Friday 26 February 2010

Marsh Tit finally nailed, whilst HAWFINCHES continue to perform - LGRE Diary Notes for today

FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY

A strong wind set in and consequently temperatures struggled to get higher than 7 degrees C. It did remain dry all day, and skies often cleared, but overall it was rather chilly.

My target today was MARSH TIT and on my second attempt, finally located two birds........

DANEMEAD NATURE RESERVE, BROXBOURNE WOODS (HERTS)
(1145-1245 hours)

Following up Alan Reynold's information of last week, scoured Danemead Reserve again for Marsh Tit but failed again. Not one was seen or heard in any of the suitable woodland where I have seen them previously.

A couple of Common Treecreepers and 1 Nuthatch were seen whilst searching, and both Great and Blue Tit.

On the perimeter of the reserve, along the muddy bridleway down from the Martin's Green car park (at TL 347 080), two male HAWFINCHES were again present, calling (ticking) frequently but very difficult to see in the low vegetation. They were favouring the east side of the track today and were again keeping to the forest floor. One of the male Hawfinches was the ringed bird.

AMWELL NATURE RESERVE (HERTS)
(with Bill Last)

Again, taking AR's advice, I staked out Amwell as my next port of call, and in a very short period of time indeed, 'pished' out and located 2 MARSH TITS on the west side of the canal around the picnic tables. These birds have apparently been commuting between the feeders by the two-storey hide and this plantation. Five SISKIN were also in the trees.

Just two SMEW were on the main reserve lake (male and female), along with a few Common Goldeneyes.

No comments:

Post a Comment