from near the sailing club and landed on the far side opposite the hide, only about 6 metres from the other one. After a while both birds climbed about 5 feet up and were showing quite well in the gloom. Always magic birds to see (Rob Andrews).

CROSSBILLS in Wendover Forest

2011-12-30T14:20:00.001Z

I saw COMMON CROSSBILLS this morning at about 10.30-11.00 am in Wendover woods. At least 12 birds.

Enter woods at SP890075 or 51°45.517'N 0°42.758'W on Hale Lane next to Forestry Cottages and follow main track north to approx SP891081 or 51°45.873'N 0°42.627'W at the lorry turning circle. The Crossbills are in the trees to the immediate North of the turning circle (Simon Gardner).

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT briefly

2011-12-29T15:54:00.000Z

THURSDAY 29 DECEMBER

A touch or so colder today with the temperature reaching just 9 degrees C. Very overcast but dry and with an increasing westerly wind

With a visit to Tring in the offing, I took the opportunity to survey the waterbodies of the Aylesbury Area..........

CHESS VALLEY (BUCKS)

Three LITTLE EGRETS today just east of Bois Mill - and 1 Cormorant on the fishing lake there.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

There was no sign of Roy's colour-ringed BLACK-TAILED GODWIT when I arrived at the Drayton Hide late morning - it had presumably moved on

The water level was increasing further with the inlet pipe by the car park in full pump mode. As a consequence, wildfowl numbers were much recovered, although Great Crested Grebe and Mute Swan numbers were very low

The sole remaining Little Grebe was noted, 8 Great Crested Grebes, just 5 Mute Swans, 256 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 375 Teal, 44 Shoveler, 107 Pochard, 73 Tufted Duck, 7 COMMON GOLDENEYES (including 2 adult drakes), 760 Coot, 45 EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER and 32 Lapwings.

The Linnet flock by the hide now numbers 52 birds and Pied Wagtails remain at a high 17.

The Cemetery Corner geese flock has increased to 83 birds, including 71 Greylag, 10 Atlantic Canada and the ever-present first-winter DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE

STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR (HERTS)

The first-winter male SNOW BUNTING was still performing well along the north shore, Chris Holtby obtaining a large number of images.

Otherwise, 12 Mute Swans (including 3 unringed first-years), 7 Atlantic Canada Geese, 46 Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebes and a single Little Grebe were present.

Very little on TRINGFORD RESERVOIR other than 2 Mute Swans, 5 Grey Heron, 22 Teal and 2 drake Shoveler and even less on MARSWORTH with 4 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Teal and 21 Shovelers.

WESTON TURVILLE RESERVOIR (BUCKS)

Popped in at 1300 hours and was very surprised to find the Wilstone family party of 4 BEWICK'S SWANS being chased around by the resident pair of Mute Swans along the reedbed western side of the reservoir. The cob Mute repeatedly harried the two juvenile Bewick's, causing them to fly and circle.

Very quiet otherwise with just 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Moorhens, 2 drake Tufted Ducks and 1 drake Shoveler (up to 32 of the latter species had been present recently). Not one Coot.

THE WENDOVER ARM OF THE CANAL (GREEN PARK TO WENDOVER TOWN)

A single Little Grebe, 20 Mallard, 10 Coot and 11 Moorhens for my troubles - and a male Siskin.

BROUGHTON POOLS (BUCKS)

On the West Pool, a pair of Mute Swans, pair of Teal, 4 Moorhen and 1 Grey Heron, whilst on the Trout Pools, 14 Mallard, 5 Shoveler (2 drakes), 70 Canada Geese, 2 Moorhens and another Grey Heron. The neighbouring field held 14 Common Magpies.

WATERMEAD LAKE, NORTH AYLESBURY (BUCKS)

A full inventory recorded 10 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Mute Swans (including 1 first-year), 1 Canada Goose, 124 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, just 6 Coot and 4 Moorhens.

CHESHAM BOIS (BUCKS)

A small party of 13 EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVERS was in the field opposite Green Park in Copperkins Lane.

Merry Christmas To All My Browsers

2011-12-25T23:27:00.003Z

Yep he's still there - our beautiful SNOW BUNTING seems set for the New Year and is already the longest staying individual at the reservoirs ever - Chris Hinton's shots are simply sumptuous. Happy Yuletide (LGRE)

Christmas Eve at the Reservoirs

2011-12-24T10:42:00.001Z

A superb hour and a half out and about this morning.

SNOW BUNTING still on Startops Reservoir in its usual area ( Herts ).

The JACK SNIPE was showing fantastically well on Marsworth reservoir ( Herts ), at the Southern end along the edge of the reeds (If you're stood on the causeway its along the edge of the reeds on your right as you look out across the water, it was about two-thirds of the way across). Alongside it was a Common Snipe. Also there were 3 Water Rails, Grey Wag and 19 Shoveler.

The first-winter DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE was in the field with Greylags to the rear of the jetty at Wilstone (Ted & Mike Wallen).

SNOW BUNTING survives

2011-12-23T15:42:00.002Z

Chris Hinton obtained this wonderful selection of detailed shots for me today of the Startop's End male SNOW BUNTING - the patterning and shape of the tail feathers, especially on T5 and 6 suggesting a first winter.

MED GULL

2011-12-22T19:03:00.002Z

The adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL has been present in the gull roost at Wilstone the last two evenings. A picture of it taken this evening is filed above (David Bilcock).

Ageing our Snow Bunting

2011-12-22T18:53:00.002Z

I sent images of the Startop's End Snow Bunting to Norbert Roothaert, Head of the Ringing Group in Belgium, who consequently passed them round to those that trap and ring the species frequently. In general, the discussion agreed with that of mine - that the bird is a FIRST-WINTER MALE......

The comment concluded ''Very nice pictures but Snow Buntings are not so easy to age, even in the hand. Also there are two subspecies "nivalis" and "insulae" (I ring them both here). I think the bird of the picture is certainly a male bird, and most likely a 1st calender year, the inner tail feathers are very pointed, (V-shaped), although in the hand you have to consider the 1st and the 4th tail feather. The longest primary covert shows quite some black at the tip, in adult birds this is almost or entirely white. I would go for a 1st calender male, possibly ssp "nivalis", but therefore you need the colour of the rump, in "nivalis" more rufous, in "insulae" more blackish"

........and a JACK SNIPE image taken from John Foster's camera

2011-12-21T16:54:00.001Z

JACK SNIPE videograbs from today - John Foster

2011-12-21T16:51:00.001Z

JACK SNIPE still present - and SNOW BUNTING

2011-12-21T12:29:00.001Z

Snow Bunting, Jack Snipe and Water Rail all still present/showing when I left Startop's and Marsworth at 11am (thanks Roy for hanging around to pin-point the Jack Snipe - it's very well camouflaged). Grey Wagtail and plenty of Fieldfare around too (Lucy Flower)

Aston Clinton RAVEN

2011-12-21T00:45:00.001Z

A COMMON RAVEN was around the Bell pub in Aston Clinton a couple of times this morning, calling loudly. Not sure if it was eyeing up the Scots Pines opposite or hoping the builders in the new development would throw away a few scraps in the carpark. They really ruin their image of a wild and wary bird these days (Rob Andrews)

JACK SNIPE on the list

2011-12-20T15:58:00.002Z

TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER

A return to milder conditions with SW winds bringing in cloudy skies and warmer temperatures........

MARSWORTH RESERVOIR (HERTS)

Young Ted Wallen did exceptionally well in locating and identifying a JACK SNIPE on Marsworth, the first twitchable individual for a while and the first record this year that I know of. Many of us consequently twitched it and following up behind Roy and Dave B, Ian Williams and I connected mid afternoon with several others. Although the single COMMON SNIPE was relatively easy to find on the muddy margin at the eastern end, the JACK SNIPE proved far more difficult. It was hugging the edge of the reeds and although ''bouncing'' frequently when feeding, virtually disappeared from view when stationary. It had moved 50 or so yards from where Ted had first discovered it and was further east, favouring the back of the area that has more exposed mud on the south shore. A superb find.

There were also two WATER RAILS running around out in the open and now that the ice has melted, 2 Great Crested Grebes were back, and 8 Shovelers

On neighbouring STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR, the first-winter male SNOW BUNTING was still doing his thing, showing well enough for Richard Woodhead to obtain these two great images

Good Birding Always and Festive Greetings to all at Tring

Lee Evans

JACK SNIPE on Marsworth

2011-12-20T12:03:00.002Z

This morning the Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Bewick’s Swans were still on Wilstone.

Whilst there news of a JACK SNIPE at Marsworth came in from Mike Wallen and relayed by David Bilcock. I headed over there and it was still showing at 10:30 when I left. The Jack Snipe was in the south-east corner of Marsworth as was a roosting Common Snipe. Credit goes to Ted Wallen for finding the Jack Snipe. This being my 159th bird at the ressies this year 160 must be a possibility before the year is out!

Also the Snow Bunting was still present on Startop's End

Roy Hargreaves.

No sign of reported Twite

2011-12-19T18:08:00.002Z

MONDAY 19 DECEMBER

Another sharp frost overnight but as the morning progressed, a front edged in from the west bringing heavier and heavier rain from early afternoon and recovering temperatures to 6 degrees C by nightfall.

At around 1300 hours, Alan Gardiner and Steve Blake alerted me to the report of a Twite at Startop's End Reservoir by an unknown observer. I immediately spoke to Dave B but he was in Sandy, so despite the rain, made my way over to check the report out........

STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR (HERTS)

Jason Chapman was lunchtime twitching the SNOW BUNTING shortly after I arrived and together we obtained yet more outstanding views of this first-winter male, both in the Herts section and Bucks section of the north bank.

I then did the full circumference of the reservoir - at the water's edge - but nothing more than the Snow Bunting and 3 Pied Wagtails. Like Roy, I believe the report almost certainly related to the bunting, as surprisingly enough, many features overlap if you are working from a field guide and are a relative novice.

In terms of waterbirds, little of change, with the reservoir holding 5 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Mute Swans, 65 Gadwall (highest count in a long while), 31 Wigeon, 22 Shoveler, 37 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 287 Coot and 10 Moorhens.

TRINGFORD RESERVOIR (HERTS)

No Twite but 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Mute Swans, 6 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 26 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard and 62 Coots. Marsworth Reservoir was still covered in a thin layer of ice. All of the reservoirs bar Wilstone had an ice covering of some sort.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR (HERTS)

Walked right round checking the edges and no Twite amongst the 31 wintering Linnets on the margins. No sign of the male Common Shelduck either, nor of the 5 Goldeneyes.....

The first-winter DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE was still frequenting the Cemetery Corner fields with the 7 Atlantic Canada Geese and the 67 Greylags, whilst all 4 BEWICK'S SWANS were on the Drayton Lagoon from the hide.

On the water were counted 11 Great Crested Grebes, just 9 Mute Swans (most are now on College), 311 Wigeon (an increase again), 18 Shoveler, 230 Common Teal, 42 Tufted Duck, 106 Pochard and 752 Coot.

In the hedgerows, large numbers of winter thrushes feeding on the hawthorn berries including 66 Fieldfare, 22 Redwing and 12 Common Blackbirds.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD (HERTS)

In the town centre, the adult female PEREGRINE was roosting and in the main shopping precinct, 38 Pied Wagtails were roosting in the small bush in front of the British Heart Foundation charity shop

Ageing SNOW BUNTINGS

2011-12-18T15:05:00.002Z

SEXING

Snow Buntings exhibit a great deal of variation in the characters used for sexing. Intermediates occur, making it necessary to take all characters into consideration. Males are generally whiter and blacker than females of corresponding age. A bird with ALL WHITE primary coverts is a MALE. The lesser coverts are uniformly white in males but in a few cases, there are some small scattered spots. The secondaries are mainly white in males, occasionally with small black marks near the tip of the outer web. The dark tip of the primaries on the underwing is blackish and sharly set off in males. The dark centres of the scapulars are jet black, and the tips rounded or bluntly pointed in males, best visible on the middle feathers. The dark centres to the upper tail coverts are similar in this respect. They tend to end bluntly in adult males, and come to a point in first-year males, but intermediates do occur. Males have less dark in the third outermost pair of tail feathers than females, very little in adults and usually restricted to the tip of the inner web in first-year males. Males are on average larger than females, and many can be sexed on measurements.

In females, the primary coverts are mainly BLACKISH, with WHITE ONLY ON THE EDGES. The lesser coverts are greyish-brown to blackish, with some off-white tips, never appearing as white as in males. The secondaries are white, with the dark pattern on the tips ranging from small dark subterminal markings on the outer web in adults to about distal half of feathers. The dark tip of the primaries on the underwing is diffusely demarcated and browner. The tip of the dark centres of the middle scapulars is sharply pointed in females, and the base colour is browner or greyer than in males. The dark centres of the uppertail-coverts come to a point in females, often more so than in first-year males, but many are intermediates and the character is most useful in adults. In females, the dark pattern of the third outermost pair of tail feathers usually covers the centre inner web, the dark pattern normally dominating over white areas. Individuals showing intermediate characters frequently occur. These are either first-winter males or adult females, so correct ageing should solve the most difficult caes.

AGEING

Juvenile Snow Buntings have a partial moult about three weeks after fledging, late July or August to September, involving head, body, lesser and median coverts and sometimes inner greater coverts and tertials. Adults moult completely after breeding, between the first half of July and September, taking between 28 and 37 days.

Some Snow Bunting plumages are ambiguous, but most can be aged based on a combination of criteria. However, with progress of wear and bleaching, ageing becomes progressively more difficult. MostBritish birds involve the form insulae, averaging more extensive dark patterning than other forms. Particularly, first-year males may show characters fairly typical of females, such as all-dark primary coverts, dark bases to the greater coverts and dark tips to the outer secondaries. Adult males frequently show dark tips to the primary coverts.

Juvenile tail feathers, which are retained throughout the first year, are more tapered than those of adults of both sexes. The tip of the dark centre of the innermost pair of tail feathers is more pointed in first-year birds. Between males of different ages there is usually a marked difference in the amount of dark on the third outermost pair of tail feathers. In adults, the dark pattern is usually restricted to a relatively short dark patch along the shaft. There is often a limited amount of dark on the inner web, usually a narrow patch, isolated from the shaft patch. In first-year males, the pattern along the shaft is longer than in adults and the dark pattern on the inner web is more extensive and usually connected to the shaft streak. This difference is also useful in most females.

PRIMARY COVERTS

Adult males often have the longest primary covert ALL WHITE, sometimes with a small dark spot at the tip. Adult females often show a similar pattern, with a spot near the tip, but with a varying amount of dark on the outer web. Quite frequently, the primary coverts of adult females are all dark, except for white bases on the inner web. In first-year birds of both sexes, the outer web is often all dark

SECONDARIES

In males and adult females, there is no black on the inner webs of the secondaries, except for a small dark spot near the tip of the outer web in some females. First-year females usually show dark patches on the outer three ones.

ALULA

In adult males, the alula is BLACK, whereas it is DARK GREY in first-year males.

UPPERTAIL COVERTS

The dark centres of the longest uppertail coverts tend to end more bluntly in adult males, and come to a point in first-year males. Intermediates occur.

PRIMARY COLOUR

In adult males, the dark parts of the primaries are almost glossy black with sharply defined white fringes. Immature males have dark grey primaries, and the white fringes are often less well defined.

Text adapted from Urban Olsson

Local Alert - Roy's back from New Zealand and Oz !

2011-12-18T12:55:00.000Z

Having spent the past three weeks in New Zealand and Australia I had been able to keep track of local events while in NZ on a daily basis, but in Australia I only found out about the Snow Bunting on Friday as I checked in for the return flights. David Bilcock kindly updated me to let me know that the Snow Bunting was still there on Saturday. So a visit first thing Sunday Morning was on the cards

Having landed at Heathrow early this morning I was home before it was light and as soon as it was light I headed for Startops to see if the Bunting was still there. David turned up and immediately was able to show me just how close to the reservoir wall the Snow Bunting could get. An excellent bird to see on my return and a contrast from watching Bowerbirds and other rainforest birds in Queensland less than 48 hours previously.

I then put in a quick visit to Wilstone before the lengthy journey took its toll. The four Bewick’s Swans were roosting and the Brent Goose was with the Greylags and Canadas in the field by Cemetery Corner. Also the Water Pipit was with Meadow Pipits and the Shelduck was also still present (Roy Hargreaves)

Sunday roundup - 18 December

2011-12-18T12:20:00.002Z

Not much change I am afraid but Francis Buckle obtained some nice new images above. The first-winter male SNOW BUNTING still resides on the north shore of Startop's End Reservoir, whilst both the 4 BEWICK'S SWANS and juvenile/first-winter DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE continue on Wilstone. No sign of the Water Pipit though this morning. It was another hard frost.

MED GULL in this afternoon's roost on Wilstone

2011-12-17T19:13:00.001Z

An adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL (pictured above) was present in the roost this evening, initially roosting with the large number of Black-headed Gulls on the mud close to the new overflow (David Bilcock).

Saturday 17 December - SNOW BUNT still

2011-12-17T12:56:00.001Z

At Tring Reservoirs today, a steady stream of admirers are enjoying the first-winter male SNOW BUNTING showing well just in line of the steps in the Hertfordshire NW section of Startop's End (another shot from Lucy Flower above).

On Wilstone Reservoir, the juvenile DARK-BELLIED BRENT is still with the 67 Greylags in the grass field immediately east of the reservoir (Cemetery Corner) and the 4 BEWICK'S SWANS and the male COMMON SHELDUCK remains (per David Bilcock)

Today's News

2011-12-16T17:12:00.003Z

The WATER PIPIT showed well but briefly around the jetty this afternoon. The juvenile DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE was in the field behind the jetty and the 4 BEWICK'S SWANS were in the south west lagoon. The male SNOW BUNTING was back in the Hertfordshire section of Startops Reservoir showing just as well and the pair of Red-crested Pochards was still present (per Mike Campbell and Dave Bilcock).

Dave obtained the images above of the DBBG and Bewick's.

And the boundary line around Wilstone and Drayton Beauchamp...

2011-12-16T11:28:00.002Z

The County Boundary Lines - for Recording Bird Purposes

2011-12-16T10:57:00.002Z

I have marked in red on the map above the latest version, as understood by the County Council, of the Bucks/Herts border in the vicinity of Startop's End and Marsworth Reservoir. This should be used in future reference for recording birds. Our current vagrant Snow Bunting is walking between both sides of the border

SNOW BUNTING present for a fourth day

2011-12-15T20:14:00.003Z

The male SNOW BUNTING on Startop's End Reservoir spent a lot of time in the Buckinghamshire section today, feeding on the 'beach' literally in front of the main car park. John Foster was able to obtain these crippling images and the bird continued to attract a constant stream of admirers throughout the day.

First SNOW BUNTING since January 1981

2011-12-14T17:04:00.003Z

WEDNESDAY 14 DECEMBER

The unsettled theme continued today with strong NW winds bringing a period of wet snow during the afternoon. It was very cold - the strong wind making it feel much much colder.

After missing out yesterday, and still reeling after the Ivinghoe dip, I finally caught up with our star performing SNOW BUNTING today........

CHESS VALLEY (BUCKS)

Still 8 LITTLE EGRETS in the valley, most frequenting the ditches just east of Bois Mill

STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR (HERTS)

Joined Mike Collard, Mike Campbell and others at Startop's mid morning to find the SNOW BUNTING still showing fabulously on the foreshore at the north end of the reservoir. It was remarkably confiding and over the hour of observation, walked to within just 28 yards of the Buckinghamshire border. It thus became the second species this year (with DBBG) that I have seen from Buckinghamshire but not within it !

DESCRIPTION

At very close range it was seen to have spiky (pointed) rather than rounded tail feathers and with its bright yellow bill and extensive white in the upper wings, presumably a FIRST-WINTER MALE.

A typical bunting in shape and structure with predominantly white underparts, extending to the undertail coverts. Crown tinged rufous, with a dark ear covert and a mixture of dark and pale fringed feathers on the mantle. Some warmth extending out on to the sides of the breast forming an incomplete breast-band, with paler buff streaking in the hindneck and eye-stripe. Dark-centred scapulars and extensive white in the wings, especially in flight. Primaries very dark with white tips and tertials edged with warm rufous. A dark beady eye, striking yellow bill and short black legs and feet. Typical, rippling ''prrrrii'' call when I approached it.

PREVIOUS RECORDS AND OCCURRENCE

SNOW BUNTING is a rare visitor to Hertfordshire with just 34 previous records involving over 50 birds, at least 10 of these being at Tring Reservoirs (the most recent in January 1981)

1) The first county record related to one shot near Hitchin in January 1881, with two captured near Royston at about the same time;

2) One was shot on Harpenden Common on 24 January 1883;

3) One was shot at Royston on 16 September 1893;

4) One was shot on Royston Heath on 6 December 1893 (Foster 1914);

5) One was shot near Sandon in January 1894 (Hartert & Jourdain 1920);

6) A male was captured near Tring on 22 February 1894 (Hartert & Jourdain 1920);

7) A flock is said to have been seen at Tring Reservoirs in 1895; there are two males in the Hitchin Museum from this period, one of which was obtained at Offley about 1890 and the other at Hitchin about 1900, whilst two were said to have been obtained at Aldenham Reservoir in January 1895;;

8) One was watched at close range in a ploughed field at Letchworth in January 1913 (Foster 1914);

9) A single was between Harfield and Welwyn on 30 January 1926 (The Field 147: 283);

10) A male remained at Wilstone Reservoir from 13-20 October 1935 (Dr J.S. Carter);

11) Two birds were present at Wilstone Reservoir on 6-7 November 1944;

12) Two were again at Wilstone Reservoir on 10 November 1945 (W. E. Glegg);

13) An immature visited Wilstone on 25 October 1952;

14) One visited Wilstone Reservoir on 9 October 1953;

15) A male was at Hilfield Park Reservoir on 3 February 1957 (London Bird Report 1957: 34);

16) A flock of at least 6 birds was noted at North Mymms on 13 December 1959;

17) A female was at Rye Meads Sewage Farm on 23 January 1960;

18) A male was at Highley Hill, Ashwell, on 1 October 1960;

19) One remained at Wilstone Reservoir from 1-5 November 1961;

20) Another was seen at Rye Meads on 5 November 1961;

21) Three flew south over Welwyn Garden City on 6 March 1972;

22) Two pairs were reported from Maple Cross on 26 November 1972;

23) A male was seen at Wilstone Reservoir on 28 October 1974;

24) One remained at Hilfield Park Reservoir from 15-18 November 1978;

25) A female was apparently seen with Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers NE of Weston Hills, Baldock, on 1 January 1979 (Brian Sawford);

26) One was seen near Wilstone Reservoir on 8 January 1981 (N. Woods);

27) One was seen in flight with Meadow Pipits at Tyttenhanger on 20 November 1988 (Steve Pearce);

28) A first-winter male remained at Tyttenhanger GP from 29 November to 1 December 1996 (Lee Marshall et al) giving many local observers their first opportunity to see this species in the county;

29) A pair was located at Kelshall on 9 November 1997 (Martin Craig), one of which was last seen on 14 December;

30) One was found in Hemel Hempstead on 5 December 1997 (M. Pearson);

31) One was found at Amwell GP on 21 November 1999 (Graham White);

32) A first-winter male was seen and photographed at Barley on 3 March 2000 (Charles Doggett & Doug Radford) (photograph in Hertfordshire Bird Report 2000, page 273);

33) A bird was watched for about 15 minutes foraging in a field at Temple End on 23 March 2007 (John Camp);

34) Most recently, an immature was just 40 yards over the county boundary in Essex at Wickam Hall near Bishop's Stortford in 5-7 November 2011. Alan Reynolds briefly saw it flight into Hertfordshire on 6 November.

Additional Birds

The pair of Red-crested Pochards and 42 Gadwall were on Startop's End whilst on neighbouring Marsworth Reservoir, Don Stone located an adult female GOOSANDER which showed well close to the causeway all afternoon.

Wilstone Reservoir continued to produce the family party of 4 BEWICK'S SWANS and the juvenile DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE with the 67 Greylags in Cemetery Corner Fields, as well as 11 Mute Swans, 250 Eurasian Wigeon and an increase to 883 Coots. There was also a report of a GREAT GREY SHRIKE from the meadow behind the hide

COLLEGE LAKE BBOWT (BUCKS)

In addition to a pair of Mute Swans on the Grand Union Canal at Bulbourne, a further 21 (including 3 first-years) were present on the main marsh at College. Other wildfowl counted included 28 Mallard, 74 Wigeon, 18 Gadwall, 1 female Shoveler, 40 Tufted Duck and 12 Northern Pochard, as well as 1 Little Grebe, 44 Coot, 8 Moorhen and a Green Woodpecker

SNOW BUNTING at the reservoirs - a real mega

2011-12-13T22:33:00.000Z

Remarkably, it is only the second Snow Bunting recorded at the reservoirs since 1970

Prior to that, a flock was said to have been recorded there in 1895, a male remained on Wilstone from 13-20 October 1935, two were there on 6-7 November 1944, two again on 10 November 1945 and further singles on 25 October 1952 and 9 October 1953

Today's Rarities

2011-12-13T18:06:00.003Z

In addition to the SNOW BUNTING at Startop's End, the juvenile DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE and 4 BEWICK'S SWANS remain at Wilstone. The goose has joined up with the Grey-lag flock and was in the field behind the jetty and the swans best viewed from the hide (David Bilcock).

SNOW BUNTING thrills the crowds all day

2011-12-13T18:01:00.003Z

This male SNOW BUNTING exquisitively photographed by both Lucy Flower and dave Bilcock above, showed well all day on Startop's End Reservoir - on the beach adjacent to the top of the steps in the NW corner

SNOW BUNTING on Startop's End Reservoir - not Marsworth

2011-12-12T21:33:00.000Z

It all makes sense now..........

Today's SNOW BUNTING was on Startop's End Reservoir and not Marsworth. The finder has been in contact this evening and he states that the bird was on the shingle edge of the reservoir and bank virtually in line with the steps in the NW corner - where there is room for one or two cars to park

This is a mega-record for the reservoirs, with the only record since 1980 being at Wilstone on 8 January 1981

Apparent SNOW BUNTING at Marsworth !!

2011-12-12T20:22:00.000Z

Today at Marsworth Reservoir (12/12/2011 approx 3 pm) I spotted a lone SNOW BUNTING at the water margin foraging and hopping about the stones. It remained in situ for approx half an hour while I watched it (and double and triple checked for a positive ID lest my eyes decieve me!) before flitting off across the water towards the reed beds. Hopefully it's lurking about there for an extended stay so other people can have the pleasure of seeing it.

Also of interest on the Marsworth water today was a pair of red crested pochard which was intriguing to see (Ashley).

SHELDUCK still

2011-12-11T11:28:00.001Z

The drake COMMON SHELDUCK that I first discovered on Monday 28 November 2011 was still present yesterday (per David Bilcock)

Nothing new in today but both the juvenile DBBG, the four BEWICK'S SWANS and our two wintering North Atlantic Great Cormorants (Carbo) all still present

CORN BUNTING numbers remain stable

2011-12-10T17:55:00.001Z

SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER

Winter has now arrived in the Chilterns region with yet another hard frost overnight, freezing up some of the smaller lakes in the area for the first time this December. The day was cold, clear but bright.

CHAFFINCH HOUSE, LITTLE CHALFONT (BUCKS)

A BULLFINCH here was a rare sight Also unusual were 3 Common Buzzards in the village, later being seen on Stanley Hill.

SHARDELOES LAKE (BUCKS)

With a hard frost overnight coupled with a full bright moon, Shardeloes Lake was virtually completely frozen over. Very few waterbirds present - just 12 Coot, 3 female Tufted Ducks and 15 Common Gulls amongst the Black-headeds.

A party of 8 Goldfinches was in the Alders by the river, 7 Long-tailed Tits, a wintering Pied Wagtail, 3 Fieldfares, 9 Woodpigeons over and 3 Red Kites circling the lake.

CHESS VALLEY (BUCKS)

At Granary Pool, Chenies Bottom, the 2 resident Mute Swans and single Little Grebe were present, with 2 LITTLE EGRETS at nearby Church Covert, another in the large tree below Chenies Place and an additional two just east of Bois Mill.

At Neptune Falls, the Atlantic Canada Goose flock there numbered 74 with a further 62 nearby on Great Water. The latter site also yielded Little Grebe, 36 Coot, 25 Tufted Duck, a single Pochard and 16 Mute Swans (including a single first-winter). The grounds of Latimer Place added Yellowhammer, a pair of Mistle Thrushes and 4 Greenfinches whilst 230 Jackdaws were feeding to the west in a ploughed field.

Frith Wood (at SU 993 000) held 20 Fieldfares, 4 Redwings and a female Bullfinch, whilst Chesham Fishing Lakes harboured 3 first-year Mute Swans, 1 Atlantic Canada Goose, 33 Mallard, 20 Tufted Duck, 2 drake Northern Pochard, 8 Coot but no Great Crested Grebe. Walking the River Chess as far as The Pheasant public house added another adult Mute Swan, 15 Mallard and 2 singing Goldcrests.

On the stretch of water at Chesham Moor (SP 964 007), a WATER RAIL continues to show very well for at least a second day.

LOWNDES PARK, CHESHAM (BUCKS) (DECEMBER COUNT)

The full inventory included 4 Muscovy, 22 Atlantic Canada Geese and 75 Mallard-types, as well as 2 Moorhens and a Common Kestrel flying over.

I then moved on to TRING RESERVOIRS to undertake my first DECEMBER COUNT of the year......

TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTFORDSHIRE)

A full waterbird inventory was carried out on all four reservoirs before I did the Marsworth bunting roost. Although the water level on all four reservoirs is still very low, that on Startop's End is unprecedented in my birding career. No Water Rails were recorded on Marsworth which was unusual and equally concerning was the demise of the Starling roost.

Great Crested Grebe (32 counted with 11 on Wilstone, 3 on Tringford, 9 on Startop's and 9 on Marsworth)
Little Grebe (just 1 noted - on Startop's)
Cormorant (32 roosting on Wilstone, with an adult fishing on Marsworth)
Grey Heron (just 1 on Tringford and 2 adults fishing on Marsworth)
No sign of any Bitterns yet
Mute Swan (24 on Wilstone, including the two orange-ringed first-years from the Canal - numbers 32 and 33 - plus 2 adults on Tringford and 7 on Startop's)
No sign of the two Whooper Swans
**BEWICK'S SWAN (the family party still present in the cut-off lagoon, the first example of wintering in over a decade)
Greylag Geese (all 67 still present on Wilstone)
Atlantic Canada Goose (all 7 still present on Wilstone)
**DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE (the juvenile continues its unprecedented stay and still favouring the grassy field by Rushy Meadow. Longest-staying county bird ever)
Mallard (jusr 16 on Wilstone, 96 on Startop's and 17 on Marsworth)
Gadwall (44 counted, with 40 on Startop's and just 4 on Wilstone)
No Pintail seen
Northern Shoveler (massive decrease with just 24 on Wilstone, 2 drakes on Startop's and 27 on Marsworth)
Eurasian Wigeon (marked decline in numbers with just 85 on Wilstone and 36 on Startop's)
Common Teal (295 with 230 on Wilstone, 24 on Startop's, 30 on Tringford and 11 on Marsworth)
Northern Pochard (134 on Wilstone and just 1 drake on Startop's)
RED-CRESTED POCHARD (two females on Wilstone and a pair on Startop's)
Tufted Duck (a very poor 83 in total with 54 on Wilstone, 6 on Tringford and 23 on Startop's)
COMMON GOLDENEYE (all 5 female-types still present on Wilstone)
Common Pheasant (23 around the margins of Wilstone)
No Water Rails noted, nor Lapwing
Coot and Moorhen counted
Grey Wagtail (2 on Marsworth)
Redwing (2 on Marsworth)
Fieldfare (7 on Masrworth)
Mistle Thrush (1 on Marsworth)
Common Magpie (1 on Marworth)
Common Starling (just 3 came in to roost at Marsworth reedbed - pathetic!)
Chaffinch (7 singletons flighting to roost over Marworth)
Linnet (flock of 21 still around margins of Wilstone)
Goldfinch (8 on Marsworth)
REED BUNTING (just 5 came in to roost at Marsworth)
**CORN BUNTING (147 roosted in total in Marworth Reedbed with the first 54 arriving at 1530 hours followed by 14, 2, 15, 1, 8, 1, 50 and 2 in the next half hour; I am pleased to say that numbers have remained stable since last winter)

BRENT GOOSE still present

2011-12-03T18:33:00.001Z

After several weeks now, the juvenile DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE is still present in Rushy Meadow - bizarre !

Reservoirs still exceptionally low - a full species inventory

2011-11-28T18:40:00.001Z

MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER

The day dawned with a ground frost, only the second so far this autumn. This was followed by a beautiful day, although the wind soon freshened up from the west and cloud rolled in. By dusk, temperatures had recovered to an unseasonal 13 degrees C.......

THE TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTFORDSHIRE)

The reservoirs are at the lowest end of November levels that I can ever remember, with even all three smaller reservoirs incredibly low (Startop's End in particular). I took the opportunity of undertaking a full wildfowl census with the calm conditions, with most noticeable the massive increase in Northern Pochard numbers. The full inventory is listed below - 55 species -:

Great Crested Grebe (31 including 11 on Wilstone, 5 on Tringford, 12 on Startop's and 3 on Marsworth)
Little Grebe (3 still on Wilstone and 1 on Startop's)
Cormorant (20 roosting on Wilstone, with 8 on Tringford and 11 on Startop's; ringed 'CAU' Carbo was roosting on Tringford)
Grey Heron (just 2 on Wilstone, 2 on Tringford and 2 on Marsworth)
Mute Swan (just 38 birds - all adult type - including 34 on Wilstone, 2 on Tringford and 2 on Startop's; additionally, an adult was freshly dead on the spit, perhaps killed by Fox)
Whooper Swan (both adults present but one bird appeared to be in distress and reluctant to move - both sitting on the mud by the jetty)
**BEWICK'S SWAN (the Wilstone family party of 4 birds still present but particularly mobile today - flying east from the Drayton Lagoon at 1003 only to return shortly later and then landed near to the hide)
Greylag Goose (67 in the fields to the east of Wilstone Reservoir)
Atlantic Canada Goose (7)
**DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE (the long-staying juvenile was on the bund mid-morning and drinking from the edge of Wilstone Reservoir)
*COMMON SHELDUCK (a drake was by the hide on Wilstone) *Interestingly, David Kramer had one at Priory Country Park, Bedford, this morning.
Mallard (162 including 57 on Wilstone, 93 on Startop's and 12 on Marsworth)
GADWALL (major increase with 66 birds counted, including 24 on Wilstone, 6 on Tringford and 36 on Startop's)
*NORTHERN PINTAIL (just 1 drake on Wilstone)
Northern Shoveler (total of 118 counted, including 86 on Wilstone, 10 on Startop's and 22 on Wilstone)
Eurasian Wigeon (nothing like the numbers that once wintered at the reservoirs but 233 on Wilstone and 22 on Startop's)
Common Teal (327 counted: 216 on Wilstone, with 34 on Tringford, 73 on Startop's and 4 on Marsworth)
Northern Pochard (249 birds, mostly drakes: major increase with 137 on Wilstone and 112 on Startop's)
RED-CRESTED POCHARD (the female remains on Wilstone and 4 birds - a female, a first-winter and 2 adult drakes - on Startop's)
Tufted Duck (very poor numbers noted at 104 comprising just 36 on Wilstone, with 16 on Tringford and 52 on Startop's)
COMMON GOLDENEYE (two female-types on Wilstone)
Smew (no sign of yesterday's redhead on Wilstone)
Red Kite (1 west of Wilstone)
Common Kestrel (1 by Tringford Reservoir)
Common Pheasant (6 males walking out on the vegetation at Wilstone)
Moorhen (full census undertaken with 66 birds recorded: 32 on Wilstone, 14 on Tringford, 14 on Startop's and 6 on Tringford)
Common Coot (all click-counted revealing a total of 950 including a decrease to 622 on Wilstone, 52 on Tringford and 276 on Startop's)
EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER (just 6 present on Wilstone)
Lapwing (17 on Wilstone and 3 on Startop's)
*DUNLIN (a full winter-plumaged bird on the mud at Startop's)
*GREEN SANDPIPER (the wintering singleton still present on the mud at Tringford)
Black-headed Gull (114 on Wilstone, 76 on Startop's and 51 on Marsworth)
Common Gull (7 on Wilstone)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult on Tringford)

Woodpigeon (massive decrease in numbers with a flock of 200 in cereal crops near Marsworth village)
Collared Dove (2 in Wilstone village and 16 in Marsworth)
**WATER PIPIT (the wintering bird on Wilstone showing very well today in the small bay north of the jetty)
Meadow Pipit (8 on the vegetated fringes of Wilstone)
Pied Wagtail (good numbers around including 21 on Wilstone, 2 on Tringford and 4 on Startop's)
Grey Wagtail (singles on Wilstone and Marsworth)
Wren (Marsworth Wood and Wilstone)
Dunnock (3 birds noted along Watery Lane)
Robin (5 noted - on Wilstone and Marsworth)
Song Thrush (a number of singing males including singles by the hide and in the East Poplars on Wilstone and 2 at Startop's/Marsworth)
Fieldfare (about 40 on the eastern flank of Wilstone)
Common Blackbird (5 present in the former orchard adjacent to the Black Poplars on Wilstone's East Bank)
Blue Tit (3 in Marsworth Reedbed)
Long-tailed Tit (party of 11 birds on Wilstone)
Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook and Jackdaw all noted
Common Starling (34 in fields around Wilstone)
House Sparrow (as usual, only birds a flock of 16 by Startop Farm)
Chaffinch (1 in Marsworth Wood)
LINNET (a flock of 17 feeding on the Wilstone mud with the Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails by the jetty)
BULLFINCH (1 in Watery Lane, Marsworth)
Reed Bunting (1 in Marsworth Reedbed)

AYLESBURY COUNTY HALL (BUCKS)

The female PEREGRINE was sat on the platform at midday

THE UPPER RAY MEADOWS BBOWT RESERVE AT GALLOWS BRIDGE FARM (BUCKS)

Present from 1230-1300 hours, joined Ken & Sally Earnshaw, Mike Habberfield and his wife and Dave Parmenter in the main car park at Gallows Bridge and enjoyed some real quality birding.....

The two regular HEN HARRIERS - the initial adult female and the small bright juvenile - were both present and showing well - the juvenile on view virtually all of the time. The latter was patrolling the rough field to the west of the main reserve field, as well as the right hand hedgerow, and approached to within 75 yards at one stage whilst the adult kept to the cereal field on the north side of the hedgerow. The second-winter male showed up briefly just after I left (per KE)

Other raptors present included Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and 5 Common Kestrels whilst up to 12 COMMON RAVEN present in the main field was bizarre. They all eventually flew off towards Waddesdon. The increase in this species in our region is nothing short of remarkable.

A flock of 35 Linnets and 7 Skylarks was also to be seen and a male Bullfinch on teasels by the entrance track

Nearby, 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS were showing well near Westcott

Talking of the latter, I returned early afternoon to a site in central Bedfordshire where I and another local observer were treated once more to an incredible display by up to 10 hunting SHORT-EARED OWLS. These birds have been present for just over a week now but are wintering on land earmarked for an astonishing 5,000 new homes ! A further 4 individuals are also present in the Brogborough area - by far the most I have ever seen in the county at one time and testament to the numbers currently wintering in Britain following the exceptional breeding season. The two female-type MERLINS were also still around.

A single Little Egret was south of the Kempston Bypass on the larger pit.

More shots from today

2011-11-27T20:55:00.002Z

Good views of Smew, Goldeneye and Dark-bellied Brent Goose this morning with Mic & Jan Wells and Tony Hukin.

Brent in field near dry canal but flushed by noisy joggers. Managed a shot on ground before it took off and a grabbed flight shot attached (Francis Buckle).

More of today's images

2011-11-27T20:41:00.003Z

John Foster captured these images today of the 59 European Golden Plover and the exceptionally long-staying juvenile PALE-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE

Sunday birding - SMEW still

2011-11-27T20:33:00.003Z

It was a beautifully still, crisp late afternoon at the reservoir. I was greeted by a flock of c50 Fieldfare at cemetery corner. The redhead SMEW was still showing well, favouring the west corner, by the overflow. She was being harassed occasionally by Blackheaded Gulls and more so as the gulls came in to roost. A small flock of Linnets (c8-12) landed on the mud (west corner), joining the dozen or more Pied Wagtails in the area. The BEWICK'S SWAN family were still on the pool to the right of the hide. I wasn't able to check on the other significant species but I did have a close encounter with a Sparrowhawk in the wooded area (east corner of the reservoir) as I headed home at dusk (4:15pm). It flew within about 5 metres of me and off South across the fields. Attached is this evening's record shot of the Smew and, for a splash of colour, a Shoveler! - LUCY FLOWER

Dave finds a redhead SMEW

2011-11-26T16:04:00.001Z

In addition to the long-staying BEWICK'S SWAN herd and the juvenile DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE, Wilstone Reservoir this late afternoon has a redhead SMEW on view (per Dave Bilcock)

Today's News - little change

2011-11-24T20:06:00.000Z

This morning the Brent Goose was still in the Dry Canal filed and the four Bewick’s Swans were still on the lagoon to the right of the hide. Also a male Goldeneye was on the lagoon closest to the east corner (Roy Hargreaves)

Longest-staying BRENT GOOSE ever !

2011-11-22T18:32:00.002Z

This morning the Brent Goose was being very co-operative – see attached pic. Also the Bewick’s Swans were still on the lagoon to the right of the hide. Also male and two female RCPs on Startops.

I should have mentioned that the Water Pipit was on the Bucks section of Startops yesterday. Today a less complete walk round didn’t allow me time to find it today – assuming it was where I could see it anyway of course (Roy Hargreaves)

Today's News

2011-11-21T18:18:00.000Z

This morning I had a quick look at all four reservoirs. Brent Goose was still in field by Dry Canal, Bewick’s Swan family were on lagoon to the right of the hide. Water Pipit was on Startopsend Res as were a male and two female Red-crested Pochard. Marsworth and Tringford held little of note (Roy Hargreaves)

Blanket of FOG

2011-11-20T19:48:00.002Z

After a hectic week it was good to get out this morning. Not being put off by the fog covering the vale and reservoirs I decided to head up the Beacon where it was one of those fabulous morning when you look out over a sea of mist. Watching the sun rise, casting the mist a warm orange colour makes it well worth the effort of getting up early! Dave Bilcock

No change

2011-11-20T16:27:00.002Z

This morning the juvenile DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE was still in the field between the two paths down from the Dry Canal. The four BEWICK'S SWANS were still on the isolated lagoon by the hide. The WATER PIPIT was also in the jetty area and 5+ Dunlin were about and a Little Egret flew over and seemed to head towards Tringford (Roy Hargreaves)

Much the same

2011-11-18T20:55:00.003Z

Roy Hargreaves obtained this excellent shot of the long-staying juvenile DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE this morning. The family party of 4 BEWICK'S SWANS were also still present, 2 drake PINTAILS but no sign of the White-front

Nothing new today

2011-11-17T19:13:00.001Z

This morning I was able to walk round properly to find that little had changed. Water Pipit still by jetty, White-fronted Goose still in field by jetty (see Francis Buckle's image above) and on reservoir, 4 Bewick’s Swans still on isolated lagoon by hide and Brent Goose still, but in field between the two paths down from the dry canal – by the old orchard.

Also 14 Red-legged Partridge in field below Dry Canal and 8 in field above Dry Canal. Presumably they had a good breeding season near Wilstone at least (Roy Hargreaves)

WHITE-FRONT images

2011-11-16T22:57:00.003Z

Dave Hutchinson got some nice images of the adult EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE today at Wilstone; interestingly, what may have been a different adult was seen at Tyttenhanger GP today

BEWICK'S SWAN family group continue to grace cut-off pool in NW corner

2011-11-16T15:58:00.005Z

Just to follow up on Ian's post, the EURASIAN WHITE-FRONT was still present between about 9:30 and 10am, although it seemed rather restless. Francis Buckle and I watched it make a couple of sorties over towards Marsworth/Tringford Reservoirs, before circling back to the water in cemetery corner. The BEWICK'S SWAN family were settled in the lagoon in the West corner (a few record shots attached). From the hide, looking right, the 5 Dunlin were still out on the mud, mixed in with 100+ Golden Plover. Francis and I didn't check on the Brent Goose (Lucy Flower)

This morning at Wilstone

2011-11-16T15:52:00.001Z

A flying visit first thing before work provided the adult EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in the field behind the jetty with the greylag flock, 5 Dunlin on the spit and the family party of 4 BEWICK'S SWANS (Ian Williams)

BAR-WIT does an overnight bunk whilst a single WHITE-FRONT arrives this afternoon

2011-11-15T20:57:00.002Z

TUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER

Up and out at dawn in the hope of connecting with Chaz Jackson's Bar-Wit of last night (I had missed every one in April and May). As it was, it had departed overnight.......

It was a beautiful day, unbelievable for mid November, with SE winds bringing a ridge of high pressure accompanied by both clear blue skies and wall-to-wall sunshine; temperatures reached a balmy 16 degrees C.....

WILSTONE RESERVOIR

I made two visits today - one from 0715-0815 and another from 1445-1700 hours. These were my observations.........

Great Crested Grebe (11)
Little Grebe (a first-winter under the bridge on the canal at Drayton Beauchamp)
Atlantic Great Cormorant (adult ringed 'CAU' roosting on bund - see Dave Bilcock's image above)
Cormorants, presumably Sinensis (22 on bund)
Mute Swan (37 present, including 1 first-winter)
Whooper Swan (usual two adults)
*BEWICK'S SWAN (the family party of 4 still present and this afternoon favouring the cut-off pool in the NW corner)
*EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (flew in from the east mid-afternoon and joined the 65 Greylag Geese on the bund; it was a full adult with strong underpart blotching, an extensive white forehead blaze, deep orange legs and a pale pink bill)
Greylag Geese (flock of 65)
*DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE (the juvenile that first arrived on Sunday was still present in exactly the same place in the grass field adjacent to Rushy Meadow, best viewed from the Dry Canal)
Gadwall (3)
Northern Shoveler (127)
Eurasian Wigeon (282)
Common Teal (151)
NORTHERN PINTAIL (just 1 drake again)
Northern Pochard (106)
Tufted Duck (38)
Common Goldeneye (4 female-types still present)
*PEREGRINE (at first light, a male made several stoops at the wader flock before being chased off by the resident sub-adult Lesser Black-backed Gull)
Red-legged Partridge (Roy had a covey of 14 in fields by the Dry Canal)
Coot (614 on Wilstone)
European Golden Plover (same flock - 411 click-counted still)
Lapwing (389)
DUNLIN (4 this morning and 5 this evening on the bund)
Black-headed Gull (post-roost flock of 311)
Common Gull (single adult with the Black-heads)
Pied Wagtail (12)
Meadow Pipit (26)

MARSWORTH RESERVOIR

A Green Woodpecker was yaffling from the Black Poplars whilst 74 CORN BUNTINGS roosted

COLLEGE LAKE BBOWT

Very quiet and no sign of any Bewick's Swans - the main marsh held 10 Mute Swans, 105 Wigeon and 14 Gadwall

CHESS VALLEY, CHESHAM (BUCKS)

Two LITTLE EGRETS present this morning, in trees just east of Bois Mill

BAR-TAILED GODWIT at Wilstone this evening

2011-11-14T17:16:00.001Z

Had time to visit Wilstone late afternoon as it was getting very gloomy. There was a Bar-tailed Godwit asleep amongst the Golden Plover Flock on the spit. Also 2 Dunlin present. 4 Bewick Swans still present (2 ads, 2 juvs) and the 2 Whoopers. The Water Pipit was about and 150 plus flock of Fieldfare went over. The Dark-bellied Brent was present in the fields behind the Reservoir. A flock of 12 Redpolls in the garden I was working in near Berkhamsted nr Shooters Way (Charlie Jackson)

BEWICK'S SWANS still present early morning, and DBBG

2011-11-14T10:44:00.001Z

Everything from yesterday was still there – at first. The Brent Goose was in the same field as on Saturday. I actually saw it fly a bit this morning and there appears to be nothing wrong with it. The 10 Bewick’s were also still present when I first arrived and were flying around at 7:45, but settled again. However at 8:15 six of them flew off towards Tringford/College Lake – it was grey and overcast this morning and visibility wasn’t too good. The four other Bewick’s remained until about 8:50 and then flew off in a south-easterly direction (seen from by Rushy so may also have stayed local). Also saw an adult Peregrine on the mud and Water Pipit by jetty. Also five Dunlin together from the jetty with the Golden Plover (Roy Hargreaves)

More images from today - John Foster

2011-11-13T21:52:00.001Z

BEWICK'S SWANS (Ian Bennell)

2011-11-13T21:50:00.001Z

More BEWICK'S SWAN images from today (Sally Douglas)

2011-11-13T21:49:00.002Z

Another arrival - BEWICK'S SWANS

2011-11-13T17:12:00.003Z

SUNDAY 13 NOVEMBER

Continuing very unseasonally mild (17 degrees C) with long bright periods and light SE winds......

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

Undoubted highlight today were a herd of 10 BEWICK'S SWANS (7 adults, 3 juveniles) which arrived from the east over College Lake (Paul Reed) before eventually settling close to the Drayton Bank on Wilstone at 0945 hours (Steve Rodwell et al). Dave Bilcock and I managed to see them shortly later, all 10 still present at 1015 hours. In fact, Ian Bennell and Dave Hutchinson saw them much later, DH obtaining the nice images above....

Otherwise, it was the same as yesterday, with the juvenile DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE still feeding in the grass field just west of Rushy Meadow

And finally a DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE......

2011-11-12T18:37:00.002Z

SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER (LGRE DIARY NOTES)

At first thing this morning, the Chiltern area was bathed in a blanket of dense fog. This has followed some intense rain overnight. Winds were once again in the SE, fairly light and warm. At around 0930 hours, the fog started to lift and giving way to bright periods.

It was another eventful day on the local birding front with some excellent birds being found. Before I had even left the house, Steve Heath had watched 4 Common Cranes fly NE over Southill, and whilst mapping out my route for the day, Roy Hargreaves did it for me by finding a DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE.......

CHESS VALLEY, BOIS MILL (BUCKS)

A single LITTLE EGRET was present as I drove past

TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTFORDSHIRE)
(0945-1300 hours)

I parked up at Drayton Beauchamp bridge at 0945 hours and walked eastwards along the canal towpath. I could see the Brent almost immediately but obtained the best views after walking 250 yards along. The bird, a rather tired-looking juvenile DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE, was feeding on the grass in the large field adjacent to Rushy Meadow, two fields north of the Dry Canal. It was less than 40 yards from Buckinghamshire! For some of the time, it stood up and fed, but in the main, sat down and munched voraciously on the blades of grass. It was very alert though, always keeping an eye on people, dogwalkers and the odd Common Buzzard flying over. It also got quite spooked when a Black-headed Gull landed next to it and snatched some grubs from the ground. With its indistinct off-white neckring, pale mantle and clear-cut wing-bars, it could easily be aged as a juvenile.

In the 90 minutes that I stood there watching it from the canal (and beckoning it over the border), just 6 birders came and went - RH, Chaz Jackson, Mike Campbell, Francis Buckle, Ian Williams and David Bilcock - Dave of course obtaining the two images published above. A welcome Herts Yeartick considering how many have passed through the London Area this past week.

The fields either side of the Dry Canal were surprisingly plentiful in farmland species, with a flock of 60 Fieldfare noted, 3 Mistle Thrush, 4 Bullfinch, 8 Yellowhammer, 25 Meadow Pipit, 9 Linnet, 30 Goldfinch and 27 Skylark. A Sparrowhawk also whizzed through.

A comprehensive check of WILSTONE RESERVOIR failed once again to yield any sign of Steve Blake's Thursday Twite. The rollcall included 30 Mute Swans, the 2 adult Whooper Swans, 65 Greylag Geese, 4 Gadwall, 238 Eurasian Wigeon, 90 Common Teal, 65 Shoveler and 92 Northern Pochard and highlighted in 5 NORTHERN PINTAILS (2 adult drakes, a first-winter drake and 2 females), a RED-CRESTED POCHARD, 5 female COMMON GOLDENEYE, 411 European Golden Plovers, a single DUNLIN, 2 Common Snipe and the wintering WATER PIPIT.

The neighbouring reservoirs were at the lowest water levels in decades, with Marsworth even now falling dramatically. TRINGFORD RESERVOIR held 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Mute Swans, several Teal and Shoveler and 28 Tufted Duck, whilst STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR produced 14 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Mute Swans, 14 Canada Geese, 5 Gadwall, 65 Teal, 15 Pochard, 11 Shoveler and 3 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS (1 adult drake, 1 adult female and a first-winter female).

MARSWORTH RESERVOIR added 4 Great Crested Grebes, a single Mute Swan, 27 Shoveler and 4 WATER RAILS feeding in the open on the mud; a Wren was in full song.

BROGBOROUGH LAKE (BEDFORDSHIRE)

Although frustratingly unbeknown to me I drove past a flock of 15 Pintail at Grovebury Pit (perhaps the largest county flock in over two decades), Brogborough Lake did not disappoint. Joining Bob Chalkley on the bank in front of the windsurfing centre at the east end, the two of us very quickly latched on to the 3 BLACK-NECKED GREBES found earlier by Neil Wright. They were in amongst a large raft of Coot. Somewhat surprisingly, they constituted the first in the county this year and represented my 188th county species of 2011. Initially, they were visible about half way down the lake but as a shooting party arrived on the north shore and started blasting Mallards on the water to death, virtually every bird on the lake became unsettled.

Minutes earlier, as I started to count the Coot flock, I was somewhat surprised to see a juvenile GREAT NORTHERN DIVER surface in my 'scope view - another first for the year. This bird proceeded to swim towards the east end of the pit, affording both Bob and I some excellent views. Unlike some individuals, it dived and surfaced after a relatively short space of time and was initially easy to keep on. Literally seconds before the shooting began, Lol Carman waltzed up and managed a couple of views in my 'scope but then we lost it for some time, BC eventually relocating it down the southern flank of the lake. It was then seen on and off throughout the afternoon and was still there when I left the site at 1445 hours.

After eventually finishing the Coot count (256 birds incidentally), I concentrated on counting the other wildfowl present on the lake, including 13 Great Crested Grebes, 117 Tufted Duck, 198 Northern Pochard, a pair of RED-CRESTED POCHARD and 9 COMMON GOLDENEYE (including 3 drakes).

BROOM (BEDFORDSHIRE)

Gypsy Lane Pits yielded 230 Greylag Geese and a single Barnacle Goose but it wasn't until I spoke with SCB that I realised that the geese I had driven over to see were not with them. In fact, the party of 10 EUROPEAN WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were sitting in the large grassy field immediately east of the G & M Growers site to the north of the main road. They comprised a family party of 2 adults and 8 juveniles - the largest single brood of White-fronts I have ever seen in the UK. The same field also harboured a covey of 10 GREY PARTRIDGES

MEGA - TWITE makes brief visit to Wilstone

2011-11-10T20:42:00.000Z

THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER

It was another mild day today with the wind still blowing from the south. It was also fairly misty first thing before the sun shone through, giving way to clearer skies

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

With CDRH phoning me on a daily basis with 'another' batch of Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Queen Mother Reservoir, I visited Wilstone in the hope that one may have made landfall there, particularly as Herts has been largely devoid of this species in 2011. As suspected, there were none, and in fact virtually nothing different from what has been there on recent days.....

The WATER PIPIT was still present in the bay just to the north of the jetty, as well as the party of 10 Meadow Pipits - and with them was what I assumed to be the single Linnet noted on previous occasions and first recorded on 24 October. I had heard it fly around with the pipits and casually glanced at it with the naked eye but had not actually looked at it in the bins' or 'scope. I was therefore mightily annoyed when Steve Blake rang not long after I had departed to say that he was watching a single TWITE ! If only I had not assumed that it was the long-staying Linnet and actually followed it up.

Frustratingly, the most frequently uttered call-notes of Twite are those most readily confused with Linnet and those sweet sounds uttered which actually gave this species its name are in the minority, especially outside of summer and the breeding grounds - and hence why I never picked up on its significance. A lesson truly learned

Steve kept on the Twite for several minutes, as it loosely associated with the Meadow Pipit flock close to the jetty on the east bank. On the deck, it kept largely to itself - preferring to feed on the emergent weedy vegetation higher up the 'beach' whilst the pipits mainly kept to the mud. As I was talking Steve through various pointers, the bird suddenly took flight. It called several times again and was then lost from view - the entire flock disappearing out into the fields of Cemetery Corner. Despite a long vigil, it was not seen again, nor the Meadow Pipit flock.

An excellent record Steve but I am hugely frustrated at overlooking it. Just goes to show that single birds can be replaced in exactly the same location and in exactly the same circumstances.....

First WAXWINGS of the autumn

2011-11-09T18:46:00.003Z

I was very pleasantly surprised by the arrival of 4 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS whilst out birding this morning. They arrived from the East and alighted on the tall trees fairly close to the main car park. They moved from tree to tree for about 5 minutes before flying off West. However, as I walked down towards the S-bend, I saw them circle back round and onto Steps Hill. I managed the two records shots above. They were in the area for at least 20 minutes. It was also nice to see a couple of Nuthatches in the area (Lucy Flower)

WATER PIPIT still

2011-11-07T22:22:00.001Z

Just so that people are aware. The Water Pipit was still present by the jetty yesterday morning and three Dunlin were with the Golden Plover as well.

Saturday Ian W and I saw a flock of 13 Bullfinch over the hide meadow. This may be normal on the beacon area, but I don’t recall seeing a flock this big by the reservoirs. No doubt someone will have seen a larger flock at some time, but I haven’t!

Roy Hargreaves

RING OUZELS in the gloom

2011-11-07T22:10:00.000Z

No sign of the Snow Bunting this morning but it could still be there. Conditions on top are really awful with low drizzly cloud, visibility down to 10 metres at times, along with a raging North-Easterly. On top of all that there were about 100 sheep around the trig which probably wouldn't help.

There were 2 RING OUZELS grounded in the conditions, 1 in bushes on the South-East slope ( not seen ), only chacking. The other I accidentally flushed near the trig, it then went to bushes near to the top of the South-West slope up to the trig, but then flew down the west side towards the road.

Little else of note other than a single Brambling arriving before dawn, mainly because I couldn't see anything up there !

Mike Wallen

No Snow Bunting in dense fog

2011-11-07T21:49:00.001Z

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER - LGRE DIARY NOTES

Well I felt pretty depressed last night. After showing well for about four hours yesterday, the Ivinghoe Beacon Snow Bunting decided to go awol just as I rolled up on site yesterday afternoon, and despite searching for the next 90 minutes with the two young Perfect brothers, the bird was nowhere to be found - it had presumably moved on due to the pressure of dogwalkers and Sunday strollers. Two drab first-winter RING OUZELS in neighbouring scrub were scant compensation.......

Well today dawned grey and drizzly and with the wind still in the east (it had veered from NE to SSE) I returned first thing to the Hills.....

IVINGHOE HILLS NR (BUCKS)

I was faced with thick fog early morning but despite that, there was enough visibility at the Beacon trig point to see that the Snow Bunting was not there. In fact it was dead, just 1 Song Thrush and 3 Goldcrests

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

Very little change since my last visit of about a week ago, although the water level had risen slightly...

The EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER flock had risen dramatically - from around 180 to 411 - but otherwise it was standard fare.......

The 4 Little Grebes, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 36 Mute Swans, the 2 adult Whooper Swans, 62 Greylag Geese, just 78 Wigeon, 113 Common Teal, 42 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 1 drake PINTAIL, 44 Pochard, just 27 Tufted Duck and 10 Meadow Pipits

UPPER RAY MEADOWS, GALLOWS BRIDGE (WEST BUCKS)

Following up on Warren's message, I arrived at Gallows Bridge reserve at 1000 hours and departed at just after 1100 hours. In that hour, Warren's HEN HARRIER was intermittently in view, occasionally sitting on top of the hedgerow but generally hunting up and down over the large weedy fields that border the northern perimeter of the reserve. It was constantly harassed by Carrion Crows and to escape their attacks, repeatedly had to resort to sitting on the ground or hedgerow. In flight, it showed five splayed primary 'fingers' and not four and hence quickly eliminated Pallid Harrier, of which there is an unprecedented influx at present. It was also very pale on the underparts, with the saturated breast streaking on a whitish background, and exhibited clear pale covert patches on each upperwing. It appeared to be an adult female. The broad white rump was clearly seen and the strongly barred uppertail. It was also a heavy bird in flight, with broad-based wings.

A single COMMON RAVEN was also in the vicinity, as well as Common Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard, whilst a flock of 125 European Golden Plover wheeled overhead and spooked farmland birds included 36 Skylarks and 260 Common Starlings.

The Hen Harrier could be seen from either the first hide or the main car park

CALVERT SAILING LAKE (BUCKS)

The long-staying juvenile COMMON SCOTER was still present, closely hugging the NW bank of reeds

KNOTTING GREEN (NORTH BEDFORDSHIRE)

Thanks to Steve Blain, I drove as far north as I could go in Bedfordshire and spent the entire afternoon in a damp and bleak landscape of Knotting Green. Light conditions were very poor as mizzle drifted in and out of the valley, whilst underfoot was wet and muddy. I stood at the derelict barn about half a mile south of the road from 1300 hours but it was not until three hours later that I succeeded in my goal - the ringtail HEN HARRIER finally appearing at 1605 hours. The bird appeared high from the south and dropped down into the valley and began hunting over the densely scattered small bushes behind the line of taller trees. At one point, it flushed a female Common Pheasant, and chased it briefly, before dropping down presumably to roost after about ten minutes of flight. It was a very dark chocolate-brown individual on the upperparts and was boldly and very heavily streaked on the underparts. There was little contrast in the wing coverts, with the white rump patch broad and conspicuous and the ringtail characteristically rimmed buff. These features all suggested a juvenile.........I was delighted, after dipping Neil Wright's bird on three occasions, I had at last connected and the long trip and stakeout had been well worthwhile

In all of the time that I was present at the site, there was little else to keep one occupied - no Great Grey Shrike, Short-eared or Barn Owls just 4 Bullfinch, 18 Greenfinch, 3 Reed Buntings, male Common Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 5 Song Thrush, 30 Redwing and about 100 Fieldfare

ATLANTIC GREAT CORMORANT back for its 7th winter

2011-11-07T20:47:00.003Z

On Sunday morning, the regular wintering ATLANTIC GREAT CORMORANT (CUA) from NE Scotland was back on Tringford Reservoir. It was present amongst the roosting cormorants on the exposed shore (middle bird in the below above). This is now the 7th winter this bird has returned to Tring (David Bilcock).

Sunday SNOW BUNTING

2011-11-07T20:37:00.003Z

Ian Malin and Dave Hutchinson stumbled upon this extremely confiding SNOW BUNTING at the trig point on Ivinghoe Beacon on Sunday morning and despite a constant flurry of dogwalkers and joggers, continued to show well until early afternoon. Dave Bilcock managed these two excellent shots but frustratingly the bird got pushed about in the afternoon and disappeared at about 1430 hours. LGRE arrived at around 1500 hours, and along with Daniel Perfect and his brother searched extensively until dusk without success. Two RING OUZELS were scant compensation.....

GREY PLOVER

2011-11-05T17:50:00.001Z

Wilstone: A GREY PLOVER flew over ca.08:40 which unfortunately did not join the large number of Ruropean Golden Plovers resting on the mud from the hide.

College Lake: an adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL was present in the roost as well as single GBB and YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Dave Bilcock)

WATER PIPIT still present

2011-10-30T00:23:00.001+01:00

This morning the WATER PIPIT was pretty faithful to the jetty area and was both with Meadow Pipits or by itself. The Dunlin came in with a Golden Plover flock and was flying round with them. Again there was no sign of any Rock Pipits. Lesser Redpolls, Siskin and Linnets were flying over and a Little Egret or two popped in from Tringford before flying back in that direction (Roy Hargreaves)

A phenomenal morning on the hills - WOODPIGEON migration in full swing

2011-10-30T00:18:00.001+01:00

SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER

When Carmel and I walked home last night after a night out, the seeping sound of REDWINGS flying overhead clearly indicated that migration was in full swing. As such, I was out early on the Hills in anticipation..........

There was a bank of very clear weather to the north of the Chiltern Hills but south of there, it was thick cloud with a fairly strong SW wind. It had been very calm but cloudy overnight - following on from a gloriously fine day - ideal conditions for grounding migrants.

IVINGHOE HILLS (BUCKS)

I positioned myself on the lower knoll shortly after 0745 hours and remained on the escarpment until 1045 hours. Passage was occurring from the outset. WOODPIGEONS were the order of the day and they were absolutely pouring through. Initially, flocks were coming in low over Gallows Hill but after a while, the main migration concentrated further to the east, with the passage continuing into the Gade Valley. A grand total of 2,747 birds was counted, with the biggest single flock of 490 birds (18 + 174 + 3 + 115 + 41 + 8 + 19 + 41 + 95 + 159 + 130 + 255 + 8 + 28 + 75 + 7 + 67 + 490 + 35 + 302 + 117 + 33 + 215 + 168 + 144). The passage continued throughout. A total of 42 STOCK DOVES was identified amongst the flocks.

Two SHORT-EARED OWLS passed over high to the west at 0815, both being mobbed by Jackdaws for a while, whilst two different WOODLARKS flew south calling - low to the contour. At 0937 hours, an immature/female MERLIN appeared over Gallows Hill and followed the line of the hills, departing west from the higher knoll just SE of the Beacon trig point.

At 0935 hours, a massive flock of 440 FIELDFARES made landfall in the Beeches from the east; they paused very briefly before continuing on, disappearing to the west over Top Scrub and Steps Hill - a further 23 (in two flocks of 5 and 18) were later seen

REDWINGS were far scarcer with just 13 noted, with just 1 dark-billed Continental Blackbird and three separate first-year RING OUZELS - all continuing westward (the latter located by their characteristic chacking call-note).

Weirdly, 2 Cormorants (an adult and juvenile) flew south over the trig, whilst the remaining species identified included -:

Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Jay (1)
Skylark (57)
Dunnock, presumably continental (arrived from the east)
Chaffinch (strong southerly passage - 159 birds in total)
Bullfinch (6)
BRAMBLING (3)
REDPOLL species, indeterminate (7)
Yellowhammer (24 west)
CORN BUNTING (3) - presumably local birds
Common Starling (224 in total, the largest flock being of 45 birds - all migrating directly west)

Rock Pipits all gone but HEN HARRIER lingers on Hills

2011-10-28T19:05:00.001+01:00

FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER (LGRE DIARY NOTES)

What a fabulous day. From start to finish, winds were light and variable, with clear blue skies and bright, warm sunshine. Difficult to believe it was the end of October

I put in a full day today trying to catch up with some Buckinghamshire Yearticks. Frustratingly, didn't bother with Calvert, where the Red-necked Grebe remains present......

DORNEY ROWING LAKES (SOUTH BUCKS)

Despite an exhaustive search, no sign of yesterday's Scandinavian Rock Pipit between the 500 and 750 metre markers, just 18 Meadow Pipits, 15 Skylarks and a first-winter COMMON KINGFISHER. Dave Cleal had also photographed a littoralis at the same site on 11 October.

WOOLMAN'S WOOD, HEDSOR (SOUTH BUCKS) (SU 915 845)

I met up with Dave Cleal in Branch Lane, at the north end of Woolman's Wood. We then spent the next 40 minutes in the wood, made up of deciduous and coniferous trees, as well as much Holly and other shrub understorey. This was the first time I had ever birded this wood and I was very impressed with the results.

The highlight was COMMON CROSSBILL - four birds, two males and two females, showing well at the top of the Douglas Firs, extracting pine seeds from the cones. Two birds also flew overhead but may have been the same birds.

BULLFINCHES were also very much in evidence in the wood with at least 6 seen/heard and as expected FIRECREST - at least two birds being heard. A SISKIN flew over.

Other species noted included Red Kite, Jay, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush (1), Coal Tit (4), Nuthatch (3) and Goldcrest (12+). A Red Admiral and a late Speckled Wood were also noted.

TRING RESERVOIRS (HERTFORDSHIRE)

Wilstone Reservoir did not yield either Water Pipit or the 3 Scandinavian Rock Pipits - just 4 Meadow Pipits. New in was a single DUNLIN on the main bund, whilst EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVERS numbered 206, a COMMON SNIPE was roosting, NORTHERN PINTAIL had increased to 9 (5 drakes) and both Jay and BLACKCAP were noted in the East Hedgerow. Counts included 4 Little Grebe, 9 Great Crested Grebe and 39 Mute Swans (including the colour-ringed family from the Grand Union Canal).

At Startop's End Reservoir, just 3 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS remained (2 drakes), with 16 Great Crested Grebes, 56 Eurasian Wigeon and 2 Common Gulls (adult and first-winter) also sighted.

Tringford Reservoir was the lowest I had seen it since the early 1980's and consequently it harboured 4 Little Egrets, a GREEN SANDPIPER, 2 Mute Swans, 62 Common Teal and 25 Shoveler.

THE IVINGHOE HILLS (BUCKS)

No sign of the Ring Ouzel seen earlier by the Beacon summit and no sign of a juvenile Hen Harrier seen quartering the fields below Gallows Hill for 45 minutes before I arrived; it had drifted off east

GREAT LINFORD LAKES (NORTH BUCKS)

Late afternoon saw me observing what must be a new county record of roosting LITTLE EGRETS - no less than 29 of them crammed into the Willows of the two islands at the north end. Certainly well exceeds my previous highest total of 17. The adult GREAT WHITE EGRET was also with them and showing very well - initially on the main bund before moving to a Willow housing two Little Egrets. The three birds had an altercation, with the Great White stabbing out at the two Little Egrets.

There were also 95 Cormorants roosting on the bund, with 6 Little Grebes, 21 Mute Swans, 252 Wigeon, 18 Gadwall, 27 Teal and 42 Shoveler being counted.

At 1616 hours, a cracking SHORT-EARED OWL rose up from the rough fields adjacent to Swans Way and affording outstanding views for over 20 minutes as it hunted back and forth - my first of the year.

WATER PIPT still

2011-10-26T18:41:00.001+01:00

Nice walk round the Beacon area with Chris King produced a fair size flock of Fieldfares, c60, together with Redwings, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds. Seemed to be a good number of Bullfinches (mostly heard)in the scrub area around Steps Hill. In the sheep field area 1 male Stonechat and 2 Wheatears and Raven 'enjoying' the strong breeze on the top together with 1 kestrel. No luck with any ouzels

Parked at the Cemetery at Wilstone and in the field with the crap apple tree flock of at least 12 Mistle Thrushes and 40+ Fieldfares. 160 Golden Plover on the spit out from the jetty + 1 possibly 2 Rock Pipits and 1 WATER PIPIT and a feeding Pintail (Francis Buckle).

Another dire day on the Hills

2011-10-25T16:50:00.002+01:00

TUESDAY 25 OCTOBER

The wind switched from SSE to SSW overnight and was accompanied by heavy rain. Such conditions are normally excellent for depositing birds on the hills so I made my way up Ivinghoe Beacon but was very disappointed.....

IVINGHOE HILLS NATURE RESERVE (BUCKS)

Walked the entire circuit with poor results - starting at 0930 hours and finishing at 1400 hours. In fact dire - apart from thrushes, nothing moving. Frustratingly, no luck with the 3= Ring Ouzels seen on North Slope early morning (Warren Claydon had another at Lodge Hill)......

The undoubted highlight was a pair of COMMON RAVENS - remaining present for over an hour. They initially appeared over Incombe Hole, before playing in the air and tumbling over Steps Hill, then moving to the Beacon and later favouring the eastern slopes. Both birds were adult and one of our local breeding pairs.

Second to that, a single BRAMBLING flew over calling, just 8 Chaffinches in total, 25 Redwings and 44 Fieldfare (Lucy Flower obtaining a nice photograph of the latter - see above) - mostly in Top Scrub

Most interesting was the RED ADMIRAL migration - 7 noted in obvious migration over the Beacon

A pair of Rooks had an interesting altercation with a hunting juvenile Common Kestrel - observing from a distance and then homing in whenever anything was captured and making it drop the catch.

At Wilstone Reservoir, the winter-plumaged WATER PIPIT was still present on the left side of the bund - and the two Whoopers

WATER PIPIT new in

2011-10-24T17:55:00.000+01:00

MONDAY 24 OCTOBER

Strong Southeasterly winds blew all day, associated with clear skies before late afternoon....

BROGBOROUGH RECLAIMED LANDFILL SITE (BEDFORDSHIRE)

Dave Odell, Roy Nye and I put in three hours (1100-1400 hours) overlooking the rough field on the slope above the landfill, but failed in our quest to locate the ringtail Hen Harrier that had been present here on Saturday and Sunday. There were a host of raptors present though, with at least 5 Common Buzzards, 5 Common Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk. Both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers were also recorded, 15 Stock Doves, 3 Skylark, 4 Fieldfare and 3 Redwings, whilst a Red Fox was seen several times hunting.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTFORDSHIRE)

I joined Mike Campbell on the jetty at 1530 and over the next half hour, we enjoyed superb views of a winter-plumaged WATER PIPIT on the left side of the main spit, ranging between 40 and 75 yards from us. A flock of 10 Meadow Pipits were also on the spit, as well as 3 Pied Wagtails, and also a single male Linnet.

Wildfowl present included the pair of Whooper Swans and 7 PINTAILS (4 drakes), whilst the 34 Mute Swans present included the family party of 5 birds (3 of which are marked with orange plastic rings - '033' - adult - and '031' and '032' the two first-years).

SHARDELOES LAKE (BUCKS)

All 6 young Mute Swans still survive, with 6 Gadwall present, a female Tufted Duck and 64 Coots. An adult Common Gull was with the Black-headed Gull flock, as well as a juvenile Argenteus Herring Gull, whilst migrants included 25 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Pied Wagtail

PEREGRINE at College Lake

2011-10-23T19:09:00.003+01:00

Ace local photographer Dave Hutchinson captured this PEREGRINE on film today, as it scattered birds in all directions at College Lake. The drake COMMON SCOTER was also still present

Influx of RED-CRESTED POCHARDS

2011-10-21T18:36:00.001+01:00

FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER

It was very cold overnight, with temperatures dropping down to almost freezing. The light Northwesterly wind continued today, with bright conditions and predominantly clear skies......

LITTLE CHALFONT (BUCKS)

Noticeable vizmig first thing, with 4 Skylarks and a Siskin flying west over my garden, as well as one flock of 55 Woodpigeons

STEWARTBY LAKE (BEDS)

Thanks to an early morning call via Pip H, I made my way up to Stewartby Lake, where Keith Owen's find of last night was still present. The juvenile COMMON SCOTER was straight out from the gull watchpoint, roughly in the middle of the lake, diving infrequently and in brief flight on one occasion. It constituted my 184th species of the year and thus taking me to my highest annual score ever in the county (a long way off Andy Plumb's record count of 200 though). MJP, Lol and Bob C were also present.

IVINGHOE HILLS (BUCKS)

A dead Badger was at the side of the road by the main car park.

I walked the entire circuit but in the slack NW conditions, virtually nothing was on the move. The highlight was 2 NORTHERN WHEATEARS on the fenceline by the sheep pens, whilst 27 Skylarks and 80 Linnets were in the rough field adjacent.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

The highlight was two COMMON RAVENS that were actually lingering in the area. Both very vocal, they were first seen over the Cemetery Corner Poplars before flying east towards Startop's. They then remained in the air for over half an hour, mainly flying over the NW corner of Startop's and over the adjacent horse fields.

Wilstone held 3 Little Grebes, 34 Mute Swans (including the family party, the cygnets being banded with orange rings), the 2 adult Whooper Swans, 134 Wigeon, Teal, 52 Shoveler, 92 Pochard, a pair of RED-CRESTED POCHARD and 147 European Golden Plovers on the bund.

TRINGFORD RESERVOIR (HERTS)

This reservoir is now very low and suitable for waders, etc. There were 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swans and 28 Common Teal.......

STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR (HERTS)

Very, very low water level with two emerging gravel islands. No less than 5 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS were present (4 adult drakes), along with 15 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Mute Swans, 55 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 5 Shoveler and 29 Pochard

Belated SHORT-EARED OWL report

2011-10-19T22:48:00.001+01:00

Early morning I had a rock pipit by the jetty which flew to the fields behind the jetty.

A bit later (about 8.45) I was just below the dry canal heading towards Rushy Meadow when I heard a crow. Turning I noticed it was chasing what I initially expected to be a buzzard, however on raising my "bins" I realised it was a short-eared owl coming from the direction of Miswell Farm. It drifted towards "the boathouse" area still with the crow in attendance. I phoned Dave B and Warren (ringing)hoping to get one of them on to the owl however Dave was on the Beacon and Warren had no view due to the trees. The owl started to drift towards Cemetery Corner, however was again pushed by corvids, gained height and drifted towards Wilstone village (Ian Williams)

SCOTER still present

2011-10-19T19:18:00.003+01:00

Lucy Flower connected with the College Lake drake COMMON SCOTER this afternoon and obtained the images above

COMMON SCOTER still - and RING OUZEL

2011-10-18T20:37:00.001+01:00

The adult drake COMMON SCOTER was still present on College Lake BBOWT today, with a male RING OUZEL near the S-bend at Ivinghoe Beacon