WAXWINGS and HAWFINCHES

TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER


Continuing cold and dry but with little wind.

Set off at about 0900 hours to bird HERTFORDSHIRE, 4 Red Kites just to the north of ABBOTS LANGLEY being the largest congregation I have seen there.

Then got to WELWYN GARDEN CITY, where in front of the Council Offices in College Road, I and others obtained excellent views of WAXWINGS as they fed on the Pink Rowan. They were very difficult to count but the maximum I got to was 51 birds. One bird flew into a glass window and stunned itself, allowing very close approach, whilst another was so drunk on berries, it could be approached to within a couple of inches. The berry-bearing shrubs were also attracting Mistle Thrushes and Jays.

I then joined Derek Girvan and others in BRAMFIELD VILLAGE, observing from the St Andrews Churchyard at TL 292 156. There was an awful lot of standing around and during the three hours that I was present, just one adult male HAWFINCH was observed - both occasions flying in or out of the Old Rectory garden to perch briefly in the tall trees of the churchyard. It was also very nice to meet the resident birdwatcher that found them, the three birds (adult male and two females) frequently visiting the Yew in his garden to feed on berries.

The following species were also observed in Bramfield village :-

Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatches (affording superb views and allowing to be photographed), 29 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, flyover Siskin, 8 Greenfinch, 11 Chaffinch, Blue, Great & Coal Tits, 6 House Sparrows, 5+ Jays, 50+ Jackdaws, Goldfinch and 1 Goldcrest.

Had a brief look at TEWINBURY NR (TL 261 141) but virtually nothing to see - 6 Mallard, 2 Coot and a Little Egret on the River Mimram. Nearby, at LEMSFORD SPRINGS NR (TL223 122), the cressbeds held 3 GREEN SANDPIPERS, 4 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and a Grey Wagtail, along with Green Woodpecker, 10 Common Magpies, Red Kite, Song Thrush and Wren in the adjoining field.

I then checked STANBOROUGH PARK (TL 229 112), where the North Lake held 5 Mute Swans, 54 Mallard, 4 Coot and 8 Moorhen and the South Lake just 2 Great Crested Grebes.

Last stop of the day was in AYLESBURY (BUCKS), at the GATEHOUSE LANE TRADING ESTATE (SP 806 144), where with Paul Keene and his dog warden friend Ann, we recorded 66 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS. Sadly, one first-winter had been injured just below and behind the eye and was bleeding and was busily feeding on its own. It allowed me to approach it to within a couple of feet and was still quite perky but did remain in the Rowan tree until dusk. Strangely, the remaining flock of 65 all flew in calling late afternoon as if to encourage the bird to join them to roost. They then all flew off towards Fairford Leys.

WAXWINGS in Welwyn

A flock of at least 50 WAXWINGS is now in Welwyn Garden City - by the council offices along College Way

Meanwhile, the juvenile COMMON SCOTER remains on Hilfield Park Reservoir, with 26 Mandarin Ducks on neighbouring Aldenham Reservoir

HAWFINCHES

Alan Reynolds connected with the 3 HAWFINCHES today as they spent 20 seconds at the tops of the tall trees in the churchyard at Bramfield. Alan acknowledged tht the birds are spending most of their time in the adjacent Rectory Garden. Here is a record shot Alan did well in getting.

GREATER SCAUP growing up

Top county photographer Alan Reynolds took these images today of the young drake GREATER SCAUP in Tumbling Bay Pit, North Amwell; it is advancing well with much grey vermiculating coming through.

HAWFINCHES at Bramfield

Today, 3 HAWFINCHES were in trees in Bramfield Churchyard - a traditional site.

Also, WAXWINGS remained at several sites, including 19 in Bengeo and 3 in Hertford, as well as 2 in Ware (on Trapstyle Road) and 17 on Oughtonhead Common, Hitchin.

Waxwings in Bengeo (Alan Reynolds)

WAXWINGS today

Alan Reynolds is a true professional - his images are absolutely superb. Above are just two of his recent examples.

In Hertfordshire today, WAXWINGS were sighted at Tanners Crescent, Hertford (3; many observers), The Avenue, Bengeo (18; many observers), Pondcroft, Welwyn Garden City (12; Mike King), Bradmore Way in Brookmans Park (24; Rupert Lee) and by the Cromwell Hotel in Stevenage (2; Paul Howard)

SCOTER at Hilfield - 3rd day

This juvenile COMMON SCOTER, initially found by Steve Murray on Thursday 29 November and excellently photographed by Ian Bennell above, was still present today, as was the first-winter drake GREATER SCAUP at Tumbling Bay Lake, Amwell.

Elsewhere, single GOOSANDERS included a drake at Stockers Lake (Geoff Lapworth) and a redhead at Wilstone (LGRE)