Dancing Jacks

Jack Snipe, East Hyde (Ben Andrew)

FRIDAY 12 MARCH

Although the wind veered to the north today, it felt much more warmer than of late, and was a very pleasant and bright day. Temperatures managed to climb to 8 degrees C.

EAST HYDE (BEDS/HERTS BORDER)

With the weather perking up, I decided to return to East Hyde, to make the most of the wintering Jack Snipe before they leave for the bogs of Northern Scandinavia and western Siberia. Darin Stanley was there, and from 1800-1830 hours we enjoyed a fabulous display.

Although 1-2 JACK SNIPES were already 'bouncing' and in full view at 1800 hours, the next 20 minutes saw the remaining three creep out from the vegetation and act out their crepuscular existence. By 1815, all 5 birds were showing very well in the stream, all actively feeding and vibrating with their bodies to attract food to the surface. As dusk approached, they became very active, greeting each other and bathing in the shallow water. One bird was less than 15 feet away. What a fantastic spectacle. These are such special birds and this winter has been one of the best for the species in decades, these five individuals offering a unique opportunity of study.

The GREEN SANDPIPER flew in to roost, whilst a WATER RAIL performed further down the stream. Twelve Gadwall were counted.

The male FIRECREST joined a few Long-tailed Tits in the hedgerow late on - perhaps he roosts with them (Lee G R Evans)

JACK SNIPES

Still up to 5 JACK SNIPE at dusk at East Hyde, along with the male FIRECREST (per Darin Stanley)

Stevenage GOOSANDER

This magnificent shot of the gorgeous drake GOOSANDER on Fairfield Lake, Stevenage, was taken this morning when the bird was loafing in the middle of the sailing lake (Phil Bishop). It has now been present for several days.

Both the 3 JACK SNIPE and the male FIRECREST are still at East Hyde, with a further JACK SNIPE showing well from the Watchpoint at Amwell. The two FIRECREST are still present in the Holly bushes by the bench just inside Box Wood.

Meanwhile, the female LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER was seen again this morning in Broxbourne Woods (Danemead NR), along with a male BRAMBLING, and a female Ruddy Shelduck of captive origin remains for a third day on Willows Farm Pool, Tyttenhanger.

First DUNLIN of year

A DUNLIN was on the island in front of the viewpoint at Amwell for about 15 minutes Sunday morning. It then flew off high to the south. Also one Bittern, two redhead Smew (Jan Hein Steenis).

BLACK-NECKED GREBE numbers building up

At least 4 BLACK-NECKED GREBES have now returned to Hilfield Park Reservoir, showing well from the public viewpoint overlooking part of the reservoir (several observers).


Elsewhere, the male FIRECREST and 5 JACK SNIPES remain at East Hyde, with a BARN OWL nearby in Thrales End Lane, and an Oystercatcher was on Tyttenhanger Fishing Lake.

Second-earliest GARGANEY arrive at Amwell - Diary Notes entry for LGRE

THURSDAY 4 MARCH

Although temperatures in the south climbed to 7.5 degrees C, a cold easterly wind made it feel very bitter. It remained bright throughout, with long spells of sunshine and clear blue skies.

Recent days have heralded the arrival of spring with many waders returning to breeding localities, including Curlew, Common Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover, as well as some early returning migrants such as Little Ringed Plover, Northern Wheatear, Sand Martin and White Wagtail. There has been a wave of coastal GARGANEYS but it still came as a surprise when Alan Reynolds telephoned to say that Bill Last had discovered a pair at Amwell - a very early date. Frustratingly, I was in Dorset, and a mere 198 miles away........

CHESS RIVER VALLEY AND BOIS MILL LAKE (BUCKS)

Three LITTLE EGRETS were still lingering today, along with a single CONTINENTAL CORMORANT at Bois Mill Lake.

GREAT HARDMEAD LAKE, AMWELL NR (HERTS)
(1600-1630 hours)

As soon as I returned from Dorset, I drove over to Amwell and was very pleased to see that the two GARGANEYS were still present and showing well. They were an adult pair in pristine fresh spring plumage and although asleep on some branches for most of the time opposite the Tom Gladwin Hide, both birds (and accompanying pair of Common Teal) were rudely awaken by an Atlantic Canada Goose, which hissed and chased them, forcing them to relocate a few yards away. Joan Thompson joined me in the hide, with both birds still showing well when I departed at 1630. Garganey represented my 200th species of 2010.

Earliest Arrival Dates of Garganey in Hertfordshire since 1970

1970: 3 drakes at Broxbourne GP on 25 March;
1971: 3 at Wilstone Reservoir, Tring, on 14 March;
1972: a pair on Wilstone on 18 March;
1973: None recorded all year;
1974: drake on Cheshunt GP on 17 April;
1975: a drake on Wilstone on 2 April;
1976: a drake at Stockers West GP on 1 April;
1977: three drakes and a female at Wilstone Reservoir on 5 March;
1978: a drake at Wilstone from 10-17 May;
1979: None recorded in spring;
1980: None recorded in spring;
1981: A pair were on Wilstone on 18 March;
1982: A pair were at Broxbourne GP on 27 March;
1983: A breeding pair were at London Colney from 18 March;
1984: A pair was at Wilstone on 25 April;
1985: None recorded in spring;
1986: A pair was at Tyttenhanger GP from 19-22 April;
1987: A pair arrived at King's Meads on 1 May;
1988: a pair at Amwell GP on 2 April;
1989: a pair arrived at King's Meads on 13 May;
1990: one was at Wilstone Reservoir on 9 February with a female in spring at King's Meads from 19 March;
1991: a drake was at Tyttenhanger GP from 30 March to 2 April, when found dead;
1992: a drake at Wilstone on 14 May;
1993: a drake at Wilstone from 22-30 May;
1994: a female wintered at Wilstone and remained until 8 January; a pair arrived there on 29 March;
1995: a drake at Wilstone on 22-23 March;
1996: a drake at Hilfield Park Reservoir on 8 April;
1997: an overwintering drake at Rye Meads and Rye House Marsh from 1 January until 5 March, with the first migrant drake at Wilstone on 29 March;
1998: the overwintering drake was again present and remained at Amwell GP until 4 April;
1999: the regular wintering drake was at Amwell from 27 February until 19 April with a migrant pair present on 21 March;
2000: a pair at Wilstone on 6 April, whilst the regular male overwintered again at Amwell;
2001: the regular drake was last observed at Rye Meads from 1-7 January; a pair at Tring Sewage Farm on 19 April;
2002: two drakes at King's Meads on 29 March;
2003: an early drake was at Amwell on 2 March;
2004: a drake at Rye Meads on 7 May;
2005: two drakes at Wilstone from 21 March;
2006: a single drake at Cooper's Green GP on 17 April;
2007-2009: No data

There have been instances of wintering by Garganey in Hertfordshire on three separate occasions, including a long-lived drake which survived from 1997 until January 2001. However, in terms of genuine immigrants, today's pair are the second-ever earlies arrivals, following the drake at Amwell on 2 March 2003.

Also at Great Hardmead Lake this afternoon were 8 Grey Herons, 6 Mute Swans, 38 Eurasian Wigeon, 15 Common Teal,18 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler,112 Tufted Duck, 16 Pochard, 8 Common Goldeneye, 5 SMEW (an adult drake and four redheads) and 6 Great Crested Grebes.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD (HERTS)

The adult female PEREGRINE was roosting in its usual spot and showing very well (see Dan Forder's superb array of new images above).

A41 (HERTS) - dead Badger on westbound A41 near Dudswell.

MARSWORTH RESERVOIR (HERTS)

No sign of the Red-crested Pochard pair but 11 Great Crested Grebes, 2 adult Mute Swans, 105 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 5 Northern Pochard and 3 Coot; some 62 CORN BUNTINGS roosted.

STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR (HERTS)

Four Great Crested Grebe, 76 Coot, 22 Tufted Duck and 30 Northern Pochard.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR (HERTS)
(1745-1825 hours; with Steve Rodwell)

The number of roosting gulls has decreased dramatically with just 1,200 Black-headed Gulls estimated this evening, along with 87 Common Gulls and 6 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls; Steve located the 2nd-winter MEDITERRANEAN GULL, this bird being the same as that present on 27-28 February and photographed by David Bilcock above. It has some blackish feathering coming through on the head, with a blood-red bill and black band and black primary patterning.

Two LITTLE EGRETS flew in to roost on the Drayton Bank, whilst wildfowl included 8 COMMON GOLDENEYE (3 adult drakes), diminishing numbers of Eurasian Wigeon (just 214) and 18 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Gadwall, 26 Shoveler, 96 Tufted Duck and 38 Pochard.

Five JACK SNIPE again at dusk

This evening at East Hyde just prior to dark, up to 5 JACK SNIPE again, in the company of 1 COMMON SNIPE & 1 GREEN SANDPIPER nearby. Before 18.05 there was only 2 JACK SNIPE & 1 GREEN SANDPIPER (Darin Stanley)