24 WADER SPECIES NOW RECORDED IN 2008

Up until 18th August, a total of 24 species of wader have been recorded in the Tring Reservoirs Area in 2008 - see below

1. Oystercatcher
   
2. Little Ringed Plover
   
3. Ringed Plover
   
4. GREY PLOVER
   
5. European Golden Plover
   
6. Lapwing
   
7. RED KNOT
   
8. SANDERLING
   
9. TURNSTONE
   
10. Dunlin
    
11. WOOD SANDPIPER
    
12. Green Sandpiper
    
13. Common Sandpiper
    
14. Common Redshank
    
15. SPOTTED REDSHANK
    
16. Common Greenshank
    
17. BLACK-TAILED GOSWIT
    
18. BAR-TAILED GODWIT
    
19. Eurasian Curlew
    
20. WHIMBREL
    
21. Woodcock
    
22. Common Snipe
    
23. JACK SNIPE
    
24. RUFF
    

MONDAY 18 AUGUST

Today's Images (top to bottom)

Juvenile Common Greenshank, with Saturday's adult in full breeding attire roosting on the bund (Dave Bilcock)

Roosting gulls in Pitstone Quarry, with one of our juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls (Dave Bilcock)

WILSTONE RESERVOIR (1730-1830)
(with Dave Bilcock)

Following the excitement of the weekend, today's strong SW winds and frequent rain showers put paid to any new arrivals, and even with the wind in the SE further east and north, none of today's Black Terns made it to Wilstone. The main highlights were COMMON GREENSHANKS and the continuing GARGANEY, with a big increase in Common Teal and large white-headed gulls..

Gadwalls - 25+
Eurasian Wigeon - drake still present
Common Teal - major increase, with 29 feeding in the shallows this evening
GARGANEY - showing very well on mud to right of hide
Northern Shovelers - increase to 21 birds
Tufted Duck - 31 by car park
RED-CRESTED POCHARDS - all three birds still present
COMMON SANDPIPER - 1 still
GREEN SANDPIPER - 1 adult still
COMMON GREENSHANKS - the two juveniles present for a second day, showing very well right in front of the hide.
Common Tern - just 4 birds remaining, including two juveniles

HOBBY - 3 birds still present including the juvenile
COMMON SWIFTS - 44+ this evening, feeding low over the reservoir
Sand Martins - 20+
House Martins - 57+
WILLOW WARBLER - 2 juveniles present in the hedgerow adejacent to the new overflow

PITSTONE QUARRY AND ENVIRONS

The juvenile COMMON GREENSHANK was still present

A large flock of gulls was commuting between the quarry (to wash and bathe) and the ploughed field at Harvington Park (at SP 937 143) and the grass field west of Northfield Road and immediately south of Park Hall Farm at SP 947 133. The flock comprised of 173 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (19 + 67 + 87), 5 YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS (the adult and 4 juveniles) and 346 Black-headed Gulls.

WHITE STORK BONANZA

Walking back from the Drayton Bank Hide at 1440 hours on Saturday 16 August 2008, Dave Bilcock looked up to see two large, long-necked and long-legged birds drifting slowly low over Wilstone Reservoir. Dave quickly alerted Warren Claydon and together both observers watched in bewilderment as 2 WHITE STORKS circled low over the centre of the reservoir. As they were gliding in the sky and drifting very slowly eastwards, Dave immediately contacted a number of Tring regulars and the twitch to see them then began.

I had returned home to grab a few hours sleep when Dave rang, so I was up with a bang and back in the car within a minute. DB very kindly provided me with a running commentary of the bird's whereabouts as I drove as fast as I was able to the A41.

By 1503, the two birds were drifting east over Wilstone village and had disappeared from view for both Warren and Dave. Fortunately, Roy Hargreaves and Mike Campbell then took over, as they had intercepted both birds from positions on Startopsend Reservoir bank, close to the Angler's Retreat. The two birds circled over their heads and then continued east over Marsworth village before veering more to the south and over the horse paddocks. They then continued on a straight line, presumably following the Grand Union Canal, and continued south over Bulbourne at 1520. Two minutes later, Ben Miller intercepted them from Northfield Road, and watched them drop low down into fields north of Tring Station. Fortunately, I was on the phone to Ben whilst he was watching them, and within five minutes I was with him and Rob Andrews.

At 1524 hours, I saw them rise from the field and they flapped a short way further south and disappeared behind a ridge. I discovered a footpath leading down to the area opposite Aldbury Nowers and beckoned over RDA and BAM to join me. Mike Campbell arrived minutes later. The two birds had landed in a large cornfield being harvested and were showing extremely well (at SP 946 125). We sat quietly just below the ridge and 'scoped them. I contacted RBA Pagers and kept them regularly informed of events. ALL local birders were contacted.

Both birds remained wary of the combine as it continued its harvesting around them. One bird briefly searched for rodents (unsuccessfully) whilst the other rested. They were both unringed and in immaculate condition. Dave Bilcock obtained an excellent selection of images (see above).

Ageing

Both birds were virtually identical, with very light pink leg colouration and a slightly deeper pink bill colour. One bird had quite an extensive blackish tip to the bill, with the other less so, whilst the greater and median coverts were white and fresh. The upperpart feathers all had a slight brown cast to the white, with just a slight white edge to the black flight feathers. In flight, the primaries were entirely complete, unbroken and fresh. These features all confirmed ageing as two JUVENILES, presumably both from the same continental nest.

At 1618 hours, the two birds were disturbed by the combine and took flight. However, the 54 minutes they were on the ground allowed the following 16 observers to connect - LGRE, BAM, RDA, MCa, JT, Cliff Tack, IW & son, DB and two daughters, Francis Buckle, Ian Bennell, Michael Frosdick, Bob Chalkley and Mike Wallen. They gained height rapidly, and after circling high above Tring Station very slowly thermalled SSE towards Northchurch Common. They remained in view for at least 25 minutes, allowing both Ben and Mike Ilett to observe them from the old A41 at Cow Roast. I last saw them at 1643 hours, as they disappeared into the clouds and moved as if heading towards the M25.

Previous Records in Hertfordshire

For many, this was their first White Stork in Hertfordshire, but for all bar me, this was their first in the Tring area.

Prior to 1978, all records of White Stork in Hertfordshire were considered to be escapes (this is most likely an incorrect assumption on the behalf of previous authors).

Gladwin & Sage 1986 stated ''One shot in Hatfield, about the end of July 1883, was undoubtedly an escaped bird. Later, three were shot near Hertford in July 1891. More recently, in 1960, an adult was in the Broxbourne, Cheshunt and Wormley areas between 6-26 December, and again on 15 January 1961 (British Birds 54: 180). Again, this was treateda s an escape, because of its December arrival date''

One flew SSW over Marden Hill in the Mimram River Valley on 9 July 1978 (Trans. Herts. Nat. Hist. Soc. 28: 38, 1980). It had earlier been seen over Ware on 22 June.

One was seen by P. Tate gliding over Loudwater Rickmansworth in the direction of Croxley Green at 0855 hours on 5 June 1986.

A first-summer present at Dundridge Manor, near Buckland Common, near Cholesbury (Bucks) from 28th-30th May 1996 drifted high over Wigginton and Tring towards Ivinghoe Beacon mid-morning on 30 May (LGRE)

An adult was in a marshy area just outside Kimpton on 12 May 2002 (Claire Gooden).

An adult which flew low over Bengeo, Hertford, on 27 July 2003 (Clive Fleming) was also seen over Hoddesdon earlier the same day.

An adult that roosted overnight on a telegraph pole in Jack's Lane, Harefield (Meddlesex) (Simon Buckingham, LGRE, AVM et al) flew low into Hertfordshire towards Troy Mill at 0618 hours on 18 September 2003 (AVMoon).

In 2004, an adult of suspect origin was watched distantly beyond Ware from Amwell GP on 9 April (Toby Austin) before being seen at King's Mead for about 20 minutes the following day (Alan Reynolds). There were a number of reports of the same bird in the same area for the next month, with the last report over Hertford on 15 May (Nicky Parish).

In 2005, one was seen in Hertford on 21-22 April (P.Ligett).

SUNDAY 17 AUGUST

SUNDAY 17 AUGUST
(Fresh SW winds)

Wilstone Reservoir

Highlights - another day of wader activity, with 37 BAR-TAILED GODWITS and 4 WOOD SANDPIPERS noted. A MARSH HARRIER appeared in the evening.

Great Crested Grebes - 16 still present, including 1 juvenile
Little Grebe - 5 juveniles
Grey Heron - 8
Sinensis Cormorants - 41 roosting
Mute Swan - 72 present
MANDARIN DUCK - adult female still present but now in distress; seems to have botulism and has taken to hiding in the vegetation in front of the hide. Occasionally wanders out to the bund, where it drinks at the edge.
EURASIAN WIGEON - single drake still present
Common Teal - increased to 12
*GARGANEY - still showing very well to right of hide.
Gadwall - 17+
Northern Shoveler - 13
Northern Pochard - 7 still
RED-CRESTED POCHARD - all three birds still present
RUDDY DUCK - 2 adult drakes, 2 females

Lapwing - 250+
RINGED PLOVER - 2 flew over early morning (RH)
Common Sandpiper - 1
GREEN SANDPIPER - adult still present
**WOOD SANDPIPERS - a party of 4 juveniles landed on the bund at 1720 but were flushed by a Hobby at 1742. Three then flew off high SW whilst the other returned to the bund. Three minutes later, the sole remaining bird did the same, and flew off strongly SW at 1745 (SW, WC, DB, MC, Tom Hines, et al).
COMMON GREENSHANK - 2 new juveniles, present all day, and showing very well in the evening on the mud just right of the hide.
**BAR-TAILED GODWITS - 37 flew west across the reservoir at 0705 hours (AN, DR, SW, MC)

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL - juvenile flew west at 1313 (LGRE)
Common Terns - 6 remaining including 2 juveniles

**MARSH HARRIER - a juvenile appeared from the north at 1835 hours (LGRE) and flew fairly low across the reservoir before gaining height and slowly flying SSE towards Tring at 1841 (SW, MC, WC).
RED KITES - 5+
HOBBY - 3 still present, including juvenile
PEREGRINE - immature male again during afternoon

LITTLE OWL - roosting in tree behind car park
Common Kingfisher
Grey Wagtail - 2
COMMON SWIFT - 9 present in evening
Sand Martins - 60+ including 26 south in evening
House Martins - 70+
LESSER WHITEHROAT - 1 in hedgerow
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER - single showing well in hedgerow due north of new overflow 'bridge'

Ivinghoe Hills NR

The male COMMON REDSTART remains in Incombe Hole, along with 3 SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS. (Dave Bilcock)

SATURDAY 16 AUGUST

Juvenile Wood Sandpiper, Wilstone Reservoir, 16 August 2008 (Dave Bilcock) The 166th species noted in the RECORDING AREA this year

SATURDAY 16 AUGUST
(Fresh SE wind for most of the day, eventually veering SW in evening; warm and dry; mostly cloudy)

After finally getting to sleep at 4am (I had been working on a White Wagtail identification paper into the early hours), I was awoken at about 0645 by David Bilcock, informing me of a WOOD SANDPIPER in front of the hide at Wilstone. I pulled myself together as best I could, and made my way immediately there.......

Wilstone Reservoir, Tring

I arrived at Wilstone Reservoir at 0745 hours, and with JT's help, was guided to the WOOD SANDPIPER feeding at the side of the bund. It was a very fresh juvenile and by the time I got to the hide, was showing exceptionally well. After feeding for a lengthy period, it wandered towards the top of the bund and started roosting with the Lapwings. With so many raptors around at present (Peregrine, up to 4 Hobbies), the bund flock were restless and on a couple of occasions, the Wood Sandpiper was disturbed and flew up high, noisily circling the reservoir. On two occasions it did this, it returned to exactly the same place but on the third, at 0905, I watched it fly to a tiny dot very high SW.

Twenty minutes later, however, I saw it returning to the central causeway, and for the rest of the day, it roosted or occasionally fed in the vicinity of the single shooting butt, directly opposite the main car park.

It was the first Wood Sandpiper to be recorded at the reservoirs since 2001 and during the day, was eventually seen by upwards of 45 observers. Wood Sandpiper is a rare passage visitor, with the highest number recorded being 9 on 22nd August 1943.

The following are all of the Wood Sandpipers recorded since 1985, 17 in total -:

Tring Sewage Farm on 21 August 1986; Tring Sewage Farm from 16 August to 12 September 1987; 2 at Tring Reservoirs on 9 May 1988; adult at Wilstone Reservoir from 3-20 August 1988; Wilstone Reservoir on 12 August 1990; Pitstone Quarry on 14 May 1993; Pitstone Quarry on 2 May 1994; Wilstone Reservoir on 9-11 August 1995; Pitstone Quarry on 31 August to 2 September (with 2 present on 2nd); Wilstone Reservoir on 5 September 1996; Wilstone Reservoir on 11 August 1997; singles at Wilstone Reservoir on 1 and 5 September 1999 and 2 on Wilstone Reservoir on 19-20 August 2001.

Further highlights included a party of 3 juvenile LITTLE EGRETS, which flew in from the west as I walked along the bank at 0748. The three birds remained until 0810 before flying off east (and eventually pitching down again near Cheddington Airfield - per SW/DB) (see Ian's images).

Systematic List (0746-1130 hours)
(birding with RH, SR, JT, IW, AN)

LITTLE EGRET - 3 juveniles were present from 0748-0810 hours only (seen previously by Mike Wallen at Broughton Trout Pools, the previous day)
EURASIAN WIGEON - eclipse drake still present
*GARGANEY - juvenile still present, to the right of the hide.
Northern Shoveler - 7+
RUDDY DUCK - adult drake roosting on bund
Lapwings - 269 on the bund
COMMON SNIPE - adult present briefly on the bund
GREEN SANDPIPER - adult still present on the bund
**WOOD SANDPIPER - juvenile present all day (SW, RH, DB et al)
Common Terns - 7 still present

RED KITES - 5+
Eurasian Sparrowhawks - 3 present, including a recently fledged juvenile (from the Poplar nest) roosting on one of the butts.
PEREGRINE - the immature male was sat on a post early morning (RH/SW)
HOBBY - 3 still present (including juvenile begging for food)
COMMON SWIFT - 1
House Martins - 72

Grey Wagtail - 1 juvenile

CHINESE WATER DEER - adult and juvenile still present, running along the mud to the right of the hide (see Ian's images)

Pitstone Quarry

The juvenile COMMON GREENSHANK was still present, along with the 2 Great Crested Grebes. DB also saw 3 YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS mid-afternoon.

At 1444 hours, I received a call from Dave Bilcock - he and Warren had just found 2 WHITE STORKS circling low over the centre of the reservoir. The two birds then very slowly drifted east before veering more NE over Pitstone village (1445-1459). They then continued over Startopsend Reservoir and Marsworth village before drifting south over the horse paddocks and following the Grand Union Canal (1500-1520). At 1522, both birds flew low over Northfield Road and disappeared behind the railway and canal, where they both settled by a conbine harvesting a large cornfield at SP 946 125. The two birds, both juveniles and presumably from the same nest, then remained in the field, affording excellent views for up to 20 observers, until 1618 hours. They then took flight, and remained in view, as they very slowly flew along the Bulbourne river valley into a strong Southeasterly wind and circled constantly until over Northchurch Common and the old A41 until 1643. They then started flapping strongly and disappeared in the direction of the M25, about 200 metres up.
(See WHITE STORKS separate entry)

Wilstone Reservoir (evening visit, with DB, IW, FB)

The drake RED-CRESTED POCHARD was again present
A superb COMMON GREENSHANK in full breeding plumage was showing well on the bund
COMMON SWIFTS - a flock of 55 flew directly south over the reservoir at 1750

PITSTONE QUARRY - access instructions

Pitstone Quarry straddles the Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire county boundary and is situated at SP 944 143. It is an excellent place for migrant waders and roosting gulls and can be adequately 'scoped from the west bank.

At the Pitstone roundabout on the B489, take the road towards Aldbury and after 100 yards, park in the layby on the right at SP 942 141. Carefully cross the road and enter the wood opposite and follow the public footpath right for 75 yards. A track then leads off to the left and comes out through tall nettles to the top of the chalk quarry bank from where the entire quarry can be 'scoped. The gulls and waders tend to congregate on the edge of the islands.

Harriers march on through but with few takers - FRIDAY 15 AUGUST SIGHTINGS

IMAGES (TOP TO BOTTOM)

All 6 Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits in flight (Jill Pakenham)

Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits feeding, with the lower picture showing the moulting adult (all 3 by Dave Bilcock)

Yellow-legged Gulls: images depicting two different juveniles and the adult present in Pitstone Quarry today (all taken by Dave Bilcock)

The lower image is a view of Pitstone Hill (Dave Bilcock). This is where the ringtail Montagu's Harrier was lasts een this morning.

FRIDAY 15 AUGUST

As yesterday evening's electric storms moved away to the east, the Chiltern district became calm with a full moon. Consequently, this morning dawned clear and dry, with blue skies prevailing and a light SW breeze. With the sun out, temperatures soon climbed, peaking at 72 degrees F mid afternoon. With such good weather, it was hardly surprising that migrating raptors would take to the air, with both MONTAGU'S and MARSH HARRIER recorded during the day. Unfortunately when DB first discovered the ringtail Montagu's, I was unable to respond, and within ten minutes it had disappeared. Subsequently, when SR found the juvenile Marsh Harrier this evening, I was four miles away, and again dipped out.

**MONTAGU'S HARRIER - PITSTONE HILL - Dave Bilcock

First for the Recording Area this year - species 165

The bird, a ringtail, most likely an adult female, was initially seen at 0730 hours sat on a post, a quarter of the way along the fence line between the bottom of Incombe Hole and Pitstone Hill car park. Unfortunately, no sooner had Dave 'scoped it, it took flight and then slowly quartered the large corn field by Down Farm and the fields below Pitstone Hill. It last disappeared behind a ridge in the field to the SW of Pitstone Hill, where it may have landed. It was not seen again all day, with Dave and Steve looking intermittently through the day and LGRE and others this evening.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR
(1450-1900 hours; with Joan Thompson; later with SR, MW, IW, AN)

*ICELANDIC BLACK-TAILED GODWITS: the 6 birds that flew in to Wilstone Reservoir at 0730 hours (Steve Rodwell et al) remained all day, commuting between the large expanse of mud to the left of the Drayton Bank Hide and the mud fringe in front of the reedbed on the right hand side. They appeared to be a family party, with a moulting adult (largely in winter plumage) and 5 identically plumaged juveniles. The flock were rather flighty but showed extremely well at times, allowing a number of observers to photograph them (see above) (LGRE, DB, MW, JT,JP, AN, et al).

With these six today, the total of Black-tailed Godwits now recorded on Wilstone this autumn is 13.

Sinensis Cormorants - 27 roosting (4 pairs bred this year fledging 9 young)
Mute Swans - 67
MANDARIN DUCK - female still present, roosting on bund
EURASIAN WIGEON - drake still present
Common Teal - 7
Gadwall - 20+
*GARGANEY - juvenile still present to right of hide

Northern Shoveler - 8
*RED-CRESTED POCHARD - just two birds present today - the eclipse drake and a single juvenile
Northern Pochard - 7

*MARSH HARRIER - a juvenile drifted high south over the reservoirs 1722-1732 (Steve Rodwell; Clive & Alison Woodward & Roy Hargreaves) and was last seen as a 'dot' heading south over Tring.

Whilst looking for the Marsh Harrier shortly later, I noted at least 7 Common Buzzards, 2 RED KITES and 3 HOBBIES.

Ringed Plover - SR & FB had one fly around calling briefly at 1630
GREEN SANDPIPER - 1 adult still present
*DUNLIN - 2 juveniles flew around the reservoir very briefly at 1845 hours before heading off west (SR, LGRE, JT, AN & IW)

*Common Terns - 5 still present. However, just prior to 1900, a total of 14 birds was present, 12 together flying noisily high over the reservoir.

Common Kingfisher

COMMON SWIFT 1 (SR)

SAND MARTINS - 34

House Martins - 56

PITSTONE QUARRY (1646-1715)
(with DB & JT)

An adult and 2 juvenile YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS were present (together) on the chalk island, all showing well (DB & SR had additionally seen the third juvenile and a first-summer earlier); also 33+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls

The family group of 7 MANDARIN DUCKS was still surviving, as well as the 2 Great Crested Grebes

ALDBURY NOWERS and PITSTONE HILL

A COMMON RAVEN flew over Aldbury Nowers at 1800
Barn Swallows - 30 in Aldbury village

Along with Ben Miller, Francis Buckle and JT, spent some time late afternoon searching the fields west of Ivinghoe Hills NR and north & south of Pitstone Hill for the ringtail Montagu's Harrier but with no joy.