THURSDAY 16 JULY
Another very warm day but quite overcast at times. Dry with slackening SW winds.
BURY LAKE, STOCKERS COMPLEX
Two female RED-CRESTED POCHARDS were tending a single well grown youngster, both dredging up weed fragments and feeding it to the juvenile.
A female Tufted Duck was also feeding two very small chicks
STOCKERS LAKE
A further female Tufted Duck was accompanying 6 much larger juveniles, whilst a pair of Great Crested Grebe were harbouring one single stripy chick.
MARSWORTH 'WOOD' AND RESERVOIR
A most delightful sight was of a pair of adult SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS feeding three streaky young birds in the small plantation, flitting between the tall Black Poplars and the main track. The main prey items being brought in appeared to be small daytime flying moths. On several occasions, I could hear the bill snapping of the adults. The group afforded excellent views and presumably involve a pair which has nested locally. The superb image above was obtained by Gary Thoburn.
Another very warm day but quite overcast at times. Dry with slackening SW winds.
BURY LAKE, STOCKERS COMPLEX
Two female RED-CRESTED POCHARDS were tending a single well grown youngster, both dredging up weed fragments and feeding it to the juvenile.
A female Tufted Duck was also feeding two very small chicks
STOCKERS LAKE
A further female Tufted Duck was accompanying 6 much larger juveniles, whilst a pair of Great Crested Grebe were harbouring one single stripy chick.
MARSWORTH 'WOOD' AND RESERVOIR
A most delightful sight was of a pair of adult SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS feeding three streaky young birds in the small plantation, flitting between the tall Black Poplars and the main track. The main prey items being brought in appeared to be small daytime flying moths. On several occasions, I could hear the bill snapping of the adults. The group afforded excellent views and presumably involve a pair which has nested locally. The superb image above was obtained by Gary Thoburn.
A singing male Common Chiffchaff was also noted, and a CETTI'S WARBLER sang from the reedbed.
Still no sign of any Great Crested Grebe breeding success on Marsworth
STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR
Wow, so much mud now on show with the SW corner of the reservoir now looking its best since the Least Sandpiper occurrence. The only wader present today was a single COMMON SANDPIPER on the bunds.
Mute Swans had increased to 32, Greylag Geese numbered 12 (including three goslings) and a female Tufted Duck was feeding four small ducklings. Seven juvenile Moorhens were feeding on the mud.
WILSTONE RESERVOIR (1800 hours)
Sandpiper numbers had increased with 2 GREEN SANDPIPERS on the muddy fringe to the right of the Drayton Bank Hide and 4 COMMON SANDPIPERS on the bund. Earlier in the day, Roy and Dave B had recorded a single COMMON REDSHANK. Roosting Lapwings numbered 132.
Of the rest, a single Common Teal was noted, 12 Great Crested Grebes (but no sign of the lone surviving juvenile), 190+ Coot, 16 Black-headed Gulls, 44 Common Terns and 38 House Martins.
HADDEN'S PLANTATION, SHORT HEATH (SP 958 058)
A pair of BULLFINCH noted.
Still no sign of any Great Crested Grebe breeding success on Marsworth
STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR
Wow, so much mud now on show with the SW corner of the reservoir now looking its best since the Least Sandpiper occurrence. The only wader present today was a single COMMON SANDPIPER on the bunds.
Mute Swans had increased to 32, Greylag Geese numbered 12 (including three goslings) and a female Tufted Duck was feeding four small ducklings. Seven juvenile Moorhens were feeding on the mud.
WILSTONE RESERVOIR (1800 hours)
Sandpiper numbers had increased with 2 GREEN SANDPIPERS on the muddy fringe to the right of the Drayton Bank Hide and 4 COMMON SANDPIPERS on the bund. Earlier in the day, Roy and Dave B had recorded a single COMMON REDSHANK. Roosting Lapwings numbered 132.
Of the rest, a single Common Teal was noted, 12 Great Crested Grebes (but no sign of the lone surviving juvenile), 190+ Coot, 16 Black-headed Gulls, 44 Common Terns and 38 House Martins.
HADDEN'S PLANTATION, SHORT HEATH (SP 958 058)
A pair of BULLFINCH noted.
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