HERTFORDSHIRE BIRDING: Exceptionally early WHINCHAT and nest-building LESSER SPOTS

Tuesday, 12 April 2011

Exceptionally early WHINCHAT and nest-building LESSER SPOTS

TUESDAY 12 APRIL - LGRE DIARY NOTES

Well, following a number of April days breaking all previous records to 1892, cooler NW winds set in overnight bringing a much fresher feel to the weather. In fact, temperatures returned to near normal at this time of year, ranging between 8 and 11 degrees C. It did remain fine and dry however.

After an abortive attempt at the Arundel WWT Little Crake all day yesterday, I decided to concentrate closer to home today and birded the Three Counties. It was a very productive day.......

CROXLEY COMMON MOOR (HERTFORDSHIRE)

Following a very early morning call from JT, I woke up and made my way over to Croxley. Following recent days basking in warm sunlight, today was the complete opposite and I was freezing. Luckily I intercepted Geoff Lapworth who was just about to leave who very kindly directed me to his find - an absolutely gorgeous male WHINCHAT showing well on wispy weedy fronds at the far west end of the model aircraft flying area just off of the main central path. I enjoyed excellent views of this first of the year and one of my earliest spring Whinchats in Britain ever. In fact, that has been very much the story of the last six days overall - some incredulous records involving early migrants, many breaking all previous records...

After getting my fill of the Whinchat, I explored the remaining area of the moor, with 5 COMMON WHITETHROATS noted, 2 WILLOW WARBLERS, a Common Chiffchaff, several Blackcaps and along the riverside, a single SEDGE WARBLER and an early singing male WESTERN REED WARBLER (about 220 yards west of the main bridge); 1-2 Common Terns were fishing back and forth along the canal. I departed at 0915....

THE WITHY BEDS LNR, MOOR LANE (HERTS)

I love visiting this tiny reserve and today I was most pleased to find the resident pair of LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKERS again. Last June, I located the nest just as the single youngster (or last) was leaving but today I watched the pair finishing off the last bit of excavating their new hole - situated just 75 yards from last year's nest. The two birds partook in much display, the male 'dancing' around the female and holding his wings in an umbrella shape and quivering. They also frequently commuted back and forth to two tall dead trees just inside of the fence and adjacent to the open common - a superb display which went on for the best part of 40 minutes. I let RBA know of their showing and during the next half hour, Chris Sharpe arrived and managed to see the female before both birds flew off into the wood and along the river.

A male COMMON WHITETHROAT was on territory by the first bridge and other species encountered included Stock Dove (4 nesting pairs), Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren (4 songsters), Dunnock (2 singing males), Robin (2), Common Blackbird, Reed Bunting (singing male), Greenfinch (singing male), Blackcap (6), Common Chiffchaff (2), Common Kestrel (pair nesting), Common Buzzard, Barn Swallow (1 through), Common Treecreeper (pair), Nuthatch (singing male), Great Tit, Blue Tit (4) and Woodpigeon.

I departed the site shortly after 1000 hours.....

HILFIELD PARK RESERVOIR (HERTS)
(1030-1045 hours)

A bare minimum 14 (7 pairs) BLACK-NECKED GREBES were encountered, the majority in full breeding plumage and 8 of which were showing exceptionally from the public viewpoint accessed from the lane.

Also seen were Little Grebe (5 pairs), Great Crested Grebe (4 pairs), Gadwall (pair), Lesser Black-backed Gull (pair on raft), 8 Common Terns, 8 Barn Swallows, 7 House Martins (including 5 over Elstree Aerodrome), 25 Sand Martins and singing male Common Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

Joined Steve Rodwell on the North Bank this evening. Highlight was a COMMON SANDPIPER on the algae bunds, apparently present for its second day (my first), with 58 Common Terns, at least 600 Sand Martins and 1 House Martin as back up. The ploughed field immediately south of the Dry Canal yielded 2 Stock Doves, 2 male Pied Wagtails and 2 NORTHERN WHEATEARS.

MARSWORTH RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS)

Three Coot nests are now being utilised with 4 pairs of Great Crested Grebes present (1 pair nest-building). A Common Kingfisher was seen, with a male COMMON TREECREEPER in full song in the Reedbed Wood and singing SEDGE WARBLER (four males), WESTERN REED WARBLER (single) and CETTI'S WARBLER (single).

Lee G R Evans

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My 2015 Hertfordshire List

140) Spotted Flycatcher, Startop's End, 27 May
139) ROSEATE TERN, Amwell, 12 May
138) SANDERLING, Tyttenhanger Main Pit, 12 May
137) FIRECREST (singing male), Pitstone Quarry, 12 May
136) TURNSTONE, Wilstone, 12 May
135) WOOD WARBLER (singing male), Fairlands Valley Park Stevenage, 7 May
134) WHINCHAT, Tyttenhanger, 1 May
133) GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, Marsworth, 27 April
132) Lesser Whitethroat, Marsworth, 27 April
131) Hobby, Wilstone, 27 April
130) Garden Warbler, Hilfield Park Reservoir, 23 April
129) BLACK TERN (3 birds), Hilfield Park Reservoir, 23 April
128) Common Swift, Wilstone, 22 April
127) LITTLE GULL (9 individuals), Wilstone, 22 April
126) Common Whitethroat, Dry Canal, 16 April
125) Common Cuckoo, Wilstone, 16 April
124) WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT, Amwell, 13 April
123) Sedge Warbler, Marsworth, 13 April
122) Common Sandpiper, Startop's, 13 April
121) ARCTIC TERN (6), Wilstone, 11 April
120) RING OUZEL, Telegraph Hill TL 121 291, 10 April
119) Western Reed Warbler, Marsworth, 10 April
118) Yellow Wagtail, Startop's, 10 April
117) Common Tern, Startop's, 10 April
116) Willow Warbler, Wilstone, 9 April
115) GARGANEY, Wilstone, 9 April
114) Blackcap
Bar-headed Goose, Wilstone, 3 April
113) House Martin (2), Wilstone, 1 April
112) Barn Swallow (8 birds), Wilstone, 1 April
111) Little Owl, Miswell Farm, Tring, 27 March
110) Northern Wheatear, Woodoaks Farm, 23 March
109) COMMON SCOTER (drake), Wilstone Reservoir, 20 March
108) Little Ringed Plover, Stocker's Farm Flood, 21 March
107) DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE, Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage, 13 March
106) Sand Martin, Startop's End, 13 March
105) Common Redshank, Amwell, 10 March
104) BARN OWL, Amwell GP, 10 March
103) LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, Stocker's Lake, 10 March
102) EURASIAN CURLEW, Wilstone, 9 March
101) Siskin
100) Lesser Redpoll
99) Jay
98) Treecreeper
97) Oystercatcher
96) Cetti's Warbler
95) Collared Dove
94) Stock Dove
93) Common Shelduck, Tringford
92) SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF, River Colne, Broadwater, 24 February
91) Egyptian Goose
90) PINTAIL, Wilstone, 23 February
89) Barnacle Goose, Marsworth, 24 February
88) MEDITERRANEAN GULL, Wilstone, 21 February
87) PIED AVOCET, Tyttenhanger GP, 16 February
86) YELLOW-LEGGED GULL, Amwell GP, 12 February
85) BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Hilfield Park Reservoir, 11 February
84) Mandarin Duck (7), Aldenham CP, 11 February
83) GREY PARTRIDGE (28 birds), Therfield Heath, 6 February
82) BRAMBLING (25), Fox Covert, Therfield Heath, 6 February
81) Red-legged Partridge, Wallington, 21 January
80) COMMON RAVEN, Amwell GP, 21 January
79) Great Black-backed Gull, Amwell GP, 21 January
78) Mistle Thrush, Bramfield, 21 January
77) Linnet (31 birds), Bramfield Village, 21 January
76) HAWFINCH (8 birds), Bramfield Churchyard, 21 January
75) Coal Tit, Hemel Hempstead, 14 January
74) Red-legged Partridge, Thrales End lane, East Hyde, 13 Jan
73) SMEW (adult drake), Stocker's Lake, 13 Jan
72) Herring Gull, Stocker's Lake, 13 Jan
71) Nuthatch, Stocker's Lake, 13 Jan
70) Greenfinch, Stocker's Farm Field, 13 Jan
69) CORN BUNTING, 84 in roost, Marsworth Reservoir, 3 Jan
68) Yellowhammer, Wilstone, 2 Jan
67) Reed Bunting, Marsworth Reedbed, 3 Jan
66) Bullfinch, Wilstone Res Orchard, 2 Jan
65) Goldfinch, Tring Res, 2 Jan
64) Chaffinch, Tring Res, 2 Jan
63) TREE SPARROW, Tyttenhanger Farm, 3 Jan
62) House Sparrow, Sarratt Bottom, 2 Jan
61) Common Starling, Tring Res, 2 Jan
60) Carrion Crow, Tring Res, 2 Jan
59) Rook, Tring Res, 2 Jan
58) Jackdaw, Tring Res, 2 Jan
57) Common Magpie, Tring Res, 2 Jan
56) Long-tailed Tit, Tring Res, 2 Jan
55) MARSH TIT, Wilstone Res Orchard, 2 Jan
54) Blue Tit, Tring Res, 2 Jan
53) Great Tit, Tring Res, 2 Jan
52) Goldcrest, Tring Res, 2 Jan
51) Common Chiffchaff, Wilstone Res, 2 Jan
50) Common Blackbird, Tring Res, 2 Jan
49) Fieldfare, Tring Res, 2 Jan
48) Redwing, Tring Res, 2 Jan
47) Song Thrush, Tring Res, 2 Jan
46) COMMON STONECHAT, 5 birds, Heartwood Forest, 2 Jan
45) Robin, Tring Res, 2 Jan
44) Dunnock, Tring Res, 2 Jan
43) Winter Wren, Tring Res, 2 Jan
42) Grey Wagtail, Lemsford Springs, 3 Jan
41) Pied Wagtail, Tring Res, 2 Jan
40) Meadow Pipit, Heartwood Forest, 2 Jan
39) Skylark, Heartwood Forest, 2 Jan
38) Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tring Res, 2 Jan
37) Green Woodpecker, Heartwood Forest, 2 Jan
36) Ring-necked Parakeet, Maple Cross, 3 Jan
35) Kingfisher, Wilstone Res, 2 Jan
34) Woodpigeon, Tring Res, 2 Jan
33) Lesser Black-backed Gull, Tring Res, 2 Jan
32) Common Gull, Tring Res, 2 Jan
31) Black-headed Gull, Tring Res, 2 Jan
30) Common Snipe, Lemsford Springs, 3 Jan
29) GREEN SANDPIPER, Lemsford Springs, 3 Jan
28) Lapwing, Wilstone Res, 2 Jan
27) European Golden Plover, Wilstone Res, 3 Jan
26) Coot, Tring Res, 2 Jan
25) Moorhen, Tring Res, 2 Jan
24) WATER RAIL, Lemsford Springs, 2 Jan
23) Common Pheasant, Sarratt Bottom, 2 Jan
22) Kestrel, Tring Res, 2 Jan
21) Sparrowhawk, Wilstone Reservoir, 2 Jan
20) Common Buzzard, Sarratt Bottom, 2 Jan
19) Red Kite, Heartwood Forest, 2 Jan
18) Goldeneye, Wilstone Reservoir, 2 Jan
17) Tufted Duck, Tring Res, 2 Jan
16) GREATER SCAUP, female, Wilstone Reservoir, 2 Jan
15) Red-crested Pochard, Tringford Reservoir, 2 Jan
14) Pochard, Tring Res, 2 Jan
13) Teal, Tring Res, 2 Jan
12) Eurasian Wigeon, Tring Res, 2 Jan
11) Shoveler, Tring Res, 2 Jan
10) Gadwall, Tring Res, 2 Jan
9) Mallard, Tring Res, 2 Jan
8) Atlantic Canada Goose, Tring Res, 2 Jan
7) Greylag Goose, Lynster's Farm Field, 3 Jan
6) Mute Swan, Tring Res, 2 Jan
5) Grey Heron, Tring Res, 2 Jan
4) Little Egret, 4 at Tring Res, 2 Jan
3) Cormorant, Tring Res, 2 Jan
2) Little Grebe, Tring Res, 2 Jan
1) Great Crested Grebe, Tring Reservoirs, 2 January

My 2012 Hertfordshire Year List (Lee G R Evans)

GREATER SNOW GOOSE of unknown origin, Stockers Farm Water Meadow, 30 December
171) BEWICK'S SWAN (4), Tyttenhanger GP, 8 December
170) HAWFINCH (male), Bramfield Churchyard, 4 December
169) BOHEMIAN WAXWING (36 birds), 30 November
168) LONG-EARED OWL (2 wintering birds at roost), November
167) SLAVONIAN GREBE, Wilstone, 26 October
166) GREAT WHITE EGRET, Wilstone Reservoir, 23 September
165) FIRECREST, Wigginton Bottom, 4 September
164) SABINE'S GULL, Startop's End Reservoir, 2 July
163) LITTLE BITTERN, Stocker's Lake, 13 June
162) GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, Wilstone, 17 May
161) WOOD WARBLER, Frogmore, 26 May
160) COMMON SCOTER (4), Amwell, 22 May
159) TURTLE DOVE, Knoll Common, Bygrave, 22 May
158) SPOTTED FLYCATCHER, Wallington, 15 May
157) COMMON NIGHTINGALE, Amwell, 07 May
156) RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, Sheepcotes Fishing Pit, Amwell, 07 May
155) Lesser Whitethroat, Amwell, 04 May
154) BLACK TERN, Amwell, 04 May
153) GARGANEY, Wilstone, 30 April
152) Hobby, Wilstone, 30 April
151) BAR-TAILED GODWIT, Tyttenhanger GP, 29 April
150) PIED AVOCET, Tyttenhanger GP (pair), 28 April
149) Common Cuckoo, Marsworth, 28 April
148) WHINCHAT, Croxley Common Moor, 27 April
147) Common Swift, Wilstone, 24 April
146) Common Whitethroat, Croxley Common Moor, 23 April
145) WHIMBREL, Hilfield Park Reservoir, 21 April
144) Yellow Wagtail, Wilstone, 17 April
143) LITTLE TERN, Wilstone, 17 April
142) ARCTIC TERN (15), Wilstone, 17 April
141) PIED FLYCATCHER (adult male), Frogmore Lakes, Radlett, 15 April
140) Sedge Warbler, Marsworth Reservoir, 13 April
139) Western Reed Warbler, Marsworth Reservoir, 13 April
138) COMMON REDSTART, Croxley Common Moor, 13 April
137) Common Sandpiper, Wilstone, 10 April
136) KITTIWAKE, Wilstone, 08 April
135) NORTHERN FULMAR, Wilstone, 05 April (seemingly a County Tick for me)
134) House Martin, Wilstone, 04 April
133) MARSH HARRIER, Wilstone Reservoir, 03 April
132) Common Tern, Stocker's Lake, 03 April
131) Willow Warbler, Croxley Common Moor, 03 April
130) RING OUZEL (male), Norton Green, 02 April
129) Barn Swallow, Wilstone, 31 March
128) EURASIAN CURLEW, Wilstone, 31 March
127) LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, Sherrardspark Wood, 27 March
126) WHITE WAGTAIL, Startop's, 26 March
125) Little Ringed Plover, Startop's, 26 March
124) LITTLE GULL (20), Wilstone, 26 March
123) HEN HARRIER, Therfield Heath, 22 March
122) BLACK REDSTART (2), Norton Green, 19 March
121) Sand Martin (7), Wilstone, 17 March
120) Northern Wheatear, Norton Green, 17 March
119) SCANDINAVIAN ROCK PIPIT, Wilstone, 14 March
118) RED-THROATED DIVER, flew west over Tring reservoirs, 14 March
117) Blackcap, Tringford Reservoir, 13 March
116) Common Redshank, Tyttenhanger GP, 10 March
115) Oystercatcher, Tyttenhanger GP, 10 March
114) BLACK-NECKED GREBE (9), Hilfield, 6 March
113) COMMON STONECHAT, Wilstone, 5 March
112) COMMON CROSSBILL (10 birds), Baldwin's Wood, 1 March
111) Tawny Owl, Baldwin's Wood, 28 February
110) Lesser Redpoll, Watercress Wildlife Association LNR, St Albans, 21 February
109) Ringed Plover (pair), Tyttenhanger GP, 20 February
108) Water Rail, Tring
107) SHORT-EARED OWL (5), 18 February
106) BRAMBLING (5), Cromer Hyde, 18 February
105) WOODCOCK (5), Garden Wood Tyttenhanger, 18 February
104) CASPIAN GULL (first-winter), Amwell roost, 16 February
103) RUFF, Wilstone Reservoir, 15 February
102) Barn Owl, Benington, 13 February
101) Coal Tit, Ringshall, 13 February
100) Nuthatch, Ringshall, 13 February
99) Dunlin, Wilstone, 12 February
98) BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, Wilstone, 12 February
97) RED KNOT, Wilstone, 12 February
96) Meadow Pipit (8), East Hyde, 4 February
95) Little Owl (5), Valley Farm, 6 February
94) NORTHERN PINTAIL (4), Hilfield Park Reservoir, 6 February
93) GREATER SCAUP (6 birds), Hilfield Park Reservoir, 6 February
92) Marsh Tit, Amwell NR, 31 January
91) COMMON RAVEN (2), Easneye Wood, Amwell, 31 January
90) CETTI'S WARBLER, Amwell NR, 31 January
89) EURASIAN BITTERN, Amwell NR, 31 January
88) TREE SPARROW (11), Tyttenhanger GP, 31 January
87) COMMON SHELDUCK, Tyttenhanger GP, 31 January
86) Goldcrest, 4 January
85) WATER PIPIT, Wilstone, 10 January
84) Carrion Crow
83) Mistle Thrush, High Scrubs, 28 January
82) SMEW (redhead), Stocker's Lake, 29 January
81) Great Black-backed Gull, Wilstone, 8 January
80) Reed Bunting, Marsworth Reedbed, 4 January
79) CORN BUNTING (just 9), Marsworth Reedbed, 4 January
78) Bullfinch, Marsworth, 4 January
77) Nuthatch, Fritsden Beeches, 4 January
76) RUDDY DUCKS, 4 January
75) Mandarin Duck, Aldenham Country Park, 4 January
74) Eurasian Skylark, Norton Green, 3 January
73) PEREGRINE, Hemel Hempstead, 3 January
72) Egyptian Goose, East Hyde, 3 January
71) GREEN SANDPIPER, Lemsford Springs LNR, 3 January
70) GREAT GREY SHRIKE, Norton Green, 3 January
69) Yellowhammer, Therfield Heath, 2 January
68) SNOW BUNTING (first-winter male), Startop's End Reservoir, 1 January
67) SISKIN, Stocker's Lake (3), 2 January
66) Greenfinch, Stocker's Lake, 2 January
65) Goldfinch, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
64) Linnet (52 at Tring & 434 at Therfield Heath), 1-2 January
63) Chaffinch, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
62) House Sparrow, Stocker's Farm, 2 January
61) Common Starling, Therfield Heath, 2 January
60) Rook, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
59) Western Jackdaw, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
58) Jay, Troy Mill, 2 January
57) Common Magpie, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
56) Long-tailed Tit, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
55) Blue Tit, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
54) Great Tit, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
53) Common Chiffchaff, Troy Mill (River Colne), 2 January
53) Common Blackbird, Wilstone Reservoir, 1 January
52) Fieldfare, Tringford Reservoir, 1 January
51) Redwing, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
50) Song Thrush, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
49) Robin, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
48) Dunnock, Stocker's Lake, 2 January
47) Wren, Marsworth Reservoir, 1 January
46) Grey Wagtail, Marsworth Reservoir, 1 January
45) Pied Wagtail, Startop's End Reservoir, 1 January
44) Great Spotted Woodpecker, Marsworth Reservoir, 1 January
43) Green Woodpecker, Startop's End Reservoir, 1 January
42) Ring-necked Parakeet, Stocker's Lake, 2 January
41) Common Kingfisher, River Colne, Stocker's Lake, 2 January
40) Collared Dove, Wilstone, 1 January
39) Woodpigeon, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
38) Stock Dove, Lynster's Farm, 2 January
37) Lesser Black-backed Gull, Therfield Heath, 2 January
36) Herring Gull, Therfield Heath, 2 January
35) MEDITERRANEAN GULL (adult winter), Startop's End Reservoir, 1 January
34) Common Gull, Startop's End Res, 1 January
33) Black-headed Gull, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
32) JACK SNIPE (2 birds), Marsworth Reservoir, 1 January
31) Common Snipe, Marsworth Reservoir, 1 January
30) Lapwing, Therfield Heath, 2 January
29) European Golden Plover, Therfield Heath, 2 January
28) Eurasian Coot, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
27) Moorhen, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
26) Common Pheasant, Wilstone Reservoir, 1 January
25) GREY PARTRIDGE (14), Baldock, 2 January
24) Red-legged Partridge, Therfield Heath, 2 January
23) Common Kestrel, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
22) Sparrowhawk, Troy Mill & Therfield, 2 January
21) Common Buzzard, Therfield Heath, 2 January
20) Red Kite, Tring, 1 January
19) GOOSANDER, Stocker's Lake, 2 January
18) Common Goldeneye, Wilstone Reservoir, 1 January
17) Tufted Duck, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
16) Red-crested Pochard (2 female-types), Startop's End Reservoir, 1 January
15) Northern Pochard, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
14) Common Teal, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
13) Eurasian Wigeon, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
12) Northern Shoveler, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
11) Gadwall, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
10) Mallard, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
9) DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE, Wilstone Reservoir, 1 January
8) Atlantic Canada Goose, Wilstone Reservoir, 1 January
7) Greylag Goose, Wilstone Reservoir, 1 January
6) Mute Swan, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
5) Grey Heron, Wilstone Reservoir, 1 January
4) Little Egret, Wilstone Reservoir, 1 January
3) Atlantic Great Cormorant, Wilstone Reservoir, 1 January
2) Little Grebe, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January
1) Great Crested Grebe, Tring Reservoirs, 1 January

My HERTFORDSHIRE Year List in 2011

171) SNOW BUNTING, Startop's End Reservoir, 14/12
Two birds missing from list that I am trying to work out
170) HEN HARRIER (3 juveniles), Therfield Heath, 5/12
168) TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE (fw), Tyttenhanger, 26/11
167) BEWICK'S SWANS (herd of 10), Wilstone Reservoir, 12/11
166) DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE, Wilstone Reservoir, 11/11
165) COMMON SCOTER, Hilfield Park Reservoir, 9/11
164) SHORT-EARED OWL, Deadman's Hill, Sandon, 31/10
163) GREAT GREY SHRIKE, Coombe Road, Kelshall, 31/10
162) RED KNOT, Amwell NR, 12/10
161) RING OUZEL, Croxley Common Moor, 26/9
160) PECTORAL SANDPIPER, Wilstone Reservoir, 6/9
159) COMMON REDSTART, Hatfield Aerodrome, 2/9
158) WHITE WAGTAIL (2), Wilstone Reservoir, 31/8
157) LITTLE STINT, Wilstone Reservoir, 27/8
156) YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (juvenile), Wilstone Reservoir, 12/8
155) EURASIAN CURLEW, Wilstone Reservoir, 12/8
154) WOOD SANDPIPER (2 juveniles), Amwell NR, 10/8
153) COMMON CROSSBILL (3 birds), Chilton's Wood, Chorleywood, 7/8
152) SPOTTED REDSHANK, Wilstone Reservoir, 6/8
Whooper Swan, Wilstone Reservoir, 2/8 (Wardown Park birds)
151) MARSH HARRIER, adult female and juvenile, Kelshall area, 27/7
150) RUFF, Wilstone, 27/7
149) EUROPEAN SHAG, Wilstone, 21/7
148) (ICELANDIC) BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (10 adults), Wilstone Reservoir, 8/7
147) """BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, Stockers Lake, 19/6
146) COMMON QUAIL, Pound Farm, Ickleford, 7/6
145) LITTLE TERN, Wilstone Reservoir, 4/6
144) SANDERLING, Pitstone Quarry, 30/5
143) RING-NECKED DUCK (female), Wilstone Reservoir, 18/5
142) Common Greenshank, Pitstone Quarry, 14/5
141) COMMON NIGHTINGALE, Lee Valley Park, 13/5
140) EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE, Ayot St Lawrence, 13/5
139) Lesser Whitethroat, Dry Canal, Tring, 29/4
138) ARCTIC TERN, Wilstone Reservoir, 27/4
137) Hobby, Wilstone Reservoir, 26/4
136) Common Swift, Wilstone Reservoir, 26/4
135) WOOD WARBLER, Ashridge Forest, 22/4
134) GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, Croxley Common Moor, 20/4
133) Common Cuckoo, Croxley Common Moor, 20/4
132) BLACK TERN, Startop's End Reservoir, 20/4
131) Garden Warbler, Tyttenhanger GP, 17/4
130) GARGANEY (pair), Tyttenhanger Main Pit, 17/4
129) Common Sandpiper, Wilstone Reservoir, 12/4
128) Western Reed Warbler, Croxley Common Moor, 12/4
127) WHINCHAT, Croxley Common Moor, 12/4
126) Willow Warbler, Stockers Lake, 8/4
125) Sedge Warbler, Stockers Lake, 8/4
124) Common Whitethroat, Croxley Common Moor, 8/4
123) Northern Wheatear, Norton Green, 6/4
122) House Martin, Wilstone Reservoir, 30/3
121) LITTLE GULL, Startop's End Reservoir, 30/3
120) Common Tern, Wilstone Reservoir, 29/3
119) Blackcap, Marsworth Reservoir, 27/3
White-cheeked Pintail (escape), Tyttenhanger GP, 23/3
118) Oystercatcher, Tyttenhanger GP, 23/3
117) Little Owl, Stocker's Farm, 23/3
116) SCANDINAVIAN ROCK PIPIT, Wilstone Reservoir, 18/3
115) European Barn Swallow, Wilstone Reservoir, 18/3
114) Little Ringed Plover, Wilstone Reservoir, 14/3
BARNACLE GEESE, party of 8 at Wilstone, 11/3
113) Sand Martin, Wilstone, 11/3
112) COMMON RAVEN, Whitwell, 25/2
111) WATER PIPIT, Wilstone Reservoir, 23/2
110) DUNLIN (5), Tyttenhanger Main Pit, 23/2
Ruddy Shelduck (presumed escape), Tyttenhanger GP, 22/2
109) Great Black-backed Gull, Hilfield Park Reservoir, 20/2
108) BLACK-NECKED GREBE 20/2
107) CETTI'S WARBLER, Wilstone Reservoir, 20/2
106) Common Redshank, Pitstone Quarry, 20/2
105) COMMON STONECHAT, Batford, 18/2
104) Lesser Redpoll, Danemead NR, 14/2
103) LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, Danemead NR, Broxbourne, 14/2
102) Ringed Plover, Pitstone, 13/2
101) FIRECREST, Bramfield Churchyard, 8/2
100) Goldcrest, Bramfield, 8/2
99) Meadow Pipit, Bramfield, 9/2
98) Common Treecreeper, Bramfield, 9/2
97) HAWFINCH (3), Bramfield Churchyard, 9/2
96) GREY PARTRIDGE, Dry Canal, Wilstone Reservoir, 30/1
95) Green Sandpiper, East Hyde & Batford SW, 25/1
94) Common Chiffchaff (5), River Colne, Troy Mill GP, 21/1
93) RUDDY DUCK (4) STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
92) BRAMBLING (3), Tyttenhanger, 19/1
91) TREE SPARROW (20), Tyttenhanger, 19/1
90) Mistle Thrush, Willows Farm, 19/1
89) Barnacle Goose (of unknown origin), Tyttenhanger GP, 19/1
88) Common Shelduck, Tyttenhanger GP, 19/1
87) Herring Gull (Argenteus), Wilstone, 16/1
86) European Golden Plover, Wilstone, 16/1
85) Whooper Swan (naturalised), Wilstone, 16/1
84) Red Kite (5), Sandon Area, 15/1
83) Siskin, Amwell NR, 15/1
82) Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Amwell GP, 15/1
81) JACK SNIPE, East Hyde
80) Common Snipe, Tyttenhanger GP, 15/1
79) SMEW (5), Amwell NR, 15/1
78) Red-crested Pochard (3 females), Amwell NR, 15/1
77) Yellowhammer, Tyttenhanger GP, 15/1
76) Song Thrush, Tyttenhanger GP, 15/1
75) Bullfinch, Frithsden Beeches, 14/1
74) Coal Tit, Frithsden Beeches, 14/1
73) Ring-necked Parakeet, Aldenham Country Park, 7/1
72) Mandarin Duck (26), Aldenham Reservoir, 7/1
71) PEREGRINE FALCON, Hemel Hempstead Town Centre, 7/1
70) Marsh Tit, Kimpton Mill, 7/1
69) JACK SNIPE, East Hyde, 7/1
68) BOHEMIAN WAXWING (231 in total), Hatfield/Hemel, 7/1
67) Corn Bunting, Marsworth Reservoir, 3/1
66) Reed Bunting, Bishops Stortford, 3/1
65) Greenfinch, East Hyde, 3/1
64) Linnet (330), Dagnall, 4/1
63) Chaffinch
62) House Sparrow, Wilstone Gt Farm, 1/1
61) Common Starling
60) Carrion Crow
59) Rook
58) Jackdaw
57) Jay
56) Common Magpie
55) Nuthatch, Ashridge Forest, 3/1
54) BEARDED TIT, Michael's Mead Country Park (2), 3/1
53) Long-tailed Tit
52) Blue Tit
51) Great Tit
50) Common Blackbird, Wilstone, 1/1
49) Fieldfare, Great Gaddesden, 4/1
48) Redwing, Great Gaddesden, 4/1
47) Robin
46) Dunnock
45) Wren
44) Grey Wagtail, Wilstone, 4/1
43) Pied Wagtail, Wilstone, 4/1
42) Eurasian Skylark, East Hyde, 3/1
41) Great Spotted Woodpecker, Ashridge Forest, 2/1
40) Green Woodpecker
39) Common Kingfisher, Wilstone, 1/1
38) BARN OWL, Marworth Reservoir, 2/1
37) Tawny Owl, Marsworth, 2/1
36) Collared Dove, 1/1
35) Stock Dove, 3/1
34) Woodpigeon, Wilstone, 1/1
33) Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wilstone, 2/1
32) MEDITERRANEAN GULL, Wilstone, 2/1
31) Common Gull, Wilstone, 1/1
30) Black-headed Gull, Wilstone, 1/1
29) Lapwing, King's Meads, 3/1
28) Coot, Wilstone, 1/1
27) Moorhen, Wilstone, 1/1
26) Water Rail, Marsworth, 2/1
25) Common Pheasant, 1/1
24) Red-legged Partridge, 3/1
23) Common Kestrel, Wilstone, 1/1
22) Common Buzzard, 4/1
21) GOOSANDER, Wilstone, 1/1
20) Common Goldeneye, Wilstone, 1/1
19) Tufted Duck, Wilstone, 1/1
18) Northern Pochard, Wilstone, 1/1
17) Common Teal, Wilstone, 1/1
16) Eurasian Wigeon, Wilstone, 1/1
15) shoveler, Wilstone, 1/1
14) NORTHERN PINTAIL (8), Wilstone, 1/1
13) Gadwall, Wilstone, 1/1
12) Mallard, Wilstone, 1/1
11) Egyptian Goose (8), East Hyde, 3/1
10) Atlantic Canada Goose, East Hyde, 3/1
9) Greylag Goose, East Hyde, 3/1
8) EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (2 adults), East Hyde, 3/1
7) Mute Swan, Wilstone, 1/1
6) Grey Heron, Wilstone, 1/1
5) Little Egret, Wilstone, 1/1
4) EURASIAN BITTERN, Marsworth Reservoir, 2/1
3) Atlantic Great Cormorant, Wilstone, 1/1
2) Great Crested Grebe, Wilstone, 1/1
1) Little Grebe, Wilstone, 1 January

My Hertfordshire List in 2010

170) BOHEMIAN WAXWING Stevenage 22 November
169) RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Wilstone 19 November
168) SCANDINAVIAN ROCK PIPIT, Wilstone 8 November
167) GREATER SCAUP Wilstone Res, 7 November
166) WATER PIPIT Wilstone 6 November
165) HEN HARRIER Coome Road, Kelshall 10 Oct
164) Whooper Swan (non-naturalised) Wilstone 25 Sept
163) LITTLE STINT (2 juveniles) Wilstone 28 Sept
162) PIED FLYCATCHER Wilstone Reservoir 19 August
161) BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Wilstone Reservoir 10 August
160) Common Greenshank Pitstone Quarry 7 August
159) WOOD SANDPIPER Rye Meads Sewage Farm 21 July
158) LITTLE TERN Tyttenhanger GP 11 July
157) Barnacle Goose (non-naturalised Category C) Tyttenhanger 7 June
156) Spotted Flycatcher Ayot St Lawrence 7 June
155) COMMON QUAIL (2 calling birds) 2 June
154) RED-FOOTED FALCONS (2 birds) Wilstone 27-28 May
153) WHIMBREL Wilstone 8 May
152) EURASIAN CURLEW Tyttenhanger 7 May
151) SANDERLING (3) Tyttenhanger GP 7 May
150) Common Cuckoo 2/5
149) Dunlin Wilstone 2/5
148) RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Wilstone 1/5
147) BAR-TAILED GODWIT over Wilstone 30/4
146) Garden Warbler 30/4
145b) Greenland Wheatear (14 birds) Norton Green 30/4
145) BLACK TERN (2) Wilstone 25/4
144) EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE Woodoaks Farm 23/4
143) WHINCHAT Croxley Common Moor 23/4
142) COMMON NIGHTINGALE 23/4
141) MARSH HARRIER Wilstone 22/4
140) GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Marsworth 21/4
139) Common Swift 20/4
138) Hobby 20/4
137) Common Sandpiper 19/4
136) BLACK REDSTART Tyttenhanger 19/4
135) Common Whitethroat 19/4
134) Lesser Whitethroat 16/4
133) Western Reed Warbler 14/4
132) RING OUZEL 14/4
131) LITTLE GULL (3 birds) 12/4
130) Sedge Warbler 9/4
129) ARCTIC TERN 7/4
128) COMMON REDSTART 6/4
127) SANDWICH TERN 3/4
126) White Wagtail 30/3
125) Willow Warbler 2/4
124) House Martin 31/3
123) Blackcap 31/3
122) Northern Wheatear 30/3
121) Yellow Wagtail 30/3
120) Little Ringed Plover 30/3
119) Common Tern 27/3
118) European Barn Swallow 22/3
117) Sand Martin 21/3
116) LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER 16/3
115) Ringed Plover 15/3
114) Oystercatcher 13/3
113) GARGANEY 4/3
112) Marsh Tit 26/2
111) Lesser Redpoll 21/2
110) Barn Owl 20/2
109) HAWFINCH 19/2
108) Egyptian Goose 17/2
107) Little Owl 15/2
106) BRAMBLING 12/2
105) BLACK-NECKED GREBE 12/2
104) EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE 12/2
103 JANUARY
103) GREAT WHITE EGRET
102) CORN BUNTING
101) Yellowhammer
100) Reed Bunting
99) COMMON CROSSBILL
98) Bullfinch
97) Siskin
96) Greenfinch
95) Goldfinch
94) Linnet
93) Common Chaffinch
92) TREE SPARROW
91) House Sparrow
90) Common Starling
89) COMMON RAVEN
88) Carrion Crow
87) Rook
86) Jackdaw
85) Jay
84) Common Magpie
83) Common Treecreeper
82) Nuthatch
81) Long-tailed Tit
80) Blue Tit
79) Coal Tit
78) Great Tit
77) FIRECREST
76) Goldcrest
75) SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF
74) Common Chiffchaff
73) CETTI'S WARBLER
72) Common Blackbird
71) Fieldfare
70) Mistle Thrush
69) Redwing
68) Song Thrush
67) COMMON STONECHAT
66) European Robin
65) Dunnock
64) Winter Wren
63) Grey Wagtail
62) Pied Wagtail
61) Meadow Pipit
60) Eurasian Skylark
59) Great Spotted Woodpecker
58) Green Woodpecker
57) Ring-necked Parakeet
56) Common Kingfisher
55) Tawny Owl
54) Eurasian Collared Dove
53) Woodpigeon
52) Stock Dove
51) GLAUCOUS GULL
50) Great Black-backed Gull
49) Lesser Black-backed Gull
48) Herring Gull
47) MEDITERRANEAN GULL
46) Common Gull
45) Black-headed Gull
44) RUFF
43) JACK SNIPE
42) Common Snipe
41) WOODCOCK
40) Common Redshank
39) Green Sandpiper
38) Lapwing
37) European Golden Plover
36) Coot
35) Moorhen
34) Water Rail
33) Common Pheasant
32) Grey Partridge
31) Red-legged Partridge
30) MERLIN
29) PEREGRINE
28) Common Kestrel
27) Eurasian Sparrowhawk
26) Common Buzzard
25) Red Kite
24) RUDDY DUCK
23) Goosander
22) SMEW
21) Common Goldeneye
20) Tufted Duck
19) Red-crested Pochard
18) Northern Pochard
17) Common Teal
16) Eurasian Wigeon
15) Shoveler
14) Northern Pintail
13) Gadwall
12) Mallard
11) Mandarin Duck
10) Common Shelduck
9) Atlantic Canada Goose
8) Greylag Goose
7) Mute Swan
6) Grey Heron
5) LITTLE EGRET
4) EURASIAN BITTERN
3) Continental Cormorant
2) Little Grebe
1) Great Crested Grebe

HERTFORDSHIRE BIRDING

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Tuesday, 12 April 2011

Exceptionally early WHINCHAT and nest-building LESSER SPOTS

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