TODAY'S BIRDS
LAPLAND BUNTING (seen briefly as it flew overhead, this individual was photographed elsewhere in Hampshire)
OSPREY at Piccotts End Fish Farm Pools (Martin Parr top and Charlie Jackson)
SHORT-EARED OWL accidentally startled in the undergrowth
MONDAY 13 OCTOBER 2008
Following this weekend's fabulous weather, a weak front moved in overnight from the west bringing grey, overcast skies, a few spots of drizzle and slightly cooler temperatures. The wind veered SW and increased throughout the day.
PICCOTT'S END FISH FARM POOLS
The juvenile OSPREY was again present early morning, once again taking a large fish.
IVINGHOE HILLS NR (0830-1400 hours)
I decided to do the full walk between the Telegraph Mast Field in the east to Aldbury Nowers in the west and was delighted with the results. Once again, visible migration was in full swing
Woodpigeons were moving, with a total of 403 SW in several large groups, (my first big movement of the autumn), but the undoubted highlights were a LAPLAND BUNTING that flew over west calling at 0958 and a SHORT-EARED OWL which 'migrated' down the 'Vale' at 0903. A HAWFINCH was also seen briefly.
The LAPLAND BUNTING flew over me as I walked between the sheep grazing field by Inkombe Hole and the main footpath and flew with Meadow Pipits towards Down Farm. It then veered away to the right, crossed the car park and road by Pitstone Hill car park then disappeared low towards the large stubble field. It was calling frequently (which is how I was initially alerted to it) - a terse-sounding ''tcheuu'', slightly less plaintive than the similar call made by the Snow Bunting. It also uttered a ''deuupe' call but did not utter the dry rattling call often heard when you flush the species. It was a rather heavily built and rather medium-sized bunting with a concerted, powerful flight and on the brief views obtained had a darkish underwing, dark area on the breast and a plain head with some warmth in the face.
The SHORT-EARED OWL flew up from the field at the far east end of the Beacon Hills, skirted around me, glared me in the eye and gently 'barked' and then flew along the lower ridge, out across the large field and went off away high over the trees and out towards Dagnall and Whipsnade. It was 'chased away' by a marauding gang of Rooks.
The two COMMON RAVENS were again in the vicinity, along with a dark PEREGRINE whilst further overhead migration included 130+ Meadow Pipits, 42 Chaffinches, 7 LESSER REDPOLL, 25 SISKINS and a few Skylarks. Goldfinch numbers had dramatically reduced from recent days.
A single CORN BUNTING was by the sheep troughs, whilst COMMON STONECHATS included 6 by the Pens, 5 more on the Beacon Slope and 7 in the Down Farm area.
As I walked through the trees at Aldbury Nowers, a HAWFINCH flew over 'ticking' and appeared to land in trees not far from the Tring Station Road, with two BRAMBLINGS over, many more Chaffinches and 15 REDWINGS.
STARTOPSEND RESERVOIR (TRING)
Great Crested Grebes (11), Shoveler (43) and Tufted Duck (65)
WILSTONE RESERVOIR (afternoon visit)
Great Crested Grebes (34+)
Little Grebes (6)
LITTLE EGRET - 1 feeding in Cemetery Corner
Mute Swans (just 16 remaining, perhaps 70 individuals falling foul of hungry Polish!)
WHOOPER SWANS (2 still)
Gadwall (5)
Common Teal (336+)
Eurasian Wigeon (127+)
NORTHERN PINTAIL (6 still including 2 adult drakes now moulting out of eclipse)
Shoveler (56)
Pochard (72)
Tufted Duck (103)
RUDDY DUCKS (6 together including an adult drake and two younger drakes)
RED KITES (2 over)
Common Kestrels (6 in area)
EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVERS* - increase to 106 birds
Lapwing (422)
DUNLIN - 1 still present
Common Snipe - 9 roosting on the central bund together
Following this weekend's fabulous weather, a weak front moved in overnight from the west bringing grey, overcast skies, a few spots of drizzle and slightly cooler temperatures. The wind veered SW and increased throughout the day.
PICCOTT'S END FISH FARM POOLS
The juvenile OSPREY was again present early morning, once again taking a large fish.
IVINGHOE HILLS NR (0830-1400 hours)
I decided to do the full walk between the Telegraph Mast Field in the east to Aldbury Nowers in the west and was delighted with the results. Once again, visible migration was in full swing
Woodpigeons were moving, with a total of 403 SW in several large groups, (my first big movement of the autumn), but the undoubted highlights were a LAPLAND BUNTING that flew over west calling at 0958 and a SHORT-EARED OWL which 'migrated' down the 'Vale' at 0903. A HAWFINCH was also seen briefly.
The LAPLAND BUNTING flew over me as I walked between the sheep grazing field by Inkombe Hole and the main footpath and flew with Meadow Pipits towards Down Farm. It then veered away to the right, crossed the car park and road by Pitstone Hill car park then disappeared low towards the large stubble field. It was calling frequently (which is how I was initially alerted to it) - a terse-sounding ''tcheuu'', slightly less plaintive than the similar call made by the Snow Bunting. It also uttered a ''deuupe' call but did not utter the dry rattling call often heard when you flush the species. It was a rather heavily built and rather medium-sized bunting with a concerted, powerful flight and on the brief views obtained had a darkish underwing, dark area on the breast and a plain head with some warmth in the face.
The SHORT-EARED OWL flew up from the field at the far east end of the Beacon Hills, skirted around me, glared me in the eye and gently 'barked' and then flew along the lower ridge, out across the large field and went off away high over the trees and out towards Dagnall and Whipsnade. It was 'chased away' by a marauding gang of Rooks.
The two COMMON RAVENS were again in the vicinity, along with a dark PEREGRINE whilst further overhead migration included 130+ Meadow Pipits, 42 Chaffinches, 7 LESSER REDPOLL, 25 SISKINS and a few Skylarks. Goldfinch numbers had dramatically reduced from recent days.
A single CORN BUNTING was by the sheep troughs, whilst COMMON STONECHATS included 6 by the Pens, 5 more on the Beacon Slope and 7 in the Down Farm area.
As I walked through the trees at Aldbury Nowers, a HAWFINCH flew over 'ticking' and appeared to land in trees not far from the Tring Station Road, with two BRAMBLINGS over, many more Chaffinches and 15 REDWINGS.
STARTOPSEND RESERVOIR (TRING)
Great Crested Grebes (11), Shoveler (43) and Tufted Duck (65)
WILSTONE RESERVOIR (afternoon visit)
Great Crested Grebes (34+)
Little Grebes (6)
LITTLE EGRET - 1 feeding in Cemetery Corner
Mute Swans (just 16 remaining, perhaps 70 individuals falling foul of hungry Polish!)
WHOOPER SWANS (2 still)
Gadwall (5)
Common Teal (336+)
Eurasian Wigeon (127+)
NORTHERN PINTAIL (6 still including 2 adult drakes now moulting out of eclipse)
Shoveler (56)
Pochard (72)
Tufted Duck (103)
RUDDY DUCKS (6 together including an adult drake and two younger drakes)
RED KITES (2 over)
Common Kestrels (6 in area)
EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVERS* - increase to 106 birds
Lapwing (422)
DUNLIN - 1 still present
Common Snipe - 9 roosting on the central bund together
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